Watch Me (Phoenix 1)

Archer cocked his head and said to Rhys, “A higher risk now that she’s already been dishonest. How can we trust what she’s telling us as the truth?”

Rhys inclined his head at that statement. He never took risks. It kept his members safe. But when it came to Zoey, he couldn’t help himself. “Call it a gut feeling,” Rhys offered.

“The risk is still there, nonetheless,” Archer countered firmly. “While I tend to agree that whatever Zoey wanted to do, whatever point she wanted to make, she did that the other night. As your head of security, I would caution you to proceed slowly. Zoey is not a member, which means the rules do not apply to her. She could out our members.”

Rhys sat back. He knew Zoey wouldn’t say a word about Phoenix if he asked her not to. “All right. Caution noted.” He turned his attention back on to his phone and fired off a text to Zoey: Go to the café rouge on E 79th street. 8 pm. Give them your name. He took another sip of his coffee as he shoved his cell into his pocket and addressed the group again. “Anything else to discuss today?”

“Nothing here to report,” Hunt said.

“All good here.” Kieran rose. “What’s the show tonight?”

Archer stood and grinned at Hunt. “Hampton”—a famous actor—“wants a bondage, blow-job show with your favorite.”

“Aw, I do love that gorgeous brunette,” said Hunt, heat flaring in his eyes over the twenty-six-year-old brunette he knew nothing about. Neither Rhys nor Archer would break confidentiality, even though Hunt was as close as a brother to them. Hunt had set his sights on Lottie Harlow the night of her first show. He’d been lusting after the well-known regular at Phoenix who many members specifically requested. Lottie had originally gained membership through another member who she was engaged to, and her fiancé paid for her membership. Her fiancé enjoyed watching her with other men. When they broke up, Rhys intervened. Lottie could barely pay rent, let alone the steep membership fee, so she asked to become a permanent star. Rhys had never let a star come back more than once, but since Lottie was a previous member, and since other members had requested her participation in their shows, he agreed. Now, because of her popularity, she made an income higher than most doctors, and the work was definitely far more satisfying. To Rhys, Hunt added, “When are you ever going to throw me a bone and get me in a show with her?”

“When you stop wagging your tongue at her,” Rhys told him.

Hunt barked a laugh. “Never going to happen. Damn, that woman haunts my dreams.”

“Exactly. You’re too invested,” Rhys called over his shoulder on his way to his desk. He took a seat, looking Kieran’s way. “You interested?”

“Fuck, yeah.” Kieran slapped Hunt’s back and gave him a shit-eating grin. “Don’t worry, Hunt, she’ll take real good care of me.”

“Lucky bastard,” Hunt breathed, envy seeping into his gaze.

Before they all left, Rhys said, “Show up tonight. All of you.”

All eyes turned back to him, but it was Hunt who asked, “Why? Planning something special?”

Rhys grinned and knew that for them to understand his intent for the evening, he only needed to say, “I could use some extra hands.”

* * *

Zoey spent the day cleaning the loft and doing a week’s worth of laundry to keep herself from thinking about returning to Manhattan tonight. But the time came, and Zoey left Brooklyn behind and made her way into the city. Though, this time, she noticed a s

light change on the subway ride. Her excitement to see Rhys again stole some of the cold fear away. An idea that bewildered her, until all thoughts vanished as she arrived at Café Rouge. She couldn’t stop gawking at the quaint space. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected to find after Rhys’ invitation, but a coffee shop didn’t scream sexy. A few people sat at the booths along the left-hand side while one person worked behind the counter. Not seeing anything else to guide her on what she was meant to do next, she approached the barrister.

“Hi,” the thirty-something blond woman said. “What can I get for you?”

“I’m not quite sure,” Zoey answered. “I’m Zoey Parker.”

“Ah, Zoey, I’ve been expecting you. Please come with me,” the woman replied with what Zoey took to be a pleasant smile. “I’ve got what you need just in the back.”

Zoey hesitantly followed, not wanting to look back to catch anyone’s eye. She stayed close to the woman into the back storage room. Boxes of coffee lined the one wall, and there was a small kitchen, where some baked goods were currently sending scents of warm apples and cinnamon the air.

“I know it doesn’t look like much,” the woman said, “but we’ve got some cool hiding spots.” She pulled open a shelf with glass canisters, revealing an old set of stairs.

Zoey leaned forward and glanced down, peering into a place where any sane person wouldn’t go. “What is it?” Zoey asked.

“The tunnels from Prohibition,” the woman explained. “They used them to secretly get alcohol into the cigar club. When Rhys bought the bar, he also bought all the businesses where the tunnels ended.”

“That must have been expensive.”

The woman gave a grin that told Zoey how stupid her statement was. “The Harrington family is old money, honey. I imagine it didn’t break the bank.”

A flush crept over Zoey, but she clamped down against it, refusing to let the old her run the show. All of this was out of her league, and she totally wasn’t this bold and brave woman, but after all she’d been through, she deserved this thrill. She needed this thrill. “So, I just go down there, then?”

“Yup. Just walk to the end of the tunnel. Security will greet you there.”