Wild Nights With My Brother’s Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 14

NICOLE

Armand is in the car with Esmeralda when they pick me up. We exchange friendly greetings, but I can tell by the way she looks at me that she’s hurt.

Later, I’ll make sure that we talk about this.

“How’s it going, Nicole?” Armand asks me, flashing me all his pearly white veneers. “I hope you’re going to enjoy what we have planned for you today.”

“I’m sure I will,” I smile.

For some reason, the way he said that makes me wonder what on earth this whole thing is about. When she called me telling me that she wanted me to go out with her as a way of redeeming myself, I accepted the invitation and didn’t question it at all. I didn’t even ask her where she would be taking me.

Now, I’m starting to regret that decision. Just a little.

We’re heading to a place I’ve never been to before. The outside of the building is completely nondescript, so I know that it can’t be anything good. Armand finds one of his friends standing outside, waiting to enter, and I take Esmeralda’s arm in mine.

“What’s this place?”

“I guess you’ll find out,” she says coldly before whirling around to face me. “I’m still really mad at you, you know that? And I know we were alright when we spoke on the phone, but I’m still upset.”

“I’m sorry, Esmeralda. I honestly have no excuse.”

“What’s gotten into you?” she asks wildly. “You’ve been so strange for the past few days that I can barely recognize you! My friend would never have abandoned me on my birthday. You sent a text and vanished.”

“I can’t explain to you right now what’s going on, but I will as soon as I can. I just need you to know that I would never have done that intentionally.”

Her features soften with concern. “But what’s going on? You’re scaring me.”

“No, don’t be scared. Right now it feels like it’s a huge deal, but I’m sure that in time, it’ll pass.”

“Is it the charity?”

“No.”

Esmeralda closes the distance between us and puts her arm around me. “Oh, my sweetheart. I’m sorry. I think I’m being a little too harsh, aren’t I? Look, let’s just have fun tonight and forget all about this, okay?”

“You still didn’t tell me where we are.”

Esmeralda purses her lips in a way that lets me know I’m not going to like what she’s about to tell me. “It’s a strip club. A high-end, crazy exclusive strip club.”

My jaw practically hits the ground. “You know I’m not into this kind of stuff!”

“I’m not either!” she forces through gritted teeth. “But Armand really wanted to come and I didn’t know how to tell him no.”

“And you decided to drag me here so we could both have an awful time? You’re unbelievable, Esmeralda.”

“No, don’t leave. Stay here with me! That’s why I told you that this would be your way of redeeming yourself. I need your company, Nic.”

I know for a fact that I can’t leave regardless of what I think. Armand rejoins our side, asks us if everything’s okay, and without waiting for an answer, we head inside, passing right by the people who are queued up.

Inside, the place is insane. The ground is black, shiny marble and the walls are covered in this deep red velvety material. The chandeliers seem to be made of gold and diamonds-that’s how shiny they are-and then there are the stages with the dancing, naked women.

Esmeralda and I exchange a look before we find a seat that’s ridiculously close to the dancing women. I wouldn’t say I have something against being here, but this place definitely wouldn’t be my first choice.

I’d be offended if I were Esmeralda, but how could she be mad about him bringing her to a place like this when he’s literally married?

It’s complicated.

I shoot her a wild look. Why would I know?

“Remember that woman I told you was a bitch? You know, the one we saw at the club the other day?”

Roman’s fiancée. I try to keep a straight face. “Oh, really?”

Esmeralda nods and gulps down the rest of the drink. “Yeah. He has a shit ton of money. I’m not sure what he does, but he’s powerful. Honestly, he scares me a little.”

I can’t help but glance at the man. “Yeah? Why?”

“I don’t know. He just gives off this dangerous vibe. Don’t you feel it?”

I haven’t, actually, but not that she’s mentioned it, it’s impossible to ignore.

“I’ll go to the bathroom. I’ll be back.”

She tries to come with me, but then Armand joins her side and she gives up. I feel Garith’s eyes on me as I walk away. It makes me feel exposed. I don’t know why some people can’t understand that some of us just can’t be with people solely for the money.

I start toward the bathroom-an excuse to get away from everything for a while-and I bump into someone who just got in.

Someone with a face carved from sin who’s been haunting my thoughts every second of every day.

He frowns when he sees it’s me. “Nikki?”

Great. This is just what I needed.