“Shut the fuck up, asshole,” he retorts. “You’re here later than usual and I see you brought a friend.”
“It’s a long story and we’re not talking about it. All I’m going to say is, that asshole I had you revoke, he drugged her during their date. I picked her up and she’s staying with me until James finds the fucker.”
“Fucking hell, Ryker. She’s–like twenty and your ex’s daughter.” He exclaims with a shit-eating grin. “Do you honestly think this guy is a big enough risk that she can’t stay at her own place?”
“She’s twenty-three.”
“Oh good. That’s better,” he deadpans and it only makes me want to throat punch him.
“And yes, she’s Christine’s daughter, but that ended a long time ago. This has nothing to do with her and everything to do with herdaughterneeding help. I don’t know if he’s actually a threat, but I’m not willing to take that risk. I was the only person she could get a hold of. Don’t read into it.” If only I believed my own lies. My dick may want her, but I can’t and won’t take advantage of her.
“Uh huh,” he pauses like he has more to say but thinks better of it. I’ve known Hayes a long time and it’s obvious he’snot buying what I’m selling when it comes to my house guest. Thankfully, he knows better than to push me on this. It won’t change anything because I’m already in too fucking deep.
“What did you actually need?” he asks, changing the subject.
“I need to see the security footage of last Saturday night. I’d like to have a word with whoever was working the club door and relieve them of their job.”
“It’s your lucky night, my friend. I just hired someone to manage the digital security for the club and bar, so you don’tactuallyhave to do any of the legwork. I’ll have him pull the footage and get a name. It’ll be handled,” he promises.
“Get me the name andI’llhandle it. I want to be the one to look him in the eye and tell him to fuck off.” It’s nicer than he deserves for putting her at risk.
He stares at me for a moment before responding, “You’re doing a great job at convincing me that nothing is going on between you and the girl.”
Turning to leave, I look over my shoulder, “Just get me a fucking name Hayes. And hernameis Arabella. Call herthe girlone more time and see what happens.”
When I get downstairs, I’m happy to see she’s still sitting where I left her. As I expected, she’s also lost her sweater. I come up beside her and tap the bar.
“Get a little too warm for you?” I ask with a quirked brow.
“Nope,” she says, popping the P. “It was itchy, so I took it off. It’s pretty dark in here anyway, so it’ll be fine.”
She’s made a handful of negative comments about her body, and I have a suspicion she’s insinuating that in the dark, she’ll be less visible. It’s starting to piss me off that she thinks so little of herself. If she could see what I see, and I’m sure I’m not the only one, she’d rethink her shit talking.
Choosing to ignore her comment, I direct her behind the bar. “Jake and Roxie will be here soon to help setup, but there’s still plenty to do before they get here. You’re going to help me.”
“I’m happy to help, but do you seriously expect me to stay glued to your side all night?” she questions with a hint of snark as she makes her way to the back of the bar.
While I’m still upset at how she handled herself last time she was here, I do trust her. I doubt she’d be stupid enough to do anything she shouldn’t. I also feel an overwhelming need to protect her and I can’t do that from behind the bar if she’s not here with me.
“You asked to come with me and the condition to do so was that you stay by my side. I expect you to do exactly what you agreed to. Is that clear?”
“Yeah,” she mutters quietly.
I’m also pretty sure I see her roll her eyes. “If I were you, I’d refrain from rolling your eyes again.” It’s a veiled threat, but all I can think about is spanking her for being so disrespectful. “Here. Take this towel and dry that rack of glasses. Then place them upside down underneath the bar. Got it?”
She takes the towel gently from my hand. “Can I ask you a question?”
I grab lemons to slice and tip my head in her direction. “Ask.”
She pauses. “I don’t remember you being this bossy.”
“That’s not a question.” I think I know what she’s getting at, but I need to hear her say it.
Now she’s biting her bottom lip and my pulse pounds as I stare down at her. “I don’t really know how to ask this. You own part of Gravity. Do you also engage in the activities here?”
She’s adorable and I don’t miss the slight shake in her voice that tells me she’s nervous. “You’ll have to be more specific.”
“Do you tell women what to do and tie them up and stuff?”Fuck. My. Life.
