Page 78 of King of Clubs

I left the office, bumping into Wayne on the stairs, asking him to take Marlee home immediately.

“When I get back we can debrief,” he said knowingly and I nodded, avoiding looking at either of them when I was still feeling the stinging in my eyes.

Once they left I headed straight back to my office to call Andy. He answered on the third ring and I had no time or patience for pleasantries.

“Marlee is on her way home and she’s upset,” I heard Arna in the background obviously able to hear me and I rubbed a hand down my face in frustration.

“Babe, let him explain before you send the attack dogs,” he said to her before his voice became clearer. “What happened?” Andy asked in a clear attempt to calm Arna and placate me.

“A number of things, but, look, your fucking doorman has been harassing her. Sort him out or I will,” I knew none of this was Andy’s fault and felt instant guilt at my displaced aggression but it was my only outlet right now. “Wayne is bringing her home and will walk her to your door. Don’t let her leave unless one of you is with her. I’m sure Marlee will explain why.”

“What the fuck!” His voice became muffled as I heard him asking Arna if she knew anything, but this time I couldn’t hear her reply.

“Okay, man. Consider the situation here sorted. He won’t fucking talk to her again.”

I sighed, relief at least one of the issues was being handled. “Thanks, man. Sorry I came in heavy. It’s been a long night.”

“We will look after Marlee, so don’t stress about her. Is there anything else I can do?”

“Not at the moment but I appreciate it. Keep me posted, yeah, I’m happy to come over and speak to him myself if he has an issue.”

“I think it’s probably best if I manage this one,” he said, before hanging up.

I sat back and re-read the sheets of information on Lucas. If he was stalking her, he was as subtle as a gunshot and I was going to bring him to his knees.

But first, I needed to prove that theory. There had to be something here I was missing.

Marlee

Chapter Thirty-Three

“Shut - your - face. Is this a sex dungeon made just for me? Booksandbooze, swoon,” Arna’s excited hysteria made me grin.

“Yes, Arns, I’ve brought you to a sex dungeon,” I whispered, her giggle filling the air as we walked through the aisles of books and out into the bar. Booze N Books was a hidden little gem at the back of a bookshop and I knew Arna would adore the smell of the pages while I could peruse the cocktail list.

That counted as reading, right?

It was a cool night and the strip heaters along the roof were flaming red, alleviating the chill in the air. There were people sitting at the tables, some in groups and others alone reading, enjoying the ambience and tranquillity that only a place such as this could provide. I’m not sure I would ever be brave enough to actually come here alone though, that took a whole other kind of nerve I was not born with.

“Do you think you could date yourself?”

Honestly, sometimes I thought my BFF could read my mind.

“Absolutely not,” I answered horrified by the thought. “I would bore myself to death. I envy people who can date themselves though. I genuinely wish I had that courage.”

“I coulddefinitelydate myself,” she said, “especially if I knew I could also sit and read.”

Arna’s passion for words was something I’d always admired. Her and Felicity read more than anyone else I knew, which often meant I sat bored while they swapped book stacks and reviews. Although, it gave me time to stare at the sexy cover images – especially when they were going through their hockey romance faze.

“This is the place I've been meaning to bring you. I knew you'd love it. It’s a shame Flick couldn’t come,” I added as she fanned through the pages of a book she grabbed from theBorrow while you Bingeshelf and discreetly sniffed the pages.

“I know. Her damn uterus,” she said, referring to Felicity’s troublesome relationship with her body. “Marls, I think I'm in love. Screw the penthouse, I want to live here.”

Laughing, we sat at a high top table on two of the stools, scanning the QR code to order. Arna selected an apple martini and I went for the passion fruit one, paying on my phone because tonight was my shout. After leaving the bank today, my account held enough money to get myself a small place, furnish it however I desired and still order whatever we wanted without having to look at the price. The relief of another area of my life falling into place, palpable.

“Isn't it fantastic? Seriously though, I just needed out. A night of my bestie, booze and bitching.” Seb and I still hadn't seen each other since our argument three days ago and I was really torn up about it all. Sitting at home wasn't helping and I wasn’t sure how to open up the conversation we needed to have.

Part of me wanted to roll around on him like he was a glitter mat and I was covered in glue, but the other half was still navigating the dynamics of what it meant to be in a relationship again and, as messed up as it sounded, I wasn't used to being in a healthy one where my anger wasallowed. Where I was actually given space to be upset.

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