Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Paige looked like she was about to ask for more details on the encounter, but the door flew open before she could, and Reed came storming inside. He cut a sharp glance over at me, and I recoiled. I’d never seen Reed angry before, but there was no doubt that something—or someone—had pissed him off.
“Hey, baby, what’s wrong?” Paige asked, shifting in her seat.
Reed raked a hand through his thick hair. “We need to talk. Avery, would you mind?”
I jumped from my seat, flicked off the computer monitor, and hurried to the door. “Not a problem. I need to check in with the girls at the bar.”
“Check-in and then take off for the night, Avery,” Paige instructed, her tone cool and calm, despite her husband’s intense presence.
“Okay. Thanks, Paige. Reed.” I nodded at both of them and slipped through the door. I’d barely taken three steps before it shut with a solid click.
What the hell was that about? Whatever it was, it had to be pretty serious to get Reed so pissed off. Was it related to Richie and the business deal Paige had mentioned?
I shook it off and went to the bar, casually scanning the room for any sign of Bennett. Hopefully, he’d already left for the night. I couldn’t face him right now. I still needed to figure things out. I had a feeling that the next time we saw one another, he’d want to have a serious conversation, and I needed to decide what I wanted before then.
“Hey, Syd. How’s it going out here?” I asked, rounding the bar.
Sydney, the best bartender on staff, flashed me an easygoing smile. “Everything’s great. Tips are off the fuckin’ chart tonight. Richie’s guys sure know how to live it up.”
I smiled but couldn’t fight the pit-in-my-stomach feeling at the mention of Richie. I knew I didn’t know everything, but there was a sense of danger surrounding him.
“You heading out?” Sydney asked after glancing at the small clock we kept tucked under the bar. Parkston’s On the Hill was like a Vegas casino. The atmosphere had to be strictly maintained to encourage certain…behaviors.
Soft lighting lowered inhibitions and provided a sense of anonymity. No clocks on the walls ensured fewer distractions and stress. All club employees spoke in husky tones, offered warm, flirtatious smiles, and wore semi-risqué clothing to help set the mood.
I glanced around the club once more. Things were definitely winding down for the night as it neared midnight. There still was no sign of Bennett. I nibbled on my lower lip, wondering if I should ask Sydney if she’d seen him leave. But that would only draw more attention to my interest in him. If Paige knew we’d hooked up in a private room, who else did?
Sydney didn’t appear to know. Or, if she did, she was hiding it well.
“Yeah, I think I will. As long as you’re good here?”
She nodded. “Yup. All set. Barbie will be back soon anyway.”
“All right.” I stooped to access the small safe under the bar. The bartenders stashed their stuff in there at the beginning of the night. Paige told me I was welcome to leave my belongings in the private office, but I liked the safe. It was easier, and even though it was shared, it was secure enough for me. Besides, I didn’t have much worth stealing. A few bills for cab rides or emergencies. A couple of maxed-out credit cards under my fake name. And my driver’s license with the picture I loathed. I can still remember the day it was made. How scared I was.
I sighed as I retrieved my purse, wondering for the millionth time how I’d ended up in my predicament and how on earth I was supposed to get out again.
“You okay, Avery?”
I straightened, tossed my purse over my shoulder, and offered Sydney a—hopefully convincing—smile. “Sure. I’m just tired.”
She arched a brow. “All right. Well, if you need anything, just let me know, okay?”
“Will do. Thanks, girl. See you tomorrow night?”
She smirked. “You know it.”
I brushed my hand along her shoulder as I left the bar area but didn’t stop to look back before making my way to the door.
The air outside the club was brisk yet felt good against my skin. I’ felt slightly feverish all night. I sucked in the crisp air and sighed deeply. The street outside the club was quiet, and I hoofed it about a block to where I usually caught the bus. I didn’t like riding the bus after dark. It just didn’t feel safe to me. I preferred Uber or a cab when I could afford it or had a particularly rough night.
As I neared the bus stop, I spotted a truck idling on the corner. It struck me as odd. Other than the club, this was a secluded area. The truck had very dark tinted windows, making it impossible to see inside.