“Depends on the brother. First rule you need to know, club business stays at the club. No matter what you see, you can’t go running your mouth. That’ll get you fucked up. These boys play rough. Gender doesn’t mean shit. It’s all about loyalty.”
Symone nodded. She’d learned the nature of men. No matter what they had, they always wanted more. Something different, exotic, and new. The number of clients she’d had with wives was mind-blowing.
They stepped from the mid-sized black sedan and she took a shaky breath. This would be her first introduction to Dueling Devils as one of them. As much as she wanted to make it on her own, she’d be a fool to reject their claim. They gave her protection, the peace of mind she needed to move forward. Her heels clicked along the blacktop as they entered the club.
A roar of greeting went up over the loud classic rock, deafening her. The smell of smoke, the heat from the crush of bodies and the noise disoriented her. She stepped closer to Chase, allowing her to be an anchor in this strange new world.
“Hey, fellas.” Chase grinned. She wrapped her arm around Symone. “Let’s make the rounds, pay our respect to Pres, and mingle a little bit.”
Hungry gazes swept over her, but no one said a thing.
They worked their way toward the back and inside a room fool of pool tables.
Demon stood by the pool table, watching as Lefty lined up a shot. Gia stood beside Demon talking.
Her stomach lurched.
“Hey, P.”
Demon glanced up and smiled. “Chase, you made it, and brought your friend.”
Gia met her gaze and the rest of the conversation between Chase and Demon turned into background noise. A wealth of unspoken words formed an invisible barrier between them. Her mouth went dry.
“We should talk,” Gia said.
Symone shook her head. “Nothing to say.”
“I disagree.”
“For once, I agree with, Taffy,” Lefty added.
“Symone,” she corrected him.
“Like the name change is going to change anything about you.”
His scowl struck a nerve. “And what would you know, or do you think you know about me, Lefty?”
“I know you’re an ungrateful bitch.”
“Oh, I am? Tell me, Lefty what should I be grateful for? ‘Cause if I remember correctly, I haven't asked for a damn thing and I’m supporting myself.”
“All the shit Gia’s done for you and this is how you repay her?” Lefty sneered.
“She’s done for me?” Symone sputtered. “She left me for dead, escaped here, and has been living the high life. You expect me to worship her for that?"
“It wasn’t her fault!”
“It doesn’t change the fact that she was here building her empire while I was surviving a hell I couldn't escape.” Symone’s chest heaved. Her face grew hot. She stared at Lefty in a silent refusal to back down.
“Hating ass bitch.” Lefty spat on the floor. “Gi— should’ve let you go back where you came from.”
“Lefty.” The shock and horror in Gia’s voice brought their standoff to an immediate end. “This is between me and her. You don’t understand how she feels. I do.”
“No, bullshit. You don’t take her side. That bitch is wrong.”
“You need to sit this one out, brother. Seems like sisters need to work out their family drama same way us brothers do,” Demon urged.
“Oh, come on, D.”