Chapter One

Angela looked over her interview questions. This was the biggest article she had been offered. She was excited and anxious. If someone would have told her six years ago that she would be working for a top newspaper in New York City she would have never believe it. Her life hadn't been easy. She was orphaned at a young age and spent her childhood as well as her teenage years in and out of the foster system. By the time she was twelve she was sent to a group home. No one wanted a teenager full of emotional baggage and so she was tossed aside like so many of her friends. They were the town rejects. There were ten of them in total and they all lived in The Sunshine House, on the outskirts of town. It was as if the town itself was trying to hide them.

She graduated high school with honors, and she got a scholarship to the local college. She spent all her time and energy in doing what she could to make a life for herself. The second she could make it out of the small town she did. She had no one to thank but herself but, in all reality, she was the only one she could count on.

She had gotten an internship with a newspaper in New York that was just starting out and she jumped on the opportunity. The paper had grown considerably in the past five years and now she was one of the top journalists there.

Time Out was a racy new club and that was saying something considering New York City had their fair share of risky clubs. This was different though. It was an invite only fetish club and it was quickly becoming a popular spot. There wasn't much known about the owner except his name was J.C and he liked his privacy. The fact that he agreed to an interview was surprising and she jumped at the idea of being the first one to speak to him. This article could literally make or break her career.

She could hear loud music the second she got close, and she swallowed hard. She pulled on one of the double doors and stepped inside.

She was greeted with was a lobby and a pink haired girl sitting at a large black desk. The walls were painted red and there were multiple paintings hanging of naked men and women in various sexual positions. There were black leather chairs lined up by a huge blacked out window and another set up doors next to the large desk. The music pouring in was almost deafening as she walked over to the pink haired girl. She had on a see-through mesh top with nipple rings on both exposed breasts.

Angela cleared her throat and the girl finally looked at her. She raised a pierced eyebrow as she looked her up and down.

"You must be the reporter." She had an amused look on her face.

Now Angela wasn't a prude by any means, but this was something on an entirely different level. She fidgeted uncomfortably as she looked everywhere but at the exposed breasts. Angela thought she had seen it all in her twenty-five years on this earth, but this was beyond awkward.

"Follow me," She wore a chain like thong that hid absolutely nothing. Her boots were platform and black leather. They covered more than her entire outfit did. Her body was covered in tattoos and piercings. Even one between her legs.

Angela flushed as she looked away. The girl pushed the second set of doors open and the scene before her was like nothing she had ever seen her life. Seriously the pictures she saw online did not show this. Not only were there naked and half naked people in there but some were hanging from the ceiling. Others were chained to the walls. Some were on the numerous tables that were in the center of the room. Angela thought her heart would burst out of her chest as she tried not to stare. Men with whips. Women with whips. They stared at her as she passed them. The place smelled of essential oils. Music played loudly throughout the place.

She passed by one couple and the guy was leaning face down on a table. His hands were cuffed to the sides. He was completely naked. A woman with very spiky heels watched Angela as she walked past. She wore what had to be the biggest dildo ever made. It was strapped to her body. She bit her lip as she watched Angela walk away.

The sound of a whip hitting flesh made her head turn and she watched as a shirtless man in black leather pants swung it again. The blonde that was receiving the strikes was standing against the wall with her hands tied high above her head. The guy turned and looked at Angela as a smirk covered his lips. He struck the girl again as he stared. She looked away and nearly banged into the pink haired girl. She was standing in front of another door. She knocked on it and seconds later it opened.

For a moment Angela felt like she had stepped into the past because the man standing before her was someone she hadn't seen in nearly eight years. She blinked in shock as he stood there. It looked as if he too was seeing a ghost.

Eight and a half years ago…

The large bonfire kicked embers into the air as music pumped out of the large speakers. The place resembled an outdoor club, but one filled with underage kids drinking.

"Ok wait, this one is the best." A purple haired girl by the name of Rayanne pulled up her sleeve and revealed two large round scars on her forearm. "Five years ago, with Mr. Clarke. He apparently couldn't find his ashtray." She rolled her eyes.

"Ugh, he was the worst. I heard he is doing time upstate now for some underage porn." Sharon, a brunette lit up another cigarette as she chained smoked. "What about you Ang, any cool scars?"

Angela sipped her beer but didn't answer her.

"Oh, wait I got one!" Ricky pulled up his jeans and revealed a scar on his ankle. This is how they spent the majority of their weekends, comparing scars from their abusive foster homes they had stayed in over the years. Most people would think it was morbid, but it was how they survived. They looked at the scars as acts of bravery.

Her eyes darted across the fire and landed on the new guy. She had seen him around for the past few days. He had long unruly dark hair that covered one eye. He wore faded jeans with ripped knees and a band tee-shirt. He hadn't spoken to anyone which wasn't entirely surprising. A lot of the new ones didn't. They were still processing their trauma. His eyes locked with hers for a moment as he sipped his beer and then he was walking away.

She brought her attention back to the scar competition. After an hour she began to walk around. There were only so many war stories a person could hear. She walked to the edge of the water and looked out into the lake.

"I hope you're not planning on jumping in, Red. I heard there are gators in there."

Angela turned and saw the new guy leaning against a tree as he smoked a cigarette. He was even better looking up close. He had that dark and mysterious thing going for him.

"There aren't gators in Pennsylvania." She rolled her eyes.

"I can assure you there are. You know people get them as pets and when they get too big, they dump them in lakes."

"I thought that was sewers." She let out a sarcastic chuckle.

"That too." He flicked his cigarette and then walked over to her. "Why aren't you over there comparing war stories?"

"Why aren't you?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I'd rather not dwell on the past."

"I'm Angela by the way but everyone calls me Ang."

"I like Red better." He smirked.

"Aren't you going to tell me your name?"

"Why? I won't be here long enough for it to matter." He finished off his beer and closed in the distance between them.

"We all say that, but really where will we go?"

"You talk a lot, Red." He reached out and touched a long strand of her hair. "Wanna go somewhere more private?" He smiled seductively.

"Do I look like a slut to you?" She rolled her eyes.

"Are you?" He raised an eyebrow.

She turned from him and began to walk away.

"Jordan." He called out and she stopped but she didn't face him. "My name is Jordan."

That was the first time she had met Jordan Catalano and for the next six months they would become inseparable. He had been her first everything. Her first love. Her first sexual experience. It was childhood romance at its finest and then one day he was gone without a word. Rumor had it that he got arrested, some even said that he killed himself. All she knew was that she was heartbroken at sixteen.

"Red?" He snapped her out of her thoughts as she stared at him.

"Jordan?"

"Oh goodie, you both know each other." The pink haired girl said sarcastically as she walked away.

"Holy shit, it is you?" He ran his hand through his long hair. He looked older now but still had that undeniably sexy look that she remembered. He wore a pair of black slacks with boots, and he was shirtless. He was covered in tattoos and his nipples were pierced. It was an overwhelming sight. Her breath caught in her throat. Holy shit she was back in front of Jordan Catalano! He even looked taller than she remembered but then again last time she saw him he was only seventeen. Now he was all man, he even had a light dusting of stubble on his face that only added to the allure.

"You own this club? You're J.C?" She still couldn't believe it was him.Her eyes landed on the extra-long black lounger and then on the oversized desk that was against a large blacked out window. The walls had more of those provocative paintings on it. She needed to look at anything but him. My god, he was gorgeous!

Her eyes locked in one specific painting of a huge penis with three studded piercings down the shaft. It was a closeup shot in black and white.

"Like what you see?" His words made her turn as her face flushed. He was right there in front of her. So close that she could swear she smelled his very essence. "I've changed out the piercings if you are interested in a look." He had a devilish grin on his face.

Realization began to hit her. That was his penis up on display. Her heart began to race dangerously fast.

"You look amazing by the way. Come on in. Have a seat." He closed the office door and walked over to a large fridge in the corner. "Water?"

"Sure." She swallowed hard.

"It's been a long time. Red. You're a reporter now?"

"A journalist actually." She corrected him.

"Aren't they the same thing?" He walked over and handed her a bottle of water.

"Not exactly." She was still in shock.

"Well either way it's a small world. You live in the city now?" He was so nonchalant. He walked around his desk and sat down. She took a seat in front of him.

"How did you end up with a place like this? You were just gone one day." She couldn't help but feel those same emotions come spiraling back from all those years ago when he had left. Part of her had pretended that he died because it was easier to swallow then to think that he would just leave her alone especially when he knew how they all grew up. People were always leaving them. They had to make their own families because at the end of the day no one wanted them.

"Yeah, I had to get out of that small town. It was suffocating and apparently you got out too." He grinned as he leaned back in his chair.

"We all thought you died or worse."

"Technically I did. I had to reinvent myself. You know how it is."

"So, you left. Just like that?" She was surprised at how affected she still felt.

"Shit happens." He leaned his elbows on the desk. "I would much rather talk about what you have been up to. The years have been damn good to you, Red."

Angela stood up quickly. "I'm sorry I actually have to go." She moved towards the door as he stood up.

"Wait, hold up Red. We didn't even do the interview."

"It's Angela, you asshole!" She snapped as she left. She couldn't get out of there fast enough. She felt a panic attack coming on as she pushed past the people in the club. He had just left, without a care in the world. He was just a selfish, egotistical asshole. She tried to fight the sudden onset of tears that filled her eyes. She couldn't believe that after all the years she was about to cry over Jordan. She laughed at how absurd this all was.

She drove to her favorite bar as she cursed to herself the entire way there. Not only had she blown the entire interview, but she had cursed at a client. She wondered how quickly he would call her boss and say how unprofessional she was. She would lose her job and all because she let her emotions get in the way.

She grabbed a beer and sat at a secluded table. She hadn't thought about Jordan in years and seeing him now how sparked something in her. She felt like that same kid from back in the day that was hung up over him.

"Hey there you are! I got hung up in traffic. It's brutal out there." Her boyfriend Pierce came walking over. He had his jacket tossed over his shoulder. He looked handsome in his work suit, and she smiled as realization hit. Fuck Jordan, she was happy now. She had found a great guy and a lawyer no less. They had been together for almost six months, and she really did have the life she wanted. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "How did your meeting go?" He asked as he waved over the bartender.

"Um it was an interview actually." She smiled as one of the bartenders came over.

"Can I get a bloody mary." Pierce cut her off as he spoke to the bartender, and she forced a smile. He looked back at her. "So, um I got the retainer on the Stevens Case. I am so close to making partner I can almost taste it."

"Oh, well that is great. I mean I am sure you will."

"I'm just ready to move over to the east side already."

"Brooklyn is nice though. I mean both of our apartments are here."

"But the east side is better babe. Just think once you become an editor and I am a partner, things will be amazing."

"Speaking of becoming editor. The interview today…" She began to speak, and his phone rang.

"I gotta get this babe." He cut her off and then answered. "Hey Trevor! Did you hear the news? I know its great right." He stood and walked across the bar as Angela sighed. Her phone alerted her to a text message, and she looked down. Her eyes got wide as she read it.

Guess who is getting married! You need to get your ass to Pennsylvania. The wedding is this weekend!

The message came from her best friend Rayanne. They had grown up in the same group home back in Pennsylvania. They had kept in touch over the years. Rayanne stayed in Pennsylvania and opened a tattoo shop. She was literally the last person that Angela thought would ever settle down. Over the years Rayanne's track record with men was a bit out there and now she was getting married!

This weekend? OMG! Of course, I will be there! I'll drive over on Friday.

Pierce came back over, and she smiled.

"My best friend is getting married this weekend. Isn't that great?"

"Oh nice." He sipped his drink.

"So, um I mean if you wanted to come with me?" She swallowed hard as his eyes got wide.

"Oh. I wish I could but with this new case and all."

"Yeah, I get it. No big deal. Wanna go grab some Chinese food?"

"I ate before I got here. Why, are you hungry?"

"No not really." She lied. She was starving. His phone rang again.

"Sorry babe." He stood up again and answered.

Angela sighed. So maybe not everything wasnt coming up roses with Pierce but he had a good head on his shoulders not to mention he wasn't the typical bad guy that she usually went for. Hell, his credit score was immaculate and that was hard to find these days.

Her mind darted back to Jordan. Now he was nothing but trouble and by the look of his club he was apparently excelling in trouble. She still had to figure out what to tell her boss. He would be expecting the article next week. She would be damned if she spent one more second thinking about Jordan fucking Catalano!