“Even if it was like some huge Hollywood star or something?”
“Even then. I don’t care who they are. If they put their hands on you, without your consent, they will be removed and banned from the club. Period. In the future, if there’s a problem, I want to know about it. Are we clear?”
“You’ve got it, boss. I knew working here was going to be different. The last club I worked at, the owner acted like we should be grateful if some drunk grabbed our ass or tit.”
Emelise wanted to growl at that. “Some men are pigs. I value each and every one of you as people. Go on now, get out of here.”
Remy stepped forward as people began leaving. “I can give Kylie a ride back if you and Caine want some time together.”
Emelise glanced at Kylie. “I think that’s up to Kylie. Caine and I don't have to rush home right away. Hailey is having her first sleepover with Sophie so we can wait for you to be ready to go, Kylie.”
“You’re safe wit’ me, cher. But if you’d rather ride wit’ Emelise and Caine, den I guess I’ll see you at da compound.”
Kylie was torn as she watched Remy turn his attention to her. She felt ready to bolt and part of her hated feeling so skittish. On the one hand she was really drawn to him, but on the other hand, who was to say he wasn’t just like Ezra? After a moment of thought she finally made up her mind. “No, it’s fine. I’ll ride with you, Remy.”
“We’ll see you back at the house, Kylie. The door isn’t locked so you won’t have to wait for us to get home,” Emelise told her. “ I know, I know, any other place we would be asking to be robbed but not at the compound.”
“Yeah, you would,” Kylie agreed. She bit her lip a moment before she continued. “Okay.” Kylie turned to Remy and tried to control the nervousness she felt.
“Shall we, den?” Remy offered his arm to her.
Kylie gave him an odd look. She hoped she wasn't making a huge mistake trusting him. After taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she took his arm and let him lead her out of there. This was dangerous. So dangerous. She didn’t know why she trusted him to not hurt her when she knew that a monster could easily be hiding behind his smile.
Kylie was quiet until they reached the docks at the compound. “Why, exactly, did you step in when that drunk grabbed my wrist? I mean, like I said before, no one else stepped in, so why did you?”
“He didn’t have any business puttin’ his hands on you, cher. He stepped over a line.”
“So, that’s it? Because he stepped over a line?” God, it would be so easy to believe he really was a good guy. She pushed the thought away.
“Why is dat so hard for you to believe?”
Kylie shrugged. “Experience.” They’d reached Caine and Emelise’s house and she approached the steps. “Thank you for the ride, Remy. And thank you again for stepping in earlier. I might not understand why you did it but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate it.”
“Like I said, no’ting to thank me for, cher. Have a good night,” he told her and headed to his own home.
Kylie watched him go before she went inside, took a quick shower, and crawled into bed. She wasn’t entirely sure what to make of Remy Delacroix. Once the last patron was gone and the doors were closed and locked, clean-up began. The entire staff helped so that it was done quickly.
It was while they were cleaning that Emelise spoke up. “I need everyone’s attention. Something happened tonight that shouldn’t have. Our newest member, Kylie, had some trouble with a drunk grabbing her wrist. It was brought to my attention that if the Drink Mixologist was grabbed, chances were good some of the servers were, as well. Yet, no one has said one word to me about any problems they’ve had with patrons. That’s not the kind of club I run. If something happens, I want to know about it. If someone is harassing a staff member, in any way, I need to know so that they can be removed from the premises and banned from the club. I will not have any of my staff feeling unsafe while at work.”
Several of the female servers shared glances before one spoke up. “We weren’t sure you’d want to know about it. I mean, this is a business that sells alcohol. It comes with the territory, especially if you’re a woman.”
“Bullshit. It might be a case of business as usual for some clubs, but not here. No one has a right to put their hands on you, for any reason, without your explicit consent. I don’t care who they are.”
“Even if it was like some huge Hollywood star or something?”
“Even then. I don’t care who they are. If they put their hands on you, without your consent, they will be removed and banned from the club. Period. In the future, if there’s a problem, I want to know about it. Are we clear?”
“You’ve got it, boss. I knew working here was going to be different. The last club I worked at, the owner acted like we should be grateful if some drunk grabbed our ass or tit.”
Emelise wanted to growl at that. “Some men are pigs. I value each and every one of you as people. Go on now, get out of here.”
Remy stepped forward as people began leaving. “I can give Kylie a ride back if you and Caine want some time together.”
Emelise glanced at Kylie. “I think that’s up to Kylie. Caine and I don't have to rush home right away. Hailey is having her first sleepover with Sophie so we can wait for you to be ready to go, Kylie.”
“You’re safe wit’ me, cher. But if you’d rather ride wit’ Emelise and Caine, den I guess I’ll see you at da compound.”
Kylie was torn as she watched Remy turn his attention to her. She felt ready to bolt and part of her hated feeling so skittish. On the one hand she was really drawn to him, but on the other hand, who was to say he wasn’t just like Ezra? After a moment of thought she finally made up her mind. “No, it’s fine. I’ll ride with you, Remy.”
