AFEWweeks turned into a month. Staci officially moved into my office at the Wave, and I moved into my posh new one at the Firefly. I still checked in on the club every day, but Staci knew what she was doing. Let’s face it—I trained her right.
I was putting away some shit in my private bathroom at the Firefly when my phone rang.
“Mike?”
“You got me. What’s up, Sammy?”
“I got a lease up in Las Olas for the store, right next to a Brazilian food place. It’s perfect.”
“Sounds good. What do you need from me? Told you I’d back you.” I stepped out onto my patio, hidden by palm trees from the outdoor spaces of the hotel.
“I’m going to move. Soon, maybe this weekend. Landon offered me a room at his place, and, well, I want to give it a try.”
I nodded, even though she couldn’t see. “Lynx know?” When the line remained silent, I said, “Sammy, I’m not telling her.”
“Mike, come on. She’s working hard. I don’t want to be the one to break her heart.”
I paced the small patio. “I already asked her twice to move in with me, and both times it’s been a big fat no. She’ll have to stay at your place alone until she decides she wants me full-time.”
Sammy sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. I’m being patient ... as patient as a man can be, taking scraps.”
“I’ll tell her. Maybe she’ll come running to you.”
“Doubtful, but a man can dream.”
“You’re a good one, Big Mike. Glad I have you.”
“You got me, babe. You and your sister.”
She ended the call, and I went back into my office and sat down at my desk. Everything was so fucking plush. Leather and glass. I wasn’t in a strip club anymore, Toto.
My phone rang again, and it was Asher about the opening-night party. It was going to be some huge fussed-about deal, splashed on the society pages. Every shmuck in Miami was coming, my parents included. Separately, of course.
Lila was staying back and taking care of the Los Angeles club so Petey, Asher’s half brother, could come. It was meant to be a family affair, and Lila wanted that for Asher, even though he considered her family.
Lynx was giving me shit about my insisting she come too, but for this, I wasn’t taking no for an answer. My woman was going to be on my arm for this event.
ON MYway home, I popped into the Wave to have a drink with Sampson. I was going to miss my bouncers. They felt like the brothers I never had growing up.
Seated at the main bar, he tossed back a rum and Coke. I was nursing a Jack straight up when I heard Jovi call my name. Lynx was by his side, good and pissed.
She stomped over to me. “Did you tell Sammy to move? So I would move in with you?”
“What? No fucking way.”
Sampson slid his empty glass toward the bartender. “I’m out. Good seeing you, man.”
“Sit down,” I said calmly, then asked Lynx, “Want a drink?”
“No, I want an answer. I’ve been doing everything that everyone wants.”
“Hey, no one is pressuring you. I told you to do anything and everything you wanted or needed,” I said, tossing her words back at her. “Sammy wants to move, be with this guy, start a new life. You’re still going to be a part of it.”
Her gaze focused on my shoes, and I tipped her chin up. “You have a big family now. Me. Sammy. I’m guessing even Landon. Plus, the Tunnel gang.”
“Mike—” Just as she was about to speak, she looked past me and a scowl formed on her face.
