Page 97 of Wild Card

She pulls back, her gaze wide in shock. “He told you?”

“He did.”

“Thank God. He never talks about what happened. I’m glad he opened up.”

“I am, too.” This is the absolute truth. Knowing more about him only heightens my feelings.

“You should know,” she steps away, “I know about you, too.”

It takes a second to sink in. “About Joseph?”

“If that’s his name, then yes.”

Hurt strikes hard. When did Talon tell her?

“Talon didn’t tell me.” She reads my mind. “I’m an expert at spotting the signs of betrayal from someone you trust.”

Her ex-boyfriend comes to mind.

“Yeah, it sucked. But now I thank God. I’ve met Talon.”

“Amen, sister.” She smiles a blinding smile as another blonde wedges between us.

“I’m Shayla.”

“Harley’s cousin?” Harley and Jewls mentioned her several times.

“Yep, you the new member of the club?”

The club… Casanova Club.

The infamous mansion on the hill with a rotating door of women. Or so the rumor goes.

“I guess?”

She assesses me, her lips in a thin line until they reach my feet and spread into an admiring smile. “Nice shoes.”

I stop myself from dancing at her compliment. “Thanks, they are new?—”

A high-pitched, jarring shriek sends all of us jumping.

Please, dear Jesus, this can’t be happening.

The pig-like sound came from none other than Rylee. She’s glaring at me with such hatred and revulsion my skin singes.

“You! Why are you here? Trying to sabotage my wedding isn’t enough. Now you want to ruin my bridal preparation?”

“I-I-I had no idea you were here.”

“Sure, you didn’t. Are you following me?”

“I knew I hated this bitch when she made her consultation appointment,” Shayla says loud enough for everyone to hear.

Rylee’s face flames, the fury building.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Rowan backing away.

“What did you tell them?” Rylee bellows, “Did you give them a sad story, blaming me for your misfortunes? It’s not my fault you’re a shrew who doesn’t know how to keep a man.”

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