Page 14 of Wrecked By You

He stiffened. “Gratitude isn’t necessary, nor warranted. Now, if you wouldn’t mind, I have things to do.”

His curt dismissal doused me in iced water. For the briefest moment, I’d felt a connection between us, but it must have been one-sided. By the time I reached the door and risked a glance back at him, he was sitting behind his desk, scowling at whatever was on his laptop screen.

I slipped outside and returned to work. I’d dodged a bullet. I’d better make sure I didn’t land in the line of fire again. I had a hunch that I’d used my one and only chance.

Chapter6

Johannes

Women are either drama or death—and

I’m interested in neither.

Heavy bass beatsrocked the floor beneath my feet, and hundreds of bodies crammed the dance floor, grinding and humping and swaying to the music. I scanned the crowd, my eyes landing on Nate and his wife sitting behind one of the roped-off areas. I tipped my chin, and he cocked his head, beckoning me over. I skirted the edge of the dance floor and slipped behind the velvet rope. I remained standing, despite Nate pushing a chair toward me with his foot.

“Everything good?” My clients’ happiness mattered to me. They were the lifeblood behind whether my business thrived or died. I’d known Nate for a few months, and while I wouldn’t say we were friends—I had none—I liked the guy, and I wanted his thirtieth birthday to go well.

It didn’t hurt that he had a lot of sway in this town either. His word counted for a lot. Level Nine had only been open for a year, and I was still building its reputation astheclub in this part of town for the rich and famous to frequent. We offered top-shelf liquor and ten-thousand-dollar bottles of champagne, as well as the best DJ’s and dancers, and our clients received exemplary service.

“Terrific. Your staff is looking after us well.”

“Good.” I glanced over at the bar, my gaze landing on Ella as she leaned forward, angling her head toward a customer to hear his order. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, revealing an elegant slope to her neck. I tore my gaze away, focusing on Nate. “Sorry about earlier. She’s new. First shift tonight.”

“No need for apologies. Accidents happen.”

“Yeah.” I returned my attention to her again. The same guy reached over the bar and clasped a hand around her wrist, then traced his fingertip over the bandage I’d applied. I flexed my jaw.

One wrong move, asshole, and you’re outta here.

She said something to him, and he released her. The burning sensation in my chest receded, but irritation remained. My staff weren’t there to be pawed at and hit on. They served the fucking drinks with a smile and a healthy dose of efficiency, and that was it.

“He’s gone.”

I blinked, pulling my gaze away from Ella to focus on Nate. “Who’s gone?”

Nate chuckled. “You have. She’s pretty.”

“Watch it,” Dex warned, digging her husband in the ribs.

Nate drew her to his side and pressed a kiss to her temple. “You’re the only one for me, Titch, but Johannes here is free and single. All I’m doing is pointing out an attractive woman for his consideration.”

“No consideration necessary.” I forced a smile. “I don’t mix business with pleasure.”

What Nate didn’t know was that I didn’t “pleasure.” Period. Not in that sense, anyway. When I got an itch that my hand couldn’t solve, I’d carefully select a willing participant and scratch it. The encounters were brief, from behind, and never repeated.

“All work and no play,” Nate said, grinning.

I froze for a beat, then my hand automatically moved to press against my throat. Sadie had said those exact words to me that fateful night. Six fucking years and hearing a common and clichéd phrase still had the power to choke me, to trigger me, to send me right back to the place that still haunted my dreams.

“Enjoy the rest of your evening,” I managed to grit out. “Let me or a member of the team know if you need anything.”

Nate’s eyes flared in surprise at my curt response to what he saw as a joke, but I didn’t hang around. I lurched through the crowd, breathing heavily, heading for my office, where I could take a breath and compose myself. Before I could get there, Stan appeared in front of me.

“What?” I snapped.

“Your admirer just arrived.”

I frowned, still flustered by what Nate had said. “What fucking admir—” I trailed off, scanning the club. “Ah fuck.” My gaze landed on the subject of Stan’s comment. “Who did she arrive with?”