And especially not when I know she still has a major breakdown coming, and she won’t even be in the office so I can monitor her.
It has me on edge and irritable.
But here I am.
We do a lap. Quick checks. Eyes on security. Eyes on the bar. Eyes on management. Money is moving. People are smiling. Nothing is on fire.
Good.
Antonio leans in close enough that I can hear him. “You look thrilled.”
“I’m glowing,” I say.
He huffs out a quiet laugh. “Come on. VIP. I want to see who’s back there tonight.”
I gesture toward the hall, and we slip past the rope.
The VIP rooms are quieter, which is a relief, but the privacy invites other expectations. The bass is muffled, the air is colder, and the people back here are the kind who think privacy means permission. Men with watches that cost more than most cars. Women in dresses that are barely there.
Some of them are guests.
Some of them work.
They all look at us when we walk in.
It’s automatic.
Antonio drops into a seat with a careful exhale and tries to make it look like nothing. I take the chair across from him, back to the wall. Habit. I scan corners. Doors. Faces.
One of the women drifts closer like she’s been waiting.
I know her.
Everyone knows her.
And she usually knows to steer clear of me.
Alana is one of the girls who “works” the club and pays us a cut for the privilege. She’s good at it. Smart enough not to cause problems. Pretty enough that men hand her money with a smile and walk away satisfied.
Tonight, she’s in black lace and heels that make her legs look endless. Hair glossy. Mouth red. Eyes trained on me like it’s already been decided.
There’s no denying she’s gorgeous and very good at her job.
She slides onto the edge of the seat beside me without asking.
Her thigh presses against mine.
Her perfume is sweet and sharp.
“Nico,” she purrs. “Didn’t know you were coming tonight.”
“Didn’t know I needed to inform you,” I say coolly.
She laughs softly, like that’s adorable. Her hand lands on my thigh.
Antonio watches over the rim of his glass, amusement in his eyes. He doesn’t say a word.
I don’t move away at first.
