High Stakes (A Deal With The Devil)

CHAPTER TWENTY

Bella

Seeing him standing there, in my shop, on my special day, is all too much. What is he thinking? He hasn’t contacted me at all, and he decides that this is the best day to do it. My grand opening. He looks well. The dark suit he wears fits snug, and his white shirt showcases his muscles perfectly, with his tattoos peeking out over the collar. His pure bulk makes him look intimidating; I don’t feel intimidated though. Just annoyed.

As usual, my friends are there to put a barrier between us. And despite Cal trying to shove him from the shop, Aiden isn’t budging. “This is her day; how dare you turn up and ruin it,” he yells.

My attention moves to a few of my customers who are huddled together, looking like they need an escape. I take a deep breath and march towards the scuffle. Cal notices and steps back. I give him a grateful smile then turn to Aiden. “This isn’t fair,” I mutter, avoiding eye contact. “Please leave.”

He stuffs his hands in his pockets, hanging his head in what I want to believe is shame, but I know Aiden doesn’t feel like the rest of us. “I just came to say congratulations and good luck.”

Aria scoffs, coming up behind me. “That’s what you came to say?” she shouts angrily. “Not, sorry for using her, or for being a complete, selfish twat?”

“Aria,” I hiss, glancing around, aware that everyone is listening.

“I tried to call, but the number didn’t connect,” he says, his bright blue eyes finally reaching mine. “I’ve been wanting to come and say it face to face,” he adds.

I hold up a hand and he stops speaking. “Just leave, Aiden. This day is too important for me.”

I turn away from him and offer my customers a reassuring smile. “Sorry about that, please stay and help yourself to more cake. I’ll be right back with champagne.” And I rush into the back room, closing the door.

I take a few deep breaths, squeezing my eyes closed to stop myself from crying. I refuse to shed anymore tears over him. I’m moving forward and this is my new start. I groan, grabbing the pregnancy test from my pocket where I’d shoved it when I spotted Aiden. New start? Fat chance.

Aria knocks lightly on the door, and I let her in. “He’s gone,” she says with a sympathetic smile. “Are you okay?”

“No.”

“Shit, Bella. I really wanted it to be negative,” she whispers, taking it from me to stare at the little window. “Ten weeks,” she mutters, “That’s still early on.”

“A reminder of what he did to me,” I spit angrily, “Like a little ten-week anniversary gift.”

“Perhaps do a second test to make sure. You can get false positives,” she suggests hopefully.

“What are the chances when I’m having sickness and dizzy spells,” I mutter. “I was on the pill, how the hell does this happen on the first time when I’m on the pill?”

“Were you regular with it?”

I shrug miserably, “What with everything going on, I probably missed one or two. I was taking it for my periods, I didn’t even think about it as a precaution because I wasn’t having sex. ”

“The fucker should have worn a condom,” says Aria, “He knew he was gonna have sex with you.”

I shrug, “It’s too late to play the blame game now. Anyway, I have a shop to run.”

I pop the cork on a bottle of champagne and begin to fill the plastic glasses I’d purchased for today. “I’ll figure this out later.”

Aiden

I knew she wouldn’t be pleased to see me, but I wasn’t prepared for the hurt in her eyes. It cut right through me. She’s never looked at me like that before, not even after she found out about the deal.

When I get home, Laurie is in the kitchen chopping vegetables. I frown, “What are you doing here, and how did you get in?”

She smiles, “Surprise.”

“I don’t like surprises,” I say firmly. “Seriously, how did you get in?”

“I had a key cut,” she admits, “I was worried when you were drinking so much. I did it so I could come and look after you.”

I narrow my eyes, “What the fuck?” My mobile rings before I can lose my shit, and I answer. “JP? ”

“Hey Boss, fancy a few drinks at the Cabana club? I need to get away from this bar that you keep me imprisoned behind.”

“Yeah, I’ll meet you there in about half hour?” I say before disconnecting.

I head for the shower with Laurie hot on my heels. “Dinner will be ready in ten minutes,” she says.

“Laurie, if I wanted to have a wife to answer to; I’d have married you. Go home and nag your husband.”

“You need to build your strength; you weren’t eating right for weeks.”

“I can order in, like I have done for years.”

I begin to strip off and she lingers in the doorway watching me. “Homecooked is better.”

“I don’t have time,” I say, kicking off my trousers and shorts.

Her eyes run down my body, and she bites on her lower lip. “How about I help you shower?”

“How about you go home.”

“Aiden, come on. I’ve stuck around to help you when no one else would,” she argues, and I feel a twinge of guilt. She has been here to check on me every day.

“Laurie, I appreciate you being there for me, but you have a husband. You should go home and spend time with him. ”

She scoffs, “He doesn’t notice I’m not there. And since when did you care about my marriage?”

“I’ve already fucked my own life up. Don’t let me ruin yours too.”

She stands in front of me, running a manicured finger over the tatts on my chest. “You still have the club, and you have me. I know you feel bad for everything with that girl, but she’s gone now.”

“Bella,” I grit out, because she damn well knows her name yet always refers to her as ‘that girl’. “Her name is Bella.”

“Whatever. Either way she’s left. But I’m here. Nothing’s changed.”

I remove her hand from my chest. “Exactly,” I mutter bitterly. “I’ve re-evaluated my life and this,” I say, indicating between us, “Isn’t what I want. Leave your key on the way out.

Bella

Cal sits on my bed, watching me apply my make-up. “I won’t be able to drink, what’s the point,” I say with a sigh, as I apply mascara.

“Aria wants to celebrate your shop opening, don’t be a killjoy,” he says. “I’ll be there around ten.”

“After your date,” I say, wiggling my brows.

He grins, “I want to see you having fun when I arrive. No sulking in the corner.”

“What if I see them?” I mutter, turning to face him.

“What if you do?” he asks with a shrug. “You live close by, it’s gonna happen one day. All you can do is ignore them and make sure they see they don’t affect you.”

“But they do,” I admit.

He stands, kissing me on the head. “You don’t have to show them that.” He heads for the door. “Have fun, you can’t spend the rest of your life avoiding them. And you can’t hide away.”

“I’ll have fun if you promise not to bin this date off for a stupid reason.”

He smirks, “My reasons are valid.”

I roll my eyes, and he laughs harder, leaving. It’s the eighth date he’s been on this month alone, and they never get past the second date because Cal is too fussy.

Aria arrives ten minutes after Cal leaves. She’s looking hot in a black jumpsuit that clings to her ample chest. When I eye her suspiciously, she shrugs, “I might meet Mr. Right tonight.”

“Is JP coming then?” I tease, because we both know he’s her Mr. Right.

She narrows her eyes. “Haha, very funny. ”

We choose a quiet wine bar. The sort with low lighting and a solo singer setting a somber mood. Aria gets us both a glass of wine, only mine is non-alcohol, and I stare at hers longingly.

“Let’s talk about the elephant in the room,” she begins.

I groan dramatically. “Let’s not. I have no idea what I’m going to do, and you badgering me about it, isn’t helping.”

“I’m not badgering,” she replies innocently. “I’m simply helping you come to a decision.”

I roll my eyes, “Next you’ll be telling me to tell Aiden.” She gives me a look that tells me that’s exactly what she was thinking. “Oh, fuckoff, Aria,” I cry. “He shit himself when I mentioned a relationship. I guarantee the last thing Aiden Tremos wants, is a baby.”

“But if you decide to keep it, you’ll tell him, right?”

“Why do you suddenly care about Aiden?” I demand.

“I don’t. But he does have rights and if you don’t tell him, and he finds out . . .” She trails off.

“I don’t owe him anything. I certainly don’t plan on tying myself to him forever.”

“So you’re not keeping the baby?”

I sigh heavily, “No . . . yes, no. I don’t bloody know, Aria. But if I keep it, Aiden can’t know.”

“You’re right,” she says, holding her hands up in submission. “He doesn’t deserve to know. I’m sorry. ”

I smile, “Let’s not talk about Aiden Tremos tonight. I don’t want to think about it. We’re celebrating right?”

She taps her glass against mine. “Yes we are.”

After an hour of shop talk, we meet up with some of our friends at the Cabana Club. Aria immediately wanders off to scope the talent, and I head for the bar. It’s busy and no fun when you’re the only sober one, but I promised Cal I’d try and relax, so I order shots for everyone else, and grab a lemonade for myself.

Jake takes his gratefully as I place the tray on the table. Aria rushes up behind me, gripping my arm. “Aria, JP is here,” she hisses.

My stomach tightens and my heart beats wildly. I find myself scanning the area for Aiden. “Who’s he with?”

She shrugs, “I have no idea, I ran the second I saw him. Do you want to leave?”

Cal‘s words play through my mind and I give my head a shake. “No. I’m done running.”

“Who we running from?” I turn at the sound of Cal’s voice and smile with relief. He pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around me. “Why do you look so sad?”

“Aria saw JP,” I mutter.

He tips my head back to look me in the eye. “It doesn’t mean Aiden’s here, and if he is, it will all be okay. ”

I want to believe him, but a part of me is terrified. “This is because I banked the cheque,” I say, “Now he thinks he can just keep showing up in my life.”

“Maybe,” Cal agrees. “But it’s done now. You just have to ignore him until he gets the message.”

“It’ll get even more awkward when she starts showing,” hisses Aria and I elbow her in the side.

“We’re not talking about that, remember.”

Cal hugs me tighter, “She’s got a point,” he whispers in my ear.

Aiden

“Stop looking for her,” says Raff from beside me. I give the crowd one last scan before turning my back on it and smiling at Raff. “She hates you, don’t ruin her night.”

“Thanks for the reminder,” I reply, dryly.

JP joins us looking pissed. “I wanted one night where Aria wasn’t in my head, and then I fucking bump into her,” he complains.

“She’s got to forgive you eventually, brother,” says Raff, slapping him on the shoulder.

“How come he gets sympathy?” I ask.

Raff grins, “He isn’t as big a prick as you.”

I roll my eyes and turn back to looking down on the dancefloor. And that’s when I see her. I inhale sharply, my heart swelling with hope even though she’s in the arms of the fitness freak.

I go to the bar and pay for a bottle of expensive champagne and ask the bartender to take it over to Bella, who’s now sitting with her friends at a table.

I watch as he taps her on the shoulder. She listens to whatever he’s saying, her eyes glancing around the bar, searching for me. And then she turns to the fitness freak and says something in his ear. Cal looks up and his eyes meet with mine. He looks instantly pissed and says something to the bartender. He nods once then heads back in my direction, the champagne still in his hand.

“She declined the champagne,” he reports back, and he puts it down in front of me.

I smirk, of course she did.

JP joins me, eyeing the bottle. “You celebrating?”

“Nope, but they are,” I reply, nodding towards the table. “She declined it though.”

He laughs, “Only Bella would turn down a bottle of champagne.”

“I don’t blame her. It’s gonna take more than this to get in her good books again.”

“Is that what you want?” he asks.

I think over his question. “Yes,” I say, firmly. “More than anything. ”

“To ease your guilt or because you like her?”

“Both.”

“Then get her alone. You don’t stand a chance of getting her to hear you out with muscles one side of her, and her psycho bff, the other.”

He takes the champagne and heads back up to the lounge area, leaving me to watch Bella and her bodyguards and wait for my perfect opportunity to pin her down and listen to what I’ve got to say.

Bella

I’m in the bathroom, waiting in line for the toilet with aching feet and a real craving for my bed. Being pregnant is no fun. I’m exhausted and the thing isn’t even the size of a bean. I groan out loud, getting me a few curious glances from the other women in line. I can’t believe Aiden thought he could buy me off with champagne. Like him flashing the cash would make me forgive him. Prick.

“Ladies, would you give us a minute?” My head whips up at the sound of Aiden’s voice and I stare open mouthed as he fills the doorway.

The women smile wistfully, all heading for the exit. “No,” I snap, “Don’t go.” They don’t listen, filing out one by one. Great. “What happened to safety in numbers?” I cry after them .

“We need to talk,” he says, fixing his blue eyes on me.

I shrink back slightly, without Cal and Aria as my armor, I feel weak. The toilet flushes and a woman steps out. She keeps her head lowered as she washes her hands while we wait patiently in silence.

Once she’s gone, Aiden closes the gap between us, so I’m trapped between the sink unit and his hard body. “You won’t even look at me,” he mutters.

“What the hell do you think you’re playing at?” I hiss.

“I just need a minute of your time, Bells.”

“Isabella,” I correct him. “Only my friends call me Bells.”

He clenches his jaw, and I know he wants to yell at me for being so stubborn. “Just hear me out,” he pleads.

“So, talk, Aiden. You’ve gone to all this trouble to force me to listen,” I yell.

“I messed up,” he begins, and I scoff, folding my arms. “And you have every right to hate me.”

“I do,” I cut in.

“But, please, try and understand why I did it. I know you saw Jake’s letter, it was open.” I stay quiet, not confirming nor denying my snooping. “He thought we’d fall madly in love and live happily ever after.”

“It wasn’t up to him to try and make that happen,” I snap.

“But he saw you needed someone and wanted me to settle down. He grabbed the opportunity.”

“I didn’t need anyone,” I yell. “Least of all, a lying, cheating playboy like you.” I take a deep breath to calm myself. “Look, you’ve said your piece, and honestly, it doesn’t make me feel any better. Your brother played a game with my heart. I can’t forgive either of you.”

“Bella, please!”

“What do you want me to say, that I forgive you?” I ask, “Would that make you sleep better and ease your conscience?”

He stares down at the ground. “No, probably not. But I want us to be able to be in the same room and be civil. Aria won’t see JP, even though we both know she wants to. Everything is a mess, and I just want it to be okay,” he says, desperately.

“Are you trying to make me feel bad?” I snap. “JP wasn’t innocent in any of this and that’s why Aria won’t speak to him. I can’t control what she chooses to do.”

He rubs his hand over his brow, stress evident in his expression. “Why did you go through with it?” he asks, looking me in the eye. “Once you knew, why did you let it go ahead?”

This time it’s me that looks away. “I keep asking myself the same thing,” I mutter bitterly. “I thought my virginity meant nothing to me, so I let you have it to save yourself. A part of me was hoping you’d confess, but the more time that passed, the quicker I realized that wasn’t going to happen. You’d gone to all that trouble to strip me of my virginity, and if I stopped you, you’d have lost everything. Then it would have all been for nothing,” I mutter. Sadness fills my heart. “That’s how pathetic I am,” I add, raising my eyes to meet his. “Still thinking of you, even at a cost to myself.”

“You’re not pathetic,” he rushes to tell me. “You’re kind and thoughtful and I didn’t see that until it was too late. Tell me how to make it right.”

“If you think you can make it right, you really don’t understand how much you hurt me, Aiden.”

“Then show me. Scream, lash out, do whatever you want to make it feel better.”

I scoff, “I’m not like you, Aiden. I won’t willingly hurt someone I care about.” I shake my head, “Cared about,” I correct.

“So this is it? This is how it ends?”

I head for the door. “It ended the night you broke my heart, Aiden. Goodbye.”

Aiden

“You look happier,” JP notes as I take a seat at our table .

“I saw Bella,” I tell them.

Raff groans. “But you didn’t go over to her, right?” I shake my head, and he relaxes.

“I followed her into the bathroom and forced her to speak to me.”

He glares at me, “Tell me you’re joking. Jesus, leave the woman alone, you’ve already done too much.”

“Did she talk to you?” asks JP.

Raff nudges him. “Don’t encourage this stalking bullshit.”

“Jakes right, they’re good together,” he argues.

“Jakes dead. If he saw the shit show that he caused, he’d feel bad.”

“I’ve got to try,” I mutter, “I need her in my life.”

When we arrive back at Tremos, an hour later, I’m feeling the alcohol buzzing through me. It’s the first time I’ve been drunk since I hit rock bottom, and as I scan the room, my eyes landing on a Bella look-a-like, I feel that familiar pull.

We take a seat at our usual table, and she makes a beeline for me, smiling wide as she leans in to speak. “You look like a guy that knows his way around.”

I smirk, “This bar? ”

She sniggers. “At the risk of sounding cheesy, do you come here often?”

“You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve come here.”

She arches a flirty brow. “I like you,” she states with confidence, “and I’m drunk, trying to get over a broken heart.”

“He can’t help you there,” says Raff, grinning, “He breaks hearts, not mends them.”

It doesn’t deter her. Instead, she slides in beside me. “I’m going to be upfront. I want no strings, wild sex. And I want it with you.”

I can feel my resolve melting. She looks too much like Bella. Bella . I shake my head. “As fun as that sounds, I’m out with the guys tonight. If I leave them, to fuck you, they’ll just give me shit.”

She arches a perfectly plucked brow. “Are you being serious?”

I nod. “I’m afraid so.” She huffs and gets up, leaving and moving on to another guy.

“Wow, you’re serious about getting Bella to forgive you,” says JP and I think I see a hint of pride in his eyes.

“Bullshit. There’s no way he can go without sex for the amount of time it will take Bella to forgive him,” says Raff. “We’re talking months, if not years.”

I grin, “You think she’ll forgive me? ”

“I didn’t say that,” he replies.

“You do,” I say, nudging him playfully. “You think I’ll win her round.”

He narrows his eyes. “Only because I know you won’t give up. You’ll wear her down and she’s too nice to keep up the hatred.”