“I literally did nothing,” I remind him. “It’s straight from the bottle. But I’ll give Macallan your well wishes.”
I turn to give another customer my attention, but the mayor’s hand is suddenly around my wrist, holding me in place against the top of the bar.
“You’re going to want to remove your hand,” I tell him coldly.
“Or what?” He smirks and leans closer to me. “Do you know who I am, little girl?”
“Yes. I do. And I don’t care.”
His eyes go ice cold, and I know without a doubt that if we were alone, he’d backhand me. I know that look well.
Asshole.
“Take an hour off and come with me to a privacy room.”
“Not today or any other day,MayorPierce.”
Suddenly, a large knife is plunged into the wood of the bar, less than a quarter of an inch from where the mayor holds me, and he jerks back, releasing me.
Julian.
Julian’s dark gaze is on mine, and I give him a small nod, confirming that the man was touching me without my consent.
At least, Ithinkthat’s what he was silently asking me. I don’t know these guys well enough to read their minds yet, but I’m grateful he’s here.
“There’s a rule at this club,” Julian says in a hard, tight voice, leaning closer to the mayor and making the man break out in a thin sheen of sweat. It’s actuallyfascinating to watch the man go from feeling powerful to being afraid. “No touching unless a person has consented to it.”
“You got it all wrong,” the mayor says, forcing out a laugh. “Lulu and I always flirt. It’s our thing. Tell him, baby.”
“I’m not your baby,” I reply as I take a step back and find both Rita and Max there.
“I’ve told you before,” Rita tells him. “Lulu isn’t going to a room with you. Ever. And from now on, you won’t order drinks from her either.”
“Oh, come on. You’re all being ridiculous. It was just harmless flirting. She’s a beautiful woman. What’s the problem?”
“The problem is I told you no,” I reply, and Julian nods at me, making me want to smile at the praise.
But it only lasts a moment.
“Jesus, try to be nice to the hired help, and they lose their shit. I paid to be here, and you work here. As far as I’m concerned, I’m entitled to fuck whoever I want.”
“And you’re done.” Julian signals to two of the security guys, and when they join us, he says, “Escort Mr. Pierce out. He’s not welcome to return.”
“Hey! This isn’t your business,” he says, practically spitting on Julian, who simply glares at him.
If it were me, I wouldn’t want Julian glaring at me.
“Should I call Rome?” I ask Julian.
“He’s conducting some business right now,” Julian replies with a quick shake of his head as security takes themayor by the arms and escorts him out. “But he’ll be filled in right away.”
Rita pats my shoulder, and I glance down into her concerned face.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“You didn’t do anything wrong, honey,” she replies with a nod. “He crossed the line. He’ll pay the consequences, even if he’s the fucking mayor. Rome will see to it.”
A chill runs down my spine.
