Holt leads me out, telling Slade we’ll meet them in the restaurant. During dinner, he tells us about the man coming to town, emphasizing how important it is that he has a good time. When the guys are tending to business matters, us girls are free to use the amenities: the pool, gym, spa. Anything, just as long as we’re accessible via text. He doesn’t want to have to hunt us down.
He’s not going to have to worry about that with me. I’ll be in his place studying when I’m not on duty. Which reminds me. “Can you give me the Wi-Fi later so I can pull up my assignments?”
“What are you even trying to become?” Portia asks with that condescending tone again.
“A children’s counselor.” That way I’ll be able to help other girls who are like me.
“Ha. That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. You’ll make more money shaking those tits.”
True. But some things in life are more valuable than money.
“Speaking of money.” She turns those spiteful eyes on me again. “Why did that collections guy call the club the other day? Are you avoiding your bills?”
It’s another shot at embarrassing me, and she’s landing every one right in the center of the bullseye.
“If you’ll excuse me.” I rise from the table. “I’m going to go use the restroom.”
I turn to walk off, wishing I could just go back to the room. I’m done with spending time with Portia. But I have to do as I’m told. As I start to walk away, I realize I don’t even know where the restrooms are. It will make me look like more of an asshole if I start circling the place.
I turn back to ask and see Deuce leaning across the table right in Portia’s face.
“You take one more cheap shot at my girl, and I’ll be digging your gravesite myself. Now tuck your jealousy aside or else we’re going to have a problem.”
She looks terrified—shocked. Once again, I’m shocked that he stood up for me.
“You good, sweetheart?” Slade asks.
“Can you tell me where the restrooms are?”
Deuce turns, standing in all his glorious stature. “You can use the one in my place. We’re done for the night.” He looks to Slade. “Make sure she knows what’s expected of her this weekend and what will happen if she fucks anything up.”
Portia definitely looks afraid now, but it serves her right. These men are paying her a lot of money and all she cares about is putting me in my place.
Deuce leads me through the crowd and back to the elevator, and I don’t know what to make of his behavior. I thought he’d let the girl take all the cheap shots she wanted. After all, he did back in school.
11
Deuce
Ihave never in my life put my hands on a woman, but Portia… She came within an inch of seeing the edge of my rage. That girl better knock that shit off or I’ll be making good on my threat. The look on Laur’s face… I should go back and tell Slade to ship her ass back to Lola. Only problem is that I have Hemsworth coming tomorrow. I don’t have time to find a replacement.
The elevator doors close and I close her in against the wall.
“What kind of financial trouble are you in, princess?”
If the collection agency is calling her, shit is bad. I would know. They used to crawl down my mom’s ass all the time. I’d have to get on the phone with them and figure out a payment plan so I could get her debt paid off.
“I’m fine, Deuce. But yes, money is the reason I took this job. I’ve never done a private gig for Lola before. After this weekend, I should be in the clear.”
“And here I was thinking you agreed to the job because you had the hots for me,” I tease, inching in closer. God, I love the smell of her. So fresh and innocent.
Her giggle lightens the tension in my chest as she rolls her eyes at me. Never thought I could stand to be in the same room as the girl. Now, I’m actually enjoying myself.
“Tell me something.” My voice grows serious. “Is that why you hate me? Because your mom was living in a trailer and my circumstance reminded you of her?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “It was never about where you lived or how much money you had. Collin told me you tried to sell him drugs in the locker room. That’s why I didn’t want to have anything to do with you. After living through hell with my mom, I couldn’t stand being near anyone who would do drugs.”
Now, it all makes sense.
