Warped (Dueling Devils 4)

Symone nodded. They understood one another.

“Now, that we’re officially besties, ‘cause you know my deep dark secrets, you want to explain why that pisses Lefty off?”

“Because there’s no love lost between us. She escaped and I lived through something out of a war movie. Leaves behind some harsh feelings. I know it’s fucked up, but I can’t help the way I feel. Not when I see the empire she built and the happiness she found. I’m not a shallow bitch. But I had a long time to grow sour over the way the cards got cast.”

Chase turned the corners of her lips down. “Fair enough.” She cleared her throat. “So, now might not be the best time to tell you there’s a party tonight and you’re required to come.”

“What?”

“If you’re working with us you are family. If you’re family, you show your face at family events. Especially, when you’re new.”

Symone sighed. Great, another freak show display. The first time out of the gate was always the worst. There would be the shock, the whispers, the snickers and then the low life bottom feeders convinced she’d do anything to be the center of their attention for a moment. Truth was…she’d had enough male attention to last a lifetime.

“Come on, it’ll be fun. You, me, beers, and eye candy.” Chase wiggled her eyebrows.

“If they’re so yummy, why aren’t you with one of them?”

“Hmm, been there done that. I’m no saint. I get laid when I need to scratch an itch, but the boys know it's never anything serious. I’m not ready for that. Might never be. I like coming and going as I please. Relationships require a lot of giving. I’m in a taking period.”

Her simplification amazed and impressed Symone. “How can you joke about it?”

“Simple. I got sick to death of crying about it. When there are no more tears left, there’s nowhere to go but up.” She shrugged. “I figure we’re here, we've survived things most people couldn’t wrap their heads around. We owe it to ourselves to live the fuck out of what’s left of our lives.”

“The question is how?”

“However we want.” Chase’s features softened. She rested a hand on Symone’s shoulder. “I knew when I first met you, we were kindred spirits, but I didn’t get why until know. You and I are going to remember how to do this fun and living thing again…together.”

“I think you got it down, Chase.”

“Yeah, well, debauchery is always more fun with a partner in crime. I never had that before.”

Her lips curved upward at the corners. Solemn wasn’t a mood she could hold onto with Chase around. Chase was refreshing, a fresh rain after a drought. “You got yourself a partner.”

Chase grinned. “Good, now let’s get you into something less…” She looked at her capris sweat pants and tank top. “Comfortable.”

“Is that the nice way of telling me I look frumpy?”

“Maybe.” She wrapped an arm around Symone’s waist and pulled her toward her room.

I knew this woman was a storm I’d get sucked into one way, or another.

Two hours later, Symone stood in a knee-length black pencil skirt with a black V-neck shirt and ankle boots. She felt sexy without being completely exposed. What an amazing experience, dressing up simply to please herself. Getting ready with Chase at her side felt like a re-birth. This is the rite of pas

sage most women experienced in their teen years.

They parked in a spot outside the club.

“Don’t worry, this is tame. It’s a family affair, so it shouldn’t be too bad.”

“There’ll be kids here?” she asked, stunned.

Chase laughed. “Not that family friendly. It’s an adult get-together. The kids are at home for the night. I’m just saying there won’t be a lot of strange.”

“Strange?”

“I forget you’re a newbie. It means random girls looking to get tossed up by the boys. They usually keep that shit from the old ladies.”

“Does everyone cheat?” Symone asked.