Page 403 of Hell Hath No Fury
The side of her body to mine, she peered up at me. When her eyes met mine, they were full of immense pain. Then she whispered, “The owner of this club… My fiancé.”
Jesus. H. Christ.
DARING HEARTS
Even though I was doused in my own physical pain, I could surprisingly feel her emotional turmoil. The reason this caught me off guard was that up to this point, I was just young and selfish. Being in my early thirties didn’t mean I had matured much yet. Or, at least, I didn’t feel my actions were comparable to my father’s. He was the leader of the pack. The man who carefully reacted in the best interest of his men and family, busy taking responsibility for others while I had my middle finger to the world. I wanted to shine bright, too, but that’s almost impossible when standing next to the sun.
Now here I was, in a closet with a woman I had just met yet was somehow instantly invested. Understanding that this stranger was in some sort of warped relationship impacted me on a level I hadn’t experienced before.
I actually gave a fuck.
Would I have laid my life down for a brother? Hell yes.
A girl? Besides my sister? Fuck no.
So, why was Green Eyes already under my skin? Why was I giving a shit and speaking with disgust? “This shit sounds mafia. You’re in some sort of twisted engagement, aren’t you?”
She swallowed and nodded. “Twistedis putting it lightly. This Italian prince has the ego of ten men combined.” She tried to guide me closer to the door, but I was refusing to budge. She warned, “VP, time to go.”
“Ego? He killed your pops. What are you, some sort of perverse trophy?”
She exhaled an exhaustion she had kept hidden so well up to this point. “I’m a trophy, a weapon, and a prisoner.” She shook her head, dismissing thoughts we had no time for. “Now, can wepleaseget you out of here so I don’t have to witness yet another death?”
She witnessed her father’s death?I felt for her. I really did. Her life was a mess.
But, I was still dying. “Yeah, babe. I won’t put you through that.”
Her sad eyes softened. “Thank you.” Still supporting me, she reached for the doorknob. “Any minute now, the DJ is going to do a toast. They do one every night to keep alcohol sales moving. Everyone will be with drink in hand and focused on him, so we can slip out the back door.”
Suddenly remembering why I was no longer outside, I told Green Eyes, “I’ve got some bad guys looking for me.”
“No shit?”
Her sarcasm had me wanting to proudly smirk, andnotwanting her in more trouble than she was probably already in for helping me. “You should stay in the club.”
From a shelf with more supplies, she grabbed a box cutting knife. “Let’s hope the ‘bad guys’ are easier to handle than my fiancé’s thugs.”
At that moment, I realized God was cruel. He had given me a glimpse of the perfect girl, yet made it impossible for me to have her. “You’re defying murderers to help me. You talked back to my dad—which no one does, or at least lives to brag about. And you have a weapon in your hand. If I were willing to let a girl in my heart, Green Eyes, it would be you.”
Amused, she grinned. “Girls with blades is what it takes, huh?”
I stared at the door that would take me closer to a goodbye I didn’t want. “Girls with balls, apparently, are my weakness.” Ichuckled. “Who would have known I prefer balls when I’ve been chasing pussy this whole time?”
Staring at the door, Green Eyes blew out a breath. “Would you think less of me if I told you my balls are trembling?”
I tightened my arm around her. “No, because that would make me a hypocrite.”
Giggling, she leaned her cheek to my chest. “I knew I was dying tonight, just didn’t know I’d get to laugh first.”
Her odd statement had me wanting to ask what she meant, but then I saw her beautiful smile gleaming up at me. I couldn’t speak. I could only listen as she said, “It was unexpected, more than you know, but so nice to meet you, VP.”
I had never gazed adoringly at a girl before, but Green Eyes was no ordinary girl. She had captured me. Therealme. I think that is why I did something so rare. “Duke. My name is Duke.”
As if completely aware of how a road name is all one-percenters preferred to share, her expression filled with elation that I’d given her my true identity. Then, as if committed to matching my offering, she set her shoulders back and announced, “Elle. My name is Elle.”
Fate. What a wise, mysterious fucker.
“Nice to meet you,Elle.”
