“It’s more than he deserves,” Knox said. “So what do you need me for? Please say I get to punch him.”
“That might make it pretty hard for him to talk,” I said. Knox’s big hands were proof enough of that. “Clint wants to meet me at a restaurant. I was wondering if you could drive me there and maybe stick around while I talk to him.”
“Pretty sure I wasn’t invited.”
“Not with us, but maybe at the other side of the restaurant. Like as moral support? I’ll feel better knowing you’re close by if I need you.”
Knox shook his head and rose to his feet. “Don’t go. You’re too good for that jerk.”
“I want to.” I frowned. “Or, well, not want, but it feels like I need to, just once. If nothing else, I can tell him off. Let him know what I really think of him.”
“In the middle of a restaurant?” Knox snorted. “Somehow I can’t picture you doing that.”
“I might. I’ve changed since I met you guys.” The more I thought about it, the more it seemed true. I certainly felt like a better judge of character. Before, I thought that Clint was a good man. Now that I’d met four truly good men, I could see how wrong I’d been. It truly felt like I was getting better at speaking up for what I wanted—like now, for instance. “Please, Knox? I know I could ask one of the other guys, but I’d really like for it to be you.”
“Because I’ll be the most likely to scare the crap out of him?” Knox said it like a joke, but he didn’t fool me. Though he still wasn’t happy with my plan, he was pleased I’d asked him first.
“Of course not. But could you maybe wear a sleeveless leather vest and smack your fist into your palm while you stare at us?” I grinned up at him.
“And a bandana around my head?”
“Perfect. Have you got any gang colors?”
“Wouldn’t know it if I did.” He sat back down, and I reached for his massive hand.
“So you’ll do it?”
“Yeah.” He squeezed my fingers gently.
“Thank you. We’re meeting at Romano’s, do you know it?”
“Yeah. They got good food. When?”
“The day after tomorrow at 7.”
His eyes met mine as his brow furrowed. “Sunday?” he echoed with a frown.
I thought I knew what his hesitation was about, but I rushed on anyway. “Well, yeah. I couldn’t make it for Friday or Saturday, that would seem like a date. Plus you’d be working then.” He still looked a bit hesitant, but I could see that he was wavering. “Please, Knox? For me?”
His hesitation vanished and he kissed me on the top of my head. “As you wish.”
Sunday evening, I entered Romano’s a few steps ahead of Knox, somewhat nervously. I’d put on a soft, cream-colored dress because this was the kind of restaurant you dressed up for. The woman who greeted us was friendly but professional. I told her my name and briefly explained the situation. She said Clint was in the back dining room. She led us through the restaurant. I could practically feel Knox’s presence behind me. He’d dressed up nice in black trousers and a dark blue button-down shirt, but I knew he was half spoiling for a fight.
The hostess stopped just at the entrance to the room and gestured for me to go ahead of her. I took a few steps and stopped. “Maybe you should go inside first,” I said, turning to Knox. “You can get settled at a table with a good view of Clint’s table and then I can come in afterwards.”
“How will I know where he is? Should I just look for the jerk—er, I mean, the guy who’s alone?”
The hostess looked from Knox to me and back again. “There’s only one gentleman sitting by himself, sir. There’s an empty table on the far left where you can sit and still have a good view.”
“Thank you,” Knox said gruffly. Then he turned to me. “Don’t let him give you any crap and don’t take him back.”
“I won’t.” I looked him in the eyes as I said it. “Trust me, I’d never fall for a guy like him again. Ever.”
Knox must’ve been convinced because he stepped past us and into the room. I smiled at the hostess and she smiled back.
We heard Knox’s rumbly voice say, “What the—” before he was interrupted by a dozen or so people shouting, “Surprise!”
My grin widened as I entered the private dining room we’d reserved with one last smile for the woman who’d been instrumental in our plan.
I couldn’t wait to see the look on Knox’s face and to wish him a happy birthday myself.
There were about two dozen people at the party. I only knew my four guys, but that was okay. Most of the rest were from the club, other strippers, a part-time bartender, and members of the waitstaff.