Too Far Gone (In Too Deep #2) (5 page)

Chapter Nine

Jake

I went out with Jackson for the sake of distraction.  Something aside from a few unanswered texts was telling me that Lara had gone off alone.  She’d gone ahead to see Dane without letting me know.  And I knew why.  My worry would make hers worse.  I understood it.  Still, I fought myself all afternoon, driving myself to the brink of insanity as I resisted the urge to storm into Dane’s office and make sure that he hadn’t laid a fucking finger on her.  I knew I had to stop myself.  Doing that would blow both her cover and mine, so I aimed for distraction.  I swung by Monarch and hung six cast iron chandeliers.  At the gym, I racked thirty pounds more than my usual and benched three-eighty.  A personal high.  By evening, I had about thirty texts from a handful of other people to finally respond to.

Ignoring Piper’s messages, I read Jackson’s.

Just finished a meeting at The Dabney in Flatiron. Still got a full drink.

Come meet me. We’ll get dinner after.

I was at The Dabney within fifteen minutes.  In a black cocktail dress, the hostess grinned at my wet hair, T-shirt and Nike bag slung over my shoulder.  “I’ll make an exception for you because you know Mr. Kinsley.  And you do pull off the gym look quite nicely,” she murmured, casting a flirty look before turning and showing me toward Jackson’s table.  When I got there, he was leaning back in his seat, loosening his tie as he talked to one of the blushing cocktail waitresses.

“Speak of the devil.  This is my brother, Jake,” Jackson nodded at me and introduced me to the girl, whose name was Rachel or Rochelle.  I hadn’t heard because I was too busy noticing Jackson’s hand traveling up and down the back of her thigh.  “She’s a ballet dancer.  Former gymnast,” Jackson grinned after she took my drink order and sauntered off.  “I’m trying to get her to come with us to dinner.”

“Yeah? Why not your fiancée instead?” I asked, making sure to add a laugh.

“Lara? I’ll see her when I get home.  She’s been...” He shook his head and rolled his eyes.  “She’s been giving me a fuckin’ hard time lately.”

“Yeah? How so?”

Jackson yanked his tie off and flung it aside.  “She won’t fuck me and it’s turning me into a crazy person.  That whole time in the Hamptons? I got nothing.  Fuckin’ insane.  I don’t even know how long it’s been since we’ve had sex.”

When the waitress came by with my drink, I held it up, waiting a couple seconds for Jackson to finish whispering something to her before doing a toast.  “Well, here’s to when it finally happens.”

“Yeah, distance makes the dick grow harder, right?” Jackson brought his glass to mine and laughed.  “No, fuck that, I’ve already taken care of it.”

My blood rushed hot under my skin.  I had no idea why I was angry on Lara’s behalf, but I was.  “What do you mean? You already fucking the waitress?”

“Not her.  I’m planting the seeds for that one to happen somewhere down the line.  I’ve got someone else in the meantime.”

“Who?”

Jackson chuckled.  “Not sure if I can tell you.”

“It’s me.  Of course you can tell me.”

“Then you tell me first about Piper.  I’m still waiting to hear if she’s any good.  I always tell Caleb that she looks like she’d just lay there with her arms crossed till you made her come.”

I snorted.  “Uh.  No.  Not exactly.”  I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to commit to my lie.  Faking a sexual escapade was foreign for me.  I’d never done it, not even as a kid.  “She was good,” I finally said, thinking of Lara to get myself through the story.  With Jackson, the best way to get caught lying was sparing any details.  “She’s not afraid to be loud.  Tells you where to put it, how to do it.  Everything she says or does – fuck, the way she
breathes
is insanely fucking hot.”

“Yeah?” Jackson sat forward.

“And I mean she’s as tight as it fucking gets but she’s also got this…”

He grinned.  “Death grip?”

I actually felt something real in my laugh.  “Yeah.  Once you’re inside, she just fucking pulses around you till you can’t even see straight.  It’s like fucking Heaven.”

Jackson winced and sucked a breath between his teeth.  “Goddamn, that sounds like Lara.”  I tried to look unfazed as he smirked.  “Isn’t it fucked up? She’s the best I’ve ever had and despite the fact that she’s my
fiancée
, I can’t have her.”  He wiped angrily at the sneer forming on his lips.  “I swear to God, if Sawyer’s had her even once I’m going to go fucking ballistic and kill him.”

I laughed with real amusement.  “Fucking hypocrite.  What about the other way around? You’ve cheated on her.  You’re still cheating on her.”

Jackson tossed back the last of his scotch.  “And Lara may have very well been the one to get rid of Gabrielle, so I think we’re pretty much even.”

“You know Lara didn’t do it.  There’s footage of some guy going into Gabrielle’s apartment.”

“Yeah.  Probably to clean up the scene.”

“Really.  And who would Lara know to call for that kind of help?”

“I don’t know.  There are plenty of people who do these kinds of jobs.  Morbid shit happens under our noses every day and no one finds out because there’s always going to be a lowlife who’d rather dispose of a body for ten grand than get a real job.”

“Ten grand? Is how much that kind of service runs for?”

Jackson paused, staring either into the distance or at a waitress’s ass.  Probably the latter.  “Fuck if I know,” he finally answered.  A brief silence followed but I broke it.

“So who’s the new side chick?” I asked, putting a smile on Jackson’s face.

“Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“Why wouldn’t I? I always like hearing about how much your sexual escapades pale in comparison to mine,” I grinned, knowing well that Jackson always took the competition bait.

“Right.  If I’m not mistaken, I’m the one who’s engaged to the hottest chick in New York while fucking the hottest chick in L.A.”

My stomach lurched.  I stared at Jackson with unmasked surprise.  “You’re sleeping with Audra again?”

Jackson shrugged.  “I mean.  She’s sucked my cock a few times since she’s been back.  So sue me,” he smirked, eyeing me for my reaction.  “Oh, come on, man.  Look, I get it.  You have a grudge against her.  But let’s be honest right now and bury the hatchet – you didn’t leave New York because she and I fucked.  You left New York because Dad died and Mom got remarried too fast and Audra came along and was finally the daughter she always wanted.  And she was young and hot, so of course she was going to be an attention whore and start drama and pull some manipulative shit here and there.  But it’s been ten years and we’re all grown-ass adults now.  So don’t pretend you wouldn’t hit it if you didn’t have a problem with her occasional crazy act.  She’s like a… sexy freakshow. Her tits are the size of her fucking head.”

God, he was a remorseless piece of shit.  His smug look had my heart slamming in my chest.  But for the sake of appearing normal, I tried to remind myself that none of this actually mattered.  Not anymore.  Lara didn’t love Jackson.  Being with him was just an act.  There was no sense in being angry for her.

Still, his actual
pride
over the fact that he was cheating made my blood boil in my veins.

“Christ, it’s not like I’m fucking her,” Jackson laughed, reading whatever remnants of disapproval I had lingering on face.  “Are you really going to judge me over this? You couldn’t fuck just one girl if you tried.  And let’s be completely real here – Audra’s hot and she isn’t blood.  Yeah, she’s got a couple of screws loose but you know what’s good about that? Damaged girls give it their fucking all when they’re giving head.”

Fuck yourself
, I thought.  But I cracked a convincing smile that made Jackson relax.  “Then according to you, I should find myself a damaged college girl, right?”

He laughed jovially.  “Yes!
Hell
yes!” He raised his glass to mine.  “So, cheers to that, man.  We’re young, we make more money than most people will ever see in their lives and we’re a day from opening the second fucking tallest hotel in the greatest city on Earth.  We deserve to enjoy our down time more than anyone. Besides, what Lara doesn’t know will never hurt her.  Now tell me that I’m fucking right before I book your flight back to wherever the hell you came from this time.”

Despite feeling hatred in my bones, I let a full grin slide across my lips.  Raising my glass, I clinked it against Jackson’s and proceeded to lie my fucking ass off.  “Fuck it, you’re right.  Just do what makes you happy – as long as you don’t get caught.”

Chapter Ten

Lara

God.  And I’m surprised because...? Or right, I’m not remotely surprised
.

I shook my head as I stepped into Muse Room.  The place looked every bit like an upscale brothel.  Dim red light glowed throughout the space.  The ceilings were high and hung with vintage chandeliers, the lacey walls lined with curtained booths.  Through the sheer gauze veiling each one, I could see couples nuzzling on chaise lounges bigger than twin-sized beds, their bodies entwined and surrounded by satin pillows. Cocktails rested upon candle sconces on the wall.

It was a lounge unlike any other I’d ever seen.  Were I with Sloane, I’d be thrilled.  Unfortunately, I had come to meet Dane McNulty, so rather than excitement, my stomach twisted with caution and leeriness. 
What in the hell have I gotten myself into?

“Hello, miss, do you have a reservation?”

I spun around to see a stunning girl wearing blunt bangs, a black corset and garters.  “Oh, I’m not sure.  I’m here to meet somebody.  His name is Da – ”

“Mr. McNulty?”

Of course he’s a regular here
.  “Yes, Mr. McNulty.”

“Perfect.  He’s been waiting very patiently for you,” she smirked before leading me to the back of the room and around a partition.  Behind it was a single, curtained booth.  Leaning against the curled armrest was Dane, his grey jacket stripped off and draped over the back.  Upon spotting me, he tossed his phone to the side and rose to his feet.  After ordering two “Black Dahlias” from the hostess, he turned his full attention to me.

“Beautiful.  How are you feeling?” he asked, tipping my chin up and inspecting my eyes for tears.

“Fine,” I answered as he then stepped back and took in my ensemble – an oversized raglan and skinny jeans.  I had deliberately chosen a tame outfit for Dane but he still looked at me as if I were naked.

“Good.  So where’d you tell Jax you were tonight?” he grinned, clearly delighting in the idea of my lying to Jackson.

“Out with Sloane.  I assume he knows where Sawyer is tonight, so he’s not worried.  By the way, forgot to thank you for telling him that I’m sleeping with Sawyer,” I said with as we sat down.  The sarcasm in my voice made him run his tongue along his lower lip.  God, I hadn’t even mustered up the courage to flirt yet and he was already titillated.

“My apologies.  I tend to have knee-jerk reactions when I’m struck with envy,” Dane said as our drinks arrived.  I could feel his eyes glued to me as I reached for the overflowing glass, exposing my left shoulder as my raglan slid down my arm.  My cheeks burned as I held still, sipping my cocktail till it was safe to hold without spilling.  Easily setting his aside, Dane draped his arm over the back of the couch.  His fingers dangled just above my naked shoulder as I let the taste of blackberry and tequila slide over my tongue.

“Like it?”

“It’s good,” I murmured before carefully putting it down.  Leaning my side against the back of the couch, I awkwardly brought up my booted legs.  “Guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you chose for us to meet in a place like this.”

Dane laughed.  “Thought I’d treat myself to the image of you in bed.  Can’t really stand that Sawyer’s had something that I haven’t.”

I rolled my eyes.  “I never slept with Sawyer, Dane.  Had you paid attention to anything besides what you wanted to see that day, you’d have noticed Sloane’s purse next to me.  He and I weren’t alone or on some date.”

“Well, you should’ve been.  Treat yourself to an affair, Lara. Eye for an eye, that sort of thing.”

My jaw tightened.  “Right.  On that topic, I came here so you could tell me about Jackson’s relationship with Gabrielle.  I want to know everything you know.”

“Well, I already told you about the time I saw them two years ago.  I’m assuming that’s when it started, but Jackson never really talked to me about her till early this year.  I guess I should give the little shitstain some credit for feeling bad about it in the beginning. Said it was his first time cheating.”  Dane took a drink before laughing.  “On
you
, to be specific.  Let it be known that he cheated on pretty much every other girl who preceded you.  We’ve shared some pretty descriptive conversation about that.”

My stomach lurched.  “Charming,” I said dryly.  “And what about you?” I asked, finding myself curious.  “Are you a cheater?”

Dane smiled broadly.  “Depends on your definition of cheating.”

I rolled my eyes.  “You guys are all pretty repulsive then, aren’t you.”

“Birds of a feather.  Though I will say that I tend not to dabble with teenagers, so your man trumps me in that department of revulsion.”

“Great.  What else do you know?”

“Ask me without the attitude.  I’m here to do you a favor.”

I put on my fakest, most dazzling pageant smile.  “Tell me, Dane.  What else do you know?”

His brows pinched.  “That was oddly arousing.  But to continue, I think you and I are both aware of Jackson’s need to have his ego vigorously stroked at every hour.  He did mention a few times that he liked blowing Gabby’s mind since I figure before him, she’d only slept with classmates and frat boys and kids whose balls had barely dropped yet.  So if I were you, I wouldn’t assume she had anything to offer that you don’t.  All she had was less experience.  And with Jackson’s stupid ego, that can sometimes be a plus.”

I blinked, surprised by Dane’s perspective.  It actually didn’t sound far off.  I knew Jackson was fueled by the admiration of others.  All his friends were, but he was among the worst.  So it made sense that he’d have slept with a girl who was completely awestruck by his sexual prowess.  I considered it all in a silence that Dane eagerly broke.

“In case you need it explicitly said, she probably wasn’t better in the sack.”

I looked up at him, hating the fact that I was curious.  “Jackson never said anything about her regarding that?”

“No.”  Dane tossed his drink back like water.  “But I can assure you that he’s bragged at length about your bedroom talents,” he grinned as a waitress promptly brought him another cocktail.  “Which reminds me that I’m all about you getting even with Jackson.”

Yeah.  So was he. 
“Let’s not talk about that right now,” I changed the subject.  “I still want to hear about what Jackson’s said about Gabrielle.”

“Lara, I already told you that he liked being treated like a God, not that he found her to be anything special in bed.  And from the looks of it, she wasn’t great.  I’m sure there are nineteen-year-olds out there who’ve been around and picked up a couple tricks, but I’ll remind you that for most of her life, Gabrielle was a pretty skinny and awkward-looking – “

“Wait.”  I blinked, having let myself get swept up in another one of Dane’s wordy replies.  There was something in there that piqued my interest but my drink had my reaction delayed.  Dane lifted his eyebrows expectantly as I mentally dialed back the conversation.  “What do you mean ‘from the looks of it’?”

Dane smirked.  “From the looks of the way she just laid there.  In the videos they took.  Jackson said you saw them already so don’t act like I just dropped some bombshell on you.”

“I’m not.  I’m just… surprised that he showed you.”

“Don’t be.  Now that Caleb’s engaged to Sloane he’s been pretty effectively neutered, so when Jackson has something sordid to share, I’m his man.”

“Where did you watch it? At my house?” The thought of Dane watching Jackson and Gabrielle’s sex tapes in my living room made me want to scrub my skin off in a hot shower.  But as he laughed, he shook his head.

“Uh, no.  No, sweetheart.  More like on the dirty little phone Jax uses to do things that the lovely Mrs. Kinsley would disapprove of.  Like score blow and text teenagers.”  Amusement danced in Dane’s eyes as he downed another half of his drink.  “And I’m assuming hire ex-cons to break into your apartment.  Full disclosure, that tip did come from me.  Gotta keep those numbers separate.”  He studied the surprise that I could feel twisting my face.  “Really, Lara? Come on, sweetheart, you’ve been around us for long enough.  You couldn’t have possibly thought that guys like us did business on just one phone.”