Page 11 of R Is For Revenge: Part One
“What happened?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly, though my voice feels a little too light to sound natural. “Grant King just… came over and was a little too familiar. Beck told him to back off.”
Cassidy exhales slowly, shaking her head. “Yeah. King’s a regular. Thinks everything’s a game because no one ever tells him no. Good thing Beck was around—he doesn’t usually let stuff like that slide in his club.”
His club? Wait. What?
“Beck owns this place?”
Cassidy looks at me like I’m the biggest idiot in the room. “Who did you think he was?”
I shrug. “The manager?”
“Nope.” She laughs and shakes her head. “Where did you blow in from? Beck bought this place a few years ago when Horner lost everything.”
My throat closes at the mention of my father, and I struggle to breathe. But Cassidy doesn’t notice. She keeps on speaking like everything is normal.
“And though he usually leaves the day to day to our manager, Royce, he’s here now and then. Has a place on the top floor as well as his private suite.” Her forehead wrinkles. “I hear he interviewed you personally.”
“Yeah.” I finally catch my breath and glance toward the far end of the floor, where Beck has disappeared into the shadows near the balcony stairs. He’s not talking to anyone now, just standing there with his hands in his pockets, surveying the room like a king over his kingdom.
Cassidy leans closer, her voice dropping. “Word of advice? Keep your distance from Grant. And…” Her eyes flick toward Beck, just briefly, before landing back on me. “Be careful aroundhim, too.”
I blink. “Beck?”
She shrugs, looping her envelope into her bag. “He’s… complicated. The man looks like a God come to life, but he’s also got a dark side. Doesn’t usually get involved with the staff, but when he does…” She trails off, a knowing look in her eyes that makes my stomach twist.
“What does that mean?” I ask, but she’s already shaking her head.
“Just… don’t get on his bad side. And don’t get too curious. Trust me, Jules. Beck Gaines isn’t the kind of man a sane girl tangles with. I think a taste of him would be like heaven, but it’s the fallout that gets you, you know? He’s a good boss, when he’s around, but he goes through women like candy.” She winks and steps back. “And the guy has one hell of a sweet tooth.”
I don’t like her assumption. “Aside from the fact I’m not looking for any kind of relationship, or that he’s my boss, Beck is so not my type.”
She chuckles and hands me a printout. “Sweetie, that man is everyone’s type.”
I glance down at the piece of paper and my eyes widen at the tip allocation. Five thousand dollars?
“A third of that is yours. I’m not like some of the other girls here. I always tip a trainee. It will be e-transferred to your account tomorrow.”
“It’s so much,” I mumble, shocked.
“It is. And if you keep your head down and smile when you’re supposed to, your bank account will be happy.” She nods. “Welcome to the Club.”
I say goodnight to Brent and leave through the employees exit, which is out back. The city is quiet, the streets slick from a light drizzle that must’ve passed through while we were working. Cassidy gives a wave and heads off toward the subway, tossing me a quick “See you tomorrow” over her shoulder. I tighten mybag strap and start the walk home, my breath puffing white in the cold night air.
Halfway down the block, the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. Breaths falling fast I glance over my shoulder, but the street’s empty except for a cab turning the corner. The Club disappears behind me, its stone exterior blending into the shadows like it doesn’t exist at all. I slip mace from my purse and continue on.
From a darkened window high above the club, Beck stands with the lights off, a crystal glass in his hand. Watching.
Tracking.
He’s got a guy on her tail, watching. Making sure the last piece of Harold Horner’s legacy walks safely down the street… for now. He smiles at the thought. Finishes his drink and then glances at the woman splayed naked on his bed. He tells her to get on all fours. Usually a gentleman in the sack, tonight is different. There is no foreplay.
And as he fucks the senator’s date from the night before, it’s not her face in his mind. That belongs to someone else. And it won’t’ be long until that someone else is on all fours.
For him.
He smiles at the thought and snarls when he comes.
