Wrecked (Dueling Devils 3)

going to leave it for now, G, but we both know you aren’t fine.” He

ran his hands through his hair. “I’m going to go and give you space.” Feeling like he’d gone ten rounds with a

heavyweight champ, he spun on his heel and left the office. She drove him insane.

* * * *

The moment Lefty exited the room, Gia locked the door behind him and slid to the floor.

She rested the back of her head against the door. Her shoulders shook with her silent sobs. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Memories assailed her, the sound of dancehall music, the feel of

blinding lights and roaming hands. Her stomach rolled. I thought I was over this. The minute she had a shot at freedom, she’d taken it, fleeing the country and building her life from the ground up. Now, the whisperings of Mylandra coming to the United States had her reverting to the

frightened youth she’d once been. Furious with her regression, she swiped at her tears and gained her feet, stumbling into the bathroom.

“You will not let her win.” She stared at her reflection. “You’re a survivor. It’s what you do no matter what. She can’t touch you now. You made sure of that.” There’d been a reason she went in with the Dueling Devils and catered to motorcycle clubs. They appreciated loyalty and protected their own. She’d learned a long time ago might makes right, and the ones with the power made things happen. Turning on the faucet, she splashed her face and blotted it dry with a towel. She reached for the bag of touch up items she kept in the top drawer of the vanity.

Calming as she repaired the damage from her mini meltdown, she cursed her past and the claws it had sunk deep into her. I’ll never be normal. She sucked air into her lungs. But I can be happy and successful, which is more than I ever let myself dream of for a second.

Satisfied with her appearance, she carefully rebuilt her walls. She was Gia, the ball busting bitch who did as she pleased, took no shit, and made everyone believe she was untouchable.

After everything she’d been through, she took the treatment of her body damned serious. No one touched unless she gave permission, and then you’d better come correct. Better for the pep talk, she squared her shoulders and left the bathroom. Unlocking the office door, she stepped back into the world she’d created.

The pounding base, dim lights, and boisterous voices were familiar and, as fucked up as

others would find it, comforting. Here, the women were in control. They used their bodies to tease, tantalize, and get paid. The men could look, but they knew better than to try to force any of her people. She sold a fantasy, not adult entertainment raw and in 4D. Her girls knew better than to turn tricks on the side. What they did in their spare time was their business as long as it didn’t involve the club.

She weaved her way through bodies glancing over the tables. Her girls did their jobs well.

Drinks were full along with laps and people appeared content. She ignored the rowdy group in the VIP section. The last thing she needed to do was run into Lefty again right now. The man crawled under her defenses like a Marine navigating a barbwire course.

They Dueling Devils were here giving Demon a bachelor party before he got hitched. She

shook her head. It still floored her that he’d met, bedded, knocked up, and was now marrying someone like Ardy. She was young and still soft, despite the harshness she’d experienced. It was a good match. It almost made her hope for something herself. She thought back to the pure panic that slammed into her when Lefty asked for more. Or not. Brushing aside the self-pity threatening to creep up inside, she continued her rounds, losing herself in the work that fueled her.

“G, I’m about to head out.”

Gia glanced up from the bar where she was doing a count of what needed replenishing for

tomorrow and smiled. “I’m surprised to see you still sober, Demon.”

“When you got kids, a hangover is fucking evil the next morning. Especially with Ardy

having morning sickness first thing.” He shrugged.

The domestic conversation made her giggle.

“Shut that shit up, G. You know Ardy won you over too.”

“She did. You got a damn jewel with her. I don’t know what she sees in you.”

A smile turned the harsh planes of his face into a thing of beauty. “Me either. Why do you think I’m rushing her ass to the altar?”

Gia laughed. “What can I do for you?”

Demon paused. “You got a minute to talk?”

The serious expression on his face sobered her instantly. “Yeah.” She set down her