The Scars That Define Us (The Devil's Dust #2)(15)

“My head hurts just as bad,” I croak. I smack my lips together and swallow; my mouth feels dry and sticky.

“Here, drink this,” Bobby orders, sitting a glass full of red liquid on the coffee table.

“What the hell is that?” I ask, pointing to the glass.

“Your hangover remedy. Drink it, shower, and you’ll feel better,” he states, laughing.

I reach over and grab the cold glass. I sniff it and smell tomato and lemon. I gag instantly.

Bobby chuckles and walks down the hall.

I take a deep breath and try to take a sip. As soon as the cool liquid hits my mouth, I feel vomit rise in my throat. I get up and take off toward the bathroom, running past Bobby to get to it.

***

It’s my first day at my new job and I love it. The little girls are so cute. I tell them to do a position and they just twirl and ask if they look like a princess. I can’t help but laugh and twirl with them. Thankfully, I don’t have a hangover and feel okay to spin. Bobby had to feed the red remedy juice to me sip by sip this morning, but he got it down me and I started feeling better.

“Aren’t you a little too old to be a sugar plum fairy?”

I turn from the little dancing girls and see a gentleman dressed in a very expensive-looking suit. He has short, light-brown hair and vibrant, brown eyes, a chiseled jaw and thick lips. His arms are lean, and his frame looks a little muscled but not by much.

“Excuse me?” I ask, my head tilted.

“I’m Kelsey’s father, Parker,” he says, running his hands through his hair with a grin. His tone is smooth and accented.

“I’m Dani,” I smile.

“Is that short for Danielle?” he asks with a handsome grin.

“Yes, it is.”

Parker eyes me from head to toe in my leotard; his chocolate eyes taking in everything, making me bite my bottom lip uncomfortably.

“Well, Danielle, I’d love to have dinner with you sometime,” Parker says, his tone flirty and his dark eyes intimidating. He walks to his daughter Kelsey and grabs her hand.

“I don’t know—”

“Don’t think of it as a date. Just a night to enjoy yourself,” Parker interrupts, walking up to me. His stride is precise and calculated his tone deep and reassuring. It would be nice to go out and get Shadow off my mind, along with the club. Looking at the way things are going with the club and the fact that there is no sign of me gaining their trust, I should think about moving on. I look down at Kelsey who is spinning back and forth, as her dad holds her hand firmly.

“That sounds great,” I say with a hard swallow.

“Perfect,” he exclaims, his mouth turning upward into a gorgeous smile. He slides his hand along the side of his head, smoothing down his hair trying to curl just above his ear.

“Where should I pick you up?”

I walk over to the desk, write down the address of the apartment, and hand it to him.

“I’ll see you tomorrow at eight, Danielle.” He leans in and pecks my cheek lightly. I can’t help but smell his scent of mint and aftershave as he leans back.

He winks at me and leaves as Bobby is walking in.

“Who is that douchebag?” Bobby inquires loudly, not caring if Parker or the little girls hear him.

“A night out,” I say, raising my eyebrow.

“No shit?” Bobby asks, stepping back toward the door to get another look at Parker. “The f*cker has money.”

I step over to the door and look out. Parker and his daughter are climbing into a nice black, sleek-looking car.

“His name is Parker, and it’s just a night out,” I say, reassuring myself that it’s nothing more.

“That is an Aston Martin, very expensive,” Bobby states, tapping his knuckles on the glass. “What do you see in that prick?” he asks, his tone laced with revulsion.

Looking at Parker, he would be any girl’s fantasy. He’s handsome, appears to be a gentleman, and seems intelligent. Why I am not sold on the idea has me puzzled.

“I don’t know,” I whisper against the window, my breath fogging the glass as I breathe against it.

I feel Bobby staring at me, but I don’t look. I just watch Parker leave the parking lot, wondering what the hell I’m thinking.

“It’s good for you to get out. I’m sure you’ll have fun,” Bobby remarks, his hand patting my back. His encouragement to get back out there has me pulling from the glass and looking at him a little shocked.

***

I settle for a red dress with a high neckline, the hem stopping just above my knee. Shadow bought it for me on our trip; he said I would look sexy as hell in red. I sigh. Tonight is to forget about Shadow, to just forget about the pain. I hear knocking come from the door, so I grab my silver heels and slip them on as I make way to answer it.

“She’s not ready,” I hear Bobby say in the living room, his voice cold and dripping with hatred.

“All right,” Parker drawls out.

“I’m here,” I say, rushing into the room.

“Danielle, you look stunning,” Parker exclaims, his hands reaching for me. He palms my hand and turns it over, kissing the top of it gently.

“You look handsome, Parker,” I say in return. He has his short, brown hair gelled back, and he’s dressed in a grey suit which hugs his shoulders well.