“What are you doing?” he asks with a sneer as he looks me over quickly, then scans the rest of the area, seeing it’s just me and no one else.
“Tommy told me to wait here.” My voice is steadier than it’s ever been when talking to him. Not sure if it’s because he’s no longer my boss or that I’m starting to not be afraid of everything in my life now that Tommy’s a part of it. A small part, but enough for me to find courage when I usually shy away from anything close to danger.
His eyes narrow. “Did he now? Why?”
I shrug and take another step away from the desk. Just the thought of him near me gives me hives. I’ve seen less and less of him since Tommy started, and I’ve never been in the same room with him alone since that first interview. He’s never gotten close to me again since he told me to dance for Tommy. When he put his hands on me. Something I’ve managed not to freak out about but is silently there in the back of my mind.
I put my hands behind my back and grasp them together to stop them from shaking. My voice might be clear, but my heart is still beating a mile a minute, and my hands are proof of that.
Why is Carl up here?
Tommy made it seem as if this is his office. I assume Dante doesn’t even come up here, considering he just opened the door, told me to go up, and then shut it.
But maybe this is the office for the entire club and not just Tommy’s. Maybe. But something about this doesn’t seem right.
“He should be here soon.”
I’m not sure if it’s my words or the quiver in my voice that draws Carl’s eyes to me. Eyes that roam my entire body from head to toe. I haven’t taken off the outfit I was in tonight. The one I chose from the many that Tommy bought for me.
When I put it on, I had many expectations for tonight. He said it wasn’t a “private” event, but I still feared that he was going to have me perform. And he did, in a way, though one I never thought I was about to do.
To be myself. To stand by his side. To appear as something more than a performer, as a person with thoughts of my own.
He didn’t say as much, but he didn’t have me shy away from conversation either. Not that I engaged in many, but if asked a question, I answered. Most of them were about if Tommy and I were an item. Something only the women of the night seemed to care about. And other than his brothers, they were the only ones who spoke to me.
To be fair, they only spoke to other females as well. I was just one of many. The men must have a thing about talking to women at those things. Like they weren’t allowed to or just didn’t have any reason to do so. I was fine with it. Especially since talking to men has never been my strong suit. Something I don’t seem to struggle with as much when it’s with Tommy.
I don’t know why. Perhaps it’s because he’s the one who helped me after my attack. Or because he owns my debt, and it would be silly not to talk to my boss. A boss in more than one way to me.
“You two have been spending a lot of time together.” Carl hums as he takes a step toward me.
I react on instinct and move to put the couch between us.
“No more than the rest.” I don’t like how he continues to stare at my dress. Something that’s clearly out of my paycheck range.
“You need to lie better if you plan to stay in this business.” He stops behind the desk, then opens the book I was just looking at while stuffing some of the cash into his breast pocket.
“That’s not yours.” I don’t know why I feel that it’s okay for me to snoop, but when Carl does it, it seems as if it’s a betrayal to Tommy. Someone I trust and have become loyal to.
And why shouldn’t I? He’s done nothing to make me fear him. So far, it’s only my safety that he seems concerned about. And with that protection, I feel as if I owe him. And if he isn’t here to protect his things, then I’ll do it for him.
Again, despite that I just did the same thing.
“This doesn’t concern you, girl. I’m still a managing member in this building and my job is to review the books, as I’ve done before and will continue to do.” He glares but takes a step away from the desk.
And toward me.
“Remind me again, what is it you do?” he asks with a twist of his head.
I bite my lip, trying to delay the answer, wondering if it’s somehow a trick question. I know he knows what I do. I haven’t changed my title since he hired me.
“I… I perform.”
He snatches my wrist, faster than I expect, pulling me close so his entire body is flush against mine.
“That’s right.” He rubs his nose along my cheek as he wraps his arms around me, pinning mine to my sides. “So perform,” he whispers in my ear before licking the edge of my earlobe.
I react without thought and turn my head, knocking into him to push his mouth away. Hard. I close my eyes at the instant headache, but his yelp of pain makes it worth it.
