The pressure of sitting down so fast was making my head and stomach spin. All I could do was just nod. He gave me a small smile back and pressed his lips to my cheek.
“Don’t go anywhere, beautiful,” he whispered. “I promise I’ll be right back.”
He left before I could respond, which was fine with me. My heart was beating a mile a minute, and I felt all of the alcohol I’d drunk coming back up my throat. Asking a server passing by for some water, I laid my head down on my arms and took some deep breaths.
“Are you okay, Penny?”
I raised my head to see Trish standing over me, concern in her eyes. She pulled a chair close and sat down next to me, running her hand up and down my back. Was the room spinning, or was that just me?
“Ugh, I’m okay, just need to sit for a few minutes,” I told her as I turned my head on its side, still resting on my arms.
She leaned in closer to me. “Sorry I ditched you at the bathroom. I ran into that cute guy from our design class and we started to talk. I figured you’d be okay since you had Mr. Hottie back here at the table. Speaking of, where is he?”
I smiled at the thought of him. “He said he had to take care of something and that he’d be right back. Where’s yours?”
She looked away, then smiled as she looked back at me. “His friends wanted to try another place so he had to go, but not before he asked for my number.” Her smile widened saying that, and it made me happy for her.
“That’s great, Trish. It looks like tonight is turning out great for both of us.” My head was still spinning a bit, so I took another sip of water. I looked around but still couldn’t see him anywhere. My confidence started to wane a little, worried that maybe I was being blown off after all.
“Don’t worry,” Trish told me as she continued to rub my back. “He seems genuine. He’ll be back.”
“Where’s your boy toy?” a familiar voice asked from behind.
I looked up to see Kimberly and her friends back at the table. She was looking right at me, another drink in her hand. Irritation flared inside me at the sudden realization that it seemed as though her stupid sorority sisters were more important to her tonight than me. While I’d known she’d act this way, it didn’t lessen the hurt.
“He had to go take care of something,” was all I gave her.
She sat down on the other side of me, and sexy waiter sat next to her. Wow, she really had him by the balls. No surprise there, though, since she always had that effect on men.
“He better not have ditched you, Penny,” she said as she took another gulp of her drink. I turned to look at her and wasn’t surprised to see her eyes dilated and the hickey on her neck.
“Why do you say that? What does it matter to you?” That was Trish, coming to my defense before I could ask the same thing. I looked over at her and gave her a grateful smile. Kimberly was being even more obnoxious tonight than usual. Yeah, it was her birthday, but she was bordering on being a complete jerk.
Kimberly shot her an evil glare, then looked at me. “It matters because you need to get laid for once, and he’s your opportunity.”
One of the sorority girls gave a low whistle under her breath, but I ignored her. I looked at Kimberly, not believing she just said what she did. What the hell?
I sat up straight in my chair, more hurt than I wanted her to know. “Why did you just say that to me? What’s going on? You’re being a hateful bitch, and I don’t get it.”
She just shrugged her shoulders and didn’t answer. Before I could ask again, Trish beat me to it.
“You’re a bitch, Kimberly,” she seethed. “I’ve stuck around mainly for Penny, to be honest. You’re the most immature person I’ve ever met. What you just said to Penny was completely uncalled for, especially when she’s your supposed best friend. If you were mine, I’d have ditched you a long time ago.”
At that, Trish stood up, bending over to whisper in my ear. “I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t over step a line with you, but I had to say it. I need a few minutes away from her. I’ll come back to check on you soon. Will you be okay?”
Kimberly stood up then, preventing me from answering Trish. “You’re the bitch, Trish,” she slurred, her speech obviously affected by the alcohol. “The only reason I’ve put up with you is because of Penny. You are a stuck-up snob who thinks she’s better than everyone else. And seriously, just leave. You’re not wanted here.”
Kimberly grabbed sexy waiter’s hand and dragged him out of his chair, leading him toward the bathrooms. I looked at her retreating form, then back at Trish. How had this night turned out like this?
Trish just gave me a huge smile. “Well, I’m still going to get a breath of fresh air, but that was fun. She really is a bitch, Penny. Why do you put up with her?”
I stood up too, deciding that fresh air sounded good. As we both headed toward the exit, I really thought about what Trish had said. The answer always came easily to me when I was sober, but right now, while I was drunk, the answer eluded me.
We pushed the door open and stepped out onto the patio. People were everywhere, drinking and smoking. So much for a breath of fresh air. We found an empty spot by the fence that bordered the property and leaned against it.
“I’ve known her since we were little; you can’t just throw that away,” I began. Trish started to speak up, but I held up my hand, stopping her. “She wasn’t always like this. She’s changed the past few years, and I don’t know why. I’ve asked her but she denies it, saying everything’s the same. I don’t know—it’s getting worse. She seems to be so full of hate. It breaks my heart.”
Trish let out a breath. “I think she’s jealous of you.”
That made me think. Turning my head to her, I raised a brow. “Really? You can’t be serious. She has absolutely nothing to be jealous about.”
She folded her arms against her chest and leaned on the fence even more. “I don’t know, just a feeling I’ve always had. She’s beautiful and never lacks for guys, but there’s obviously something missing inside her. The way she’s handling it is bitter. I don’t like her, Penny.”
I nodded, absorbing what she said. As I was about to respond, strong arms wrapped around me from behind, making me jump in surprise.
“Sorry to scare you, beautiful,” that familiar, deep voice said as he chuckled. “I was coming back inside when I saw you two over here. Is everything okay?”
Trish just gave me a smile and said she was tired and was going home. She leaned in and asked if I’d be okay. After telling her yes, she gave me a quick hug and told him good night.
Turning me around, he looked in my eyes. “Sorry I was gone for so long. Is everything okay?”
Determined to push aside thoughts of Kimberly, I nodded. “Yeah, I just needed some fresh air. I’ve had a lot to drink tonight.”
Taking my hand, he smiled. “Do you want to go back inside and have one more and then dance some more?”
“I really shouldn’t have any more to drink, but I guess one more won’t hurt. And yes, I’d love to dance. I’m feeling a little better since being outside.”
He grinned as he led me back inside and ordered me a drink. He kept my hand in his, checking his watch every few seconds. We gulped down our drinks, then headed to the dance floor.
When he pulled me into his arms, I sighed and rested my head on his chest. The alcohol settled over me, and after what had just happened with Kimberly, being in his arms was the only place I wanted to be.
Chapter 11
An hour later, I was back at my spot, waiting for Derek to come out and update me. The whole texting thing was getting old; I wanted to hear it face to face. Plus, if I was honest with myself, I wanted to get him away from the girl for a few minutes.
I’d made Eli go watch over Rico, to make sure the jackass didn’t disappear and do something stupid. He was completely useless, and of course diverted my attention from where it was supposed to be. Again, Roman was a fool to place him in such a high position.
&n
bsp; “Derek’s on his way out,” Jose suddenly appeared. “He’s just walking her back to their table. He said she’s pretty drunk.”
Of course she was. Better to ply her with alcohol to dull her brain to what was going to happen. Keep it up, sweetheart, I told her silently in my head.
“He better hurry. We need to get this job moving.”
A few minutes later, Derek showed up, running his hands on the thighs of his jeans. “Why do you need us out here again?” he asked, clearly annoyed.
I was out of patience. I grabbed him by his collar and shoved him against the car next to us. His eyes bulged in surprise. “Because I said so, that’s why,” I sneered in his face.
He raised his hands in surrender, mine still twisted in his collar. “Okay, okay, chill out, Tag.”
I let him go and took a step back, running my hand down my face. “How soon can you get her out here? It’s time.”
Derek looked to Jose, then to me. “I can get her out here whenever I want.”
Cocky bastard.
“Well, then, execute the plan. I’ve got the chloroform and handkerchief in the car. As soon as you go back inside, I’ll head there and wait. I don’t know if Roman’s still here or not, so as usual, don’t screw this up.” I looked between him and Jose, so they’d know I was addressing them both.
“I’ve got this, Tag,” Derek stated. “I’ll have her out as soon as I can. I’m not going back in and just dragging her out. My plan is to get her another drink, then take her to dance some more. After a few songs, I’ll suggest we go outside for a few minutes, then walk her over to the car area. Sound good?”
I nodded, and watched him and Jose walk back to the club. This was finally going down. The whole job was a damn annoyance. I couldn’t wait to finally set my plan in motion so I wouldn’t have to be her damn babysitter, which was such a joke. And, if I was honest with myself, I’d finally stop thinking about her too.
As I turned to head to the car, a black limo pulled up out of nowhere, stopping beside me.
Roman.
The back window rolled down, and sure enough, there was my boss. He motioned for me to get in. Once I was inside, he told the driver to drive over to my car.
“It’s time this job happened, Tag,” he told me, turning to face me in his seat. “I’m tired of waiting for her to get on my yacht. Derek needs to bring her out, now.”
I ran my hand over my head. “I’ve just given him instructions, sir,” I replied. “He’s working on it as we speak.”
Roman nodded, his eyes wandering off in thought. At that moment, the opera playing in the background got louder, as if emphasizing what was to come. “Good,” he suddenly responded, looking back at me. “I’m going to head back to the yacht now and wait. It would be bad form for me to be seen when it goes down.”
We reached my car, and I knew he expected me to get out. Before I did, however, I asked him one more question. “Did you get my text about Rico?”
His eyes blazed for just a second, then went to passive. “I did, and I’ll handle him. You made the right decision to take him off the job.”
I just nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
I got out of the limo and watched the taillights disappear into the dark night. Roman had more going on than revenge for taking Penelope Santoro—I could feel it. Shrugging, I turned to the car to grab the chloroform, knowing she wouldn’t be on that yacht for very long.
When Derek hadn’t showed up thirty minutes later, I was pacing back and forth, my heart racing. I usually didn’t get so worked up over a job, but this one was different, unusual. Plus, I’d never felt an attraction for my victim before.
“Dammit,” I exclaimed, “where are they?”
Eli stepped out from the car, taking a drag from his cigarette. “Chill, dude, he’ll be here.”
“How’s Rico?”
I’d insisted he get in the back of Jose’s car, which was parked next to mine. I didn’t want him in the same car as the girl once we got her in. He wouldn’t be anywhere near her as long as I had my way.
“He’s pissed, but he’s fine. I still don’t get why he’s here anyway.”
“You and me both,” I muttered under my breath.
Suddenly, Rico started screeching in the car, forcing me to run over. I hurried and opened the door, and was assaulted with the smell of urine. “What the hell, Rico?”
He started giggling, then put a bottle of Gin to his mouth and guzzled. “You said I had to stay put, asshole,” he slurred, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. “When a man’s gotta go, he’s gotta go.” He started giggling loudly again, and I slammed the car door. Eli was right behind me, cursing up and down.
“That son of a bitch! He’s gonna pay for the cleaning of that. He couldn’t have at least opened the door and pissed on the cement?”
I walked back to my car, the stench still burning my nostrils. “He’s wasted and an asshole.”
Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
Showtime.
Chapter 12
The lights of the club were flashing and the beat of the bass was still heavy as he lowered his hands to my hips, pulling me closer. I could feel his erection against the small of my back, and in my drunken state, it turned me on like never before. I barely knew his name, but I wanted him nonetheless. Maybe I would go home with him after all.
“Come outside with me,” he spoke in my ear, his breath blowing across my face, making me dizzy. Without even thinking about it, I nodded.
“Good girl,” he told me as he grabbed my hand and started leading me out of the club.
I should find Kimberly and tell her we were going to get some fresh air, but his grip was tight and he was pulling me behind him so fast. Plus, I was still hurt from her being a bitch to me. My head was swimming even worse from all of the alcohol I’d consumed, the people around me starting to blend in together. Were the stars that were suddenly forming in my eyes from the spinning in my head, or all of the lights around us?
We finally got outside, and I took a deep breath of the cool night air. He led me across the parking lot as I adjusted my pink tank over my cleavage, having noticed it was lower than usual. We suddenly stopped by a few cars, and I felt his hand go to my cheek. I looked up at him, hoping he was finally going to kiss me.
Out of nowhere, another hand shot out and grabbed me from behind, making me yelp in surprise. Before I had a chance to react, something sweet smelling was placed over my face. I felt my eyes widen in fear, then everything went black.
Chapter 13
I saw them as soon as they exited the club. Knowing she was near, that it was really happening, had my heart beating even faster. I watched as Derek held her hand, leading her across the parking lot. My eyes went to her cleavage when she raised her hand to adjust something there.
Derek’s eyes looked to mine, and I nodded. I hid back, out of the lights, and doused the cloth in my hands with the chloroform as I waited, setting the bottle quietly on the ground. I watched closely as he stopped walking a few feet ahead, and put his hand to her cheek.
That was my signal.
I snuck up and grabbed her from behind, hearing her small cry. I raised the cloth to her nose, holding on tight. Seconds later, she collapsed in my arms, out cold.
I caught her before she hit the ground and turned her over in my arms.
Nothing could have prepared me for the electricity that ran through my entire body.
Twisted Fate Page 5