Page 106 of Through You
I’ve never heard or seen her that drunk. She’s always in control.
“Stay there. Claudia. I’ll—” She hangs up on me. I have never in my life left the building in such a hurry.
I immediately call my club’s head of security. “Put tonight’s doorman on the phone.”
“Peter speaking, sir,” the doorman answers a few seconds later.
“Peter, a red-haired girl tried to get in the bar with her friends a few minutes ago. Did you see her?”
I get into the car.
“Yes, sir. But they didn’t have a pass; that’s why I—”
“I know. Do you see her right now? She’s still out there somewhere on the strip. Could you go look for her and bring her to the club, please? I’m on my way.”
“I’ll try, sir. There are a lot of people on the street now.”
“All right, thank you.”
I drive as fast as I can within the speed limit. The club district is not far, but there’s a lot of traffic at this hour. I know I may be overreacting, and that Claudia is a woman capable of looking after herself, but I can’t help it. How can I not worry when she means so much to me? I park in front of the bar and immediately spot Peter, who anticipates the question I’m about to ask.
“They’re inside, sir. In the VIP section.”
I let out a sigh of relief and enter the club, which is packed as usual. I climb the stairs and head to the VIP section. My shoulders relax, and I’m overcome by an immense sense of relief when I see her. Claudia is sitting between two guys who look familiar, and there’s a girl next to them. Where have I seen them before?
“Iceberg!” Claudia shouts when she sees me. I move closer to them. They attempt to appear serious. “You came.”
“Always, dummy.”
There’s a glimmer in Claudia’s eyes, and she gives me the most adorable smile, making me want to kidnap her and take her away from everyone. The girl sitting with them stands up and wobbles over to me.
“I think Claudia has had a little too much to drink.”
“Is that what you think?”
The guys also stand up.
“Well, well, here’s the ice-cold prince you’ve been talking about the entire night. Time for us to leave.” They grab the girl by the hand. “Let’s go, Gin. Claudia will be fine.”
“Will you take care of her?” Gin asks me, and I nod. She pats me on the back. “Good boy.”
They leave, and I turn my attention to the drunken redhead seated a few steps away from me. Claudia is covering her mouth and giggling. “Am I in trouble?”
I sit next to her. “You have no idea.”
“Do I deserve a spanking?” she asks, blushing.
“Do you want a spanking?”
“From you, I want it all.”
Heat spreads over my neck and travels down my chest and abdomen. I shake my head. She’s drunk.
“Let’s go home.”
She cups my face with her hands. “You’re so handsome.”
I’m unable to hold back a smile.
