Page 27 of The Demons We Hide

“So?” Lex’s upper lip curls back away from his teeth. “If you’re looking for my old man, he’s dead. Been dead for years.”

“I know,” Vikson replies. “I never said I was looking for him.” His hand moves back and all three of the Scorpion Kings tense. Vikson pauses and then sighs. “I’m not packing a gun,” he states as he, once again, withdraws his wallet. Instead, he pulls out a white and black business card and holds it out. “At least, not today.”

Lex looks down at the business card, but doesn’t take it. Gio grunts and leans forward, swiping it from Vikson’s grip. When no other words are exchanged, Nolan reclines against the lounge at his back and kicks up a leg to cross an ankle over his knee. He tugs at my wrist, pulling me off balance until I’m forced to sit or fall on top of him.

“You can go now,” Nolan says.

“Don’t expect a call,” Lex snipes.

Vikson sighs. “I’m not here to cause issues, Alexio.”

I watch, a frown turning my lips as each time Vikson says his full name, Lex’s whole body tightens.

“Good,” Lex cuts him off. “Then leave.”

“Door is that way,” Gio offers helpfully, gesturing.

By now, the hosts aren’t the only ones watching. Turning my head, I note that all of the employees have stopped working and are staring at the group of us and the performance we’re unintentionally putting on.

A low growl enters my voice as I yank my hand out of Nolan’s grasp. “Stop making a fucking scene,” I order the three of them. My well-crafted plan is flying right out the damn window.

Vikson looks down at me and then deftly pulls another card free. He leans down and instead of handing it over, he sets it atop the pile of money he dropped earlier. “I have a feeling that these three are going to shred that card to pieces before they can use it,” he tells me. “Do me a favor and keep this for them, yeah? I don’t want to cause you any more problems on your first shift, sweetheart. So, I’ll go for now.” His eyes lift back to collide with Lex’s as he all but ignores Gio and Nolan. “I’ll be in touch, Alexio. Of that, you can be sure.”

12

NOLAN

My gaze bores into the back of the man striding out of the Dionysus Lounge. He moves with almost military-like precision, head on a swivel, scanning the room as he leaves. Whatever orwhoever he is, I know one thing for sure. He’s not to be trusted.

Lex and Gio take their seats on the other side of the lounge, effectively caging in our prey. Now that they’re no longer standing, the tension in the club leeches away and the chatter of conversation roars back to life.

I lift my head and catch sight of Ma-Ri’s petite form standing in the mouth of the back hallway, her cigarette holder in one hand and the other propped on her hip. I don’t know how long she’s been watching or if she’s upset by the scene we’ve caused, but I dip my head towards her in deference, a silent apology in my eyes. She shakes her head and turns, disappearing into the back of the club once more.

My attention turns back to the woman at my side. “Why aren’t you waitressing?” I demand.

“Why is that any of your business?” she snaps back, leaning forward and snatching the man’s glass up from where he’d left it on the edge of the glass table. She drains it in one gulp and then grimaces.

The bottle sitting next to the wad of cash he deposited there reads Widow Jane Black Opal. An expensive liquor. I arch an eyebrow and turn back to her. “Are you supposed to be drinking on the job?”

“All of the other hosts do it.”

“None of the other hosts are under twenty-one,” I point out.

Her upper lip curls in a sneer, and she slaps the glass down on the table with a loudclack. “Why are you here, Nolan?”

“To check on you, Princess,” I say.

She laughs, but the sound is rough and caustic. “Why?” Blue hair slides over bare shoulders as she tilts her head. Her gaze slides from me to Lex to Gio and back to me again. “Can’t have one of your pets running off on her own?”

“Baby.” Lex leans forward and she stiffens, her body going rigid as he puts his hand on her leg. Her very fucking bare leg as the cut of her dress shifts up even higher. I’d never noticed before, but do all hosts wear such revealing clothing? Casting a look to the booth and table across from us, I notice that several of the guys stationed there are ignoring their own host in favor of watching Juliet.

I catch their eyes and bare my teeth, forcing the lot of them to turn back to the chick whose time they’re actually paying for. The only one that doesn’t turn away is the single man who doesn’t look at all intrigued by the woman next to me. Savino, Darrio Vargas’ right-hand man, scowls as he glares at Juliet and then his glare switches to me. My previously hostile expression shifts into one of flat apathy. Older and graying at the temples, Savino is far from Darrio’s usual men. He’s skinny and sallow-looking, and we both know that if we were to get into it—I’d win, hands down. Darrio keeps the fucker around for his brains, not his brawns.

“Don’t ‘Baby’ me,” Juliet scoffs, reaching down and lifting Lex’s hand away from her leg and recapturing my attention. I turn away from Savino’s annoyed gaze. “What I do with my time is none of your business. I’m working, and if you’re done chasing off my guests, then it’s time for you to go.”

“Hell no—” Gio barks out the words, but before he can finish, I hold up a hand, stopping him.

I lean forward, and Juliet inhales sharply as I draw closer and closer until the scent of her unfamiliar perfume invades my nostrils. My nose twitches. I don’t like it. I prefer her stripped down to just her natural scent—cool breeze and clean shampoo. To her credit, Juliet doesn’t lean away. She remains still and stiff as she eyes me.

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