Chapter 5
5
I lean forward, propping my arm on Zayne’s thigh, and give Natasha my best charming grin. “Don’t listen to him. He’s a terrible flirt.”
The smile she turns on me is significantly warmer than the one she gave him. “I know. I’ve worked here a long time.” She laughs. “But he tips like a dream.”
“One day you’ll stop breaking my heart, Nat.”
“Hold your breath. Maybe it’ll happen faster.” She nods at me. “Nice to see you around here again, Ruby. It’s been a long time.”
Michelle leans over Zayne, causing him to grumble good-naturedly, and motions at me like I’m a prize on a game show. “Ruby is newly single. Isn’t that a trip?”
“Newly single, huh?” Natasha sets the drinks onto our table, lingering a little longer than strictly necessary in front of me, and then leans in. “Maybe we should get a drink sometime when I’m not on the clock.”
My mouth is suddenly dry. The possibilities make my head spin. Natasha is so gorgeous, I have to drag in a breath and pause in order to not stumble over my words. “Sure. We could do that.”
Zayne waits for her to move away before he leans against me dramatically. “I changed my mind. You need to be back in a relationship. There’s enough competition with this wild one.” He jerks his thumb at Michelle. “No one is going to want to fuck me with the two of you as options.”
“You’re so sweet.” Michelle presses a quick kiss to his cheek and grabs her drink. “But you’re right. You can’t compare. You do, however, make an excellent wingman.”
“That’s what they all say.” He sobers. “But you’re really okay, Ruby? He didn’t break your heart, did he? Luke was pretty cool, but I won’t hesitate to break his kneecaps.”
I laugh a little, though threats of violence are never quite a joke in our world. “No, I broke up with him. He’s been a perfect gentleman.”
Zayne snorts. “No wonder you left his ass.”
“Why do people keep saying that?”
Michelle and Zayne share another look and snort. She finally downs her drink. “Please tell me you’re joking when you ask that question. You had like a couple years of testing the waters in college, but before you had a chance to really let your freak flag fly, Luke locked you down. You wouldn’t have—” She cuts herself off at my warning look, but it’s too late.
Zayne swivels to face me. “What happened? What did I miss?”
“It’s nothing.”
Michelle flags down Natasha. “Babe, we need some shots.” She barely waits for Natasha to get out of earshot to say, “If you call cheating on Luke with some lowly muscle in a shitty bar ‘nothing.’”
I fully expect Zayne to join in on the laughter at my expense, but his gaze goes serious. “Ruby, what the fuck?”
Shame threatens to heat my skin. It was a shitty thing to do, but Luke and I are over now. We weren’t going to be less over if I didn’t cheat on him. Yeah, that logic feels like a stretch.
I look away. “So I’m not perfect. Sue me. Are we having fun tonight, or should I just go home?”
“Don’t be like that.” Michelle reaches over Zayne and playfully smacks my knee. “You read me the riot act when I fucked that actress. You don’t fuck up often. Forgive me if I’m conflicted by it.”
Zayne tilts his head back against the booth and exhales loudly. “The actress was on a downward spiral and wanted to run off to Vegas and marry you. Forget Uncle Hook—your mother would have chopped her up into little pieces.”
I give him a sharp look. “Tink wouldn’t do that, and you know it.” Probably. She may have bought into the life we lead, but she still keeps her hands clean of the necessary ugliness that a territory leader must be part of. Most of the time. When it comes to her kids, all bets are off.
“No, he’s right. It’s not just the marriage. Clary had a constant cocktail in her bloodstream. She started with microdosing, but it got out of control. She’s doing better these days.”
Zayne blinks. “Tell me you’re not checking up on her.”
Michelle’s expression shutters. “That’s enough talking about exes. That’s a brunch conversation, and we’re out for drinks.”
“More than drinks. Our girl is on the rebound .” Zayne motions toward the railing that overlooks the dance floor, as magnanimous as a king. “Pick your poison, Ruby. Who will it be tonight?”
I rise, dodging his half-hearted attempt to slap my ass, and move to the railing. The dance floor is even more crowded than it was when I came in, bodies pressed together as closely as lovers.
My skin prickles. Someone is watching me. I scan the room below, trying to note anyone paying undue attention to me, but it’s an impossible endeavor. If Wolf is here, I’d never know. There are too many people. He could be anyone.
But when I follow my instincts to the person causing my senses to ping, it’s a woman I’ve seen around before. I can’t remember her name, but I do remember Zayne shooting his shot with her like six months ago and being turned down so fast, he came back to the VIP lounge with his tail tucked between his legs. Truly, he has excellent taste. She’s built like an Amazon, tall and thick, cocking a full hip against the bar as she stares boldly at me.
Her long, wavy dark hair makes her pale skin stand out. Which, in turn, brings my attention to her dark-red lips. And the tight pants she’s wearing, paired with a lacy red bra that shows off her impressive tits. Tattoos climb up her sides, but I can’t see the details of them from this far away.
She lifts her glass and tilts her head to the side. I can’t tell if it’s an invitation or challenge.
I twist to catch sight of Natasha. As gorgeous as she is, it’s smarter not to fuck the people who work at our favorite places. It’s like pissing where you eat. “Hey, Nat, what’s the tall beauty’s name?”
She peeks over the railing and whistles. “You have expensive taste. That’s Tatiana. She’s an escort who’s started hanging around the club on her time off. She’s cool, and she doesn’t step on toes, which Cassim was initially worried about. You could do worse.”
An escort.
No wonder she sent Zayne packing before. He might be a trust fund baby, but no doubt she’s here to enjoy herself, rather than work. I’m just reckless enough to attempt to succeed where my friend failed. “What’s her poison?”
Natasha laughs under her breath. “Macallan 1946.”
Jesus. She wasn’t kidding about having expensive taste. “Is that what she buys herself or what she tells assholes who want to buy her a drink?”
“Both.” Natasha grins. “You have your hands full with that one.”
Only for tonight. “Send her the drink and an invite to the booth, please.” I turn and press a couple hundred dollars into her palm. “Put it on my tab. This is for you .”
“At least it won’t be a dull night.” She pockets the money and disappears down the stairs.
I should probably play it cool, but I’m too curious to move away from the railing. I watch Natasha slide next to Tatiana and speak directly into her ear. Tatiana laughs, and even though there’s no way I could possibly hear it from here, I swear I do.
Or maybe that’s my phone buzzing.
I don’t tear my gaze away from the woman now holding the shot glass, an amused expression on her face. I lift my phone to my ear. “I’m busy.”
It’s nearly impossible to hear with the loud music, and yet I can pick out Wolf’s words easily. “Wrong answer, Red.”
A chill shoots down my spine, quickly followed by desire. His voice is just as cold as ever, but there’s a thread of pure fury in it. I watch in amazement as Tatiana downs her drink as a shot instead of sipping it. Holy shit, this woman is something else. Maybe she’s got a beast instead her too. I can’t quite pull my attention from where her dark-red lipstick leaves a mark on the glass. “It’s not fun when the shoe is on the other foot, is it?”
He pauses. When he speaks again, there’s a hint of a growl in his voice. “Did you miss my texts today, baby? Feeling neglected?”
“Don’t be absurd.” I crook my finger at Tatiana, and she nods and starts working her way toward the VIP section. “You’re my stalker. You could vanish tomorrow, and I’d be relieved.”
“Little liar.” He lowers his voice until I have to strain to hear him. “You’re mine. Don’t think that just because you broke up with that asshole you can go around giving that pussy to anyone who looks at you.”
“It’s my pussy. If I want to bend over and let the whole club have a chance at me, that’s my prerogative.”
“You really do love the color red.”
I blink. “What are you talking about?”
“You know what. I’ll butcher anyone you let touch you. And I’m always watching, Red. Anyone gets to fuck you, it’s going to be me. You fuck someone else, I’m going to take it poorly.”
“That’s a shame. Because I have a gorgeous escort coming up here to rock my world.”
He’s silent for a beat, as if I’ve surprised him. “An escort. You mean?—”
I hang up. It’s petty and will no doubt incite him, but... I like it. That feeling I’ve been chasing ever since the reckless decision to fuck Rafe is back, and it’s stronger than ever. I feel at home in my body, my adrenaline racing, my skin sensitized.
Tatiana comes to stand at the railing. She’s got two lowball glasses in her hands, and she presses one into mine, standing a little too close. “For you.”
I raise my brows but lift it to my lips all the same. It’s a bad idea to take an open drink from someone I don’t know, but I don’t give a fuck. I’m in motion, and nothing can stop me now. “Thanks.”
She mirrors my move, sipping the liquor at the same time. It burns down my throat, but her expression gives no indication that she’s choking on fire right now. She looks even better up close, her skin luminous and her long dark hair just messy enough to suggest someone was running their fingers through it. Maybe her. Maybe someone else.
“What is this?” I hold up the glass and swirl the amber liquid.
“Macallan 1946.”
I blink. “Do you know how expensive those drinks are?”
Tatiana laughs, the sound low and sinful. “Honey, I drink them regularly, so yes, I am aware. I was... touched... by your offer to buy me a drink.” She sinks enough innuendo into the word “touched” to drown the whole club in lust.
I’m not immune. I don’t want to be. I lean in and get a hint of her perfume: something spicy and just as tempting as every other part of her. “So, do you come here often?”
“You can do better than that. I clocked you the moment you came through the door, but that doesn’t mean you can get away with giving me less than your A game.” She trails her long red nails on my bare arm. “I like the dress.”
“Oh yeah?” I’m having a hard time drawing a breath.
“Mm-hmm.” Her nails reach the sleeve of my dress and drag over the seam until she’s brushing her knuckles against my throat. “I play the game for a living. When it comes to my off time, I prefer to be direct. I saw you and I wanted you. I think you want me too.”
I can’t tell if this is happening too fast or at exactly the right pace. I can’t even blame the alcohol; I’m barely buzzed. “You’re forward.”
“Life is too short to be anything but what you truly are. Don’t you think?”
She’s not saying anything I haven’t thought, and recently, but there’s a part of me that still hesitates. Worst of all, I know why I’m hesitating. Wolf. Not even because he’s threatened to bathe the club in the blood of anyone who touches me. There’s a connection there, and I don’t know what it means. He’s claimed me, but that doesn’t mean I’m his . We’re not dating. We’re sure as fuck not exclusive, murder of Rafe or no.
No. Damn it, no . I’m not going to let my fucking stalker decide what I will or won’t do.
It still feels a little like a betrayal to lean into Tatiana’s touch. Her smile widens. “You want to get out of here?”
That’s a bad idea. One even I know better than to give in to. I don’t know this woman, and for better or worse, I am who I am. She could lead me right into a trap... or I could do the same to her, courtesy of Wolf.
I lick my lips. “Why don’t we sit and chat for a bit?”
Her smile twists as if I’ve disappointed her. “Sure, baby, whatever you want.”
Baby .
It’s a common enough pet name, but something about the way she says it feels almost pointed. I clear my throat. “Don’t call me that.”
Instantly her expression softens. “Oh. Sorry. Of course. Do you have an issue with pet names in general or that one specifically?”
“That one.” More information is on the tip of my tongue, but giving it would once again feels like I’m accepting Wolf’s claim on me. I’m not. Truly, I’m not.
“How about I call you ‘lovely,’ then? You certainly fit the bill.” She finally drops her hand, and I have to stop myself from grabbing her wrist and placing it back on my throat.
“That works,” I manage.
“Perfect. Introduce me to your friends.” She turns and heads to our table, where Michelle and Zayne aren’t even trying to pretend they’re not watching avidly.
I take a step to follow her, and my phone buzzes insistently. I almost ignore it, but I know exactly who’s calling. “I’ll be right there. I have to take this.”
Tatiana glances over her shoulder and winks at me. “Don’t take too long, or I might change my mind about who I’m fucking tonight.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I head to the short hallway that leads to the bathrooms. It’s only mildly quieter here, but I should be able to take the call without screaming. More, it offers the illusion of privacy, and I don’t want Zayne or Michelle asking questions.
Sure enough, it’s Wolf.
He barely waits for me to answer before he starts in. “Not her, baby.”
I turn and look out over the VIP section. It’s filled to the brim tonight, all the booths occupied. Some of the people I saw on my path to this hallway were regulars when I used to come out more, and others are new, but none of them seemed to be paying any attention to me. And none of them were on their phone.
What am I talking about? There’s background sound on my side of the call, not Wolf’s. He’s not here. I don’t know how he knows what’s going on, but he’s not calling me from inside the club.
I clear my throat. “Again, see the point where you don’t own me or my pussy. I’ll fuck who I want.”
“Not her , Ruby.” There’s something in his voice again, another hint of an accent I can’t quite place. It only seems to come out when he’s feeling particularly intense. “If she lays one finger on you, I’ll break it.”
“Wow, you’re downgrading. Cute.” I don’t know why I say it. He’s proven himself to be dangerous, and even if he’s bluffing about killing Rafe, he’s still more than capable of hurting someone like Tatiana. She’s savvy and obviously able to take care of herself, but she’s not in the life. The rules are different for us. “She’s not one of the families.” Though she might be in the life. It’s not like I’d know. I can’t tell if I’m bluffing or being honest. “She’s off-limits.”
“Your rules. Not mine.”
I force myself to power through the instinctive reaction to fold. “And what if I touch her ? Are you going to break my fingers? Cut off my tongue?”
He curses, low enough that I can’t pick out the words. When he speaks again, his voice is so cold, I shiver. “You keep testing me, thinking you can get away with anything just because no one’s ever taken you to task. Don’t, baby. You aren’t going to like what happens if you do this.”
“So you keep saying. Prove it.”
“If you hang up on me one more fucking time?—”
I hang up. It’s shortsighted and a terrible idea, but I’ve already made a long streak of bad choices. No reason to get smart now.
Plus, there’s a small, horrible part of me that wants to call Wolf’s bluff, to push him into something . No matter what the response is or who’s hurt by it.