Vengeful Secret (The Burkes Mafia #3)

3. Sutton

3

SUTTON

“How’s Ciara doing?” I ask my mother, standing near the door so that the music isn’t too loud.

Her voice sounds tinny and small on the other line.

I don’t have the best service here.

“She’s great. Still talking about Mr. Blue.” My mother chuckles.

I smile. “I didn’t have the heart to tell her that she’ll probably never see him again.”

“You never know, honey.”

“Well, listen, I’ll probably be out really late, so?—”

“Don’t worry about it. Ciara and I are pals. We can have a sleepover.”

I bite my lip.

It’s not like I don’t trust my mother, but I just feel bad about staying out all night.

“You sure she won’t miss me?”

“She’s barely mentioned you since you left.”

“Gee, thanks, Mom,” I drawl, waving my hand in front of my face because it’s so hot in the bar.

“Of course, she loves you to pieces, Sutton, but she’s going to be fine. You guys are together all the time. She loves spending time with her Granny.”

“All right. I’ll call you in the morn?—”

I lock on a pair of green eyes.

It can’t be.

But he’s looking right at me, that same strong jaw and chin, the same strong, dark brows.

Gray Burke.

Shit. This can’t be happening.

I have to get the hell out of here, as soon as possible.

I hurry back to the table in the back, not letting on that I’ve noticed Gray at the bar, because none of my friends know anything about him.

Hell, I never thought I’d see him again, so I’m not sure how to even react.

My mind races, wondering what he’s doing here, wondering if he’s noticed me. There’s no way he hasn’t—he was looking right at me while I was by the door.

I curse myself for heading over in that direction. Maybe I would’ve never seen him if I’d gone out the back instead.

But it’s stupid to worry about that now. All I can do is hope that he doesn’t engage. I’m not the girl I was back then. I’ve got responsibilities now. I’ve got Ciara to worry about, and I’m not going to let myself get swept back up in Gray Burke and his dangerous lifestyle.

Rosa smiles and grabs my arm. She stands and points toward the dance floor.

“Not now,” I plead, not wanting Gray to see me there. Back here, it’s dim, and maybe he won’t notice me.

I don’t know why I’m so worried. He probably doesn’t even recognize me. It’s been so long. And I’ve changed my hair, and maybe that’s good enough.

“Yeah, I’m not tipsy enough to dance yet,” Marisa backs me up, and I’m grateful.

I smile, and Sarah hails the server for another round of cosmopolitans, our second round.

The server seems to take an inordinately long time to return with our drinks, but it is busy inside the tavern, so I can’t really blame her. I’m just antsy after seeing Gray.

I made a point not to lock eyes with him, not to stare at his strong jaw or his dark blond hair that fell to his collar, a bit longer than it was the last time I saw him. I certainly didn’t lock on to his green eyes that I’d gotten lost in all those years ago.

When the drinks do arrive, the server smiles and shakes her head as Marisa, whose turn it is to pay for the round, takes out her card. “It’s been taken care of, all your previous rounds and any new rounds you’d like to order.”

“What?” Sarah breathes.

“Who would have done that?” Rosa asks.

The server shrugs. “He's asked to remain anonymous, but he left this note.” She places down a cocktail napkin with a message scrawled on it.

It reads, “For old times’ sake.”

My heart starts to race, knowing it’s Gray.

I’m slightly annoyed but also, just a little appreciative. It’s a complicated way to feel, but I know this night could have turned out expensive for all of us even though we were alternating rounds. It’s nice to know that I won’t have to struggle paying next week’s grocery bill just for a night out.

“We have ourselves a mystery man,” Sarah crows, and I try my best not to blush.

I glance up at the bar, and Gray sends me a short wave before I look away quickly.

Sarah stares at me. “I think he’s into you, Sutton.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mutter. “He could be into any one of us.”

“He’s looking at you ,” Rose points out.

“Well, he can look all he wants. He’s out of luck. I’m out with my girlfriends.”

Marisa smiles at me. “There you go. Just because he paid for our drinks doesn’t mean you have to go and talk to him.”

“You don’t have to, but it’d be nice and would entertain me,” Sarah snickers.

Rose laughs out loud, but Marisa has my back.

“Come on, girls, don’t tease Sutton. Let’s just drink and get ready for the dance floor.”

“You have no excuse after this round, Marisa,” Sarah warns.

“Yeah, yeah.”

I pat Marisa’s hand, thanking her for taking up for me.

Sarah and Rose can be a little pushy, expecting everyone to be as outgoing as they are.

“He’s cute, though,” Sarah insists. “Too bad I’m not feeling men these days.”

“Too bad I hate men these days.” Rosa chuckles.

Marisa stays silent and so do I, just sipping my cosmopolitan.

Panic rushes through me.

Will he try to come and talk to me?

But when I glance back up at the bar, he’s turned toward the bartender. I don’t see a glass in his hands, and it makes me frown.

“You’re looking at our knight in shining armor,” Rosa teases, and I inwardly groan.

“I’m not looking.”

“It’s okay to look,” Sarah says. “After all, he did just drop a bunch of money on us.”

“We’ve only had a few rounds,” Marisa argues.

“We’re going to have a few more, now,” Rosa insists. “It’s a free ride. I’m ordering some fries.”

“And maybe some wings,” Sarah says excitedly.

Marisa frowns. “We shouldn’t take advantage.”

He has the money, I think, but don’t say. I don’t want my friends knowing that I have any idea who Gray is or why he’s paying for our bill.

I’m struggling not to get up and run out of here, if I’m honest with myself.

Every time I glance up at him, even after we all order food, he’s staring at me, as intense as always. It stirs pleasure and annoyance all at once, and I’m not sure how to handle it.

Get out. Run .

But I never get to go out without Ciara. I never get to see my friends anymore. And everyone deserves a good time. Even me, right?

Why did he have to intrude in my only night out in so long?

But then, there’s also a part of me that’s titillated. Excited.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I want to live life in the present, not the past. Except now the past is catching up to me.

The way he keeps staring at me just brings back memories, brings back feelings that I’d rather not feel.

I’ve tried to bury my feelings about Gray Burke, and now it seems like all of it is being unearthed.

I munch on fries while Sarah heads over to the bar to talk to Gray. I can’t help but watch as she leans against him, putting her hand on his shoulder, and he moves away from her.

He doesn’t recoil or anything so obvious, but he speaks to her in a low tone, unsmiling, and when she comes back over, her honeyed eyes are wide.

“I’ve never been rejected so nicely in all my life,” she says quietly, smirking at me. “And I was right, Sutton. It’s you he's after. He’s actually really kind. You should go and talk to him.”

I shake my head. “I told you already, I don’t want to talk to guys tonight. I just want to be with my girls. I don’t get many nights out, and I’m not going to spend this one chatting up some guy who probably only wants to get into my panties.”

“She makes a good point,” Rose says. “Guys who buy drinks normally just want to get you in bed, right?”

Sarah hums. “I don’t know. It seems like he really likes her.”

Marisa snorts. “How can he really like her? Sutton’s never seen him before.” She pauses. “Have you?”

A song that was popular while we were all in high school comes on.

Yes! Saved by the bell.

I grab Marisa’s arm. “Now it’s time to dance.”

Marisa has to be talked out of her seat and onto the dance floor, but she’s socially lubricated by a shot and three cosmopolitans and a few hot wings, so it’s not difficult.

We all dance together in a circle, with Sarah shaking her ass, and Rose cheering her on while Marisa and I just sway our hips, holding on to each other and laughing as one or both of us keeps bumping into someone else on the dance floor.

A few guys try to get into our little dance square, but neither Sarah or Rose are interested in dancing with men tonight, so they just get closer to me and Marisa, keeping them at bay.

I finally stop thinking about Gray, letting the alcohol flow through me, running my hands through my hair, dancing and just letting the music beat in time with my heart.

It’s the most fun I’ve had in months, maybe years, and I can’t help but smile as my eyes are closed.

By the time our favorite song is over, I’m already sweating, and when I open my eyes, I’m facing the bar. I lock eyes with Gray, and his green gaze pierces right through me.

His face is blank, his jaw tight as if he’s trying to keep something back.

I tear my eyes away and take Marisa’s hand. “Come with me to the bathroom?”

She nods, letting me drag her toward the back of the tavern.

When we’re inside the ladies’ room, it feels like I can finally breathe, and I gulp in air like I’ve been drowning.

“Are you okay, Sutton?”

“I’m fine. Just needed to get some air, splash some water on my face.”

“I've got some mascara if you need a touchup after washing your face,” she says kindly, and the rush of affection for her may be enhanced by the alcohol.

I hug her tightly, and she squeaks.

“You’re a good friend to me, Marisa.” I smie, and she smiles back, her eyes only a little glassy from the alcohol.

“You’re a good friend, too, Sutton. What‘s gotten into you? Are you drunk?”

“A little.” I laugh as I splash my face and the back of my neck with cold tap water.

The water trickles down between my breasts and down my spine, making me shiver, but it feels so good.

It’s too hot on the dance floor, and I am a little tipsier than I anticipated. I know that because a big part of me wants to storm over to Gray and ask him why he’s inserting himself into my night out.

The thrill and excitement of seeing him again are giving way to fear and annoyance, especially since I can’t seem to enjoy myself without thinking of him, especially while he keeps looking at me like that.

But that would only engage him further, and I’m not about to ruin my night out.

I look down at my watch as Marisa freshens up her makeup. It’s nearing midnight, so if I did dip out, it wouldn’t be surprising. Everyone knows I have a daughter, and even though I know my mother would keep her overnight if I needed it, I don’t want to have to do that.

I like having Ciara home with me, tucking her in at night.

What right does Gray have to show up after all this time, anyway? I feel like I really should give him a piece of my mind, but I’m also worried that he’ll say something smooth, and I’ll forgive him.

I can’t have that.

“I’m not feeling so hot,” I tell Marisa, and she frowns.

“Oh, no, Sutton, do you want me to help you get a ride home?”

“No, that’s okay. I can do it myself.” I smile, giving her a brief hug. “Will you just tell the girls that I left? And that I love them?”

“Of course. I’m going to try to get out of here soon, too, but don’t be a stranger, okay?”

“Of course not.”

I let go of Marisa reluctantly and rush out of the bathroom, heading toward the back door. I pull my phone out of my pocket as soon as the cool night air rushes over me, and I open up a ride share app.

I’ve got to get the hell out of here before the cosmopolitans in my blood convince me it’s a good idea to talk to Gray Burke again.