Better bring it back to him before he goes asking around for the Ace of Clubs.
I grab the whiskey, place it on a tray, and walk to the Clubs section, making sure to avoid standing in Rouge’s eyeline. I present it to Rose, my head bowed.
“Excellent, Ace. Thank you.” He hands me a twenty. “For your trouble.”
I take the bill, nodding in what I hope appears to be gratitude. I reach to put it in my pockets when I realize that these shorts don’t have any.
Shit. I can’t just go around carrying a twenty-dollar bill.
“Allow me.” Rose places his whiskey on a nearby table and then grabs the waistline of my shorts. I stop myself from letting out a yelp. All I can do is look down in horror as he pulls the waistband out far enough for my dick to be exposed and then places the twenty right under my balls before snapping my shorts back on.
I swallow as a rush of warmth flows to my cheeks.
“I like what I see, Ace.” Rose grins. “What’s your price?”
I lower my head, hoping that Rose gets the idea that I’m not interested.
“Five hundred?”
I shake my head.
“Six hundred?”
Again I turn him down.
“For fuck’s sake. A thousand?” He closes in on me and grabs my ass. “I could get a tight little callboy for half that. Why so shy, Ace?”
I rip myself out of his grip and look up at him, fire in my eyes. I’d like to kick this man’s ass for grabbing me like that.
Thankfully, Mr. Night cuts in between us. “The Ace is a new member, Mr. Rose. I think he would prefer to settle in for a few weeks before he starts taking…clients.”
Rose cocks his head. “I wasn’t aware of that policy.”
“You are surely aware, though, Mr. Rose, that any member of the waitstaff is allowed to refuse those kinds of services without any explanation required,” Mr. Night says. “That is the case with the Ace.”
Rose scowls. “Fine, then. But you’ll regret it. I didn’t want you anyway, you little slut.”
I clench my hands into fists, but Mr. Night takes me aside. “Eyes forward, Ace. I don’t know what you’re looking for, but tonight might be your only chance. I suggest you move on.”
He’s right. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and continue looking around. Since I’m in Clubs, I’ll look here. But again, nothing that could possibly be interpreted as a writing raven.
It must be right in front of my nose.
Rouge has left Hearts, so this is my chance to look around that area. Plus I’ll be able to listen to Bianca sing. Always a plus.
Tonight she’s singing a jazzy version of “Danny Boy.” A little on the nose for St. Patrick’s. She sounds fantastic, and her voice grows even warmer when she makes eye contact with me. She offers me a smile and then continues her line without missing a beat.
I look over at her band. Her drummer is still gone.
Shit.
I bet he’s locked away in that hotel somewhere, too.
Or worse…
Alissa and Maddox lucked out. They were left to starve. Some people, like that poor server girl, were beheaded and left dismembered in that nature preserve by the airport.
As much as I’d like to continue hanging in the Hearts section, I have a mission. And nothing here fits the description of that damned raven.
