MVP (VIP Book 3) (34 page)

“I hope you’re right for the sake of your business.”

“I’m never wrong,” I said, hanging up.

“Jesus Christ, Angel, you fucking faked it?” Mika stated, pulling back the cloth curtain.

Goddamn it.

“Contrary to what you believe, I don’t have to answer to you,” I argued.

“Stop giving me The Madam bullshit. I don’t buy it and I never did. I don’t cower to you like your minions do. Now answer the Goddamn question before I make you answer it for me.”

I glared at him. “Yes, Mika, I faked it, kind of like I do when I’m with you so you should be used to it by now.” I smiled.

He pulled his hair back in a frustrated gesture. He let it grow out again and it was down to his chin.

“Why?”

I arched an eyebrow. “Why what?”

“Don’t fuck with me. Why?”

“Can you cut the melodramatics? I’ve had enough of it today.” I placed my hand on my forehead. “God, between Brooke, you, and the staff, I’m ready to sign myself out of this hellhole.”

“Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? You look like you were beaten within an inch of your life. You can’t even walk, your legs are broken and most of your ribs. Don’t even get me started on the other injuries.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s what a good plastic surgeon is for. I’m not worried about it. I’ll be fine. I don’t need you. I never did. Now, can you get the fuck out of my room? I’m tired and I need my beauty sleep.”

He shook his head. “I’m not leaving until you tell me why.”

“I already told you. She’s my granddaughter and I need her back to run VIP. That’s all.”

“I know everything,” he stated.

I cocked my head to the side. “Excuse me?”

“You know,
Lilith
, I have connections, too. You forget who I am? I know it all. I did some digging around and what you have done to this poor girl—”

“I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING FOR HER! She’s mine,” I roared.

“What are you going to do when she finds out the truth?”

“She will never find out.”

“She’ll hate you when she does,” he affirmed.

“Blood is thicker than water,” I stated. “She’ll understand.”

“You think she will understand about how you were behind her getting raped? How about the fact that she’s in Miami because you put her here? She’s been your goddamn puppet and doesn’t even know it. You gave up your daughter,” he vindictively reminded me. “You did that. You can’t make it up with her. She’s not your child. Your kid is a crack whore, literally,” he mocked, “who offered to suck my cock before I even knocked on her door.”

My eyes widened. “Get. The. Fuck. Out,” I seethed through gritted teeth.

“With pleasure, but this isn’t over,” he warned, leaving my room.

No one would stand in my way.

Not even Mika.

Mine.

Brooke was outside The Cathouse when my limo pulled up. Chance came barreling out of the car, running toward her.

“You brought the mongrel?” she asked, stepping away from him like he was disease infected.

“Yeah, he’s my dog. Chance, leave her alone, she’s wearing Chanel,” I teased.

She laughed and pulled me into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. It’s been awful, Bella, you have no idea.”

“What happened?” I asked as we walked inside.

“I guess Madam was in the wrong place at the wrong time and she got attacked. They beat the hell out of her. She’s lucky to be alive.”

I jerked back. “Madam? Who would mess with her?”

She shrugged. “Just some randoms, I guess. Thank God they found them and they’re behind bars.”

“Jesus. That just doesn’t sound like something that would or even could happen to her.”

We walked into one of the many guestrooms and I placed my luggage on the floor. “Are you staying here, too?”

“I will be on and off, yeah.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“It’s late. Get some rest and I’ll take you to her in the morning.”

I nodded again and she smiled. I knew she was dying to ask me about Sebastian but would wait till later to ask. I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes, falling asleep immediately from exhaustion.

Or maybe my mind didn’t want to process that I was back in the home that I swore I’d never step foot in again.

I rolled over, looking for Sebastian, and immediately opened my eyes when his side of the bed was cold. I hastily blinked, trying to shake off the sleep and it took me a few minutes to realize where I was. I hadn’t dreamt everything and I really was back at The Cathouse. I ignored the migraine that was looming and took a shower and dressed. I let Chance out in the backyard and then found Brooke in the kitchen, pouring coffee.

“What are you wearing?” she asked, eyeing my outfit up and down.

I followed her eyes and looked down at my outfit. “Jeans, a tank top, and sandals,” I replied, confused.

“Bella, no offense, but maybe you should change into something more…less…I don’t know…what you’re wearing,” she casually replied.

“Brooke, I don’t have any of my old clothes. This is what I wear now.”

“No, I understand.” She sipped her coffee. “I dig it. Sort of…you have this whole comfortable thing going on. But you’re back, for now. Maybe you should dress the part; I mean, we are taking over VIP for a bit. It would probably make sense to wear some heels or run a brush through your crazy ass hair.” She shrugged. “Just saying.”

I frowned. “I don’t have time to go shopping and it’s the last thing I want to do right now. And there’s nothing wrong with my hair,” I stated, pulling it out of my face.

She rolled her eyes. “Do you forget where you are? Madam has three rooms full of clothes. She has her own boutique upstairs for us. Come on.”

“Ugh!” I followed behind her.

An hour later and she was grinning all the way up to her ears. “See…don’t you feel better? Your hair is straight, you got on some red soles, and you’re not wearing something off the rack. You look like Bella again. You can’t tell me you don’t feel like a million bucks because you sure do look it.”

I looked at Brooke’s perfect reflection in the mirror and then at mine. She was absolutely right, I did look like Bella, and it was as if I had never left. Except this time, these clothes, this image, this persona standing before me didn’t look like anyone I recognized anymore. I didn’t know who this flawless woman with the expensive outfit on was. She was a stranger. I left everything behind for a reason, and there it was, staring me in the face.

The dream. 

The illusion.

The fantasy.

VIP. 

I rode in Brooke’s car with her, seeing as I didn’t have a vehicle. We walked into Madam’s room and there was an older man dressed in ripped jeans and a motorcycle jacket sitting with her. He had long blond hair tied in a ponytail and intense hazel eyes. He was breathtakingly handsome. They looked like they were having a heated argument or discussion. When our eyes locked, I swear his appeared to desperately want to say something. They were screaming at me and I had just met him.

“Bella Rosa,” Madam announced, taking me away from his frantic trance. “Darling, come here.”

“Aren’t you going to introduce me,
Angel
?” he asked, making her eyes glare at him.

Angel?
I had never heard anyone call her anything other than Madam.

She turned to Brooke, not paying him any mind. “Brooke baby, can you please tell security that this gentleman is no longer allowed to visit with me. I want him out,
permanently
,” she emphasized.

He laughed, not cowering down. “And you think that’s going to stop me? Come on,
Lilith
, at least let me stay and watch the show.”

No one disrespected Madam. Ever. It was the first time that I ever saw real fear pass through her face and something came over me to want to help. I didn’t like seeing her as anyone other than Madam; it hurt me for some reason. It pained me to watch the woman who controls everything, vulnerable and exposed.

It was too real.

I turned to him and our eyes caught. “I’m sorry, I think she asked you to leave. There’s the door, you could leave on your own or I could call security. The choice is yours.” I sneered.

The fucker smiled. “Wow.” He folded his arms on his chest. “Hmmm…” He looked at Madam. “Looks like you’ve made quite a little soldier. You should be proud, Angel, she’s everything you wanted her to be. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, just like you.”

She breathed out and grinned. “That’s where you’re wrong, darling…I’m the wolf. Always the motherfucking wolf, dressed in nothing but a pantsuit and fuck-me heels.”

He shook his head. “I’ll leave, for now. Have fun with your reunion.” He looked back at me. “Till next time,
Ysa
.”

I jerked back. No one called me that other than Sebastian.

What the fuck is going on?

“Ignore him, darling. What do I always tell you about men? Give them your pussy and they’ll want your heart. That’s what makes VIP one of a kind. Pay him no mind. Now come here, let me see you. You’re glowing. Nice to see you dressed in real clothes again.”

I half-smiled, trying to shake his presence and attitude.

“My girls. We’re all together, like one big happy family. Just as it’s meant to be.” She glanced behind me. “Is Sebastian here?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Is he at The Cathouse?”

I peeked up at Brooke and she reassuringly smiled.

“He’s not here, Madam.”

“Why is that?”

“I left.”

Her eyes widened and there was a glimmer of…hope…maybe?

“No…I mean…not like that. At least…I don’t even know. I just need some space and you need help. So I’m here.”

“What’s going on?” she eagerly questioned.

I grabbed a chair and placed it by the bed. Brooke followed suit.

“It’s been hard since I last saw you. I love him, Madam. I love him so much that I can’t even begin to describe the feeling because it’s so powerful. However, we want different things. He asked me to marry him.”

“Oh my God, Bella! You didn’t tell me! Are you engaged?” Brooke excitingly shouted while Madam lay still, almost like she had stopped breathing.