Page 55 of Reclaimed

“Then don’t. I mean it when I say being here is no hardship.”

“Do you promise to let me know if it ever becomes one?” The thought of hurting him on accident twists a knot around my organs.

Aiden smiles softly as he chews and swallows. “I promise you’ll be the first to know.”

15

Aiden

Three dayslater we’re back at the club for Isla’s Friday night shift. As a special favor to her boss, she’s working the bar section after her regular set. It’s mainly pole work away from the main stage. The purpose is to give the drunkards across the room something to look at while they rack up their tabs, and she’ll end up with a little extra cash in her wallet.

I know she’s been worried about money since she stopped doing the private dances. If she wasn’t so stubborn, I’d offer to help, but I know she won’t accept it. I just barely won the argument to let me cover half of her utilities and the groceries. So while she’s been busy, I’ve been sneaking extra baby supplies into her closet. A package of wipes or diapers here or there that she isn’t likely to notice.

As I sip my vodka, a shadow casts across my sightline. A man in a crisp black suit and that annoying prick of a security guard, Lucien, stop in front of my table.

“I’m Manny,” suit guy says.

“Nice to meet you, Manny.” I recognize the name of her boss.

The dimming stage lights steal his attention. He appraises Isla as she sashays across the platform. The three of us watch her twist her calf and pull herself up the gleaming silver before he reverts his focus back on me.

“I remember you. From her audition. You’re the reason I hired her back.”

I regard him coolly.

“You gave her a hundred dollars. That much money for a body like that? I knew she’d be special.”

My fingers curl into a tense fist on my thigh. “Her body is not something I’ll be discussing with you. Ever.”

“You like her.”

“I’m dating her.”

“It’s funny,” he goes on as if I didn’t speak. “Not many of my girls are… taken. Most men don’t have the ability to watch their girlfriends get naked for so many other men.”

I flick my tongue out over my bottom lip, an unrestrained tell of my agitation. “I’m not like most other men.”

“Would you be the reason Stella isn’t taking private dances?”

“Not that it’s any of your business what we discuss in private, butStellais capable of making her own choices without my interference.”

“She said she’s afraid.”

“Then you should listen.” I lock eyes with his dark ones.

From what I’ve been told, Manny isn’t usually an ass. He takes good care of his dancers. This is probably him thinking he’s looking out for her, but he’s going about it with the wrong guy.

“She’s well cared for here.”

“Keep it that way and we won’t have a problem.”

Lucien chuckles beside him.

“Something funny?” I ask the short, dark-haired man. I’ve got at least four inches on him but his biceps are the size of my head. My temper rises as they continue to monopolize Isla’s set.

His lips turn down and he shakes his head. “I didn’t say a thing.”

Antagonizing bastard.

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