21. Kreed
21
KREED
W as it a smart idea to take her to the club?
Hell no.
But I needed an hour out of the house, away from the pressure, the expectations, the suffocating weight of it all. My father had sent me after her, but he wouldn’t approve of this pit stop.
Too bad.
Kaylor looked like she needed a drink more than I did.
I stole a glance at her as the SUV’s tires carved through the fresh layer of snow blanketing the road. She sat stiffly, staring out the window, her fingers fidgeting, picking at a cuticle, scratching at her nail. Her mind was somewhere else.
What had the detective told her? The question sat heavy on my tongue, but if I asked, it would come out as a demand, and I wasn’t in the mood to start another fight. Chasing after her in a goddamn snowstorm had already soured my mood. Then again, she always had that effect on me.
I pulled into the empty lot, parked, and killed the engine.
She didn’t move.
Didn’t blink.
Didn’t even look my way.
I waited, letting her take in the sleek black building. The neon lights. The flashing signs. At night, this place could pull you off the road with nothing but the promise of trouble.
Her breath faintly fogged up the window when she spoke. “What is this place?”
I smirked. “Exactly what it looks like.”
She eyed me suspiciously. “Isn’t it a little early for gambling?”
“We’re here for the free booze, not the cards or the shows,” I said, then added with a smirk, “Unless you feel like giving me a private show. I bet those hips of yours can really move especially with a little liquid courage. I’m sure I could secure us a private room.”
Her head snapped toward me. “Get the fuck out of here. In your dreams.”
“If you change your mind…”
“Not likely.” She shot me a sideways look. “Maybe you should be the one giving me a lap dance.”
I arched a brow. “Are you into that kind of thing, little raven?”
She met my gaze without hesitation. Just that quiet, calculated defiance I was starting to crave. “Would it surprise you if I was?”
I leaned in slightly. “No, not really. I’ve learned to expect the unexpected from you.”
“I am seriously good at cards, though,” she said.
“Is that so?” I was tempted to test her skills. Maybe we’d play a game or two. “Don’t mention your little hidden talent to Maddox. He’s a sucker for the tables.”
She pulled her jacket tighter around herself. “Why would this place serve us?”
“My father owns it.”
Her brows lifted slightly, but her voice stayed cool. “And they don’t have a problem giving minors liquor? Isn’t that, like, illegal?”
I smirked, opening my door. A blast of cold snuck inside. “Perks of being the boss’s son.”
“What other perks do you get?” she asked when I appeared on her side of the car, swinging her door open.
“Stick around and you’ll find out.”
She exhaled, wary flickering behind her eyes as she hopped out of the SUV. “Not sure that’s a good idea.”
“We can leave if you want. Go home. See what trouble Mason and Maddox are stirring up.”
She hesitated and let out a loud breath. “A drink sounds perfect.”
“That’s what I thought.”
Inside, the club was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of liquor and temptation. A low bass thrummed through the floors, rattling against my ribs.
Kaylor’s pace slowed. Her gaze darted around the space, scanning the dark booths, the long stretch of the bar, the pinging of slots, and the shadowed figures tucked into corners. The realization hit her a beat later. Her feet stopped completely. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Is this a strip club?”
Casino. Gentlemen’s club. Bar. My father catered to sinful pleasures. I grinned. “Among other things. Does that bother you?”
Straightening her shoulders, she did her best to keep her face neutral. “No.”
I chuckled. “Liar.”
She blinked. “Don’t do that.”
“What?” I put my hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the club. The last thing I needed was for her to go wandering off where she didn’t belong.
“That thing you do.”
I tilted my head. “What thing?”
Her throat bobbed. I saw it. Felt it. “Read me like I’m a fucking book.”
My grin widened. What was with this girl that she managed to make me smile more than anyone else? “Maybe I just like the way you react.”
She rolled her eyes, but there was no real fire behind them.
Lacy, the bartender, spotted me instantly, her red lips curling into a knowing smirk. “Well, well,” she purred. “Look who decided to show up. Isn’t this a first? You bringing a girl to the club?”
“Don’t make a thing of it,” I muttered, sliding onto a stool and motioning for Kaylor to do the same. “She’s not that type of girl.”
The bartender’s gaze flicked to Kaylor. “Hmm. That’s what makes her interesting.” She winked before shifting her sultry attention back to Kaylor. “What are you drinkin’, love?”
Kaylor hesitated. “Umm…surprise me.”
I tsked. “You don’t say that in a place like this unless you want your drink laced with something.”
Kaylor’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh. In that case, I’ll have whatever he’s having.”
I nodded at Lacy before glancing sidelong at Kaylor. “Am I going to have to carry you home and put you to bed? Just so you know, I won’t hold your hair back while you hurl.”
“Good thing I carry a ponytail holder on my wrist for such occasions. You never know when you might need an emergency hurling rubber band.”
The bartender set two glasses in front of us, the amber liquid gleaming under the dim lights. “Enjoy, lovebirds.”
I shot her a scowl.
Kaylor smirked. “Something wrong?”
I ignored her and took a sip. The burn hit instantly, settling warm in my chest.
She lifted her glass, eyeing me over the rim. “So…are we going to talk about what you were doing at the police station?”
I met her gaze. “Are you?”
She shrugged. “Why should I? It’s not like you’ve been the most forthcoming guy. And you told me not to trust you.”
I smirked. “Valid. Is that what you want, though? Someone to be honest with you?”
Her jaw tensed as she circled the rim of her glass with a fingertip. “I don’t know what I want.”
I leaned in slightly, just enough to watch the way her breath caught. “That’s the problem, isn’t it?” My voice was low and rough. “You don’t know if you want to run from me…”
I let the silence stretch, let the tension coil tighter.
“Or if you want to stay.”
She swallowed. Then suddenly, as if needing space, she set her drink down and straightened. Her fingers tightened around the glass. “I don’t know what I want. That’s the problem.”
Lacy leaned on the counter, her eyes gleaming. “I like her You better not fuck this up.” Then, to Kaylor, she said, “Be patient with him. He’s had it rough, but once you have his heart, he’s loyal as fuck. The hard part is breaking through his armor.”
Kaylor’s lips parted slightly, but before she could respond, she set her drink down. “Where’s the bathroom?”
“Down that hallway, second door on the left,” Lacy instructed, pointing in the direction.
Kaylor slid off the stool, heading toward the hallway without looking back.
I exhaled, rolling the glass between my fingers as I watched her go. Only then did I realize the bartender was still watching me. Smirking. “Don’t say a word,” I warned. “I don’t want to hear it.” It was bad enough that Lacy tried to make me out to be a teddy bear. She had no idea the truth. If she had known, she would have given Kaylor a very different piece of advice concerning me.
Run.
“Oh, Kreed, honey.” She leaned in. “You have no idea. I’m going to enjoy watching you fall.”
Like hell, I would.
Not for someone like Kaylor Steele.