Page 101 of Vow to Hate You

“We’re full,” he repeated slowly, as if we hadn’t heard him.

“Come on, man,” Ash said brightly, holding out more cash. “Check your list. I’m sure you’ll see Damian Valentin is on it.”

The man’s eyes flared with recognition of my name, but he frowned, shaking his head. “Not happening tonight. You’ll wait like everyone else.”

“Hold on.” The other bouncer was staring at his tablet, scrolling with one finger. “He’s on the list.”

The two of them stepped back, talking amongst themselves as I bounced my foot impatiently. After a minute, the bouncer sighed, moving to unclip the end of the rope to let us through.

“Thanks,” I muttered, handing him the money.

He pushed my arm away. “You’re on the list.”

Ash pushed past me, trying to peek at the tablet. “Wait, really?”

“Yes,” the bouncer grated out, glancing at me. “Go ahead.”

My stomach flipped in shock as we walked past the bouncers. How in the hell was Talie able to put me on the list?

“Your wife has connections,” Rhyett said, surprise lacing his voice. “More than her last name.”

“Makes you curious what she’s been up to,” Ash sang out, clearly enjoying this. “Maybe she has a secret club too.”

We entered the room, the loud music drowning everything else out. The ceiling was draped with fancy black fabric, and the crystal chandeliers sparkled in all different colors when the strobe lights hit them. It looked the same as when we were here during their opening week.

The dance floor took up most of the area, and right now, it was packed. High-top tables were scattered around the edge of the dance floor, and I couldn’t see any empty ones. The long bar counter spanned the entire left wall with five employees behind it, busy with orders. My eyes drifted to the stairs leading to the VIP area.

“That explains why it’s so busy,” Rhyett yelled over the music, pointing to the railing of the second floor. There was a large banner announcing the DJ who was playing tonight.

“Damn,” Ash exclaimed, his head whipping to the side to look for the DJ table. “We’ve been trying to set up a meeting with her to play at Facade.”

I read the banner, recognizing the name.DJ Savoie.She’s been in the city for a few months, making a name for herself.From what Ash had told me, she was well-known in Asia and sometimes played in Europe too. He thought she would be great for our club on special nights.

I glanced up to a different area on the second floor that was cut off from the VIP section. The DJ was behind the table, and I glanced at her red mask as she focused on her laptop, changing the song. Losing interest, I scanned the room again, searching for Talie.

“I say we check upstairs,” Ash said as we squeezed through the crowd. “If she put your name on the list, I bet she has access to VIP too.”

We climbed the steps, and when I stopped at the landing in front of the velvet rope, I spotted Charlotte. She was sitting on one of the leather couches, laughing at something the guy next to her was saying. My pulse thudded unevenly as I looked around, not seeing my wife anywhere.

“Name?” the employee asked.

“Damian Valentin.”

I blew out a laugh when he let us enter. My curiosity was burning about how Talie pulled this off. Ash sauntered forward, and Charlotte’s head snapped our way when he called her name. The guy she’d been talking to let out a protest when Ash squished between them as he sat down. I followed, halting near the side of the couch. Charlotte turned her attention to me, and I didn’t miss the nerves swarming in her eyes as she gave me a small smile.

CHAPTER 41

damian

“Hi, Damian,” Charlotte greeted me, not looking surprised to see me.

“Where’s Talie?” I asked, looking around again.

“She’s…uh, she’s working,” Charlotte answered slowly.

“Working?” I repeated. “She works here?”

“Kinda.”

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