“He didn’t hurt me or assault me or whatever you guys are thinking,” I say.
“Then what did happen?” Marnie asks.
“He just realized he knew me, that we’d met before. He was surprised I was here, and really shocked that I dance. You know how it is with guys—they all love dancers until it’s someone they know up there doing it.”
“Is this going to be a problem?” Ronnie asks.
“No. Everything is fine.”
“That’s not what Tiny said. He said you ran out of there in tears.”
“Please don’t blame Tiny. Cody put him in a spot.”
“I get that. That’s why I called their president. Cole will make sure shit like that never happens again.”
“Can I go now?”
“You want to finish your shift, or do you need to leave?”
“I need to finish my shift. I need the money.”
Ronnie looks at Marnie. “Go see if they’ve left the building.”
Marnie leaves and returns a minute later. “They’re gone. I even looked out the door. They’re bikes are gone.” She meets my eyes. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. Can we just put this behind us?”
Ronnie nods to the door. “Sure, kid. Go on.”
I finish the night, dancing at 2:30 and again at 3:30 for the closing number. The club closes at 4am, and I’m exhausted when I head to the back door with Coco and Velvet. Tiny is there, waiting to walk us to our cars.
When he opens the door, he pauses, putting an arm out to hold us back. Glancing over his shoulder, I see the reason.
Cody is standing next to his parked bike.
It’s obvious he’s waiting for me.
Tiny turns. “You want to wait in Ronnie’s office until I take care of this, honey?”
“I’ll be fine. He won’t hurt me. He said earlier he wanted to buy me breakfast and talk. I’m sure that’s all this is about.”
“Darlin’, you don’t have to go with him. That’s not part of working here.”
“I get that, and thank you for looking out for us.”
“Hell, I’ll go with him,” Velvet offers. “He’s adorable.”
“He’s a patched member of the MC, you nitwit. You don’t call him adorable,” Coco snaps.
“Shut up, bitch. I didn’t say I’d call him that to his face.” She pushes past Tiny and waggles her fingers at Cody. “Hey, doll. You want some company?”
“Nope,” comes his short response.
Velvet puts her nose in the air and stalks to her car, peeling out.
Coco squeezes my hand. “Be safe, okay?”
“Absolutely,” I reply.
