Chapter Five
Keely was on a mission.
“Now where is it?” she mumbled, veering her gaze down the small hall at the back end of the club.
It had been months since she’d been to the X-Lounge and found the exclusive VIP area.
It’d been by happenstance she’d even made it in with the assistance of her friend, Penny.
Keely stopped at the end of the hall and turned, looking over all the doors.
It had to be one of them, but she couldn’t very well start opening doors without some type of plan.
“Hey! There you are.”
Keely spun around and internally cursed. Darryl was walking toward her with his hands tucked in his front pockets. He stopped a foot away, smiling. “Looked everywhere for you. Thought maybe you left.”
She probably should’ve gone home an hour ago.
She discovered the X-Lounge wasn’t nearly as much fun with this group of people.
She may have gotten along with all the girls, but there was definitely a different vibe.
It may have had something to do with their idea of a good time.
None of them seemed the least bit interested in dancing or checking out the bars.
They seemed completely content spending the night at the table, drinking while being adored by the men.
Jealous much?
She ignored the taunting voice in her mind. Keely mustered up a smile, a little overdramatic, and spread out her arms.
“Still here.”
Darryl hooked his thumb over his shoulder, gesturing to the other end of the hall. “We’re all heading out. Gonna hit a place my buddy knows for drinks, maybe grab some food. Good bands playing tonight. You in?”
Maybe this night was salvageable. Keely was always up for the party to continue. And that certainly wouldn’t be in the exclusive backroom here.
“Are the girls going too?”
He shook his head. “Nah, they left about twenty minutes ago.”
Wow, ladies, way to look out for one another.
Technically, she didn’t arrive with them.
However, girl code had a strict rule of not leaving any woman behind, especially in a club or bar.
I guess they didn’t get the memo. Keely sighed, inspecting Darryl.
He’d been decent and semi-attentive all night.
He seemed like a nice guy. Don’t they all at the beginning?
In this day and age, there was no way she’d go anywhere with a bunch of strange men.
She’d been cautioned enough and seen way too many crime shows to not have some semblance of self-preservation.
Do I look that desperate, Darryl? Oh hell, maybe she did. Or maybe he was just a nice guy who was thinking like a man versus a cautious woman. Either way, she would have to decline.
“I’m kind of tired, so I’m going to head out. But thanks for the invite.”
His smile fell, and his shoulders tensed. “Yeah, alright, but uh” —he shifted on his feet, peering around the hallway— “Think you might wanna go out some time? Dinner and drinks?”
Why not? Keely wasn’t exactly beating men away with a stick who were vying for her attention. Considering her current bank account balance, a free meal sounded perfect.
“Sure, yeah, that sounds fun.”
He pulled out his phone, and they exchanged numbers.
“How about tomorrow night?”
Agreeing too quickly seemed desperate. Wasn’t she supposed to play the role of hard to get, or at the very least, make him wait on her?
Probably. But why should she miss out on a free meal for the sake of her pride?
Girl has got to eat. As it stood, she wouldn’t have any income for a while.
And I really don’t want to eat another cup of noodles for dinner.
“Uh, sure.”
Darryl moved closer, and she instinctively stepped back. She’d agreed to a date, but there’d be no parting kiss after just meeting a few hours ago.
“Can I help you?”
Keely froze, hiked her brows, and stared up at Darryl.
The voice wasn’t his and had come from behind him.
It was deep, and masculine, and very familiar.
Shit! She’d had every intention of keeping a low profile at the club.
The last thing she needed was her presence getting back to Trey, or worse, Rogue.
But she hadn’t counted on having a run-in with her friend’s man.
She slowly leaned to the right, looked past Darryl’s shoulder, and locked eyes with Nash.
His gaze hardened, and his jaw squared, making it abundantly obvious…he was not happy. Darryl turned, putting them side by side.
It wouldn’t have been too bad if she could’ve gotten rid of Darryl and had a one-on-one conversation with Nash. However, as per usual, he wasn’t alone.
Ridge stood a few feet behind Nash on his right.
She shifted her gaze and felt a rippling heat wash over her skin when she saw Caine on his left.
He was staring at Darryl with his signature scowl.
She got the distinct feeling Caine wasn’t impressed with her future date.
As he continued to stare, his gaze sharpened.
Then without warning, his eyes shifted to her.
She stilled and felt a warm heat race through her veins.
Nash stepped forward, looking between her and Darryl.
“Are you lost?”
Darryl laughed, which was the worst response. Apparently he was immune to the tension building in the hallway.
“No man, we were just chillin’.”
“Find somewhere else to” —Nash’s gaze darkened, his tone deepening— “ Chill .”
Darryl gave a curt nod and reached for her arm, but froze when Nash spoke again.
“I’d like a word with you, Keely.”
Of course he would. Keely glanced up and smiled at Darryl. “You go ahead. I’ll talk to you later.”
Darryl nodded, and she watched as he passed Nash and security, taking a wide berth to walk around Caine.
A few seconds passed, only adding to the tension. All the while Nash stared back at her with a look that could only be described as disappointed. I’ve seen it so many times it’s easy to recognize. She dipped her hands into her pockets, rocked back on her heels, and grinned.
“How’s it going?”
“This is an unexpected surprise. Charley didn’t mention you were coming.” He cocked his brow. “Neither did Trey or Rogue.”
This was quite the predicament. If she mentioned the VIP pass, she was putting Sloane in the line of fire. Keely wouldn’t do that. But it was easy enough to confirm if Nash really wanted to check out her story. She’d settle for a believable-ish explanation.
“One of the girls couldn’t use her pass, so she offered it to me. As you know, I’m currently not working, so I figured, why not? I mean, who am I to turn down free drinks?”
“Whose pass was it?” Nash asked, and she immediately averted her eyes to the ceiling, stalling for time. She couldn’t name anyone.
“You know? I can’t remember.”
“Hmmm…” Nash hummed. “How convenient.”
Keely forced a smile and shrugged. “If it comes to me, you’ll be the first person I tell. But until then, I think I’ll head back to the bar and get myself one last drink on your dime before heading out.”
Keely attempted to walk around Nash, but he stepped to the side, blocking her path. “I think you’ve exhausted all the free drinks the club has to offer. I’ll arrange a car service to pick you up in the back.”
Keely waved her hand, smiling. “That’s not necessary.”
“I insist.” His tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
“Nash.” She whined.
“Keely.” He growled. “Take what I’m offering, and this will remain between just us. I don’t think Trey or Rogue would be very happy with you right now. Do you?”
If either of them found out, not only would she be out of a job, there was no doubt Sloane would suffer consequences as well.
It was best to leave unscathed while she still had the chance.
She looked up at Nash, but caught Caine’s glare in her peripheral vision.
God, does that man ever smile? Not at me.
She sighed, and her shoulders sagged. “Fine,” she grumbled.
Nash lifted his chin, gesturing to the back exit. She turned and made her way down the hall, doing another form of a walk of shame.
This night had been the polar opposite of her last time at the X-Lounge.
Epic fucking fail!
****
Caine watched her until she got to the end of the hallway. She pushed open the door and disappeared outside. Not only was she a menace but a liar too. Keely knew damn well who gave her the pass. Trying to pull off her fake amnesia wasn’t fooling anyone, especially him.
“Let’s hope for her sake, she’s gone before Jared arrives,” Nash said.
Caine shifted his gaze to Nash, who was shaking his head.
“You think he’d tell Trey?” Ridge asked.
Nash scoffed. “No, but she’d have to contend with him, which I’m sure is not something she wants.”
Caine had suspected there was more to her relationship with Jared than strictly business.
Nash had just subtly confirmed it. Caine rolled his shoulders, trying to relieve the tension in his muscles.
He’d watched their brief interaction at the Bowery.
Jared had been trying hard to get her out of the mess she’d caused. What exactly is their connection?
“Any volunteers to wait with her until the car arrives?” Nash asked, and Caine immediately eyed the door down the hall. It would only be about five minutes. The club used a private service and they always stayed close on weekend nights.
Ridge snorted. “I’ll have one of the guys come down.”
He wasn’t sure where his territorial possession came from, but he wasn’t leaving her safety in the hands of a lower-level member of security. Her flirty banter would be a distraction from them doing their job. Or maybe you don’t want her flirting with anyone but you?
Caine ground his teeth and started down the hallway. “I’ll do it.”
He didn’t wait for a response or even acknowledgement. It would come off as uncharacteristic for him to do a job fitted for most newer members of security. Had she been Elodie or Charley, it would’ve been given a high priority for only the elite. But Keely? Any member could’ve handled it.
Fuck, no!