Page 71 of Scarred Heir
By my side was where I wanted her, even if that meant putting her in harm’s way. I was arrogant enough to think that I could protect her from anything. Consequences be damned.
EIGHTEEN
Sable
Walkingdown the dark streets of Manhattan could be dangerous, especially in shoes that would make it impossible to run if the need presented itself. Most women wouldn’t attempt it alone at midnight. But I wasn’t like most women. Navigating the seedy streets of the city didn’t seem too scary considering I slept next to a killer.
Well, most nights I slept next to Milo. The other nights he didn’t come to bed until the sun peeked through the curtains. He brought me to the penthouse so I could be close to him when he did make it home, but after two nights of tossing, turning, and waiting for him, I decided to get proactive.
Leaving the penthouse hadn’t been as difficult as I would have imagined. There wasn’t even a guard on the other side of the door. Why would there be? Milo wasn’t there. But you’d think he wouldn’t leave me unprotected.
As I turned the corner, the line for the club stretched allthe way down the block. It was the middle of the night in the city that never slept. Milo’s club trended all over social media. What did I expect? Everyone who wanted to be someone would kill for a selfie with Milo.
I had been living this life with him for days without ever stepping inside the club. I didn’t have to. People posted his every move all night long. There were entire pages dedicated to him. A mafia celebrity. What a strange world we live in.
The inappropriate women didn’t bother me, because even in the short time that Milo and I had been together, I didn’t feel like he was interested in them. I wasn’t sure what we were to one another, but my instincts told me that when he said I was his, he also meant he was mine.
The urge to be with him took over, and here I was, taking a huge chance and showing up unannounced where he conducted questionable business. Dangerous and dark deals for men who lacked any moral compass.
Texting him and letting him know I was here would have made me lose the element of surprise. The idea wasn’t to piss him off. I didn’t wear this revealing dress for nothing. Losing an hour standing in line wasn’t part of my plan either.
As I strolled along the sidewalk, I passed the people who stood in the cold, trying to nonchalantly cut the line. If I could get to the entryway of the building, I could tell the guy at the door who I was and that Milo would be expecting me.
I was certain I wasn’t the only girl who tried that trick, but I was pretty sure I was the only one named Sable, and Milo would let me through.I think…
A few people yelled at me, but I pretended I didn’t hear them as I shimmied into the crowd, making my way to thefront of the line. People pushed and poked at my back, but I didn’t let them deter me.
“Excuse me.” I wiggled close to a man who appeared to be alone. His imposing frame and expensive suit would have made him stand out, but considering this club was full of mafia men and cartel members, he blended in.
When he turned and smiled at me, I stepped back out of instinct. There was something not quite right in his gaze, but I couldn’t say what it was.
“I need to get to the front,” I said. “It’s kind of important.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Oh, well, someone inside is waiting for me.”
“Why would he leave you out here?” A scorpion tattoo on the top of his hand glimmered under the street light when he checked his watch. “At such a late hour.”
“How do you know I’m meeting a guy?”
“A hunch.”
“I’m really late. Do you mind if I go in with you?” I should have approached someone else, but now the eager customers were shoving forward and I was about to get inched out of the line. “If I’m with you, the crowd behind me might not mind if I cut the line.”
I didn’t want to cause a ruckus and have the guys at the door bounce me out before I got in.
“I’ll escort you in if you have a drink with me once we’re inside.”
“Um, I…” I rocked on my heel, causing me to stubble back.
The ominous stranger slipped his arm around my waist and steadied me. “Come on, we’re up next.”
He guided me toward the entrance as I dug in my bag to get some cash to pay the cover, but before I could get themoney out, the doorman tapped the stranger’s credit card against a tablet.
“You didn’t have to pay for me,” I said. “I have money.”
“I figured any woman who can afford those shoes can pay her way into this club.” He glanced around. “I don’t know what the draw is. This place is a dump.”
