Page 95 of Nails
Adam nodded, looking like he was biting the inside of his cheek.
“When Erik confronted Kumar, the bouncer who should have been handling that section of the club confessed.He said that Anya paid him to ‘look the other way.’He also told Erik that Anya had informed Ranjit, the man who attacked you, that you were interested in him and that if the price was right, you were willing to entertain him and his associates.He paid her the two grand, thinking she would give you the money.”
Riley’s stomach turned as rage clawed at her insides.She would love to have five minutes with that bitch to show her exactly what it felt like to be on the receiving end of someone’s cruelty.But outwardly, she looked shocked and a little shaken up.
“I don’t understand.Why would she do something like that?”
“Jealousy,” Adam said with a shrug.“She sees you as competition.I’m sure she figured that if you got hurt, it would scare you enough that you’d quit.But you don’t have to worry about her anymore.She is no longer an employee here.Which brings me to why I wanted to speak with you.”
He then leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting to something more businesslike.“I want you to take her spot as the exclusive hostess for my VIP suite.Normally, it would just be Friday and Saturday nights.During the week, you’d work your usual post on the main floor.”
Her pulse gave a small jump.This could be the “in” her and the team needed.
“Are you sure you want me?I mean, what about the other girls, won’t they be upset with a newcomer jumping straight to that position?”she asked.
He smiled.“I’m positive.You’re the best person for it.”Then he gave his hand a dismissive wave.“As for the other girls, who cares what they think.I’m the boss, and I want you.”
When Adam said,“I’m the boss, and I want you,”Riley caught the weight beneath the words.It wasn’t just about filling the position.There was an edge in his voice, a claim that felt personal.He might be offering her the most sought-after VIP hostess job, but she had the uneasy sense he meant wanting her in a way that went well beyond work.
She gave a cautious smile.“I appreciate the opportunity.”
“There’s more,” he said, his lips curving into a smile.“The night that you work in my suite, you will be paid five hundred dollars, plus whatever tips you make.”
Her brows rose, but she didn’t let her interest show too much.“And I would just be serving drinks, like I do now?”
Adam laughed, low and smooth.“Yes,” he said, but then gave her a slow once-over with his eyes.“Unless you want to do more.”
She gave him a polite, practiced smile, letting the flirtation slide off her.
“So?”he pressed.“Will you take it?”
She let a beat pass, then nodded.“Alright.I’ll do it.”
“Excellent.You start tomorrow night.I have some very important guests coming in.I’ll be in the suite with you.”
She nodded, though her curiosity was piqued.Whoever these men were, they weren’t just regular VIPs.
When the meeting wrapped up, Adam walked her downstairs himself.As they stepped out into the main club, Audrey was there carrying a clipboard.
“Audrey,” Adam called.“Riley’s going to be my new VIP suite hostess.”
Audrey’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before that bubbly personality of hers returned.“Wow!That’s great, Riley!Congrats!”
“Thanks,” Riley said, filing Audrey’s odd reaction away for later.
At the front door, Adam leaned in and kissed her cheek.She kept herself from flinching, but it made her skin crawl.
“Take it easy tonight,” he said.“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She stepped outside into the early afternoon air, exhaling slowly.The walk back to the house was quiet except for the steady thrum of her thoughts.She had some great news to share with the team.But she also had a stubborn, but insanely hot Navy SEAL waiting for her, too.
Riley climbed the front steps of the safe house, her fingers tightening around her phone as she hesitated at the door.Her heart wasn’t racing, but there was a weight sitting just beneath her ribs—a tangled mix of nerves, guilt, and tension that hadn’t let up since she’d left Adam’s office.
The door was unlocked, and as she stepped inside, the familiar murmur of low voices greeted her.The scent of coffee and something slightly burnt still hung in the air, remnants of a late breakfast or lunch.She walked deeper into the house and found the team spread across the living room—Bear and Joker on the couch, Duke perched on the armrest, and Aussie sprawled on a beanbag, of all things, holding a protein bar in one hand and a tablet in the other.
The only two people missing were Nails and Snow.
Her eyes automatically flicked toward the hallway.Where are they?A quiet pang twisted in her chest before she could squash it.Nails had every reason to be pissed at her.But if she was honest with herself, she hadn’t been entirely fair either.She could still feel the heat in her voice from earlier, and now that she’d had time to cool off, the words didn’t sit as comfortably on her conscience.
