“Griffin,” he said.
“Can I get you a drink?” the hostess asked.
“Vodka on ice.”
“Very good.” She turned to my father. “Would you like yours freshened?’
“Please.” He handed her the glass. Once she was gone, so was his smile. “I hear you’re heading to Los Angeles?”
I leaned back in my chair, wishing I had my liquid courage now. “That’s right. We leave Friday.”
“And who are you speaking with?”
“Warren Records,” I answered, keeping it matter-of-fact.
“You think they’re going to sign you?”
I shrugged. “Don’t know.” I didn’t know how my father found out about the meeting but speculated he was having me followed. It wouldn’t be a surprise if that were the case.
A waitress returned with our drinks. Thank God.
I downed my drink in one gulp and handed it back. “Get me another.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Of course.”
My father sipped on his. “You’ll keep me posted, won’t you?”
I clasped my fingers together and rested them on the table. “I have a feeling I don’t need to, but sure.”
He sneered. “If your mother could see you now.” It was a sentence he threw out whenever he wanted to inflict the most pain.
I nearly left right then. I hated when he used her memory. There wasn’t much I remembered. Of course I knew the story. She’d unbuckled her seatbelt to reach in back and pick up my toy. I’d been throwing a fit because I’d dropped it. At that moment a car rammed into her side, killing her instantly. Her death was my fault. If I hadn’t been such a selfish child, my mom would be alive.
Over the years I’d come to accept the blame.
“If she could see you,” I spat back.
“What’s that supposed to mean, you little prick?”
A different waitress brought my drink. “Thank you,” I said, taking it from her and slamming it back. “Can we order?”
She blanched. “I’m not—”
“I’m starving,” I added, turning on the Maxwell charm.
“Okay.” She smiled and took out her pad to take my order. Then she took my dad’s. “I’ll get this in for you.”
“You’re a doll,” I said, sending the charm into megawatt status.
She batted her mascara-coated lashes, beaming.
After she was out of earshot, my dad smirked. I knew it well. In fact I had the exact expression. “You’re an asshole,” he said with a mean chuckle.
“I’ve learned from the best,” I responded.
“Hey, Griffin. Mr. Maxwell.” Long, cool fingers grabbed my shoulder.
I shuddered internally, but turned on the fake charm. I watched my dad do the same. We were quite a pair.
“Hey, Nichole.”
She moved into my line of sight. “Mind if we sit with you?” she asked, glancing between my dad and me.
For the first time ever I was more than grateful to see her. Bitch or not, her and her mom would be a great buffer. “Absolutely. Dad and I just ordered.” I called the hostess over.
“We’re going to have the Thorn sisters join us.”
“Very good.” She left to grab two more place settings and two chairs.
My dad could barely contain his fury. I could see it boiling under his skin. His smile was tight and didn’t reach his eyes.
Not good, Dad, I thought.
Once they were seated, Jessica said, “How sweet of you to invite us to join you.” She patted my hand.
I smiled. “Of course. We’re happy to have you.” I winked at my dad. “Aren’t we?”
He cleared his throat. “Absolutely.” I knew why he was so pissed. He and Jessica had had a thing a decade ago. Everyone knew, including Martin, Jessica’s husband and my dad’s best friend. It was still a sore spot between them… not because Martin cared. He probably hadn’t fucked in wife in twenty years. It had to do with some unwritten code.
Nichole’s hand touched my knee. I forced myself not to cringe. She was always cold. It had something to do with her iron levels or circulation or some shit. I hadn’t been totally listening when she shared.
Maybe inviting them had been a bad idea.
Had they been the same age they would’ve looked like twins. Both had long, bleached blonde hair, bright brown eyes, and fake tans. They were thin. Their faces, breasts and who knew where else had been sucked, puffed, fluffed, and altered to the point that they almost looked like cartoon characters.
I guessed some guys got off on that. Not me. I liked my women natural, a little softer.
Katie, I thought.
An image of her delicious pussy in my face came to mind and my cock twitched. I glanced at my watch. Just a few more hours and I’d see her again, come inside her again.
That alone made my cock harden. I don’t know why. I was usually so particular about protection. Katie seemed to be our first night together, too. But since then, there’d been no protection between the two of us.
“Griff, you playing at The Attic tonight?” Nichole was asking.
“Yeah, I am.” I smiled. “You coming?”
That was all it took to get her to smile, her Juvaderm-enhanced lips peeling back her face.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Her hand travelled up my thigh to the bulge in my pants. She arched an eyebrow and graced me with a secret smile.
I pushed her hand away. It isn’t Katie’s hand, I thought darkly.
Nichole wasn’t to be deterred, though. She redoubled her efforts, working the tip of my cock.
I was about to say something when our food arrived. Jessica ordered a salad. Nichole ordered a Fuzzy Navel and a salad, keeping her hand on my dick.
She knew what she was doing and my cock got bigger.
“How’s work?” Jessica asked my father.
He’d just stuck a piece of chicken masala in his mouth and held up a finger while he chewed. After he swallowed he said, “It’s been good. Profits are up. Costs are down. All the good stuff.” Then he looked over. “It’ll be better when I can retire and Griffin can take over.”
“You seem too young to retire,” Jessica said, smiling demurely.
I sent out a silent thank you to Jessica. Even though she probably had no idea, she’d just saved us from an all out argument. My father’s ultimatum gave me until I was thirty. I still had time.
Nichole unzipped my pants, sticking her hand inside. I’d gone commando. Her hand was warmed from working my shaft. She touched the tip, swirling the pre come.
I took a big piece of steak and shoved it in my mouth. Chewed.
Nichole’s drink came. She took it and drank, sticking her tongue inside the glass, swirling a piece of ice, taking it in her mouth and sucking.
I needed to get the fuck away from her. My dad and Jessica were talking about something. I wasn’t paying attention. Nichole leaned over. “Come to the bathroom. Let’s finish this, Griffy.”
CHAPTER 8
Griffin
I hated when she called me that. But it’d been her nickname for me since we were kids.
My body screamed yes. It wouldn’t mean anything. Just release.
What would Katie think?
Katie wasn’t part of my plans.
I nodded. Zipped my pants. “I’ll be back.” I quickly stood and headed to the bathroom. Inside I stared at my reflection. Somewhere deep inside I knew what I was about to do was a bad idea. For so many reasons.
In the next second I shook that thought away. Katie and I hadn’t agreed to be exclusive. Hell, other than fucking and an incredible game of Clue, we didn’t even have a friendship.
There was a knock on the door. Nichole opened it.
“You ready to fuck my wet pussy, Griffy?”
I took out my wallet and removed a condom. She lifted her tight white mini skirt, revealing her naked pussy. A small rectangular patch of hair was above her clit. I didn’t understand that. Either let it grow or shave it
off.
She slid a finger inside herself. Pulled it out and sucked on it. “I’m so wet for you.”
I undid my pants and applied the condom, then turned her around. “Bend over, Nichole.” I grabbed her ass, squeezing hard.
“Oooh, you know I like that.” I heard her purse open. She handed back a butt plug. It was the size of my cock.
I took it. “I know.”
She bent over, shaking her ass in the air. Her asshole was nearly as big as the other hole. I spit on the plug and used my finger to lubricate it. Then I pressed it inside.
She moaned. “That’s it Griffy. Now fuck my pussy. Make me come all over your cock.”
I shoved my dick into her, grabbing hold of her hips. Riding her hard, slamming into her. I knew the act was slamming the butt plug deep into her ass as well. Double penetration was her favorite kind of sex. This way was almost as good for her.
“You like it rough, don’t ya Nic? Wanna take it in the ass and the pussy. How’s that feel?”
“So good.” She grabbed hold of the wall. I shoved deeper into her.
“You want your pussy slapped?”
“Uh-huh. Hard.”
I reached under her and slapped her clit. It’d been pierced for added pleasure.
She moaned. “Again.”
I spanked her clit again. Harder. And then again. And again.
She was panting hard. “Go deeper.”
I spread her pussy lips and rammed her.
“Fuck me. Awww, fuck me hard. Don’t stop. I’m close.”
I kept going, harder and faster. A sheen of sweat built along my hairline.
I felt her tighten and then cry out. I kept going. I wasn’t done with her. I grabbed her waist, pulling her hard against my cock.
She was moaning. Lost in her own ecstasy. She’d unbuttoned her shirt and was pinching her nipples. I knew both were pierced as well as her tongue.
I kept going, working my dick deep until I found my release.
Finished, I pulled out, tossing the used condom in the trash. I tucked and zipped, then I washed my hands and used a paper towel to dab the edges of my hair. Took a deep breath.
Nichole came up behind me, her hands on my chest. “That was incredible, Griffy. See? We’ll make a great husband and wife. When you going to make it official?”
Fuck.
I turned, taking her hands in mine. “I’m not even thirty. A man has to sow his wild oats before he settles down.”
She pouted, sticking out her bottom lip.
“You really don’t want to get married yet, do you? I know you’ve still got a lot of oats to sow as well.” I winked.
Nichole smiled. “You’re right. And besides, you won’t fuck me with another man. I can’t live without that.”
“See?” I said. “We aren’t meant for each other.” I squeezed her hands. “We’re friends.”
“Yeah, fucking friends,” she said, snorting.
I smiled. “You ready?”
“No. Go ahead. I’ve got to clean up.”
“All right.” I dropped her hands. “Thanks,” I added.
“You’re fucking welcome,” she laughed.
CHAPTER 9
Katie
I completed a thorough search of Birdy’s room and her purses. She had at least a hundred. It was well after seven when I finished. My efforts had been worth it.
I’d found several parking stubs. All from the same place. I figured it was a club of some kind, but I’d never heard of it. A quick phone call advised it wasn’t anything I was used to. I’d look it up on the computer later to see what I could find.
I also found her journal. It was sitting on the table next to my turkey sandwich. Made of black leather, the cream pages looked worn. Even without opening it I could tell it was nearly full. Secret, private words. She’d kept a lot from me. I worried that I didn’t know her at all. Was she capable of killing? She was certainly capable of keeping big secrets.
We were half sisters! I mean, that was huge. And my parents had kept it secret as well. I really wanted to talk to my mom. I dialed her number.
On the second ring she answered. “This is a nice surprise,” she said.
I swallowed, searching for a way to bring up such a huge deal.
“Dandelion?”
I cringed. “How are you?” I asked, my voice cracking.
“Good. Really good. How are you?”
I poured myself some more wine. It was my second bottle. “I’ve been better,” I finally blurted.
“What’s up?” she asked. Her voice was always so fucking calm. It drove me crazy sometimes. Like right then.
“It’s Birdy.”
“What about her?” More fucking calm.
“She’s my sister.”
My mom gasped.
Ha, that’ll teach her, I thought. I waited for her to respond.
“How did you find out?” she asked.
I chugged down my wine. “I found her birth certificate.” I lit up a cigarette, didn’t give a fuck that I was inside, and took a long drag. Then I felt bad and went to the window over the sink and opened it. I blew out. Shit, I was too fucking nice.
My father asked my mom what was wrong. She told him that I knew.
“Let me talk to her,” my dad said. “Hey Katie. How you doing?”
I took another long drag. Blew out. “How do you think I’m fucking doing?”
“Language,” my mom said.
“I’m sorry. Really.”
Tears pricked my lashes. My hands shook as a whole slew of emotions wracked my body at once. “Why did you keep this from me? That’s fuc—cold.”
“At first it was because you were such an open spirit. When you were little you told everyone everything. There was this one time when you were five. You pooped purple and glitter. It was because you’d eaten a purple glitter crayon. Anyway, you thought it was awesome and had to tell everyone about it.”
I sighed. My mom and dad had told and retold the story more than two dozen times over the years.
“At the gas station you rolled down your window and told them. Then there was the grocery store. By then you were singing about your purple poop. It really was—”
“Okay, so you worried that I would tell someone when I was younger. But I’m not five anymore. I’m a grown woman. I graduated from law school.”
“Tell her it was because we didn’t want Jonathan to sue us. He said he would,” I heard my mom say.
“Did you hear that?”
I put out my cigarette and went over to a barstool. “So he knows?”
“Yeah, I think Barbara got sick of Jonathan flaunting all of his indiscretions and blabbed.”
That actually made a lot of sense. If anyone would sue out of revenge, it was Jonathan Bird.
“Fine,” I sighed.
“My turn,” my mom said. I heard them wrestle over the phone.
“Birdy really wanted to tell you. It made her sick inside, but she worried that if she told, her dad would find out and somehow try to hurt us or you.”
“I get it, Mom.” I did, but that didn’t change that fact that it hurt.
“You gonna be okay?”
I sniffled. “Yeah. Just need to get over the shock.”
“Tell her I love her,” my dad said.
“Dad said—”
“I heard. I love you guys too.”
“Love you, sweetie.”
I hung up and debated whether or not I should open a third bottle of wine. Since I was going to The Attic tonight, I decided on water. I chugged it down and finished my turkey sandwich.
Sorry I didn’t text before now. Just got out of the office. It was Cage.
No worries.
Did you find anything? He texted.
Something huge, I thought. But Birdy being my sister didn’t pertain to the case.
I found some ticket stubs to a club I’ve never heard of.
What’s it called?
Revelry. Ever been?
It w
as a good five minutes before he responded.
Are you sure that’s the name?
I picked up one of the stubs on the counter next to the journal. Yes, I’m sure, I texted back. My senses prickled. It wasn’t a regular club. What was it? In New York there was something for everyone if you knew where to look. Is it a lesbian club? Maybe Birdy liked to go both ways.
Um…… Maybe I should tell you in person. Did you want to meet for drinks?
I’m going to The Attic tonight to watch Griffin sing. Around nine-thirty?
See you then.
CHAPTER 10
Katie
I’d picked out a simple denim shirt-dress. It was long sleeved, buttoned down the front, and came with a brown leather belt. I paired it with brown leather cowgirl boots. I left my hair down and did soft makeup in browns and pinks. I looked pretty. Definitely not a clubbing outfit, but whatever. I didn’t have Birdy around to help out.
When I arrived there was a long line. At least a two hour wait, which was ridiculous on a weeknight. And I didn’t have Birdy to get us the V.I.P. treatment.
“Great,” I whispered under my breath as I climbed out of the cab. It was a week before Thanksgiving and it was cold. The weather had gone from tolerable to winter almost overnight. I hadn’t worn a coat. They were a pain in the ass to keep track of. But as I headed toward the back of the line I cursed myself for the idiotic decision.
Girls near the front of the line started screaming, not the holy-shit-I’m-scared kind of scream but the oh-my-god-I-can’t-believe-I’m-looking-at-this-movie-star scream. Over the years I’d heard the second set of screams many times.
Occasionally the screams had even been for Birdy.
I didn’t look to see who it was though, too frustrated that I wasn’t getting in to see Griffin, at least not at the rate the line was moving. I hadn’t even thought about wearing something low cut and provocative to encourage the bouncer to let me through. I’d become a snob without realizing it, expecting to be treated the way Birdy was treated even when she wasn’t around.
Idiot, I thought, my thighs trembling.
Someone called my name. I turned.
Boxed Set: Traitorous Heart Volumes 1-6 (The Traitorous Heart Series) Page 14