“Lexie doesn’t really talk about her family life or…anything really personal,” I murmur, “but from what I’ve gathered over the years, she’s needed it. Her tenacity.”
“I believe it.” With a slow nod, June looks down at her T-shirt, suddenly somber. “I’m glad she has you.”
“I’m glad I have her, too. And you,” I add. “We’re roommates now, so you’re kind of stuck with me.”
Peeking up at me, she smiles. “I think I’m okay with that.”
29
JAGGER
“You sure this is a good idea?” Ford asks.
I scoff. “You know, you ask me that question a lot.”
“Does that statement say more about me or you?” Ford counters as he reaches for the glass door’s handle. It was blacked out long before I knew the strip club existed, but I’ve never wondered why. A place like The Body Shop doesn’t need flashing lights or billboards. Nah. Word of mouth is more than enough to keep the place busy.
With a low rumble of amusement, Roman claps me on the back and urges us inside. I’ve only been here a time or two. Usually Roman or Hawke does the dirty work, but after Roman heard rumors of Ethan taking bets on an NBA game last night, I’m afraid I have no choice. The lights are dark in the club as we walk inside. Black walls, a few neon signs, and a bar on the right. Half-naked girls are scattered throughout. Some with trays. Some behind the bar taking orders. Others earning their tips with their bodies, whether it’s on the center stage or behind the curtains in the back. Not that I want to know. A combination of smoke and floral vanilla cling to the air. It’s from the men’scigars and the dancers’ perfumes, if I had to guess. It could be worse.
It could always smell like sex.
“This way,” Roman murmurs. He strides past the bouncer right inside the entrance and toward the back of the dark club as a spotlight highlights a dancer on stage. Ford stalls when he sees her, and I roll my eyes, shoving him forward. “They’re just tits.”
“Just tits,” he grumbles. “You’re joking, right?’
“Come on, man,” Hawke interjects. “Let’s get this shit over with.”
At the back of the establishment is a worn, leather booth with three men, though only one sits. Bourbon in hand, Gus watches the girl on the stage who’s half his age. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’s watching paint dry. One of the men with him inspects us as we approach. Once we’re only a few feet away, he crosses his arms and tilts his head.
“Lucian,” Roman greets him. “Mind if we chat with Gus?”
The bodyguard’s attention shifts toward his boss who dips his chin without bothering to look in our direction. Satisfied, Lucian leans back against the edge of the booth, granting us access to Gus.
I offer my hand to the old man, and he takes it, shaking it once.
“Nice to see you again, Mr. Harden.” His gaze shifts to Ford, then Hawke, and Roman. “Gentlemen.”
“Hey, Gus. Been a while.” Ford slides into the booth after me while Roman takes his place at the edge of it, mirroring Lucian’s stance. It's funny. Because I never asked him to play bodyguard. Never asked him to do anything but be my friend. My confidante. But he fell into the roll, anyway.
A waitress in five-inch heels and black lingerie approaches. The scrap of lace barely covers her as she balances a tray ofdrinks. “Hey, Unc, sorry I’m—” Her attention flicks to me, and my eyes widen in surprise.
What the hell is Violet’s friend doing here?
“Jag Off?” Confused, Lexie takes in the rest of us at the table. “Chrysler?” She snaps her fingers. “No, it’s only one syllable. Jeep, right?”
“So close,” Ford returns.
“And then there’s Romeo,” she continues, folding her arms and checking out Hawke with a blatancy I can’t help but admire. “And last, but certainly not least, we have the aviary brother. Let’s see…eagle? No, something smaller and less…majestic.” She taps her manicured fingernail against her chin, her full lips pursing as if she’s in deep thought. “Robin, right?”
I watch Gus watch Lexie, more curious than I’d like to admit.
I’d know they’re related, even if I hadn’t heard Lexie call him Unc before recognizing me and my brothers, but I never expected to see her here.
Why the hell would an uncle hire his niece to work in a strip club?
“You all know each other?” Gus questions, though the man’s too good at hiding his emotions for me to pinpoint what he’s thinking. Whether he’s bored or curious, I can’t tell.
“Friend of a friend,” Lexie returns without bothering to hide her interest as she looks Hawke up and down one more time, like she can’t help herself. “There a Harden Night tonight I don’t know about?”
