Page 64 of Playboy’s Purgatory

When I look back over at the club’s table, Playboy is talking to his brothers, but his eyes stay fixed on me. Lola is now leaning away from him and pouting. It’s so fucking pathetic; all I can do is roll my eyes.

She never learns and thinks the same tricks will always work. What she is never willing to accept is that once the mask is ripped off, all of her manipulations become very fucking clear.

It would be so easy to gloat because of the tableau I’m witnessing, but I learned a long time ago not to underestimate Lola and her ability to make a bad situation even worse. It’s a skill, not a good one to have, but a skill.

“I’m headed to the bathroom,” I let the ladies know before standing up.

“Perfect timing.” Riti stands up right along with me and grins.

As we head toward the bathroom, we pass closer to the club’s table. There are nods, smiles, and greetings exchanged but we don’t stop. I swear for a moment it looks like Playboy is going to reach out toward me.

He stops himself at the last second.

I’m not sure what to think or feel about it.

The din of the bar fades when the bathroom door closes behind us. We share a look and take a deep breath. I’m not used to being around so many people and so much noise.

I’ve gotten used to my scheduling being structured around having a kid and my bakery. That doesn’t leave a lot of time and certainly not time involving bars and late nights.

“Playboy’s been different lately,” Riti muses while glancing at herself in the mirror. She pushes a few of her pink braids back over her shoulder with a flick of her wrist. “Lighter.” She looks at me with warmth in her eyes. “It’s been really nice and it’s all because of you.”

I open my mouth to protest, but she simply raises an eyebrow and slips into the stall. The other one is occupied, so I lean against the wall and wait.

The moment the door swings open again, I know who it is without even looking up. My body knows.

I used to call it my early warning system before I realized just how fucked up it is that I taught my body to be aware of her proximity for my own safety. Fucked up or not, it still came in handy.

And, apparently, it’s still in fine working order.

“Oh,” Lola’s voice is too sweet to be anything other than a performance, “sister. I’m so glad I caught you. I think we need to talk.” She struts the rest of the way into the small space like she fucking owns it.

It takes all of my effort to keep my face neutral. I imagine throat punching her about fifty times in the span of a few seconds. Talk about satisfying.

Illegal, but satisfying.

“I don’t have anything to talk with you about,” I manage to keep my voice level, but it’s a struggle.

“Are you sure?” Her tone is condescending as hell. She steps closer to me and reaches toward me. When her long nails brush against my skin, I know it’s a warning.

It might work. If I were still afraid of her. I’m not anymore because I don’t have to live under the same roof as her.

That was a battlefield. Now, I’m no longer obligated to give her any of my time or attention.

“You should know,” her voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper as if we’re sharing secrets between sisters, “Playboy was just in my bed.”

Lola watches my face closely, but I don’t give anything away. I’m curious just how far she’s going to take this lie.

And I do know it’s a lie.

Playboy did not look like a man who had just rolled out of this woman’s bed considering the way he dodged her touch like it was his new mission in life. I also remember what Opal told me about him threatening her and her place in the club.

My lip curls and I scoff, “Really?”

Lola thinks she’s getting somewhere, that she’s getting under my skin. She squares her shoulders as confidence rushes through her veins. Poor lady.

Her lips curl into a predatory smile and I almost laugh. “He was very vigorous.” When she brushes her blonde hair over her shoulder to reveal the marks on her neck, her gaze is filled with provocation. “Just take a look.”

Before I have a chance to answer, Riti walks out of the bathroom stall. She goes right to the sink and starts washing her hands without looking at Lola.