Page 127 of Beautiful Chaos

She lifts a finger to me as two men sitting at the bar call her attention away from me. I lean against the bar and watch her start to make their drinks for them.

I smirk as I listen in on their conversation. They’re talking about the press conference Josie gave last week and Charlotte Devereaux’s connection to the Mending Hearts foundation.

It wasn’t surprising when the speculation and conspiracy theories started all over again after the fire and alleged suicides. I had considered that before deciding to craft their note we sent to police and news stations. It was still worth destroying their reputations and everything they had built.

Too much time had passed and I became complacent on how deep people would be willing to dig into an old mystery that now has been solved. All except the question still burning on everyone’s tongue. Where was Charlotte Devereaux now?

I hadn’t expected a connection to be made to MH after all these years. Back then, we weren’t equipped to completely cover our tracks. I always knew we left traces. That Josie could be connected to Charlotte. It’s why we’ve always been vigilant about when and how we meet.

She called me to help her craft a perfect statement and we finally decided it was safe enough to put all the rumors to rest.

Charlotte Devereaux was a good friend. Someone who stood behind me when I had nothing to my name. When I was nothing and no one and everyone always overlooked and underestimated me. She was kind and giving and had so much love to give. No one deserves what those demons did to her and to this day, it tears me apart to know what she’s had to endure.

But even after all of that, she remained as kind and giving as ever. With the wealth her family left behind all she wanted was two things. Two very simple and simultaneously complex things. First, she wanted to save other people from the pain she experienced. She wanted to extend a helping hand in a way that no one did for her. To support people through the worst of their trauma, help them not only heal, but thrive in a new life. She wanted to protect people and make the world a better place.

So I’m here today to confirm some of the rumors that have been rekindled due to the resurgence of this case. It’s true. Charlotte Devereaux trusted me with the funding to create and build what is today known as The Mending Hearts Foundation. From the beginning, this company has been her idea, built on her morals and dreams. It has been an honor and a privilege to build this company out of the love she had to give and in the memory of the sisters she lost. I know she would be so proud of everything this foundation has become and all the people we have saved.

Which leads me to the second thing Charlotte wanted. The only other thing she truly craved was to disappear. She never asked for her tragedies, never wanted the media circus that followed. It simply was not something she signed up for. She never wanted to be the Fallen Prom Queen or anything else that came with it. She just wanted to disappear. To start a new life where no one knew her. Where people didn’t already know the very worst moments of her life. She wanted to be away from the life that broke her and stole her family from her.

And so she did.

Charlotte Devereaux, my beloved friend who believed in me, said goodbye by leaving behind a business plan and access to a whole lot of money and I never heard from her again. All I can say is I hope wherever she did end up, she’s safe and happy and has found a new purpose filled with peace.

I smile thinking about it, she was far more dramatic and eloquent than I would have been. I was happy with her leaving it at “she dumped this idea on me and ran,” but of course, her version was more well-received than mine probably would have been.

“Where do you think she is?” One of the men leans into the other to ask in a low voice. I trade looks with Dare and smirk.

“Are you talking about the Devereaux girl?” I ask in a hushed voice. They both pause before nodding. I throw back my second shot of whiskey and lean forward towards them. “I don’t know, but if it was me,” I start and they lean closer with wide eyes. “I would have dyed my hair and ran to Paris. Got a nice flat. Ate croissants every day. Maybe become a dance teacher. Keep enough of the money to be comfortable and never have to worry again, but spend it quietly to stay under the radar and away from the world she came from.”

Dare rolls her eyes as they hang off every word. “But who knows?” I shrug. “Maybe she’s a lot closer than we think.”

I leave them to their conversation, laughing to myself as Dare watches me with amusement. She helps out a few other people before making her way back to me and pouring two more shots. We cheers each other and throw them back. It feels like a million nights before, but somehow so much better. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

“You going to dance with me tonight?” I ask her.

“Wasn’t the plan,” she drawls, “but who am I to say no to The Original Rose?”

I hum in amusement. “As if you would want to. There won’t be as many nights of you dancing here anymore.”

“True,” she agrees. “But if people want to see me work, they’ll be able to see a whole lot more of me once Poison opens.”

I snort. Leave it to Dare to make jokes about her transitioning into working at a sex club. “Remind me to put that on the fliers when we open.”

Cherry joins us at the bar and bumps my hip with hers. “Hey there, girly.” My smile is warm and genuine as I greet her back. I’ve missed having these girls around. My girls. The first place Luca and I found a home, where we started to build our family. She hands her tickets over to Dare before sashaying away once more.

“Just pull me up with you when you’re ready,” Dare teases and I salute her before finally heading over to the table where everyone is waiting for me.

“About damn time,” Jade whines. “I thought you were going to stop and greet every person before me.”

I level a glare at Ian. “Her growing brattiness is somehow your fault.” Jade’s pout quickly morphs into a grin of satisfaction while Holden snorts and shakes his head.

Ian rears back. “What the fuck? Like I’m the only one who spoils her?”

Rachel pulls the olive from her martini with her teeth and bites down on it. “You are the one who spoils her the most.”

Ian huffs and flips us both off. “Big words coming from the two women who just gave her a fucking house and a brand new limited edition Bugatti.”

Rachel places her hand against her chest, offended at his accusation. “She wanted to learn how to drive,” she defends. I struggle not to laugh, and I’m not the only one. Britt has her face in her hands and Kade is trying to not look anyone in the eye.

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