He takes hold of my wrists and pins them in front of me, staring down at me all serious. “No moreprivate suites.”
I look back at him, confused by what he’s saying. I already told him last night I wouldn’t be going back in there with him.
“Dancing only,” he grumbles. Then he looks over his shoulder at Asher. “Take her off the list.”
I glare up at him. He has to go ruin a fun night with his controlling shit. I squirm under his hold, trying to escape. “What? No. You don’t get to dictate what I do at work.”
His grip tightens, and he pulls me in closer to him, his lips brushing against mine. “You need money, I will give it to you. No other cunt is fucking you now; you belong to us.” His voice is low but holds a promise that goes right through me, invading my soul in the strangest way.
My heart races, but this time it’s out of pure anger; how dare he tell me what I can do.
“Already done, Brother,” Asher agrees.
I flick my angry gaze to him, pissed he’s on board with this. He knows how the club works, he should be on my side. “I don’t belong to either of you,” I spit out angrily, still trying to get out of his hold.
Jagger’s lips nip my neck just below my ear. “See, flower, that’s where you’re wrong.” He releases my hands, skating his light touch down my face until he’s cupping both sides. I glare up at him, not ready to let this slide. He smashes his lips with mine, kissing me like he’s marking me, and I’m not sure if it’s for his brother’s benefit or mine. “Have fun at work, flower,” he says when he’s done mauling my face.
I pant, not able to help it. This is what he reduces me to—a panting mess, desperate for more even when I’m pissed with him. “Screw you,” I spit out at him, still vibrating with anger.
He releases me and takes a step back so I can move. With one last glare in his direction, I storm for the door, so ready to get the hell out ofthis place and his proximity. He had to ruin the fun, didn’t he. I knew it wouldn’t last forever, but did he have to do it so quickly? Couldn’t he let me ride the high for a few more hours?
“Don’t take your eyes off her,” he growls in Asher’s direction.
“Wasn’t planning on it,” he agrees, running after me and catching up as I make my way back through the bar. His arm wraps around my shoulders. I try to shrug him off, but it’s no use. What I’m quickly coming to learn is when the Stryker boys want something, they know how to get it.
He walks me to the car parked on the street, looking over his shoulder a few times before he opens the door for me, closing it once I’m safely inside. I stare out the front windshield, crossing my arms over my chest, irritated. How dare they make decisions on my behalf.
Asher hops in the driver’s side and starts up the engine, taking off up the road. He’s quiet at first, and I’m grateful. I keep my eyes fixed on the road. I wanted to apologize for taking off last night without saying goodbye, because I was feeling guilty about it, but now, he’s being all controlling with Jagger, so he gets nothing from me.
“So, little princess, tell me where you both disappeared to last night?” he asks after some time.
I glance at him. He’s watching the road but every so often looks my way as well, and I know he’s waiting for my answer. One I won’t be giving him. “Why do you just do what your brother says all the time? Can’t you think for yourself?” I spit out, bitchy as all hell. He’s all,yes, Jagger, already done, Jagger. It’s fucking infuriating.
He huffs out a laugh. “That’s why you’re not talking to me. I had already taken you off the list of VIP girls, Daisy. That was my decision, not Jagger’s.”
I flick my eyes back to him. What the hell? “It wasn’t your choice to make.”
His jaw ticks, and I know I’m getting to him. Well, good. He’s getting to me. “I’m the club manager, and your safety is our top priority. You begged me to fuck you, and when you did, you rewired my brain. I can’t let you go back in that room knowing what you will be getting up to. It’s just not safe. You had your fun with Jagger; you’re done there now.”
What the hell does he mean I rewired his brain? The three of them have been screwing with mine since I arrived in this town. “Don’t try to pretend this is about my safety. This is about you all being too controlling and jealous to let me earn the money I need.”
He shrugs, not even caring about how I feel on this topic. “I’m not going to deny it. We can be jealous motherfuckers when other people touch what’s ours. Just be grateful I talked the others into letting you dance still.”
Grateful! I huff out a breath of hot air. “So that’s just it, end of discussion, and I don’t get a say in my own life.”
He pulls the car into the lot at The Raven’s Nest then turns toward me, his hand coming softly to my thigh. “As Jagger explained, anything you need, we will provide it for you. You don’t need that room to make money; we will take care of you.”
Tears choke up my throat. “Don’t you get it, Ash? I won’t be able to stay here in the States forever. I have three months, and I need that time to make as much cash as I can so when I go home, I can stand on my own feet. If I can’t, I will be forced to go back to my family and be married off to someone new. I can’t do that again.”
His hand laces with mine, and he holds it so damn tightly it’s like he’s trying to give me some of his strength. “You won’t have to. I will make sure of it.”
I sigh heavily, knowing he doesn’t get it. How could he? He hasn’t lived my life. He doesn’t know what it’s like to be a woman growing upin a world where men make all the decisions. “I need to get to work,” I mutter, pulling out of his grip.
He gets out of the car, and I quickly swipe the stray tear away, not wanting him to know how deeply this cuts me.
He’s back in front of me in seconds, opening the door for me. I ignore his outstretched hand and push past him. “You’re going to be okay, Daisy, you have us now,” he says, trying to reassure me as I take off for the back door.
I don’t have a response for him. What does he want me to say? Thank you, Ash, for being my savior. Yeah, hell no. That shit works until he decides something prettier has come along and he moves on. Jagger is no different. Once I’m no longer the girl he’s being paid to protect, he will be done with me. He said as much last night; he uses people, and my time will come with him when I’m not of any use anymore. I’m sure Cruz will be the same. He has a short attention span. He will get sick of playing with me, and then what? I will be on my own. Nope, I have to be smart about this and not think with my lady parts. I need to save money and be ready to go back to Italy with a plan.
