Neveah (Society Girls #2)

by Crystal Perkins

  “The kind that would cause you more trouble with the ladies at the church. He had hidden cameras at one of the parties at his house I went to as a rookie. I entertained a few women that night. At once.”

  “You’re telling me you let your embarrassment over some pictures stop you from defending the woman you love?” she asks, looking like she wants to hit me.

  “No. I let your embarrassment stop me. I know you get all kinds of crap from those women already. I didn’t want to add to it.”

  She does reach over and smack me then. “I raised you better, Dylan Spencer Gallagher! I’ve been handling those judgmental, holier than thou women for years. A few pictures aren’t going to change anything for me, but standing up for Neveah would’ve changed things for her. She needs support.”

  “She has support, Mom. All of us at the Foundation support her,” Ellie tells her.

  “Yes, and that’s wonderful. But there’s nothing like the man you love standing up for you,” she says, looking over at my dad with a smile.

  “If those pictures come out, she probably won’t want to be standing anywhere near me.”

  “I think you’re underestimating her, Dyl. Nev isn’t as naïve as people think she is. I doubt she’s harboring illusions of you being a virgin.”

  “Being a virgin and being with several women at once are different things, El.”

  “Did you ask her to bring other women into your bed with her?”

  “Fuck no!”

  “Then why does it matter?”

  “Your sister’s right, son. If this girl is a keeper, she’ll understand that your past is just that—the past. What’s happening now between the two of you is what’s important.”

  “There’s currently nothing happening between us right now.”

  “Do you have a plan to make things happen?” my mom asks.

  “She said she needs me to tell her the truth about anything and everything.”

  “That’s not much to ask after all she’d found out about in the last couple of days,” my dad says.

  “No. It’s not. I need to meet with Eric so I can set him straight about things, and then I’m going to head back to Vegas.”

  “You’ll have to let me know how the meeting goes, and if there’s anything I can do to help,” Ellie says with a smirk.

  I smile back, because the thought of the Society being unleashed on Eric is pretty awesome. It’s time for me to set things right with both my career, and my girl.

  * * *

  Neveah

  I heard Faith com into the gun range a few minutes ago, but I ignored her as I finished emptying my gun into the target in front of me. Now that it’s empty, I lay it on the counter in front of me, take off my headphone and goggles, and look to where she’s standing on my right.

  “Hi Faith.”

  “How are you holding up?” she asks, skipping the formalities.

  “I’m standing upright, I’m out of my apartment, and I only cry three or four times a day, so I guess I’m doing pretty good.”

  “I was hoping you’d come talk to me,” she says, looking a little hurt.

  “I haven’t talked to anyone. I don’t know what to say.”

  “You can say whatever you want—or need to—to me, or any of the other mentors. I’m sure your friends feel the same way. Part of what I love so much about the Society is that we’re not just co-workers, but friends. I know you heard Reina’s speech after Greta was let go, and I hope you realize that everything she said was true. None of us would still be here if we didn’t have each other. The things we’ve gone through…well, let’s just say some of us have had more unusual paths than others. I even quit once, because I thought I didn’t belong. I was convinced otherwise, but if it wasn’t for the women—and men—around me, I might be working in a kitchen somewhere, regretting that I left a big piece of my happiness behind.”

  “You really quit? I thought that was just a rumor?”

  “Many rumors have a little kernel of the truth to them, but I’d caution you to ask the person who’s being talked about before believing what you hear.”

  “I’m not a gossip,” I say, hastily, because I’m really not. “I just heard it, but I never spread it around.”

  “I was speaking generally. I’m sure that before your training is over, you’re going to hear things about all of the mentors—and probably some, if not all of your fellow recruits. It’s only natural in a company this size where almost no one in the building knows what really goes on. When people tire of trying to figure things out, they tend to speculate.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Good.”

  “Are you going to ask me about my father?”

  “I was waiting to see if you’d bring him up yourself.”

  “I don’t know what to say, because I don’t really know how I feel. I know I should be happy he’s alive, but he’s not the man I remember him to be. The father I remember would’ve sacrificed himself for his family, so I believe that part is true, but what he’s been doing now? I just can’t wrap my head around what he tried to make Dylan do, and how he was going to make things look for him after I disappeared. I mean, even if he didn’t go to jail, his reputation would be ruined.”

  “I’m not excusing your father’s behavior, because I don’t believe he was doing the right thing, but from what I’ve been told, I think he was lonely and wanted his family with him again. He knew he couldn’t take everyone, so he chose you. Dylan was trying to honor a vow he should’ve never made, but I admire him for sticking to it, and also for planning to break the vow when he got to know you.”

  “Logically, I understand what you’re saying about my father, and I kind of get it. I even think I forgive him, but it doesn’t make it any easier right now. Especially when all I can think about is my mom and Matt. Mom’s feeling so hurt and betrayed right now, and I can’t even imagine what Matt’s going through.”

  He hasn’t left his apartment since everything was revealed. Reina’s been staying with him, and I know she’s helping him more than I ever could, but I would still like to see him and make sure he’s doing okay. Or at least as okay as he can be, seeing as the act he gave up most of his life for didn’t really occur. I’m pretty sure his guilt from “killing” my father has now turned to guilt for pushing Reina away for so many years—that guilt has always been there, but knowing it’s for nothing has to be eating him up.

  “Matt is trying to come to terms with everything, according to Reina.”

  “Is it bad that I find myself wishing my father had stayed dead?”

  “No Nev, that’s a natural reaction.”

  “I also feel grateful to him, because I would’ve never known Matt, or taken this path with my life if he hadn’t done what he did. I wouldn’t know all of you…or Dylan.”

  “For that, I’m grateful as well. I can honestly say I don’t feel too charitable towards him for anything else, but his actions brought you to us, so I have to be thankful for that.”

  “Can you ask Reina if it’s okay for me to see Matt?”

  She furrows her brow as she looks at me. “You can ask her.”

  “I don’t feel right about calling her.”

  “You are not to blame for what your father did.”

  “Do you think Ellie knows that? I meant what I said about not letting Dylan get blamed for my disappearance.”

  “Ellie knows that, and so does everyone else. I promise you, Nev, we all know you had nothing to do with any of this, and also that you wouldn’t have gone along with the plan. Well, except you might have married Dylan. That part is easy to believe.”

  “I love Dylan, but I don’t know if I could marry him. He kept so much from me, but I can understand that, too. It’s the other things he’s keeping from me that are keeping us apart.”

  “I don’t know Dylan well, but I know he and Ellie are very close. I won’t lie to you and say I haven’t seen him with many women, because I have. What I can tell you is that he
seemed pretty disinterested in the ones he brought to parties and events. They were truly ‘arm candy.’ The other day at the party he looked at you like you mattered to him. I believe he’ll tell you what you need to know, even if it’s hard for him, because he doesn’t want to lose you.”

  “So what you’re telling me is that I should have faith, huh?” I ask with a smirk.

  “Ugh. That was your one free pass with my name. Everyone gets one, but only one. After that, we may have to fight.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” I tell her with a laugh. “Thank you, Faith. I’m really glad you’re my mentor, and friend.”

  “Me too. If you’re done here, do you want to grab some lunch?”

  “Sure. Let me just clean my gun and put it away. I’ll meet you upstairs.”

  “It warms my heart to hear you saying things like that.”

  I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”

  She gives me a hug and heads out while I get to work. I never thought I’d even be able to pick up a gun, but I’m doing it. I also never thought I’d fall so deeply in love, but I did that, too. I’m learning that if I’m conscientious, I can control my gun, but no matter what I do, I can’t control my heart. I can only hope it doesn’t break too hard if Dylan can’t give me what I need.

  Chapter 15

  Dylan

  I’m feeling good as I walk up to Eric’s hotel room. He can release those old pictures all he wants, but I’m done being his puppet. I won’t show up at any events with women who aren’t Nev, and I won’t do anything else that doesn’t feel right to me, either. These last few months with him may be hard, but it will be worth it. I took back the piece of my soul that Sadiq owned, and now it’s time to get back the part Eric has his unholy claws in as well.

  “Dyl, it’s so good to see you,” he says, as I clench my jaw.

  “We have to talk,” I tell him, brushing past him to walk into the room.

  “I didn’t think you’d flown me in for a social visit. What is it? Did you get an offer I don’t know about?”

  “No. I got the backbone I’d somehow lost over the last few months. I called you here to tell you that I won’t be doing anything I’m not comfortable with from now on. No fake romances or dates. No promotional appearances or parties I’m not interested in. Nothing I don’t want to do, period.”

  “You forget who holds all the cards here.”

  “If you’re talking about those old pictures of me, go ahead and release them. I’m not ashamed of my past, and I won’t let your threats ruin my future.”

  “I can ruin you. All of your offers come through me,” he says with a sneer.

  “Not anymore, they don’t. I’ve contacted the team front office, and also the companies I promote, to let them know that I want to be copied on any correspondence they send to you. I’ve put the word out that I need to give personal approval for anything and everything.”

  What I don’t add is that there’s no way for him to go around me. Ellie’s asking Reina if Ainsley can have her team monitor his email for me. I know they have more important things to do, but Ellie told me they can just have their programs scan for my name and any key words, so it won’t really take anyone from their other work. If the approval comes through, I’ll get an alert every time he emails about me, and then I can see if he’s doing anything shady behind my back.

  “I must say, I’m a little surprised to have you standing up to me. It makes me wonder what’s the catalyst for this new found boldness.”

  “What you did at Corrigan & Co. was unforgivable.”

  “This is about that girl? I know you like to get around, but her? Don’t tell me she brainwashed you into helping her with a shooting, because your career would never come back from that.”

  I throw the punch before I can even think about it. His head snaps back, and he starts to fall but I grab his shirt before he hits the ground. “You don’t talk about her, or even fucking think about her. Do you understand?”

  “Oh yeah, Dyl. I think I totally understand now.”

  The smile on his face worries me a little, but I ignore it. I got my message across, and that’s what’s important. Besides, all he’s got on me is some old pictures. I plan to tell Nev about them when I get back, but like Ellie said, she shouldn’t be shocked by my past. It’s only the present and our future that matters.

  I walk out of Eric’s hotel room without another word. As I ride down in the elevator, I send Nev a text telling her I want to talk when I get home tomorrow. She responds with a smiley face, and that one little emoticon has me floating on air all the way to my car. I can’t wait to get back to my girl.

  * * *

  Neveah

  Sometimes you can see things coming, and try to protect yourself. Other times, you’re completely blindsided. Obviously, my father and Dylan blindsided me. I was hoping that was it for surprises that would hurt me, but I just turned on the TV and got slammed once again. Dylan said he wanted to talk, and I thought that meant he was coming clean with me. Apparently, I was wrong.

  “NBA star and league MVP, Dylan Gallagher, has always been known as a player off the court, but this is extreme—even for him. Photos were released today showing him enjoying himself in the bedroom with four women. The photos are too graphic to be shown here, but can be found all over the internet. There is no date stamp on the photos, but two of the women have come forward, and said that these pictures were taken within the last two weeks. We’ll speak to them here in studio after the break.”

  Within the last two weeks? This had to have gone down when he was in Chicago, because that’s the only time he was physically unavailable to me. He wouldn’t have told me to stop by his place here whenever I wanted if he was entertaining other women. Or would he? No. My father hit him for not standing up for me—he wouldn’t have sat by while women were coming and going. Or maybe that was part of their arrangement. I don’t know what to think.

  There’s a knock on my door, and I open it, knowing that it’s going to be my friends. Arms are around me before I can even say a word. I hug them all back and step to the side as they file in and make themselves comfortable on the couch and love seats in my living room.

  “I can’t believe he did that. I thought he was a good guy. I mean, despite the stuff with your father,” Sierra tells me.

  “I still thought he was a good guy after that. Honoring a vow is pretty honorable,” Kalila says.

  “I can punch him for you. I’m starting to get the hang of anatomy, so I know where to hit,” Matisse offers.

  Rhieve nudges her with her shoulder. “I’d love to hear about your private anatomy lessons with the good doctor.”

  Matisse flips her off as Harlow pins me with her gaze. “You need to talk to him before jumping to conclusions.”

  “Conclusions?” Jenysis practically yells. “Those pictures are hard to misinterpret. Have you seen them yet?”

  “No,” I answer. “I don’t know if I want to.” But I know I have to.

  “Those girls came forward, too,” Jen adds. “You could just watch the interviews.”

  “I’m going to jump in and play Devil’s Advocate for a moment,” Camari tells me. “As someone who has worked in PR, I know how things can be spun and how people can lie. I think you need to talk to him.”

  “I agree,” Harlow says. “I’ve met some women in my time who would do anything for a dollar. How do you know they weren’t paid to say what they’re saying?”

  “Did the pictures look altered?” I ask.

  They all shake their heads, but it’s Rose who answers. “They don’t have a date on them, so it’s really just their word against Dylan’s. I think you should give him a chance to explain. My sister and her husband have one of the greatest loves I’ve ever seen, but they almost lost it all because of misunderstandings. I’ve seen you and Dylan together, and he loves you. I know you love him, too. So please, just talk to him.”

  “He texted last night that he wanted to talk. I’m just scared now th
at he’s going to admit that he cheated with those women while he was in Chicago for his photo shoots and appearances. I’ve forgiven him for the stuff with my father, because I believe he thought he was doing the right thing—and because he chose me over my father. I don’t think I could forgive this, in fact, I know I can’t. If he cheated on me, it’s over, and honestly, I’d rather just end it than try to listen to him make excuses for what he did.”

  “I agree with Cam—you should talk to him before you decide,” Harlow says.

  “And I think you’re right to just break things off,” Matisse tells me. “If you talk to him, he’ll just look at you with those sexy eyes of his and then he’ll whip out his very nice dick, and…oh! I didn’t mean to say anything about his dick.”

  “You’ve all seen it?” I ask on a groan.

  “The whole world has seen it,” Kali tells me with a sad smile.

  This day just keeps getting better and better. Logically, I knew that with those pics out there, everyone had seen it, but I didn’t really want to know that my friends had. Or the people I see every day at C&C. Luckily, only the Society knows we were dating. If all of Corrigan knew I was with him, and he cheated, I’d have a hard time walking back into that building. I’d do it, though, because no Society woman would ever let a little embarrassment keep her from doing her job, or at least I don’t believe they would. I also don’t believe a Society woman would let a man get away with embarrassing her, and so I send the text I need to, even as it hurts to type the words.

  There’s nothing to talk about now. I know I wanted the truth from you, but this is too much. I’ll always love you, but I can never be with someone who cheats on me.

  It’s over now. My heart is broken, but I’ll go on with my life. What other choice do I have?

  Chapter 16

  Dylan

  On Corrigan jets, it’s okay to leave your cell phone on, and they have Wi-Fi so you can make calls if you want, but I still turned my phone off. Ellie and I had so much to go over—Eric, Sadiq, Nev, the statement I made before we got on the plane, telling the reporters at the airport about how I’m planning to settle down and stop “playing” off the court, all of it. It just felt right to give my sister the full attention she deserved. She shut off her phone, too, saying that she could be contacted through the plane if there was an emergency.