King of Envy: Chapter 16

“What do you think the guys are up to right now?” Indira asked. “Getting lap dances? Drinking in a bar somewhere? We should join them.”

“That’s not how bachelorette parties work.” My older sister Liya gave her a stern look. We shared the same high cheekbones and rich brown skin, but she was shorter and had softer features. “This is Ayana’s night. Stop thinking about the guys and celebrate her.”

Indira shrugged, looking sheepish. She was one of the few models I considered a friend rather than a colleague. We didn’t hang out every week, but we were often booked for the same jobs, and we spent a lot of time bitching and commiserating about the industry.

“Sorry, but I can’t help it. Have you seen the guest list for the bachelor party? It’s like a who’s who of the hottest men in New York.” She cast a quick glance in my direction. “Not that I’m not having fun with you guys. This is, like, the chillest bachelorette ever.” Her tone indicated that wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

My cousins all lived out of town and couldn’t make the new bachelorette date, so there were only five of us in the group: myself, Indira, Sloane, Liya, and my ride-or-die hairstylist Kim.

We were having dinner at a restaurant that was famous for its kitschy decor, extensive cocktail menu, and great-looking servers. It was a popular spot for bachelorette parties, as evidenced by the many sash-and-tiara-wearing women scattered throughout the lively space.

I’d eschewed both the sash and tiara, but I did dress up in a gorgeous new Stella Alonso dress and my favorite heels. I might not be marrying for love, but that was no reason not to look my best at my own bachelorette.

“Okay, enough chill for the night,” Kim said. She was in her late forties, but she had a more vibrant social life than half the twenty-somethings I knew. “We’ve been sipping cocktails like we’re at a goddamned book club. It’s time to liven things up a bit.”

Liya crossed her arms. “How? There’s no dance floor.”

As my maid of honor, she was the one who’d planned our night: dinner followed by a customized escape room and late-night cocktails at a jazz speakeasy. I wasn’t a big clubber, and I made Liya swear she wouldn’t take me anywhere near naked abs or penis-shaped desserts. Our current itinerary was perfect, even if it was too “chill” for Indira.

“Like you need a dance floor to dance.” Kim scoffed. “But that wasn’t what I had in mind. If we’re going to spend the night together, we should get to know each other better. Think simple, fun, raunchy…”

“Like a drinking game!” Indira’s face brightened. “How about Never Have I Ever? It’s a classic.”

“I don’t know.” Sloane wrinkled her nose. “I haven’t played that since college.”

“That explains it,” Kim said. “No offense, hun, but you look like you could use about three more drinks and some major loosening up. Unclench your ass. It’ll feel better.”

Her tone was warm and teasing. Nevertheless, I shot a nervous glance at Sloane, who did not and would not ever take shit from anyone. She was a little more uptight than the rest of my friends, but I’d known her long enough to confirm she could let her hair down and party if she wanted to, especially after she and Xavier started dating.

To my surprise, Sloane let Kim’s comment slide. “I could use another drink,” she agreed. “It’s been a hell of a week at work.”

“So it’s settled.” Indira clapped her hands. “Never Have I Ever it is.”

We ordered a fresh round of margaritas, and Indira kicked things off after I declined to go first.

She thought for a second before announcing, “Never Have I Ever had a foursome. Yet.”

Kim took a demure sip, eliciting gasps around the table. “What?” She shrugged. “The early 2000s were a wild time.”

After that surprise, the game went into full swing. Each admission was raunchier than the last, and when it was finally my turn, I couldn’t think of anything good that hadn’t already been said.

“Never have I ever…had multiple orgasms from a partner in one night.” It was the best I could come up with, but the last thing I expected was for everyone else to drink. I gaped at them. “Seriously? You’re telling me you’ve all had multiple orgasms? That’s statistically impossible!”

Most women would be lucky to get one orgasm from their partner, much less two or more.

“Experiment enough, and anything’s possible,” Indira said. “I will say, I tend to have better luck with women than men on that front. They’re better at getting down to business, if you know what I mean.”

“I got lucky and met a very talented French guy when I was studying abroad.” Kim fanned herself. “Gerard. Phew! I still think about that man from time to time.”

We turned our attention to Sloane, who shook her head. “I’m not discussing my sex life in a restaurant with banana-shaped lamps. But…” She lifted one shoulder, a glint of mischief brightening her cool blue eyes. “I will say I have no complaints in that department.”

“You. Don’t say a thing,” I warned my sister. “Or I’ll never look at Nathan the same.”

I couldn’t imagine my calm, quiet brother-in-law…no. I shuddered. Don’t go there.

Liya laughed. “No details, but all I’ll say is, sometimes it takes a little guidance. When you’re comfortable with someone, you’re not afraid to tell them what works and what doesn’t. It makes things more enjoyable all around.”

“You need to tell Jordan to step up his game.” Kim clucked her tongue. “I know you’re in love and all, but I’ve seen that man dance. Poor thing has the rhythm of a sentient washboard.”

I shouldn’t laugh, but a giggle slipped out before I caught myself.

If they only knew how irrelevant this conversation was to my current sex life. Jordan could be the world’s best or worst lover, and I’d have no idea. We hadn’t done more than kiss for appearance’s sake…and we were getting married in a month.

My amusement sobered at the thought of five years of celibacy. I couldn’t bring myself to entertain the idea of an extramarital affair, not even a husband-sanctioned one, but…

No buts. This is what you signed up for. It’s too late to second-guess yourself now.

“You know what you need?” Indira leaned forward. “You need to spice up your sex life. When you get too comfortable, that’s a problem too. Try a threesome.”

“You shouldn’t be encouraging her to bring a third party into the bedroom during her bachelorette,” Sloane said. “But I agree with spicing things up. Try having sex somewhere forbidden like his office.”

“Or bring out the props,” Liya said. “Like handcuffs or nipple clamps.”

I almost choked on my drink. “Liya.”

“Don’t ‘Liya’ me. I’ve been married for ten years. If we didn’t find ways to keep things interesting, we’d die of boredom.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” Kim cackled. “I knew a drinking game would be a good idea. That being said, check with Jordan before you go crazy on sextoys.com. He doesn’t look like the type of man who’d be down for handcuffs or nipple clamps.”

“He does scream ‘soft and gentle,’” Liya mused. “There’s nothing wrong with that, but that’s not the type that’s usually super adventurous in the sack.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” Sloane’s cheeks were flushed a deep pink. The margaritas had gotten to her. “According to one of my friends, it’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for.”

“Oh, I believe it. You know who fits that description?” A sly smile spread across Indira’s face. “Vuk Markovic.”

This time, I really did choke. I erupted into coughs as tequila and lime juice shot up my nose.

I recovered as quickly as I could, but my eyes were still watering when the rest of the party zeroed in on Vuk’s name.

“Who’s that again?” Kim asked. “The name sounds familiar.”

“Jordan’s best man.” Indira pulled something up on her phone and handed it to the stylist.

“Ohhh. Now that looks like a man who can fuck shit up.” Kim’s eyes twinkled. “Just my type.”

“You’re married to an accountant,” I said.

“You ever seen an accountant during tax season?” she countered. “They can be scary.”

“Oh, come on, Ayana.” Indira nudged my leg with her foot. “You can’t tell me you aren’t curious about Vuk. He has that hideous scar, but it kinda adds to his appeal. Danger is sexy.”

I bristled at the word hideous and resisted the sudden urge to throttle one of my few friends in the city. “I haven’t thought about him in that way at all,” I said stiffly. “I’m engaged. Remember?”

How did we end up here? I hadn’t signed up to discuss Vuk’s sex life this evening—or ever. In fact, the less I thought about him, the better.

“So? That doesn’t make you a nun. Besides, I bet even a nun would have unholy thoughts about that man.” Indira sighed. “Say what you will about his face, but that body? Whew. Anyway, that’s what doggy style is for, or I can turn the lights off when we’re having sex. If he didn’t have those scars, he’d be really hot, but I wouldn’t want to look at his face when I’m about to come, you know?”

Blood rushed to my face and neck. A strange ringing sounded in my ears as my hands curled around the edge of my seat. Instinct told me not to touch my fork or knife lest I end the night in jail for murder.

“There’s nothing wrong with his scars.” The bite in my voice was so scathing it surprised even me. “They add character.”

“Yeah.” Indira gave me a strange look. “That’s what I said.”

“You did⁠—”

“Let’s move on.” Sloane swiftly interjected. “Our escape room is in half an hour, so we should head out soon. I’ll get the server.”

We paid and left the restaurant. I hung back from the group, flushed and irritable from our last conversation topic. The ringing had faded, but my heart continued to pound.

Who was Indira to talk about Vuk like he was a zoo animal? Would she like it if someone said they’d turn the lights off before sex so they wouldn’t have to look at her face? No. It was…it was rude and despicable and plain wrong to talk about people like that.

Just because Vuk had money and power didn’t mean he was made of stone. He had feelings. And sure, he was probably the last person on earth who needed someone to defend him in his absence, but⁠—

“You know who’s not put off by Vuk’s scars? Polina. She’s been trying to get her claws into him for forever.” Indira fell into step beside me, either oblivious or indifferent to my anger. “She’s been attending every event in the hope that he’ll be there. That girl is determined.”

Polina was a fellow model who was notorious for her string of high-profile relationships, including a brief fling with British soccer star Asher Donovan a few years ago.

My stride faltered. The prospect of Vuk dating Polina edged out my irritation toward Indira. “That’s an awful strategy. He hates public events.”

Plus, he and Polina wouldn’t mesh at all. Her “see and be seen” mentality would drive him up the wall.

That being said, she was stunning. Vuk didn’t strike me as the shallow type, but most men wouldn’t turn down a gorgeous blonde supermodel if she were throwing herself at them.

My dinner threatened to surge back up my throat. I shouldn’t have drunk so many margaritas.

“He doesn’t hate events as much as he used to.” Indira winked at a passing group of finance bros who ogled us with unabashed desire. “I’ve seen him out and about way more than I used to. He was even at that fashion party in London last year.”

I remembered that party. I was supposed to attend, but I ended up bailing for a last-minute brand dinner with Versace.

“Whatever,” I said. “I don’t really care.” I sped up so I wouldn’t have to talk to Indira anymore.

The escape room was only a few blocks from the restaurant, so we’d opted to walk instead of taking a cab. It seemed as if all of downtown Manhattan was out tonight; we could barely make it past the throngs of people crowding the sidewalks.

Kim squinted at a nearby group of men standing outside one of the bars. “I’m not wearing my glasses so I could be wrong, but…isn’t that your fiancé?”

I paused and focused on the group in question. Several of the men sported cuts and bruises. One of them held an ice pack to his cheek while another argued with an exasperated-looking cop. Silent police lights bathed the group in flashes of red and blue.

I blinked, my brain too overstimulated to focus on any one person in particular.

Sloane beat me to a reaction by half a second. She stopped next to the group and gasped. “Xavier?”

Her boyfriend turned. His dimples winked into view even as a sheepish expression crossed his face. “Hey, Luna. This, uh, isn’t what it looks like.”

She crossed her arms. “It looks like you and the rest of the bachelor party got into a fight and got kicked out of the bar.”

Xavier paused. “Okay, then it’s exactly what it looks like.”

“I swear, I—” Sloane zeroed in on the bruise marring his jaw. “You’re hurt. Where’s your ice pack? You!” She pointed at a random guy loitering nearby. “Get me an ice pack.”

“Lady, I don’t know who you⁠—”

“Ice pack. Now.”

The guy withered beneath her glare. He gulped and rushed into the bar like the hounds of hell were at his heels.

I never would’ve pegged Sloane for the fussy type, but the sight of her boyfriend’s injury must’ve triggered some latent protective instinct.

“It does hurt,” Xavier said solemnly as she brushed her fingers over his jaw. “Can you kiss it right…there.” He sighed when she pressed a soft kiss to the bruise. “Much better.”

I should’ve taken a cue from Sloane and gone straight to Jordan, but I found myself searching for a dark buzz cut and pale blue eyes instead.

Nothing.

My stomach sank, but I shook it off and quickly found Jordan. He was standing near the edge of the group with his cousin Topher, whom I’d met at our engagement party.

Topher had a gash on his forehead, and Jordan didn’t look much better with his black eye. A weak smile carved through his surprise when he saw me. “Fancy seeing you here.”

“Oh my God. What happened? Are you okay?” I rushed to his side and gently touched his face. I winced at the mottle of black and blue skin; his shiner was brutal.

“Yeah. Topher bumped into some drunken idiot who tried to pick a fight with him and Kai,” Jordan said. “Then Dante got involved, the other guy’s friends got involved, and, well, things escalated.”

I slid a glance at the Italian, who was close enough to hear Jordan’s explanation.

“The asshole had it coming,” Dante said without a hint of remorse.

“Vivian is not going to be happy,” Sloane warned. She glared at Xavier, her expression morphing from concern to admonishment. The guy she’d recruited earlier had returned with an ice pack, which Xavier held to his jaw. “And you. You should’ve known better than to get involved.”

“All for one, one for all.” Her boyfriend appeared equally unrepentant. “I couldn’t leave my friends to fend for themselves.”

“This is what happens when testosterone and alcohol mix.” Liya shook her head. She and Kim were observing the scene with bemusement while Indira was busy flirting with Killian Katrakis. “What happened to a good ol’ fashioned private party with strippers?”

“Uh, that was next on our stop.” One of Jordan’s boarding school friends grinned. What was his name? Wyatt? Walker? Will. That was it. “Not that I mind chatting with beautiful ladies such as yourselves.” He ran his eyes over our group.

“I’m married,” Liya informed him.

“I’m also married, but I appreciate the compliment,” Kim said. “Keep ‘em coming.”

Will looked like he was about to do just that when his gaze shifted to someone behind me. “Yo, Markovic, we’re still hitting up Valhalla, right? I’ve always wanted to see what it’s like inside.”

I almost whirled around before I caught myself.

I refocused on Jordan, absentmindedly stroking his face while my entire body tensed in anticipation of Vuk’s approach.

A wisp of cool air brushed my back. Goosebumps popped up all over my arms, but I waited a full three seconds before I dropped my hand and turned.

I knew he was there before I saw him; his presence was impossible to miss. That didn’t stop my pulse from skipping when I looked up at him.

Unlike the rest of the party, Vuk was unscathed from the fight. Not a bruise or cut in sight.

He ignored Will’s question and stared down at me. A muscle jumped in his jaw.

He seemed pissed, but I hadn’t even said or done anything yet.

“We were passing by when we saw you guys,” I said, driven by the need to fill the silence with something other than the pounding of my heart. “How much trouble are you in?”

The cops were gone, but the bouncer looked like he wanted to haul everyone into a back alley and beat them up.

None. We sorted it out with the police. Vuk was definitely pissed. I could just tell by the way he moved.

His gaze dropped. He dragged his eyes up my legs and over my bare shoulders before focusing on my face again.

Warmth tingled in the aftermath of his scrutiny. It was like stepping into a hot shower after a snowstorm—my entire body reacted whether I wanted it to or not.

“Let me guess.” I hid my shiver with a flippant smile. “You intimidated them until they agreed to drop the issue?”

‘Intimidated’ is a strong word. I persuaded him.

“Mm-hmm. No wonder you refused to tell me your plans for the bachelor party. I didn’t have a bar brawl on my bingo card, especially not at a place called…” I squinted at the neon green letters buzzing over the entrance. “The Soggy Bottom.”

The Fighting Pit was already packed. Vuk delivered his response with such a deadpan expression I almost believed he was serious until I caught the tiny smirk playing around his mouth.

I forced the curve of my own lips into a straight line. “Was that a joke?”

He stared back at me, his eyes giving nothing away, but his face had finally softened. Whatever pissed him off earlier was no longer an issue.

“Ayana.” Indira sidled up to me. Killian was gone, and she’d turned her attention to Vuk like a missile homing in on its target. “Why don’t you introduce me to your friend?”

She didn’t wait for my response before she inched closer to Vuk and held out her hand. “I’m Indira, one of Ayana’s friends from modeling.” She paused, as if to give him time to process the fact that she was a model. “You may have seen me on the latest cover of Mode de Vie.”

Vuk eyed her outstretched hand. He didn’t take it, and I felt a pinch of satisfaction at his utter disinterest.

Indira was undeterred by his lack of response. “It looks like you and me are the only single people in the group.” She was so focused on flirting with Vuk that she seemed to have forgotten about Killian, who was also single. Like you weren’t the one mocking his scars earlier, I fumed. “We should grab dinner sometime. There’s this great place in SoHo…”

I tuned her out as my nausea returned tenfold. Jordan had returned to his conversation with Topher while I spoke with Vuk, but I needed a distraction. If I didn’t get away from him and Indira soon, I’d vomit all over her four-inch Louboutins.

“I hate to break up the party, but can we get back to the real parties?” Liya asked pointedly. “We are so late for the escape room.”

“You’re going to an escape room for a bachelorette?” Will scoffed. “That’s so boring.”

“If you want excitement, I can always hack off one of your balls,” she said, her voice sugary sweet. “I’m a nurse. I’m good with a range of medical instruments.”

He paled and immediately covered his groin with his hands. “No way. Didn’t you have to sign a hypocritical oath or some shit?”

“It’s the Hippocratic Oath, and that’s only for doctors.” Liya left out the part where nurses recited a modified version called the Nightingale Pledge. “Lucky for you, I don’t have time to deal with your genitals tonight. Ayana, come on. We really need to go.”

I hesitated. We weren’t doing anything except milling around and talking, but I was strangely reluctant to leave.

“I have a better idea. Why don’t we merge our groups?” Indira said. “We’re already together. We might as well make it a big party. The more the merrier and all that.”

“I agree,” Topher said quickly. He eyed the supermodel like she’d just stepped out of his dreams. “We should definitely stay together.”

“No complaints from me.” Kim shrugged.

A chorus of agreement rippled through the group.

“Stop. You’re forgetting that this isn’t up to us.” Sloane silenced everyone with an icy glare. “This is Jordan and Ayana’s night. Let them decide.” She turned to us. “What do you think?”

Jordan and I exchanged glances.

I didn’t want to play the loving fiancée during my bachelorette, but we were with our friends. Surely that gave us leeway to do our thing. Not every couple was glued at the hip all the time.

“I’m good with merging,” I said. “Like Indira said, the more the merrier.”

“Same, but no more bars, okay? I’m all barred out for the night.” Jordan pointed to his black eye as proof.

After we gave our consent, we had one more problem to solve. Where, exactly, were we going to go? Bars and clubs were out, and our group was too big for the escape room.

Suggestions for mini golf, karaoke, and a casino night flew through the air until Xavier stepped in.

“Wait. I have the perfect idea.” He grinned, his eyes alight with mischief. “But we’re going to need three more girls.”