Denver
Did she really think we weren’t going to follow her? Does she think there’s anything she can do that we won’t find out about? It was bad enough she snuck out, but once we came to the joint and realized where she was headed… let’s just say I had to keep myself from cutting off the driver and pulling her out of the car.
“What the fuck does she think she’s doing?” I don’t have an answer for my brother as I pull in a few spots behind the car Gemma took from the house, which is now pulling away from the club while she hurries inside. She didn’t realize we were waiting to see if she’d sneak out.
I owe Odis fifty bucks. He bet she’d try something like this, though neither of us had the first clue we’d end up here. I’m out of the car practically before it’s in park, refusing the valet when he tries to take my keys. “We won’t be here long,” I promise, my eyes on Gemma as she disappears inside the club.
I’d like to know what the fuck she thinks she’s doing. This isn’t a place for her. She’s better than this. Unless the girl’s been living a double life nobody knows about, I can’t figure out how she even knows about Vivid.
“Hold up, guys.” The bouncer tries to get in our way before we step inside. “There’s a cover charge. I don’t think I have to remind you of that.”
It’s not like we’ve never been here before. “We’re not here to get off. We’re here for the girl you just let inside.”
“That doesn’t work, either.” He folds his huge arms. “You know that.”
“It’s not what you think.” When he makes it obvious that he doesn’t care, I pull out my wallet and toss him a few bills while Odis does the same. We’ve already wasted enough time. God only knows what’s happening to her in there.
We reach the double doors leading to the main floor when Trish comes walking through them. “Hey, guys. It’s been a while.”
“Where is she?” Odis demands.
“Where’s who?” She blinks at both of us, totally clueless.
“The little blonde who just came in here,” I explain while Odis seethes.
“Oh, her? She went up to see Myles. I’m sure she’ll be down soon.” Trish goes back to work while my brother and I stare at each other.
What does that mean? I can think of a bunch of explanations, and I don’t like any of them. “Come on,” I mutter, walking through the doors leading to the action inside.
I’ve been here more times than I can count, even if it isn’t strictly legal. Certain rules don’t apply when you’ve got money and know how to spend it. Unlike those other visits, I’m not in the mood for a lap dance or a private show. I’m ready to burn the fucking place down.
She doesn’t belong here. She’s better than this. And if she thinks we’re going to let another man see her naked, she’s sorely mistaken.
“We might as well wait here.” Odis nudges me toward the bar, where we both take a seat and order drinks. The bartender knows us—everybody does—including a pair of girls who rub up on us, knowing what generous tippers we are. Once again, not in the mood. They pick up on that pretty quick and wander off in search of somebody whose wallet’s open tonight.
I can’t remember the last time I was in this dark of a mood, wanting so badly to hurt somebody, anybody. She’s been hiding things from us, things we didn’t have the first clue about. There I was, thinking I knew her. I don’t like surprises.
We’re just emptying our glasses when a door tucked behind the bar swings open. The relief at seeing Gemma emerging in one piece is so strong, I can practically taste it until one of the blue-tinged lights mounted near the ceiling illuminates her tear-stained cheeks. I’m off my seat in a heartbeat, with Odis shoving his way past me to get to her first. “What happened up there?” he growls while I’m ready to go straight up and kick Myles’s face in for whatever he did that has her like this.
“What did he do to you?” I take her by the arms and shake her a little until she lifts her head. The pain on her face makes my fingers press tighter into her flesh. “What happened to you?”
“He didn’t do anything.” I can barely hear her over the music.
“You don’t look like he didn’t do anything. Why are you crying, then?”
“I… I was trying to get a job here.” Fresh tears roll down her cheeks and smudge the makeup she plastered all over herself. No wonder she looks like a cheap whore. Not that it makes me feel a lot better.
“Here?” Odis’s mouth falls open. “Why would you want to do that?”
“This isn’t the kind of place for you,” I point out.
“Yeah, no kidding.” Her chest heaves when she sucks in air between sobs. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I can’t even do this. I can’t do anything. But I need a job, and I need it fast. I’m desperate.”
I glance at my brother, who looks less like he wants to kill somebody. I feel the same. I’m pissed at her for pulling a stupid stunt like this, but at least we know she’s not hurt.
“Why are you going through all this?” I ask, holding her more gently now. I want to wrap her up in my arms and tell her she has nothing to worry about, but that won’t fly here. “You don’t need to get a job. We have plenty of money. You can have whatever you need.”
“I’m not doing that.” She lifts her chin in that infuriating way of hers. “I’m not taking charity.”