Page 66 of Bourbon Truths
“More to your pain. It’s not just about losing your boxing career. There is something darker, something deeper.” She paused. “Who is the present for? Who are you shopping for, Kace?”
The way her eyes cut through me, the feel of her skin on mine, her proximity that had always made me feel so safe were breaking down my walls. The answer rested on the tip of my tongue.
“Tell me, Kace. Who are you shopping for?”
I danced with the possibility of telling her when Pepper joined us, holding a bag.
“Got the gift….” She trailed off when she saw how close Lyla and I were. “Oh, sorry, was I interrupting something?”
The concerned look on Lyla’s face soured.
“No, I was just leaving,” Lyla said while separating herself from me. “Pepper, give me a call for a girls’ night.” Lyla looked at me. “See you around, Kace.”
With sorrow in her eyes, Lyla walked away, leaving Pepper and me alone with a bustling market behind us.
Tourists and locals flowed in and around the pillars that held up the roof of the French Market, but like a parting in the sea, I had a clear view of her retreating beauty, reminding me I wasn’t privileged enough to hang on to such a life-altering woman.
“You love her, don’t you?” Pepper asked, tilting my whole world upside down.
Love was a foreign concept. Love wasn’t on my radar. That was what I’d convinced myself. “No,” I answered, even though the thought had crossed my mind.
“Bullshit,” Pepper responded.
“Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t know what love is, Pepper.” Taking a deep breath, I nodded at the bag in her hand. “What did you get?”
Letting the moment pass, Pepper reached into the bag and pulled out a green voodoo doll that was sporting a purple and pink dress. The twisted-looking doll was hideous.
“I’m not fucking giving her that,” I stated, not even letting Pepper explain her reasoning for getting it.
Laughing, Pepper said, “This is for me.” She handed a small locket to me. “This is for your friend. There’s a gray stone inside.”
I opened the locket and saw the small polished stone nestled inside. It was simple but beautiful. Simplicity went a long way at times.
“Gray?” I asked.
Pepper grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “It’s the color of repentance. I don’t know what you’re searching for or trying to accomplish, but maybe someday you will be able to forgive yourself, Kace.”
If she was looking to hammer a stake through my bleeding heart, she’d fucking nailed it on the head.
Forgiveness was something you earned; it wasn’t granted to you. It took a strong person not only to forgive but to accept forgiveness. I would like to say I would be strong enough to accept Linda’s mercy, but I knew I was a weak, broken, and battered man. Her mercy wouldn’t be enough to set me free.
Chapter Twenty
My Present…
“Rough day?” Blane asked as he sat next to me.
“You could say that,” I said, lifting my beer bottle to my lips.
We sat off to the side as Diego practiced an act with one of the girl performers he’d just hired. Watching the whole thing made me realize Diego was nowhere near being ready for his club to open.
Cirque du Diable had an appealing vintage circus feel to it with a touch of erotic flair. It was a novel concept I was excited about but nervous at the same time for the time constraints Diego was in, given how quickly he wanted to open the club.
The main ring, where all the acts took place, was scattered with strong ribbons hanging from the ceiling as well as hoop apparatuses. The room circled in its shape while chairs and tables surrounded the edge. In the back were raised seats that mirrored the feel of stadium seating, and lifted highboy tables were strategically placed near the bar. Behind the main section of the club, themed rooms were available for couples to take advantage of.
When I’d talked to Diego about his club during the early stages of construction, he’d told me he wanted to establish a safe haven for those living the same erotic lifestyle as him, a place where they could practice their craft, their love, and find solace. It was a great idea, he just needed to work out some kinks.
“What was so rough about today?” Blane asked, leaning back in his chair and eyeing the new girl on stage. He was not very subtle when it came to the female form.
