Page 44 of All Your Lies
Gage
Iwatch Alexa as she applies the finishing touches to her angel costume. The disgust on her face is clear, even from the grainy video in her dark bedroom.
Alexa remembers the night of that college party differently from the way I remember it. She’s missing many details that would alter her impression of the events of that night. She must think of it as the night Marco finally grew some balls and made the move on her. Little does she know I gave her the moment we both enjoyed. I’m the one who gave her the kiss she’s always hoped for. Not the idiot who was busy getting head in an upstairs room while she was down waiting for him like the good girl she is.
Tonight, I have to tell her the truth. Wires are getting crossed, too many loose ends intermingling. Everything is going to implode if I don’t start being honest.
Rosie moved in with me a week ago after some shit went down with Vic. I’ve made an exception and invited Rosie to my club tonight. I still haven’t told her I’ve been talking to Alexa, andthey’ll be in close quarters tonight. Once she discovers I’ve been hiding it from her, she’ll be furious, but I needed time. Time that is running out.
I should also take the devil costume off and trade it for Cupid since I’m giving Vic his one and only pass with Rosie tonight. The poor fuck fell for her and fucked it all up. Never did I think asking my best friend to watch over my little sister would turn into them falling for each other. Although, according to Vic, his emotions for her have run deep for many years. I don’t like it, but I also trust him more than anyone else. If I had to choose anyone for her to be with, it would be him, even though I’m still fucking pissed at him. If everything goes well and Rosie is happy to see him and still loves him like I think she does, we’ll write up the contract for them to be married. Then she’ll be safe, which will be one less thing for me to worry about.
Alexa looks in the mirror one more time before her friend, Jenna, comes in wearing her costume. Bingo. Her friend took the bait, too.
Rosie descends the stairs in her glittery costume, revealing more skin than I would have preferred my baby sister to wear.
“You look pretty, Ro,” I say as I hastily hide my phone in my pocket.
“Thanks. I’m glad you talked me into going out.”
I sense uncertainty and sorrow in her voice. “Everything will work out. I promise you,” I say, understanding that she doesn’t grasp my meaning, but she will shortly.
“Yeah, well, I don’t know if getting my heart stomped on was supposed to happen, but I’ll take your word for it,” she says as she walks past me.
“Not everything is as it seems. Just give it time.” She gives me a quizzical expression before rolling her eyes. I swear, even grown, she’s a pain in the ass.
As we make our way into the club and to my office, I see all the boys waiting for me. Most are Vic’s biker brothers. I’m paying them a small fortune for their services tonight. They’re donned in head-to-toe black carnival masks. Anonymity is something we enjoy having in this club and for tonight, they will need to be anonymous to the girls. As I speak to them, Rosie sits off to the side, on my couch. She looks around since this is the one and only time she will be allowed in this establishment.
Vic can’t keep his eyes off her, and he’s going to mess it up before he even gets close to her. I continue with my plans for tonight, keeping them brief and in code so Rosie doesn’t get wind of the situation. The boys already understand they need to keep Poison Ivy entertained so I can have my moment with my angel. I don’t want a repeat of the last time. Vic is on Rosie detail. God help him… or not. I’m still pissed off at him.
The boys head out, and I have a word with Vic before calling Rosie over.
“This will be your security for the night. Act as if he doesn’t exist.” I smirk. Rosie looks a little unsure of him, rightfully so with the mask, but ignores him, much to my pleasure.
“Can I go enjoy my night now? The dance floor and a drink are calling my name,” she huffs out.
“Stay in the bar area and take it easy on the alcohol.” The last thing I want is for her to stumble upon any of the remaining sections of the club.
“I will,” she says, looking a little flushed and queasy. “But last I checked, you’re not Papa, and I can drink what I want, when I want.” She stomps out of the room without a second glance.
“She’s all yours,” I tell Vic, knowing she won’t make it easy on him whatsoever. I watch him waste no time coming up on her heels.
I take a moment to collect myself in the silence of my office. My thoughts are all over the place. My stomach can’t help buthave knots of uncertainty. Unsure of how the next couple of hours will play out, of how Alexa will be.
In her presence, I’m unwaveringly confident behind my mask, but in my mind, the fifteen-year-old boy still clings to the thought that I’ll be cast aside once again. She’s the only person who has the power to turn me into the boy of my past.
I spot her on my screen as soon as she enters the club.
Donning a mask, I make my way into the bar area, where the vibrant costumes of the packed crowd catch my eye.
I sent Alexa a text earlier, instructing her to venture through the black door positioned on the right side of the bar alone.
Tonight, she will not only witness but take part in another section of the club, and I’m practically buzzing with excitement.
She says something to Jenna before walking off in the direction I instructed while the boys intercept her friend since Jace is busy being the DJ after the one I had canceled.
There’s also Vinny. I would have placed him on Alexa’s friend, but I instructed him to keep my idiot twin preoccupied. I don’t need him sniffing around here tonight. Vinny’s also Alexa’s cousin, and it would be unfortunate if she noticed him before she knew the truth.
I watch my dark angel walk to the door, scan her band, then disappear through the door. I count to ten, my heart pounding in my chest, before silently trailing her. As I enter, I notice her scanning the dimly lit hallway with a nervous gaze, as if expecting someone to be lurking in the shadows.
