Page 2 of Thorns of Deceit
I closed my eyes and shook out my shoulders, counted to five, and reopened them, but the image of my husband didn’t budge. He was like the eye of a storm, threatening to rip me out of the sea of people.
Before I could process what was happening, he began striding toward me. My brain kicked into gear too late.
I’d barely taken two steps in the opposite direction when a strong, calloused hand wrapped around my wrist.
“I see dead people,wife.”
ONE
RAVEN
Five Years Ago
Do whatever it takes.
I needed the money to get out of here and join my friends in Paris so I could study music and painting. But unlike me, the girls were loaded. They assumed my mom and I were too, just because I attended boarding school with them. Its elite reputation didn’t cater to the likes of us. I attended that elite school thanks to scholarships, much like the one I’d received for college, but unlike boarding school, travel costs, room, and board weren’t included in my latest scholarship.
Do whatever it takes.
I chanted those four little words in my mind over again as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, trying and failing to pump myself up for another night at Velvet Desire.
The club was owned by the Callahan family and had rightfully earned a reputation for catering to the city’s underbelly. But, with no experience under my belt, it’d been the only job I could get for the summer that promised fast cash. Mymother thought I worked at a coffee shop—although, what kind of coffee shop she thought operated at night, I had no idea.
It was my second week, and if I played my cards right, the next two months would fly by and I’d be out of here.
I peered at the couch where my mom lay passed out. I reached for the blanket and covered her up. She’d been doing worse than usual, or maybe I missed it before because I lived mostly in boarding school. I preferred that to the constant moving my mom did. We’d moved every few years for as long as I could remember.
Resentment washed over me. It wasn’t directed at her, but at this life and the man whose actions had put her in this position: drinking herself unconscious for the fourth time this week.
She never shared much about my father, aside from the fact that he was a criminal, bad news all around, and she’d had to run to protect us from him. Physically she’d succeeded, but mentally she was still stuck in whatever hell he’d put her through.
If only she’d chosen differently—found a man who valued her and was good to her. If only she could have gotten her happily-ever-after… Assuming those were even possible.
I squared my shoulders and braced myself for the night ahead. Dwelling on what-ifs wouldn’t do us any good.
I finished applying my lipstick and squinted at the mirror: bloodred strapless minidress, nude heels, and makeup that elevated me from “recent high school grad” to looking like I belonged working at Velvet Desire. I was ready for another night of lewd comments and ass-grabbing.
I let out a heavy sigh, telling myself that the tips made it all worth it. Besides, I considered myself lucky that I only had to wait tables—I wasn’t nearly confident enough to get on stage and dance around half naked like the other girls.
Thirty minutes later, just shy of four o’clock, I found myself in front of the strip club. I’d picked up on enough frommy short time working here to know that the owners were ruthless criminals. The club was basically a front for their shady business, but with the amount of police officers and politicians who frequented the private rooms, I didn’t think the Callahans were concerned.
I hadn’t exactly met them, but I’d seen them around. The twins, Kyran and Tyran, who looked more like thugs in leather than “businessmen,” were always working the room and sending me to tables of important-looking people with bottles of expensive liquor. I’d even seen Jack Callahan around the club, who the girls informed me was the head of the family. The latest rumors were that he was preparing to hand over the reins to his eldest nephew, Aiden.
If he spent any time at the club, he remained hidden. I still had no idea what he looked like, and if what I’d heard of him was true—everything from his penchant for torture and bloodshed to his cold demeanor—I had no desire to. If I was lucky enough, I’d be outta here before I could ever put a face to the name.
I glanced at my phone and noticed the time.
“Early,” I muttered.
I didn’t think it would be a problem. After all, what employer frowned upon staff showing up ahead of their shift? I could lend a hand setting up the new burlesque show that was set to begin in two hours. The girls might even tip me if I made myself useful enough.
Good plan.
I made my way around to the side door and pushed it open. Inside, nothing but silence and polished floors greeted me.
“That’s odd. There’s usually always someone kicking around,” I muttered under my breath.
My heels clicked as I walked down the familiar hallway with its dark brown walls and low lighting. The initial silence slowly faded, replaced by faint grunts and voices.
