“That so?” Reyes drawled.
“I’ll organize something. Be there soon.” He hung up before Reyes could question him any further. Shit. He hated not taking her home himself.
* * *
“Sunny?”
She looked up as Duke made his way towards her. There was about another hour until they got to close up and go home and she was feeling fatigued.
She couldn’t believe that Duke had spent time with her Little. It had been sweet the way he’d done her hair and watched cartoons with her. Then he’d listened to her talk about her past at the diner over lunch. Even helping her color.
“Everything okay?” she asked, noting Duke’s frown.
“I have some club business to do. I don’t think I’ll be back in time to give you a ride home.”
Disappointment filled her but she just nodded. “That’s fine, I’ll take an Uber.”
“You’ll what?” he asked, gaping down at her.
What had she said that was so weird? Oh, maybe it was the money thing. He was a bit funny about her spending her own money. She was going to have to have a talk with him about letting her pay her way more. She didn’t want to leech off him.
“I’ll take an Uber. I have an App. Don’t worry, I’ll wait inside until they come.”
She felt proud of herself for remembering that. Although that meant she’d have to set the damn alarm. Maybe Madden would wait with her until the Uber came.
“You’re not taking a fucking Uber.”
“Duke, shh, Rory has a client.”
“Don’t give a fuck. If a bit of swearing puts them off then they’re not our sort of client.”
Well, she guessed that was pretty accurate. She’d heard all sorts of colorful phrases and words since she’d started working here.
“What’s wrong with taking an Uber?”
He opened his mouth. Closed it. Then he shook his head. “I do not know where to begin. How about how unsafe it is getting into a fucking car with a stranger?”
“Ubers are perfectly safe. Lots of people take them without an issue.”
“Well, you are not most people and you will not be taking one. Someone will be here before it’s time to lock up to take you home.”
“And how do I know this someone is safer than an Uber?”
He leaned in so they were eye-to-eye. “Because I will be choosing who that person is and it will only be someone I trust with your safety. Not a damn fucking stranger.”
“I’ve taken an Uber on my own before, Duke.”
“Don’t expect to take one in the future. Not unless you want to sit uncomfortably the next day.”
“Duke!” she protested.
“You tell her, son!” a deep voice rumbled from out the back.
She went bright red, glaring up at Duke who still remained stern. He pointed at her. “Wait here for who I send. Do not try to disobey me on this. It’s a safety rule.”
And he was very big on safety rules.
“Fine. But I think you’re overreacting.”