It was nearly ten, the open mic night was through, and the band, Cowboy Up, was playing some good, fast country music. All the special guests had arrived and were happy thus far as the waitresses tended to each of them. Juliet made her way over to the first section, where BJ and Monte were entertaining some friends. The men were tall and hard looking. They flirted with her like crazy, and she just blew them off. Susanna joined them a little while later, and Juliet excused herself.
* * * *
Robert Sinclair sat in the private booth along with three of his guards and two women they’d picked up upon entering the dance hall. The waitress who got their drinks was really cute, but what caught his eyes was much more appealing. The redhead with the great body and petite figure never glanced his way. At least not while he was looking. Finally, as she made her way across the dance floor from the bar, he had to do a double-take. His shock was enough to warrant his guards’ attention.
“Boss, are you okay? Are you having a heart attack?”
He shook his head. He watched as Juliana disappeared to the table around the corner from theirs.
He took a few unsteady breaths. Holy fuck, it’s Juliana.
He thought about the fact that she was alive, that he was the one to find her, and that she was fucking hot. With a body and looks like hers, his boss, Pierce Mellbrook, was going to lose his fucking mind. Now in his forties, Pierce would never let her go. He would keep her beside him at all times. She was his fantasy woman. He married her piece-of-shit mother, aunt or whatever, just to get to Juliana. He needed to remain calm. The moment Juliana saw him, she would panic. He had to find out why she was here. She didn’t look to be a waitress or barmaid. In fact, she looked to be in charge as the waitstaff approached her to ask questions. Just then their waitress approached.
“Another round, sir?” she asked.
“Yeah, honey, and can you tell me who the redhead is?”
The waitress smiled. “That’s Juliet.”
“Juliet, huh? And is she in charge or something, like a manager?”
“Something like that. Is everything okay?”
“I’d like to speak with her, if she’s in charge.”
“Okay.” The girl nodded then walked away.
He waited patiently. He needed to play this smoothly.
* * * *
“Hey, Juliet, the guy over in the VIP section is asking to speak with you.”
“Is something wrong?” Juliet asked.
“No. I think he just wants to meet you.”
Juliet started walking toward the table and noticed there were two women getting up to leave, and they didn’t look happy. The four men remained sitting. As she approached, two of the men got up and took position on either end of the booth. She turned to greet the tall man with the brown crew-cut hair then froze in place.
In an instant, she knew that all coloring left her face. She felt her body shake. This couldn’t be happening.
Robert Sinclair sat in a private booth at Dixie Chix. She was as good as dead.
“Calm down, Juliana. I’m not here to make a scene. Please join me,” he stated confidently.
“No. What do you want? Why are you here?” she asked him. He raised his eyebrows at her.
“Sit down. I’m willing to be nice, but you know you can push only so far, Juliana.”
She found herself sitting in the booth, and then the guard took position behind her so no one could see her and Robert talking. She was losing her cool. The surveillance cameras would catch this.
Carl was probably watching her right now. And Richie would be making his way toward her. Oh God, he’ll kill them. Pierce will kill them both.
“I’m shocked, sweetie, and not only because I accidently found you, but because you look fucking incredible.” He placed his hand on her knee, and she tried to pull it away, but he gripped it tighter.
“No, no, Juliana. You know what I’m capable of.”
“What do you want?” she asked him, her voice shaking.