Epilogue One

Epilogue One Scar

3 weeks later

“It’s about time you made your way over here, Scar. Boss has been waiting for you.” Joe’s cheeky smile is impossible to not respond to in kind as he unhooks the velvet rope that leads to the second floor where the VIP tables are. His familiar sass is always appreciated, but especially on a night like tonight.

“You know making that man wait is one of my favorite pastimes,” I tease as I begin to shimmy up the stairs. “Surprised you’re here and not at the fights,” I continue as he follows behind me.

He gives me a bored look, not even bothering to call me on my bullshit. It’s Steel Roses’ first night reopening since we shut down. Like anyone would miss this night. The newly renovated stages alone are enough to draw them all in. They have to be one of my favorite things we’ve added, though it’s hard to pick just one.

The lone glass stage off the bar that hung over the lower level where I used to perform is no longer alone. We’ve extended it to create an entire platform that rings the club and hangs over the lower level, connecting the bar on the far side with a long catwalk. The catwalk holds three smaller boxed-in platforms for dancers to get more time over the crowd. Blue and black roses and lights are inlaid in all of the glass surfaces, making the flowers look like they glow from within.

I loved everything about our setup in the club before. It had the perfect blend of convenience, atmosphere, and mystery, but the renovations have taken everything to the next level. Making the entire club feel more illicit and decadent while still retaining its accessibility. Steel Roses has been and always will be where our worlds all collide. The fighters, the wealthy, the students, the doctors, the baristas and everyone in between.

The VIP area is even more luxurious than ever, with a table made just for our large group right next to the bar. Familiar faces are already seated there, looking more comfortable than we used to be as we crammed into a too-small table for us. It’s a good thing Luca had the foresight to reserve an entire section for us when we were planning the remodel. We’ve gained even more usuals to our lineup since we first started the renovations.

I stop at the bar to get a drink and wink when Dare makes her way over to me. “Good to see you back in lilac roses,” I tease. She grins and flashes her small tattoo at me.

“Never been out of them.”

I hum my agreement as she pours me a shot of whiskey. The burn lights me up from the inside out and I can’t help but feel like I’m floating. It’s been so long since I’ve been reenergized by a magnetic crowd, loud music, and a good shot of whiskey. It sets all my nerves buzzing in the best way possible.

The attention, the noise, the energy. A shiver of delight dances down my spine. It’s medicine to my fucked up soul.

Dare pours me another shot, knowing me too well. Tonight is about celebrating. About taking the next step now that the dust has settled. Finding our new purpose now that the war is over. That St Graves is ours. That my demons have been vanquished.

She lifts a finger to me as two men sitting at the bar call her attention away from me. I lean against the bar and watch her start to make their drinks for them.

I smirk as I listen in on their conversation. They’re talking about the press conference Josie gave last week and Charlotte Devereaux’s connection to the Mending Hearts foundation.

It wasn’t surprising when the speculation and conspiracy theories started all over again after the fire and alleged suicides. I had considered that before deciding to craft their note we sent to police and news stations. It was still worth destroying their reputations and everything they had built.

Too much time had passed and I became complacent on how deep people would be willing to dig into an old mystery that now has been solved. All except the question still burning on everyone’s tongue. Where was Charlotte Devereaux now?

I hadn’t expected a connection to be made to MH after all these years. Back then, we weren’t equipped to completely cover our tracks. I always knew we left traces. That Josie could be connected to Charlotte. It’s why we’ve always been vigilant about when and how we meet.

She called me to help her craft a perfect statement and we finally decided it was safe enough to put all the rumors to rest.

Charlotte Devereaux was a good friend. Someone who stood behind me when I had nothing to my name. When I was nothing and no one and everyone always overlooked and underestimated me. She was kind and giving and had so much love to give. No one deserves what those demons did to her and to this day, it tears me apart to know what she’s had to endure.

But even after all of that, she remained as kind and giving as ever. With the wealth her family left behind all she wanted was two things. Two very simple and simultaneously complex things. First, she wanted to save other people from the pain she experienced. She wanted to extend a helping hand in a way that no one did for her. To support people through the worst of their trauma, help them not only heal, but thrive in a new life. She wanted to protect people and make the world a better place.

So I’m here today to confirm some of the rumors that have been rekindled due to the resurgence of this case. It’s true. Charlotte Devereaux trusted me with the funding to create and build what is today known as The Mending Hearts Foundation. From the beginning, this company has been her idea, built on her morals and dreams. It has been an honor and a privilege to build this company out of the love she had to give and in the memory of the sisters she lost. I know she would be so proud of everything this foundation has become and all the people we have saved.

Which leads me to the second thing Charlotte wanted. The only other thing she truly craved was to disappear. She never asked for her tragedies, never wanted the media circus that followed. It simply was not something she signed up for. She never wanted to be the Fallen Prom Queen or anything else that came with it. She just wanted to disappear. To start a new life where no one knew her. Where people didn’t already know the very worst moments of her life. She wanted to be away from the life that broke her and stole her family from her.

And so she did.

Charlotte Devereaux, my beloved friend who believed in me, said goodbye by leaving behind a business plan and access to a whole lot of money and I never heard from her again. All I can say is I hope wherever she did end up, she’s safe and happy and has found a new purpose filled with peace.

I smile thinking about it, she was far more dramatic and eloquent than I would have been. I was happy with her leaving it at “she dumped this idea on me and ran,” but of course, her version was more well-received than mine probably would have been.

“Where do you think she is?” One of the men leans into the other to ask in a low voice. I trade looks with Dare and smirk.

“Are you talking about the Devereaux girl?” I ask in a hushed voice. They both pause before nodding. I throw back my second shot of whiskey and lean forward towards them. “I don’t know, but if it was me,” I start and they lean closer with wide eyes. “I would have dyed my hair and ran to Paris. Got a nice flat. Ate croissants every day. Maybe become a dance teacher. Keep enough of the money to be comfortable and never have to worry again, but spend it quietly to stay under the radar and away from the world she came from.”

Dare rolls her eyes as they hang off every word. “But who knows?” I shrug. “Maybe she’s a lot closer than we think.”

I leave them to their conversation, laughing to myself as Dare watches me with amusement. She helps out a few other people before making her way back to me and pouring two more shots. We cheers each other and throw them back. It feels like a million nights before, but somehow so much better. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

“You going to dance with me tonight?” I ask her.

“Wasn’t the plan,” she drawls, “but who am I to say no to The Original Rose?”

I hum in amusement. “As if you would want to. There won’t be as many nights of you dancing here anymore.”

“True,” she agrees. “But if people want to see me work, they’ll be able to see a whole lot more of me once Poison opens.”

I snort. Leave it to Dare to make jokes about her transitioning into working at a sex club. “Remind me to put that on the fliers when we open.”

Cherry joins us at the bar and bumps my hip with hers. “Hey there, girly.” My smile is warm and genuine as I greet her back. I’ve missed having these girls around. My girls. The first place Luca and I found a home, where we started to build our family. She hands her tickets over to Dare before sashaying away once more.

“Just pull me up with you when you’re ready,” Dare teases and I salute her before finally heading over to the table where everyone is waiting for me.

“About damn time,” Jade whines. “I thought you were going to stop and greet every person before me.”

I level a glare at Ian. “Her growing brattiness is somehow your fault.” Jade’s pout quickly morphs into a grin of satisfaction while Holden snorts and shakes his head.

Ian rears back. “What the fuck? Like I’m the only one who spoils her?”

Rachel pulls the olive from her martini with her teeth and bites down on it. “You are the one who spoils her the most.”

Ian huffs and flips us both off. “Big words coming from the two women who just gave her a fucking house and a brand new limited edition Bugatti.”

Rachel places her hand against her chest, offended at his accusation. “She wanted to learn how to drive,” she defends. I struggle not to laugh, and I’m not the only one. Britt has her face in her hands and Kade is trying to not look anyone in the eye.

“So buy her a shitty Honda Civic to learn in!”

I would bet real money Rachel doesn’t even know what a Civic is. Ian must come to the same conclusion as he takes in her expression. “You know what? Nevermind.” He shakes his head, pointing a finger at Rachel. “You will not be buying the twins their first cars.”

She flips him off. “I can spoil my nephews however I want.”

Jade stops the impending argument by putting her hands in the air between them. “Simmer down. The twins are five. We have some time to fight about who gets to buy their first cars.”

Ian grumbles but slouches back in his seat. I lean over to Ryder. “This is why she’s spoiled,” I faux whisper. “Ian can’t say no to her.”

We all lose it and begin to laugh. Ian pulls Jade into his lap and whispers something in her ear, making her face heat. I can only imagine what he just threatened her with. Luca gets up from his seat and moves over to me, wrapping a possessive arm around my waist.

“Ready to dance after so long?”

I stretch my arms over my head. “More than ready,” I admit. In the whirlwind of everything else, I wasn’t good at keeping up my dance practice. The last few weeks have really proven that as I worked to get back into good enough form to perform again. It’s reminded me of how soothing dance is for me. The music that pulses in my veins, the way my body instinctively responds and I can just let go. Be free in those moments where I give up control and just move.

“Surprise song?” His dark eyes glint mischievously at me. He knows I would never turn down a surprise song. Our favorite game feels like it’s from a million years ago. A different lifetime. With different people. But it was us. Just like it’s always been.

“I’m excited to see what it is.”

He winks in response. “I’m ready when you are.”

Okay then. I guess we can do this now then. No time quite like the present. I climb onto the corner of the bar directly next to our private section. Luca moves behind the bar and all of a sudden all the lights in the club go out.

The noise cuts out like someone pulled a plug. Not even the sound of breathing can be heard as the entire club collectively holds their breath. Not in fear or panic, but in anticipation. I move carefully to the center of the bar, not moving out onto the catwalk quite yet. I want to see what song he’s chosen first.

The first bars sound and oh boy am I fucking glad he hasn’t hit the lights yet. Wouldn’t want him to see my smile and give away my plan too soon. UPSAHL’s Good Girl Era begins to play over the club as blue and white lights flash on, catching me in the spotlight. I wink at the crowd and move my hips to the beat of the song.

I pivot on my heel and change directions, pulling Dare up onto the bar with me. She kicks a glass and we dance our way to the center of the catwalk. We move together, my hips pressed to her ass as we move to the song. Her hands find my hair, and my tongue finds her neck, making the crowd go wild.

Luca got one thing right. My good girl era was never going to last and it’s time to stir up some shit.

Steel Roses has always been just the first step to bigger things.