Twice as Sexy (The Sexy 2)

Unable to help himself, he relaxed and let her cuddle up against him. His dick reacted but that wasn’t what he wanted or needed from her tonight.

“What did you see tonight? In me? When dealing with Victor?” he asked her.

She stiffened at the question, then took her time answering. “I saw … a man struggling to maintain control and not lose his temper or let his anger get the best of him. I also saw a man who accomplished all of those things.”

“What you didn’t see was the haze of anger inside me. If he’d pushed just the right button, I’m afraid I might have gone off on him.” He admitted the truth out loud because she deserved to hear it from him before getting involved. Or more involved, as they case might be.

She sighed, her hands trailing over his bare chest. “So you’re a work in progress in that area. The important thing is you’re aware. And you know what you have to lose. I think you need to trust yourself more. The guys do.”

But did she? He wasn’t ready to ask.

“We all have our challenges. The key is how we rise to face them.” Tanner nodded in agreement.

Somehow this amazing woman was in his life and he’d do everything he could to keep her there. He only hoped his best was good enough and the past didn’t keep returning to threaten the present.

* * *

One week after running into Vic, and Tanner was finished with the self-pitying attitude. In the days that had passed, he took a step back and really looked at himself and how he’d behaved with his biggest enemy, the one person capable of sending him over the edge and potentially causing him to ruin his own life. Because if Victor’s actions got to him, Tanner had no one to blame but himself.

He also thought back to his talk with Scarlett and let her words wash over him. She hadn’t said she saw a man free of his behavior, she’d said she saw a man working on controlling it. And she was right. He was working … and succeeding, Vic be damned.

But they had a bigger problem than Vic at this moment. The bomb threat had affected their bottom line, customers obviously uncertain about returning. They were going to have to work to bring their patrons back, and Tanner, along with his partners, was pissed. In particular, Tanner wasn’t as red-hazy angry with Vic as he was fucking determined to turn things around. His sole focus was and always would be the club and not the asshole causing trouble, although he had every intention of making him pay.

He called the guys together late in the day while Scarlett was at work and he could meet at the club without disrupting her schedule.

“I have an idea,” he said to them. “One that will take a lot of money for security but it’ll definitely bring the customers back in.” He’d stayed up all night thinking and he finally realized what they needed to do.

“I’m listening,” Landon said.

“Same.” Jason walked to the fridge, pulled out bottles of water, and tossed one to each of them.

“How did we put ourselves on the map with live entertainment?” Tanner asked the men.

They glanced at each other.

“Lola and Charlotte’s opening-night performance,” Jason said, his voice rising with excitement.

Tanner nodded. “Right. So what if we bring in an equally big draw? Announce it soon and give people a chance to see, get excited, and come back to the club?”

“Got anyone in mind?” Landon asked.

Tanner looked to Jason. “Grey Kingston. Your brother-in-law couldn’t make it last time but maybe he can now.” His wife, Avery, Jason’s half sister, had found out she was pregnant and her first trimester had been a bitch. She was further along now so hopefully Grey wouldn’t mind coming for a performance.

Jason rubbed a hand over his face, as he thought. “Grey seemed disappointed he couldn’t make it last time. I think he’d enjoy coming back for a one-shot performance since he usually writes songs and hasn’t been on stage in a while.” He let out a low hum. “I wonder if the old band would get back together with him.”

Grey had been part of the rock band Tangled Royal with Lola Corbin, who’d already performed at their opening night. Ultimately Grey had grown tired of the road, retired, and the band went their own way. But Grey had pull. He could get the band back if he wanted to.

“I like it,” Tanner said, excitement pulsing in his veins.

“It’s a solid idea. I’ll give Grey a call,” Jason said. “But I want this shit wrapped up and a lock on Vic before we bring in big talent.”

Tanner nodded. “Agreed. My gut tells me Vic is gearing up for something. He’s not going to be satisfied just toying with us. He wants to destroy us.” His stomach churned at the thought.