Chapter 4 #2
“It’s been a while since we’ve spoken. I don’t have his number.
Plus, it’s a matter that should be discussed face-to-face.
I figured I would come here and see him since I keep hearing so much about this place.
Last I heard this place was his whole life.
So far, everyone just keeps telling me he’s out and will be out for a while. ”
“Two things can be true.”
Reed was out of the country jet setting for his so-called paternity leave.
Who ever heard of some shit like that? His ass had taken three months off.
So far, we were only in week two. I didn’t have to explain that to a woman who didn’t seem to know his wife had just given birth to their second child. Apparently, she wasn’t in the loop.
“You’re right. Now I feel like I wasted a trip,” she said, picking up her second drink and quickly draining the glass.
“Well, as far as I know, he won’t be back for a few months. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself while you’re here.”
“Let me guess. You want to help me with that.”
“I feel like I’m a good man for the job. I’m head of security here. I can get you into anything your pretty, little heart desires.”
“Even that comedy show? I tried to get a ticket, but they were sold out.” The way her brows lifted eagerly made me want to give her anything she wanted.
“Absolutely. Are you ready?”
“I might as well be.”
I stood from my seat and extended my hand to her.
She swayed slightly when she stood. I quickly moved closer and placed my hand on the small of her back.
The dip in her back made me swallow. Fuck, she was sexy.
I loved a woman with curves. Her shoulders dropped slightly before she lifted her eyes to me.
“In case you couldn’t tell, I have had a little too much to drink.”
“Don’t worry, mama. I got you.”
She sighed and pressed her lips together as her hand slipped into mine. The softness of her fingers made my chest tighten.
“You’re beautiful, Iris. I want to say that before you find a reason to ditch me.”
“I’m not going to ditch you,” she said, blessing me with a smile that finished stealing what was left of my heart.
Come on, Saw. Stand the fuck up. You don’t even know this girl.
She could be a con artist. It wasn’t like it would be the first pretty woman running some kind of scam.
It was a casino. All kinds of people passed through there.
The most common types charged by the hour.
So far, Iris didn’t give off that vibe, but I had been wrong before.
I kept a firm grip on her hand as I escorted her to the D Lounge where the late-night comedy show had just started.
I walked in on the balcony level and found empty seats for us.
The booth was empty since it was for executives, and most of them were out of the building right now.
She looked around as I helped her sit on the empty couch and settled down beside her.
I scanned the code on the table to pull up the menu. I needed wings and another drink.
“Wow, this is nice. I guess when they told me the show was sold out, they didn’t think I could afford this. They weren’t wrong.”
“It’s for executives and owners.”
“I thought you said you were security.”
“Head of security,” I clarified as I passed her my phone so she could order whatever she wanted.
“I’ve never even been to a place like this. If it weren’t for Reed, I wouldn’t even be here now.”
That was my cue to ask her what exactly she wanted with him. It was one thing to mention him once, but now my interest was piqued.
“What exactly did you say you needed from him?” I questioned.
“Advice about life. He was able to overcome some of the things that I’m dealing with.”
“I might be able to get him on the phone, if that helps.”
“I think this conversation is better suited for a face-to-face encounter. Since we can’t do that, I might as well make the best of the night,” she said, passing me my phone.
“I can definitely help you with that part. Did you order what you wanted?”
“Yes. Thank you again.”
“I told you I was going to show you a good time, right?”
She nodded. “That you did.”
The host interrupted the smooth jazz, getting on the mic to introduce the first of the two acts. Right on cue, there was a knock on the door. I hit the button on the arm of the chair to open the door that let the server in.
“Hey, Sawyer, I didn’t know you were up here tonight. Someone said you were in the high rollers lounge.” Katy greeted me.
“I decided to take in a show.”
“That’s good. I can’t see how you guys own the place and work more than anybody else around here.”
“I’m not working. I’m taking in a show.”
“Right. I think I have everything you ordered. A bottle of top-shelf gin, orange juice, olives, ice, chilled glasses, strawberry habanero wings, potato skins, fried mushrooms, and dried martini.”
“That’ll be all. Thank you.”
“You two enjoy your night,” she said before making her exit.
“You’re one of the owners of this place and you choose to work security, or was that a lie?” Iris asked.
“So, I left out a minor detail. I’m head of security and part owner,” I revealed.
“You own the place, and you choose to work security?”
“Who better to care about what’s going on around here than someone with a whole lot to lose?”
She nodded slowly. “That sounds good, but I can’t even begin to imagine being responsible for all of this. This place is huge.”
“Trust me, I have a whole lot of help.”
“Yet, like the server said, you’re here on a Friday night making sure everything is in order.”
“I’m at a comedy show.”
“Something tells me that you’re still on top of every single thing going on around here.”
I nodded. “And you would be correct.”
“You ordered a whole bottle of gin?” Iris asked, lifting her brows.
“I figured we didn’t want a bunch of people coming in and out. You didn’t seem like you were done drinking. I think that martini proves my theory.”
“I figured if I was going to get some sleep tonight, I would need a lot of encouragement. It’s been a long day.”
“I think all of my days are long.”
“When was the last time you let go and did something completely irresponsible?” she asked, picking up her drink and taking a swig.
“I can’t really afford to be irresponsible. Enough shit goes on around here while I’m on top of it.”
“That’s actually depressing.”
“I have the feeling that your answer isn’t all that much different from mine. You don’t look like much of a risk taker yourself.”
She snorted a laugh, and it was absolutely adorable. “And you would be correct.”
I separated some of the wings on the tray in front of me into one of the plates Katy provided and tore into them.
I knew we both needed something to cushion the alcohol we were guzzling like it was nothing.
It was good to see Iris grab a couple of wings and some potato skins to add to her plate of fried mushrooms. As good as the mushrooms smelled, I didn’t want anything to do with them.
“These are so good. What kind of wings are these?” she asked, dipping one of the wings into the ranch dressing.
“Strawberry habanero. The restaurant down here makes the best wings. There are about four flavors that I could have every day.”
“Well, this one is bomb for sure.”