Audacious Fiancé: A Hero Club Novel

by Liz Lovelock

  A smile tugs at my lips. She speaks the truth.

  “All right.” I surrender.

  She bolts upright, a tight grip on my hands. She pulls me from my comfy spot and into a tight bear hug.

  “Whoa, what’s that?” She releases me hurriedly and shifts places with me to bend over and collect something off the floor I didn’t even feel behind me. I already hurt all over—what’s some jabs from a small bag with sharpish corners? Adele holds the small Tiffany & Co. bag in her hands as though it’s going to explode.

  “What?” I shrug.

  “He left this? Or did you steal it?” She cocks a brow and glances between the bag and me.

  I reach out and take it from her. I shove my hand in and pull out the pastel green-colored box. It seems out of place like something foreign in my hand. I place the packaging on the counter and continue to stare at the box.

  Do I open it or get rid of it?

  I thrust it toward Adele.

  “Open it. I can’t do it.” I shake my head.

  Adele takes it. “Are you sure?”

  I nod.

  Slowly, she pulls the lid up, and her face morphs. Her mouth drops open, and her eyes look as though they’re going to pop out of their sockets. “Oh, my . . . I don’t have the right words for this.” Her focus turns back on me. “Do you want to see it? It’s beautiful. We could pawn this and get some serious moolah.” A sly grin pulls at her lips. She can be evil sometimes.

  “Show me.” She turns the box toward me, and I’m sure my expression mirrors hers. Rings like this shouldn’t be legal. They’re simply asking for someone to rob you. The glittery stone shines. I’m too afraid even to consider what this must have cost. A single diamond is mounted with six claws, and dazzling diamonds wrap around the entire band. “Wow,” I say breathlessly.

  “I know, right? Do you want to try it on?” Her eyes glitter like the diamonds on the ring.

  “Do you think that’s such a good idea? I should really return it to him, not slip it on my finger.”

  “Honey, what he doesn’t know won’t kill him.”

  My fingers tremble as I reach for the delicate piece of jewelry. It slips out of its little pocket, and I’m sure I’ve got to be holding one of the most expensive things I’ll probably ever have in my hot little hands.

  “Put it on,” she pushes.

  I place the ring over my engagement finger, and it fits perfectly. Not too tight, but not loose either. A light from my kitchen hits it, and it shimmers alive. Small little rainbows kiss the white stone countertop. I smile. It’s beautiful. Then it’s as though I receive a kick to the stomach. I yank the ring from my finger, hand it to Adele, and jump up and down as if I’ve been burned.

  “What’s wrong?” she asks, sounding panicked.

  “It just reminds me what I don’t have anymore. Yes, it’s beautiful, but I have to return this to him. No one in their right mind would leave that behind. That’s stupidity.” I take the ring and box from her and slip it back to where it’s going to stay until I can return it to Nathan. I place it on the countertop and suck in some deep breaths. My lungs fill and release, and then I repeat the action.

  “You okay?” Adele asks. She stands in front of me. Her hands fidget. and then she stuffs them into her pockets. “Do you still want to head out?”

  “Yes. I need to erase this day.”

  “Yes!” she shouts with her arms raised above her, her fists clenched—a celebratory cheer. “Now, I’m goin’ to find you a sexy outfit, and I’m borrowing something of yours, and we’re heading out to enjoy ourselves. No guys.”

  “Okay.” I can’t bring myself to be happy. It seems as though whenever I think I’m in a good place, the rug gets pulled out from under me. When I got my hostess job, the next day, my mother tried to harm herself. I get happy with Nathan, and then he ups and leaves just when it looked like things were going to start moving forward. What else, God? Am I not entitled to happiness? I have a sudden urge to shake my hand up at the ceiling just to show my displeasure in the universe.

  Hours later, layers of makeup, and thousands of wardrobe changes from both Adele and I, and we finally call an Uber to pick us up. Standing on the street, we keep our coats wrapped tightly around us. It’s a chilly night, and even the smallest breeze feels like it’s ripping into my skin. I decided on skinny-leg jeans, a loose-fitting red blouse that reveals most of my back through a black lace pattern, and then I added in my black knee-high boots. Someone might mistake me as a supermodel with the way Adele did my makeup. There are dark shades of color perfectly placed around my eyelids, and I’m also sporting bright red lipstick. I’m clearly heading out to impress tonight.

  “Can this Uber take any longer? I’m gonna freeze my tits right off,” Adele says.

  I laugh.

  I’m about to respond when our ride pulls up. We climb in, and I relish in the heat it supplies. “Remind me again why we’re going out tonight when I could easily stay in my warm apartment.”

  “Because we’re drinking to forget.” She winks.

  I sigh. I’d much rather be in my bed wallowing. I don’t voice that opinion, though.

  Chapter Seven

  Jolene

  These clubs feel like a furnace once the dancing starts and drinks are consumed. Add in the testosterone from every male in the confined area, and you’ve got yourself a cocktail of heat and sex

  Adele hands me another vodka shot that I toss back. The burning sensation feels damn good. I can’t remember how many this has been. Forgetting is becoming much easier. If only the loser men of the night would keep their distance and their hands to themselves. I’ve had my ass groped one too many times by some random guy standing behind me. I swear, next time I’m going to slap his face.

  We’re sitting at a table in the corner. We have a good view of the dance floor, and as an added bonus, we’re close to the bar. My head is foggy and light. Just what I want tonight. Adele has been taking it easy and has promised to keep a level head to make sure we actually get home.

  I glance at my watch. Three fifteen in the morning beams back. Damn, I’m going to feel this later.

  “Did you want to go soon?” Adele yells into my ear over the loud thumping music.

  I shake my head. “Not yet. Shortly, though.” I grin. “I’ll go get us another drink,” I say and walk away.

  Was today just a dream? I scoff. No, it wasn’t.

  “What can I get you?” the guy standing behind the bar asks. He’s pretty damn fine. He has blond hair, dark eyes, caramel skin, and muscles protruding from his black polo short. It’s so tight that I don’t think my small hand would slip under it.

  I lean over seductively and chew my bottom lip. “Can I have two vodka shots and two Midori Illusions, please.” He grins. I play with my hair, twisting it between my fingers, flirting.

  Here I am, attempting to impress some random guy because my heart was shattered into a gazillion pieces.

  He slides the two small shot glasses across and soon follows with my glasses of Illusions. I pay and realize that I can’t get all these back to Adele in one go. Picking up one shot, I slam it down and quickly chase it with the second. I’m really going to feel this tomorrow when I unearth myself from my bed. That’s if I even manage that.

  Taking the remaining very full drinks in my hands, I keep my head down to avoid spilling too much of the expensive cocktails I just paid for. I turn, take one step, and I slam headfirst into a broad, hard body. The glasses drop to the ground with my liquid gold.

  “Dammit.” I glance up into the face of the body I ran into. I huff. “Why the hell are you standing right behind me? You owe me two drinks.”

  I take in his appearance—a dark leather jacket with a white tee underneath, then I finally register who I’m staring at. Kane. I raise my hand and slap his face. My hand stings. I shake it.

  “Damn, what the hell was that for?” He cups his cheek.

  I don’t hold back. I shove him in the chest. “Because you
’re who you are. I hate you. Are you following me?”

  His eyes go wide, and he glances around us. It appears I’ve caused a scene and completely embarrassed myself. I don’t care. Thankfully, I didn’t wear any of my drinks on my clothes—my boots, on the other hand, copped the entire bout of liquid. “You owe me new boots, too.” Bending down, I pick up the unbroken glasses, realizing they’re actually not real glass. Well, isn’t that a relief.

  “What the hell, Jojo?”

  I roll my eyes. “Actually, forget it. I don’t want anything from you. I don’t want drinks or my boots replaced. I want nothing to do with you,”

  “Yeah, you tell him, girlfriend,” a random chick yells as she steps up to the bar, holding out her hand for a high-five.

  I slap her hand, then focus back on the man in front of me. I rub my tired, irritated eyes.

  “What’s going on?”

  Dropping my hand, I turn to Adele. Her eyes are wide, and her worry lines on her forehead crease. She takes my arm in her hand. I give her a pointed look that says, now is not the time.

  Then her gaze shifts to who’s standing in front of me. Her eyes turn to me, her eyebrow cocked. Her head once again flicks from me back to Kane, then stops on me. “Is he hitting on you? He’s hot.” She grins, waggling her eyebrows.

  I roll my eyes again. There’s no way I’d be happy with him hitting on me, perhaps maybe in another life where I didn’t know what he was truly like. I lean into Adele’s ear. “That’s Kane.”

  Her mouth hangs open. I raise my hand and lift her chin.

  “He’s hot.” Her lips move. I don’t hear the words, but what she says is as clear as a bright sunny day.

  My lips form a thin line, and I shake my head. “Let’s go.” I take her hand from my arm and lead her away from him. He’s amazingly quiet. I like this Kane—the one who knows to keep his damn mouth shut. We step around him, and his hand reaches for my arm. I pull it away from him. “Don’t touch me.”

  “Jojo, let me replace your drinks, and I’ll leave you alone.” His hot breath tickles my neck. Goosebumps ripple over my skin. Butterflies have taken over my stomach.

  No! I will not allow him to make me feel this way.

  “Go away,” I hiss back into his ear. “I don’t want anything to do with you.”

  His hand takes my arm again, and this time, I don’t pull back. My body is betraying me. Damn you, stupid body and feelings.

  “I want to talk to you. Please give me a chance to prove to you that I’ve changed.”

  “I highly doubt you’ve changed at all. You’re still the same guy I dated in college, and I’m sure you’re still chasing a different girl’s tail every opportunity you get. I don’t care for you. You left.” I turn and then pause again. “By the way, you broke my heart, and I’ve just been handed my heart on a platter today when my boyfriend of three years walked out on me. Men suck. You suck. Leave me alone.” We stare at each other a moment—his eyes shimmer like dark diamonds. Tears begin to blur my vision. Closing them, I turn away, wishing he’d just go back into the cave he’s been hiding in these past years.

  Adele and I collect our coats and walk out onto the curb. It’s as though I’ve stepped into an ice wall. It’s freezing. “Are you going to stay at my place tonight?” I ask.

  Secretly, I hope she does. I don’t want to be alone, but I don’t want her to feel like she is obliged because of my heartbreak.

  “Do you want me to?”

  “No, it’s fine,” I say.

  She glances down at her phone. “They’re fifteen minutes away. We probably should’ve waited inside. It’s as if my girly bits are going to freeze over.”

  She laughs. I smile.

  “So, he’s Kane?”

  I nod and glance both ways down the busy street, not wanting to talk about him.

  “What are the chances he’d be here at this club tonight?”

  “I know, right? I accused him of following me.” I tug at my coat and secure it in places where the cool air is torturing my skin. I walk around aimlessly in a circle, so I don’t freeze my ass off.

  “I doubt that. It sounds like he wanted to talk to you. You don’t want to discuss what happened back in the day?”

  “Nope.” Silence falls between us. My ears ring from the loud music.

  Out of nowhere, Adele says, “Crap. I can’t find my ID card. I’ve got to go back in and see if it’s where we were sitting. Give me a minute.”

  I nod, and she races off before explaining her issue to the big security guards.

  About ten minutes later, the Uber pulls up, and Adele still hasn’t returned. I lean in the door. “Do you mind waiting a second? My friend has just gone to see if she’s misplaced something.”

  Adele then comes out.

  “Found it,” she announces, waving her card in her hand. “Let’s get out of this cold.”

  I couldn’t agree more. Only I want to get as far away from this place and Kane as possible.

  Chapter Eight

  Kane

  “Damn, who was the hottie? She was dealing you a mouthful.” Crew laughs, slapping his leg. He thinks he’s so funny.

  “She’s an ex-girlfriend from way back in college.”

  Crew tips back the last of his scotch. I take a seat beside him. We could pass as brothers, we look that much alike. The only thing is, he’s slimmer and has blue eyes.

  “So, what did you do to her? I saw her slap and then shove you. You did nothing to stop her.” He leans over and places his drink on the table. We’re sitting in the VIP section of the club. There’s no way I want to be groped by the ladies tonight. My father has caused me to put my womanizing plans on hold—family business or nothing. I can’t let our company fall into the hands of some stranger. Not in a million years.

  “I broke up with her and left. Let’s just say I was a complete jerk. It was unexpected, and I was already chasing another girl. I wasn’t the best guy back then, still not.” I shrug.

  Crew turns to me. “Are you serious? Dude, that’s cold. You may as well have thrown her out into the snow with no coat.” Crew has feelings. He’s a big girl on occasion. Even cries. It’s embarrassing sometimes.

  “Shut up,” I growl.

  “Hey, isn’t that the chick who was with your ex?”

  My head flicks up. It’s her friend. Would she help me? I stand abruptly and make my way toward her. I weave through the crowd.

  I lightly touch her arm. She whips around as though she’s ready to pommel me to the ground. Her eyes are alight with flames. “What?” Then recognition registers. “Oh, it’s you. Just the person I was looking for. Give me your phone,” she barks the orders at me, and I find myself obeying. If this gets me in the same room with Jojo again, then I’m all for it.

  She types something into my notes app. “What are you doing?” I yell over the music.

  “Trying to help my friend. But if you hurt her, you’re a dead man. I know people.” Her eyes narrow.

  I almost laugh only I don’t want her to delete whatever it is she’s put on my phone. I nod. She holds out my phone, and I take it.

  “Don’t screw this up, buddy.” Her Australian accent is thick and smooth. I like it.

  “Thanks.” It’s all I manage to say before she turns and looks at the couch they were previously occupying. She lifts the cushions, and there lays a little card. She collects it and takes off. Her little frame walks like she’s on a catwalk. She’s pretty, but she’s got nothing on Jojo.

  She pauses and comes back to me. She grabs my shirt and pulls me down to her level. “She’s had enough heartbreak. Don’t contact her unless you really want to reconnect. This is your one and only chance. You never got that number from me.” She releases me and leaves.

  Slowly, I make my way back to where Crew sits, another drink in his hand.

  “Did she help you?” he asks when I fall in beside him.

  Was she helping me or hindering me? “She gave me Jolene’s number.”

 
“Interesting . . .” he says, rubbing his jaw.

  “Yeah, tell me about it.” I would like to talk to her. Perhaps she might be able to help me out with the problem I’ve got with my father.

  Chapter Nine

  Jolene

  I groan as I roll over. My head throbs as if I’ve been hit by a truck. What’s the time? With my eyes still closed, I reach for the phone I was sure I left on my bedside table. My fingers graze the coolness of the glass screen. I pick it up and lift one eyelid. One in the afternoon. Damn, my entire day is pretty much gone. I had plans to visit my mother and then return the ring to Nathan. I can’t keep it. I could pawn it and get some money for Mom, but then that’s just proving to him that I’m a gold digger. I have no doubt he’s seeing what kind of person I am, waiting to see whether I return it or use it for my own gain.

  I really wish I could erase these last three years of my life and then erase the time I had with Kane. I pull off the blanket I seem to have wrapped around me like a cocoon. I open my other eye and glance down. I’m still wearing my boots, jeans, and top. Well, at least I managed to strip out of my coat.

  Last night is a black blur—a hole I’m not sure I want to remember. I take my phone and hit Adele’s name. She answers on the second ring.

  “How are we feeling this morning?” Her bright, happy, and very loud voice causes me to groan. “That good, huh?”

  I close my eyes. “Why did you let me drink so much?”

  She laughs. I can hear her clinking things around. It’s like someone is standing right beside me, banging on a pot with a wooden spoon. “Girl, that’s all on you. I did tell you to slow down at one stage. Being grumpy, you didn’t want to hear what I had to say. The only thing that came close to sobering you up was running into that fella, Kane.”

  My eyes spring open, and I’m suddenly alert. “Repeat that last part again,” I demand, sure I heard her wrong.