Damaged Goods

“Yes,” I challenged. “Why give them a false sense of who I am?”

“Would it make it easier if I said you could use it like a weapon? Those men are angry with you, and after seeing you with another guy, I can’t blame them. Wear something that’ll make them forget how to talk,” she said with a wink, and I narrowed my eyes, not missing what she’d just let slip.

“What do you mean they saw me?” She froze for a second before cracking up and pulling out her phone. I took it and read through the messages, annoyed at her involvement. “You set me up with that jerk on purpose?”

“Okay, to be fair, I was attempting to find a way too wholesome dude. The asshole side was a complete surprise,” she defended, though she was no less amused. “I’ll honestly be surprised if he’s still alive after that disrespect.”

“They must have been the ones who paid for my food,” I said, putting the pieces together. “But why did they just watch but not say something?”

“I begged them not to, and for some reason Ky was the voice of reason. They want you to decide that you want them on your own, so I suggest you get your head on straight before going down there. Speaking of, can we close early and go shopping?!”

“Or, you can go shopping for us while I work? I can’t just close up the shop whenever I feel like it. Plus, there’s a game competition tonight,” I pointed out, her confusion showing how little she had been paying attention yesterday. “I host a monthly game competition, Dani.”

“Oh damn, well, shopping or nerds?” she said, holding her hands out like she was literally weighing her options. After a moment of “tough” internal debate, she pouted like her choice pained her, saying, “I guess I’ll do the shopping.”

“Fine,” I grouched, not ready to deal with the crowd on my own, but knowing it was for the best. I’d opened the game store because it was unassuming and drew in all types of customers, making it the perfect front for my side business. It didn’t hurt that I could be a total nerd when I wanted to, but Eros and the Priamos life had never really allowed for much down time. I didn't even have my own setup anymore. Most of my game knowledge came from watching streamers and reading game news.

Dani didn’t hesitate to head out, so I went about pulling out the folding chairs and tables, setting up the room. There had been a recent re-release of an old school fighting game, and my customers were all going nuts for it. I tried to do these monthly, but thanks to a bigger store across town, interest was dwindling.

“Sana! You’re okay!” Gabe cried out as he burst into the store. The bell didn’t even have time to ring with how frantically he came in.

“I am,” I reassured him. “The man who grabbed me was crazy, but the police handled it.”

“You’re not hurt?” he prodded, looking at me warily. Other than the slight bruising on my cheek since I’d forgotten makeup today, I looked fine, so he started to calm down.

I gave him one last reassuring nod before changing the subject. “Alright, teacher, tell me about tonight’s game,” I teased. His grin grew big and bright as he launched into an explanation I could barely follow.

“I lost you, didn’t I?” he asked, taking me in for a second before I realized he’d stopped talking. I gave him a sheepish grin in return, knowing he wouldn’t take offense.

Yup, it’s going to be a long night.

“I’m pretty sure if I stepped wrong, the whole world would see the goods,” I protested, trying to pull the hem down on my dress since it barely hit below my ass cheeks. Dani shook her head and waved off my concern, totally unfazed by it. I mean, it wasn’t her ass getting a fresh and all too close breeze. She was in a fitted suit with a plunging neckline, the full pants covering her completely.

“I’m pretty sure your men would approve,” she challenged, not bothering to stop as she gathered her stuff and walked out of the apartment. Our Uber was already waiting, so we climbed in, my nerves getting the best of me already. I knew I was panicking and needed to get it together, but at this point, I wasn’t sure how to approach them. They need to realize who I am now. I’

m not the girl who’ll just wait and wonder what they’ve got in store. They didn’t get to not fucking talk to me for days then show up here like they were the ones who’d been wronged. I’ll punish them instead.

We’d barely even walked up to the front of the club when the bouncer waved us in despite the protests of the huge line waiting outside.

“This way, ladies. The Adrostos are expecting you in VIP,” he said, nodding in greeting without meeting my eyes.

“Well, I could get used to this celebrity treatment, that’s for sure.” Dani grinned, already scanning the crowd. I had no doubts that she’d end up with a fuck buddy for the night. “And there she is.” I followed Dani’s gaze over to a curvy blonde who was moving gracefully in a group of women, her smile at full force as she had a good time.

“Go get ‘em, tiger,” I teased, waving her off and heading for the stairs to the lounge.

“You get them, bitch. Woman up and show them who the fucking boss is,” she called after me, my confidence only rising with her little pep talk. This time, no one in the crowd fucked with me, but my pulse started to race as I made my way up the stairs, head held high.

The guys were sitting there chatting, but the sound of my heels had them falling silent, all three sets of eyes trained on me. I didn’t meet their gazes, instead making a beeline for Mathias, the man with the liquid courage.

“Hey, Mathias, can I get a double shot of whiskey on the rocks?” I asked, his eyes flicking behind me before he gave me an amused smile.

“Coming right up,” he promised, turning to fill a tumbler with whiskey and ice before sliding it over.

“How much do I owe you?” I asked, but he gave me a weird look.

“Family doesn’t pay up here,” he said before nodding his head to the guys. “Best not to keep them waiting.”

“In that case,” I muttered, chugging the glass before sliding it back across. He refilled it and slid it back without even a hint of reaction. Damn, tough crowd.