“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.
“Come over here.” Lawrence tries to coax me to him, but I shake my head.
I’m sure he’s freaking out because Rogue looks like he’s about to take this place apart. The wrong thing to do right now would be to leave Rogue’s side.
Stepping fully in front of Rogue with my back to him, I put distance between him and Lawrence. Rogue wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me snug against him.
“This is Rogue, he’s my—”
“She belongs to me,” he finishes.
Belong to him? I’d elbow him right now if he didn't just save me a few seconds ago. I also ignore how much I actually like the sound of that response.
“Is that so?” Lawrence asks me.
“Yes.” If I say anything else, Lawrence will send every bouncer in here after Rogue to get me away from him.
“And she’s leaving.”
“She’s working.” Oh my god, does Lawrence not know how to read the room?
I don’t have to look at Rogue to know he’s about to explode.
“Listen here, motherfucker—” Rogue begins, but I cut him off this time.
“I’m leaving.” I give Lawrence a look that has him holding his hands up in front of him.
“Take out the trash,” Lawrence tells one of the bouncers standing nearby.
“Sorry,” I say. It doesn’t matter if Rogue is here or not. There’s no way I can keep working here after that. It only took two hours for this new job to fall to shit just like the casino. What is wrong with these men? If it wasn’t for my bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all.
Rogue takes me by the hand and pulls me from the club. I start to tell him I need to grab my bag with my clothes in it, but I stop myself. I know he’s not going to let my hand go, and I don’t want him going back into the dressing room. It's silly, I know, but I say nothing as he opens the door to the town car, and I scramble inside. He gets in after me and slams it shut before barking an order at the driver and putting up the divider.
“What were you doing at a strip club?” I blurt out, beating him to it.
His nostrils flare. “Work.”
“Me too,” I tease. Now I’m the one poking the bear.
“You’re pushing it, Ember. I’m still so fucking pissed that if I don’t calm down, I’m going to go back in there and do something I’ll regret.”
I swallow and look down at my torn fishnets. I can see the little marks Rogue left behind and I run my fingers along them. I never should have gotten out of his bed this morning.
Before I know what’s happening, he pulls me onto his lap and buries his face in my neck. I start to feel better instantly as he inhales my skin. How does he do that?
“Tell me you’re okay.”
I let myself relax into his warmth. “I’m okay. Were you there for me?”
“Fucking fate.” His warm breath tingles against my skin. “Why were you there, Ember? Is this a second job you didn't tell me about or something? You really think I’d be okay with this shit?”
I swallow hard. That was a lot of questions at once. “It was a last-minute thing. I got fired from the casino last night.” He pulls back to look at me, and I spill the whole story. I knew he’d get it out of me one way or another, and by the time I’m done he’s just as mad.
“It's clear I can’t leave you alone. That is just how it will have to be.” I smile because in a roundabout way, it's sweet. “I’ll handle Neil.”
I know he will just by the glint in his eyes. “You’ll get my job back at the casino?”
“No.”
“Rogue, I have to have a job.”
“You’re hired.” I bark a laugh, but he keeps a straight face.
“You’re not paying me for sex.” I stare into his eyes, trying to read them. “Is that what this is, Rogue? Be straight with me before you take me to your house. Tell me what this is because I need to know if I should leave my heart at the door. I don’t want to get hurt.”