Page 79 of Liars

I smirked, opening my door. A blast of cold snuck inside. “Perks of being the boss’s son.”

“What other perks do you get?” she asked when I appeared on her side of the car, swinging her door open.

“Stick around and you’ll find out.”

She exhaled, wary flickering behind her eyes as she hopped out of the SUV. “Not sure that’s a good idea.”

“We can leave if you want. Go home. See what trouble Mason and Maddox are stirring up.”

She hesitated and let out a loud breath. “A drink sounds perfect.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Inside, the club was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of liquor and temptation. A low bass thrummed through the floors, rattling against my ribs.

Kaylor’s pace slowed. Her gaze darted around the space, scanning the dark booths, the long stretch of the bar, the pinging of slots, and the shadowed figures tucked into corners. The realization hit her a beat later. Her feet stopped completely. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Is this a strip club?”

Casino. Gentlemen’s club. Bar. My father catered to sinful pleasures. I grinned. “Among other things. Does that bother you?”

Straightening her shoulders, she did her best to keep her face neutral. “No.”

I chuckled. “Liar.”

She blinked. “Don’t do that.”

“What?” I put my hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the club. The last thing I needed was for her to go wandering off where she didn’t belong.

“That thing you do.”

I tilted my head. “What thing?”

Her throat bobbed. I saw it. Felt it. “Read me like I’m a fucking book.”

My grin widened. What was with this girl that she managed to make me smile more than anyone else? “Maybe I just like the way you react.”

She rolled her eyes, but there was no real fire behind them.

Lacy, the bartender, spotted me instantly, her red lips curling into a knowing smirk. “Well, well,” she purred. “Look who decided to show up. Isn’t this a first? You bringing a girl to the club?”

“Don’t make a thing of it,” I muttered, sliding onto a stool and motioning for Kaylor to do the same. “She’s not that type of girl.”

The bartender’s gaze flicked to Kaylor. “Hmm. That’s what makes her interesting.” She winked before shifting her sultry attention back to Kaylor. “What are you drinkin’, love?”

Kaylor hesitated. “Umm…surprise me.”

I tsked. “You don’t say that in a place like this unless you want your drink laced with something.”

Kaylor’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh. In that case, I’ll have whatever he’s having.”

I nodded at Lacy before glancing sidelong at Kaylor. “Am I going to have to carry you home and put you to bed? Just so you know, I won’t hold your hair back while you hurl.”

“Good thing I carry a ponytail holder on my wrist for such occasions. You never know when you might need an emergency hurling rubber band.”

The bartender set two glasses in front of us, the amber liquid gleaming under the dim lights. “Enjoy, lovebirds.”

I shot her a scowl.

Kaylor smirked. “Something wrong?”

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