“If I don’t keep them on lockdown while I’m serving drinks, I’ll knock someone out.” Lawrence laughs, but I’m not joking.
“You should think about it. I’ve gotten asked by five different men about private dances with you. Oh, and a married couple.”
Is there something about me that screams ménage? “Really?” I don’t get it. I don’t look anything else like the ladies working here.
“One asked if you did other things.” I cringe. “When I told him no, he offered ten grand.” I stand there in shock as the bartender fills up my tray with drinks. “Close your mouth.” Lawrence chuckles again. “Are you tempted?”
“No.” I’m doing well on tips even though I’m not topless. As long as the men don’t get more aggressive, I think I can handle this, but in the back of my mind I already know they will. I feel weirdly guilty about doing this in the first place. I think about what Rogue would say if he saw me here, and every time I try and shake thoughts of him off, he pops back up.
“Are you sure?” Lawrence pats a notebook in front of him. “I collected the names if you change your mind.”
I grab my full tray off the bar and shake my head. “I won’t.”
I go back to delivering drinks and taking orders as the club starts to get busier. How Lawrence runs this place without enough staff is beyond me. It’s packed.
“I’ll take another.” I turn around quickly when a hand brushes up against my ass, but he’s faster at getting a handful and I feel the creep squeeze me. I push him back, which only makes him laugh.
“Watch it or you’re out,” I warn, trying to be stern. This is something I never had to worry about in the casino because security was everywhere. There’s not enough protection for what’s happening in here.
“You’re a feisty thing.” The creep licks his lips, making my skin crawl, and it’s clear he’s drunk already.
“I’m going to have to cut you off.”
The smirk on his face falls. “You don’t have to be a bitch.”
Maybe I do because it’s the only thing he’s actually heard me say. “I’ll bring you a water.” I go to step around him, but he blocks my path.
“If ten thousand wasn’t enough, maybe twenty will do.”
Holy hell, this is the guy? Who has twenty grand to spend on sex? Rogue definitely does because I have no doubt it cost way more than that to rent out that whole poker room. And he didn’t even get sex.
“Sorry, I’m not for sale.” I step around him, trying to shake off the creepy feeling he’s giving me.
When I get to the bar, I drop my tray and sneak to the back to steal a small break. I should check my phone, but I don’t think I ever gave Rogue my number.
“There you are.” I turn around and run right smack into twenty grand guy from before. He must have followed me.
I take a few steps back, and I see he’s angry. His eyes are glassy, and I can smell the whiskey on him, but I can tell it’s more than alcohol that’s fueling him.
“I’ll be there with your water in a few minutes.” My heart starts to race, and I step into the back hallway that goes to the women’s bathrooms and Lawrence’s office.
“I don’t want any fucking water.” He steps closer, clearing any space I made between us. I go to tell him to step back, but he grabs my upper arm and slams me against the wall. All the air leaves my lungs at the impact. “You’re a fucking tease, you know that?”
He presses one hand against my throat as the other tries to grab me between the legs. He’s so drunk I’m not sure he knows what he’s doing because he grabs my inner thigh. The sound of my fishnets ripping has terror spiking inside me.
I shove him as hard as I can, but when my arms extend there’s nothing but space in front of me and he’s gone. I watch as his body hits the ground hard, and there’s a blur of movement as someone gets on top of him and punches him repeatedly.
Blood pours from Twenty Grand’s face as he lies in a pile on the floor, and I see a giant body come to a standing position in front of me. I’d know that mammoth frame anywhere.
“Rogue!” I shout, and as he turns his head, his dark eyes meet mine.
“What in the fuck is going on?” Lawrence barks as Rogue turns his glare on the club owner. “Ember, are you okay?”
I nod, but Rogue isn’t looking at me.
“Okay? Is she fucking okay?” Rogue takes a step toward Lawrence, and I rush over and get between them.
“Don’t,” I plead, and Rogue scowls down at me. I place my hand on his chest, and he relaxes only a fraction. It’s not much, but I’ll take what I can get at the moment because I’m pretty sure he might burn this place down with everyone in it.