And then my bed.
Whoa, tiger. One step at a time.
Right. First things first. I’ll tell her how wonderful she sounded. Hopefully that’ll ignite a friendly conversation which I can organically steer into a dinner invitation.
I snuff out the remains of my cigar and then cross the Clubs section toward Bianca’s dressing room when?—
“Dr. O’Rourke!”
A chill runs down my spine and goosebumps erupt all over my arms at the haughty voice behind me. I slowly turn around.
Sure enough, Rouge Montrose, bedecked in a violent assemblage of greens, is standing behind the chair where I was just sitting.
Not the Montrose I was hoping to talk to.
Isn’t she supposed to be out at one of her other clubs tonight?
Maybe she came back early.
I don’t rightfully give a shit.
I’ll just blow her off and then go after her gorgeous sister.
I paste on a smile. “Hello, Rouge. How are you this evening?”
Her eyebrows twitch. “The question, Doctor, is how are you? That is to say, through what happenstance do we at Aces Underground owe the privilege of your patronage this evening?”
My God, this woman talks like a crossword puzzle at a high tea.
“I’m the guest of a member.”
“Which member?” Her eyes flicker. “It is my recollection that you have only come here as the plus-one of Maddox Hathaway. And Mr. Hathaway has been abroad for the last few weeks with his new lover, Miss Maravilla. I believe you know her as well?”
“I do. She’s a nurse at my hospital. We’ve missed her the last few weeks.”
“I’m sure you have. Such a light as hers is difficult to extinguish.” She purses her lips. “But we’re getting off the subject. With whom did you enter the club this evening, Doctor?”
Shit. I don’t want to get Bianca in trouble.
“I didn’t sneak in, if that’s what you’re implying.”
She lays a hand over her breast. “Goodness, no. I would never assume such a thing. Not only because of your standing in our community, Doctor, but because we have top-notch security here at Aces. Nobody gets in without Chet’s approval.”
Okay, good. Maybe I can pin this on Chet instead of Bianca. He’s a shifty little fucker and probably has it coming.
“I can assure you that I have Chet’s approval.”
She blinks. “Of course. It would be impossible for you to be here without it.”
“Then why does it matter who I came here with tonight?”
She narrows her eyes. “Why are you being so guarded with this information?”
“Rouge, you have a club full of patrons.” I gesture around. “Why are you singling me out?”
“I’m merely making conversation, Doctor. But your refusal to answer my question makes me suspicious.” She takes a step toward me, her gaze darkening. “You do realize that everyone frequenting Aces Underground does so at my pleasure? Answer my question, or I will have no choice but to have you escorted out.”
She’s bluffing.
