Page 35 of Mace
He doesn’t take his eyes off Steve, and I can see that storm in his eyes getting moodier. “I’m taking you home,” he declares.
For a moment, I think he’s talking to Steve, but then he turns to me. “What? No! I don’t want to go home. I’m perfectly fine. I can work?—”
“Ain’t up for debate.”
He reaches for me, but I tear back, irritation flaring through me. “When you’re losing me money, it is up fordebate,” I snap at him. “I have things to pay for, Mace. I can’t keep losing shifts.”
His expression softens slightly, and I don’t know if he understands my perspective or if he just feels sorry for me. I don’t care which, but I’m not going home. As it is, my tips are going to be less after the entire floor witnessed Mace going nuclear. There’s a line between seeming available and being available. The customers need to believe the former for the money to flow to us.
“What would you usually earn?”
I blink at him. “What?”
“How much?” he presses, and I glance at Steve, who is watching Mace with a steely look on his face.
“I don’t… why?”
“Maylie,” he drags out my name, emphasizing the ‘lee’ as if he’s talking to a stubborn toddler. “Just tell me.”
“I don’t know. Anywhere between fifty pounds and a hundred. It depends on who comes?—”
He pulls out his wallet and hands me a stack of notes, which I stare at like a live bomb. “I’m not taking your money, and I’m not going home.”
The way he steps into my space makes my pulse quicken, and despite my irritation, I hold my breath. What would it feel like to kiss him, or to be kissed by him? My eyes drop to his mouth, imagining the feel of it against my lips.
He dips his head towards me, and my body freezes. Is he… is he going to kiss me? I was just letting my mind run riot, but he’s moving closer and?—
“You got hurt at a club business.” He’s inches from my face. “That means something to me. We take care of our own.”
My stomach sinks. He’s taking care of me because I’m an employee, not because he wants to. The realisation unsettles something deeply unpleasant in my chest. “Right. Of course.” I take the money and awkwardly smile at him. “Thank you for helping me tonight.”
His hand moves to the side of my face, and his palm sears where he cups my cheek. “Get your shit. I’ll take you home.”
Defeated, and knowing there’s no point in arguing, I head to the changing room, and as soon as I enter, the girls rush me, bombarding me with questions. I answer with my usual brand of fake smiles and lies about being fine before opening my locker. The money Mace gave me feels heavy in my hand, but I stuff the notes in my bag before changing into my joggers and trainers.
As I reach for my sweater, my hands tremble.Fuck.I curl my fingers, my nails biting into my palms.
What if Mace hadn’t been here?How far would things have gotten? The man’s threats had been disgusting and filled me with a cold sense of dread.
When I leave the changing room and make my way back onto the main floor, I expect to see Mace sitting at the end of the bar, but he’s not there, and I feel a mix of relief and dismay. The last thing I want is for him to take me home.
The show of violence doesn’t seem to have impacted the remaining patrons, who are settled in to watch the next dancer take the stage. Some of the guys are cleaning up the mess that was made, but otherwise, it’s business as usual.
Shaking myself, I head to the front doors, but Bella calls my name from behind the bar, so I wait for her to jog over to me.
She pulls me into an embrace the moment she’s close enough, and my heart lurches at the show of care. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” My expression is tight as I pull back. “Mace is sending me home.”
“Good. I think that’s the right thing to do.” She glances around, even though we’re alone on this side of the room. “Steve asked around, and they’re hiring at one of the clubs in town. Do you want me to get you an application?”
I should want that, considering how tonight played out, but…
“One shitty incident doesn’t mean we need to leave, Bella. That could’ve happened just as easily under Sam.”
She glances around again and leans into me. “The Sons are dangerous, Maylie. Mace proved how ruthless they are tonight.”
I bristle at her words. “Mace kept me safe. That man assaulted me, Bella.”