Page 75 of Bad Boy Next Door
I turned to give him a flirtatious reprimand, but the look in his eyes gave me chills. I started to straighten my legs, but he grabbed my wrist, holding me down.
“Don’t turn away from me, you little cunt.” He ran the fingers of his other hand over my ass and hit the wetness between my legs. “I paid for this.”
Fuck that.
I yanked out of his hold, staggered back and wound up to slam my stiletto into his chest.
But my heel nearly connected with Nick’s back.
Nick tackled the man to the ground, taking the chair with him. He wound up and slammed his fist into the man’s sweaty face, breaking his nose. The next punch landed on the man’s ribs.
Dom, the other bouncer, grabbed Nick’s arms, but Nick barely had to shrug to toss Dom off. He punched the asshole customer again and again.
“Nick!” I yelled. “Don’t kill him.”
With a gasp, Nick stopped himself and turned toward me. Rage filled his eyes.
Leaving the customer on the floor, Nick helped Dom to his feet.
Melodie ran out and put her arm around my shoulders. “Grab your tips. Get off stage.”
“But…”
“Now.”
I did what I was told, and Melodie hustled me into the dressing room.
“You okay?” she asked as she leaned back against the closed door. “I’ve never seen Nick lose it like that. Not with a customer. Ever.”
“I can’t be the first girl who’s been grabbed.” Shaking, I leaned against the makeup table.
“Of course you’re not, but Nick’s a pro. Normally he steps in and gets the customers out of the club without physical damage.”
“Do you think…?” My hands shook. My whole body shook, and I collapsed onto one of the folding chairs. Had Nick killed that man? Even if he hadn’t, surely he’d be charged with assault. Maybe Frank had been right…
“Honey, calm down.” Melodie handed me my bottle of water and I took a few sips, barely able to make the cool liquid pass through my tight throat.
She leaned back against the counter at her station, which was scattered with makeup. “I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry?”
She shook her head as if she’d made a mistake. “I should have warned you about that guy.”
“How could you have known?”
“Sometimes they’ve got a look, you know? With some of them, you have to keep your distance and hope they throw the tip on the stage for you to pick up.”
“And if they don’t?”
“Then they don’t. Some things aren’t worth the money.”
“Anyone else out there I should avoid?” I was supposed to go on every ninety minutes.
“Honey.” She took my hand. “You aren’t doing another set. Not tonight.”
