“There was a fight in the men’s bathroom. Do you want to handle it?” I rub the bridge of my nose.
“No. Let security handle it as they see fit. No police.” That’s my one rule, and Mysandre knows that.
“You need to stop distracting me,” I say once I hang up the phone. I’ve never had sex at work. Working with Dax and growing the business is the one thing I take seriously, and I have never let a woman pull me away from that. It’s the reason Dax offered me a job, but this woman is like a damn drug.
“You’re the one who dragged me up here,” she says. She tries to stick her hand in my pocket, but I wrap my hand around her wrist.
“Those panties are mine,” I say. “Come on. I’ll take you back downstairs.”
Everyone watches while we walk through the club with her hand in mine. I spot her friends a few feet away, but someone nearly collides with us. I stand in front of Eden to block whoever this idiot is, but when I look into the cold, dead eyes of Brennan, my blood turns to ice.
He gives me a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes and tries to look around me to see Eden.
“Can I help you?” I do my best to keep my tone light, even though I want to ensure he leaves here in a body bag.
His smile widens, and he cranes his neck and looks at Eden. “Jack Brennan.” He offers her his hand, and I knock it away before she can shake it. “I’m just being nice to your girl, King. How’d your anti-social ass get a girl anyway?”
If Eden weren’t with me, I’d drag Brennan to the alley and show him who I am, but I love the feel of her little hand in mine, and I don’t want to risk her getting hurt. If that happens, Brennanwillbe leaving here in a body bag.
“I thought we could talk.” Brennan raises both hands to signal that he comes in peace.
“Talk to the boss, not me,” I say.
“Right. You’re just a soldier.” He tries to go around me to get to Eden. “Sweetheart, do you know your man only does what he’s told? You want to get with a real man?”
I nod at the security guard a few feet away. He’s the one I tasked with picking up Eden and her friends. He’s also their babysitter tonight, unbeknownst to them. “Get them out of here.”
He takes Eden’s elbow, but not before I whisper in her ear, “I’ll see you tonight. You’ve got to go, Thorny. Simon will take you home.”
Thankfully, she nods and leaves with the security guard, who collects her friends along the way.
***
“She’s beautiful, Rip,” he says, giving me that same sick smile as before. “I didn’t think that would be your type, though. I thought you were gay and were overcompensating by being so big.” He gestures at me.
I want to lift him off his feet and slam him into the wall behind him. I want to hit his head until the life leaves his body. But I don’t do anything. I don’t want him to see me react to his statement about Eden.
“Don’t come to my club. Don’t approach me in public.”
He gives me a fake laugh and rubs the tip of his nose. “I thought you could talk sense into your boss.”
“That’s not my job.”
“Right. Your job is to take orders.”
My jaw ticks. It’s a challenge, but I refuse to react.
“Let him know I want to meet.”
“I’ll do that,” I say through clenched teeth.
“Say hi to your girl for me. What’s her name? Eden Rose. Isn’t she the—”
He doesn’t finish his sentence before I grab him by the collar, lift him off his feet, and push him into the wall.
“Don’t,” I warn.
Chapter 38
