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25

Justice

I’m in Dylan’s sexy ride while he maneuvers through traffic easily; he reminds me of a snake swiveling across the ground dangerously undetected with a mission of malicious intent. It’s been five days since he popped up as the mysterious, wolf themed-masked-patron and stapled a black collar around my neck.

I hate to admit that it’s worked to keep clients’ hands off me, and intriguing enough, it’s made them want me more. The requests for private dances are unmanageable, but no one dares to put so much as a finger on me. They just watch with intense jitters and blinkless eyes.

I received a message with details about tonight’s party at The Mansion, and Dylan wants us toprepare. Whatever that means.

“Nowcan you tell us where we’re going?”

“Yea, I mean, even Sara knows. Not sure how you managed that, but she just texted that she’s there already.”

“There,where?” I look behind my shoulder to Jas, who’s in the backseat with Max.

She pivots the phone, which we’ve been sharing, so I can view the text.

Dylan takes in a breath and rolls his shoulder. “You’ll see.”

What’s with all the secrecy? I cross my arms and lean my head back. At first, I thought he was taking us shopping. I don’t have shit to wear to a ball with strict attire guidelines. We’re also not allowed any electronic devices. The thought of going through the massive structure, in hunt of a fucking USB, makes my stomach turn. I mean, hadn’t Piper heard of the Cloud? She freaked out when I called to tell her the party was today.

Max lifts his head up and lets out one loud bark that startles me into looking outside. I hadn’t realized Dylan had exited the highway and was nearing a secluded bend off a private road. I sit up, intrigued, and spot a massive house with an impressive stone paved driveway. A gigantic waterfall sits in the center of the curved road. He parks his car behinda monstrously sized pickup truck, and I notice two dirt bikes and one motorcycle parked on the other side of a tiny red sports car.

“Who lives here?”

Max pants excitedly when the large double wooden doors of the house open and Sara waves. She’s holding a beer in one hand and her phone in the other. Dylan opens the door for Jasmin, and both she and Max climb out. Sara gives me a wave and rushes over to Jas and embraces her. The giant Cane Corso disappears into the house.

Sara wears loose black joggers, a white cropped top, and sneakers. Her platinum blonde dyed hair gleams in the sunlight, and her pale skin blushes easily in the suffocating heat. She’s tall and thin, like Jasmin, but they’re complete opposites. It’s even more evident when they stand next to one another. Jasmin’s dark complexion appears like smooth onyx, while Sara’s tone is similar to a soft pink pearl.

I follow behind Dylan when a gorgeous woman in blue skin-tight jeans and a v-neck black t-shirt greets us. My breath halts, and I feel my cheeks burn. She embraces Dylan and acid sears the delicate tissue behind my eyeballs. My hands quake softly.

“Niki, this is Olivia—”

Olivia doesn’t let him finish. She shoves him playfully with one hand to make room for me and collapses her body into mine in a hug. She smells of roses and leather. Similar to Dylan, but hers is a much more delicate scent mixed with lilies; she smells of springtime. Half of her head is shaved, and I glance at the intricate vines that wrap their way up her neck and behind her ear. They keep climbing and vanish into her hair.

“Finally!” she exclaims. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

My mouth opens, but nothing comes out, and Dylan chuckles.

“Olivia is my cousin, and this,” he points behind her, “is Jason, her—” he pauses. “What are we calling him?”

Olivia rolls her eyes and stands back. She moves to stand next to me and tosses her arm over my shoulder. “Mymarinovio.”

We all laugh except Jason, who glares at Dylan. His expression changes to a more playful glower when he looks at Olivia. Was I not supposed to laugh? I’m a stranger, after all. But no one seems to mind.

He pushes a button on his wheelchair, and it brings him forward. “Hi, Justice. It’s great to put a face to the woman who’s finally given this man something to obsess over that isn’t work.”

I smile sheepishly and take his hand, but before I can say anything, Sara and Jasmin thankfully join us. Dylan faces them and extends the proper introductions, then we all walk into the house.

I peer up at Dylan and give his hand a squeeze. “Your cousin?” I mouth, and he gives me a crooked smile.

I have to admit that the introduction was like a bucket of water being tossed over glowing embers.

The inside of the house is beautiful. The floors are made of glossy marble tile, and the creamy walls are decorated with angelic art from painters I cannot name. Everything is immaculate, tidy, and warm. The wood furniture looks carved with intricate patterns, and a massive crystal chandelier hangs from every room. We enter a room larger than both my and Dylan’s trailers put together, and we take our seats on the cream-colored couches.

Jason secures his wheelchair with a press of a button, and Olivia sits on his lap. He kisses her arm and wraps one hand protectively around her waist and another grips her thigh. The seat next to mine sinks as Dylan collapses next to me. His long legs spread out in front of us and he pulls me closer to him. I allow myself to lean into him.

Jasmin sits on the couch next to us, and Sara joins her. They hold hands, and I notice Jasmin’s tightly knit brows. She looks angry and I flash a questioning look at her. She blinks, letting me know she’ll tell me later, and my stomach turns.

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