The Escape: Soren's Saga

by Nicky James

  I cursed under my breath. Of course he’d focus on my eye rolling and not what I was saying.

  “Sir, what I’m trying to say is—”

  “I hear what you are trying to say. Now listen to what I’m trying to say. Do you run this club?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Do I run this club?”

  “Yes.”

  “And how long have I been running this place?”

  I dropped my gaze again. “A long time.”

  “A long time,” he repeated. “Almost sixteen years. Do your job, Soren, and don’t question my judgement. Ever. I will not steer you wrong.”

  When he moved, I looked up to see him lean back, more relaxed. His features were still hard and fixed on me.

  “Tonight,” he continued, “If Remy returns, you offer him some private time in the back. Do you understand?”

  I nearly choked on my spit and my eyes widened before I could stop them. “Already?” Ordinarily, Donny had us schmoozing customers a lot longer before inviting them in back.

  “Do. You. Understand?” he asked again.

  “Yes.” My mouth dried and I tried to swallow, but the thick lump wouldn’t move. That wasn’t good at all. Why wasn’t he listening?

  “Good. Now, go change.”

  He returned to his paperwork, and I was dismissed.

  My stomach roiled as I returned downstairs and crossed through the long austere hallway to the changeroom. All I could do was hope that guy didn’t show up again and that my concern was for nothing. However, deep in the pit of my stomach, I knew he’d be there. He’d found me at my other job, then appeared the previous weekend out of nowhere. With the way I’d acted, he probably assumed I was clueless to what was going on. I wasn’t an idiot, but my hands were tied.

  Ash was already in his skin-tight shorts—a lime green that night—and was coating his chest with his own glittery body lotion. He glanced up when I came in and frowned.

  “What happened?”

  Not giving two shits, I rolled my eyes and threw my hands up. “He wouldn’t listen.”

  Ash pursed his lips and watched me.

  “Now if that guy shows up tonight, Donny told me I’m to invite him in back. Already!”

  I flopped down on the bench nearest Ash, and tossed my bag on the floor.

  “Maybe he really isn’t a cop. Maybe he’s just a hot guy with a sexy accent and you caught his attention. In which case I hate you,” he added with a turned nose.

  There was nothing more I could do about it except hope he didn’t show. Arguing with Ash wouldn’t help, so I huffed a derisive response and got up off the bench to dress.

  By eleven-thirty that night, I’d spent more time scanning the crowd than paying attention to my tables. I’d already danced two sets with A.J and was preparing for a third at midnight. There was still no sign of that Remy guy or his partner, but I couldn’t allow myself to relax. A few of the other regulars had shown up, so I already knew how my night was going to play out. I became more miserable with each passing hour.

  Just as A.J and I were preparing to take the stage, and I handed my orders off to Ash to be delivered to waiting tables, Donny came over and interrupted us.

  “Ashton, take Soren’s place on stage for this set. Soren, table six. Remember our talk.”

  Like I’d been doused in cold water, a chill ran up my spine.

  “What?” Ashton and I both said simultaneously.

  “You heard me. Go.” Donny disappeared back into the crowd.

  With my muscles wound so tight they threatened to cramp, I turned around to see who was at table six. Even before I looked, I knew who I’d find.

  He was there. Alone that time.

  I scanned the bar, looking for the other. When my gaze travelled back, he was staring at me. A soft smile split his lips, but I wasn’t prepared for it and instead of responding how I’d been trained, I averted my gaze and spun back to Ash and A.J.

  Ash watched me with a worried expression and A.J studied me closely, knowingly.

  “What does he drink?” A.J asked, breaking our tension and helping to guide me through my shock.

  “Sierra Nevada.”

  A.J called attention to the bartender and had him prepare the order before spinning back. “Go, Ash, I’ll be there in a second,” he said, dismissing him with a glance. Ash gave me one last weary look and headed to the stage in my place. Once he was gone, A.J accepted the beer from the bartender and shoved it in my hand. “If you need me, come find me. It helped last time, right?”

  “Yeah,” I croaked, remembering that night.

  A.J shook me to draw my focus. “Pull it together. Whatever you do, don’t piss Donny off, you know that.”

  What A.J didn’t know was the situation with Remy was far worse than just the simple issue of being sick of my job. I acknowledged him with a nod.

  “Go. I’ll check in on you in a bit.”

  He shoved me out into the crowded bar before turning to join Ash on stage. I took a few deep breaths to calm my nerves and headed toward table six.

  Mr. Tall, dark and handsome—as Ash would describe him—was perched on the edge of his chair looking uncomfortable. His hands rested on his lap as he screwed up his nose at the table in examination of its surface.

  When I arrived, he darted his gaze to mine as I slipped into the seat across from him and slid his beer over. Then, I let my hands trail over the tables surface as though fondling a sexy body. “This drives you fucking insane, doesn’t it?”

  He smiled, but I saw his cheek twitch as I continued to massage my palms over the table.

  “What if I licked it? Would you run for the hills?”

  “Please don’t lick it.”

  I laughed and sat back, crossing my arms over my chest. I was done being flirtatious. If I acted like a little shit and he still decided to stick around, then I’d know for sure he was a cop.

  “So, you’ve figured out my quirks. No need to exploit them.” He lifted his beer and examined the wet ring it left behind. “Are you out of coasters?”

  “Nope, just didn’t bring one. So, where’s your partner?”

  He stared at the table a moment longer, before lifting his gaze. “He’s not my partner. He’s my brother, and he will not be joining me this evening.”

  He lifted the bottle to his mouth and drank deep. When he went to lower it again, he seemed to struggle to allow himself to re-place it on the table. It only made me laugh more.

  “Could I request a coaster perhaps? Since you aren’t all out.”

  I drummed a rhythm on the table, slapping my palms dramatically on the surface in time with the bass music thumping in the background. “I could hook you up. You want napkins too, a bleach cloth perhaps, maybe a tetanus shot? I know a nurse.”

  He cautiously rested elbows on the edge of the table and linked his fingers, keeping them hovered. “Just a coaster would be wonderful.”

  Unable to help myself, I leaned in, snatched his linked hands and slammed them down, sandwiching them between mine and the table. His whole body stiffened, but he didn’t pull away or say anything. He stared to where I had him pinned before slowly raising his head. There was struggle in his eyes, but he remained still.

  “Why are you here?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

  He thought for a minute and then opened his mouth to speak.

  “If you say because it’s a bar and you needed a drink, I swear to God I will lick this table, followed by your face. Try me.”

  He shut his mouth and just smirked. Nothing I said put him off in the slightest. He remained jovial and entertained which baffled me.

  “Then how about, because I find you incredibly attractive, and I hoped you’d eventually change your mind and allow me to take you for dinner.”

  “Dinner?” I released him and stared, confused. “Are you serious?” He didn’t lift his hands right away like I expected, and his smile grew as he wet his lips.

  “Yes. Everyone eats dinner, remember? I jus
t thought it would be more enjoyable in your company than alone. I may not be the most persuasive person, but I am hopeful.”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “You think my company is enjoyable?”

  “I do. Especially when you put the charm on and threaten table licking.”

  I flinched. That was not exactly the response I expected.

  “You’re a freak, you know that, right?”

  “I have an eccentric personality that is different than most people’s norms, yes, I am aware.”

  I studied him long and hard before shifting out of the seat. Unsure how to take him, I decided to leave for a few minutes to give myself time to think. “I’ll grab you that coaster.”

  As I turned to go, he called out, “I think napkins too, if it isn’t too much trouble. Thank you.”

  With my back turned so he couldn’t see, I rolled my eyes. Of course he wanted napkins too.

  Called it.

  Once I’d brought a coaster and a stack of napkins to his table, poked more fun at his obvious germ issue, and served him another three drinks, Donny caught my eye, indicating I needed to move the night forward.

  I hadn’t been successful in making the guy leave, and the more I ramped up my sarcastic jabs, the firmer he stayed planted. Part of me even began to think I amused him.

  I excused myself a final time before opening the invitation and went searching the crowd for A.J. Since I knew I wasn’t getting out of it, not only were my nerves shot, but the newly familiar sense of loathing sunk deep into my bones.

  Since that one night A.J had made his offer and I’d accepted, I hadn’t required help again. The previous weekend I’d remained up front. As much as the concept of what I sought from A.J bothered me, the idea of its blissful escape couldn’t be denied. It had helped tremendously.

  Maybe the night wouldn’t get that far. If the guy was truly a cop, he’d probably slap me in cuffs and shut the place down before I got his pants unbuckled. But if he wasn’t, and my night was headed in that direction, I needed help.

  A.J was on the second level, chatting with a familiar tick who’d been coming to Donny’s club for years. A.J smiled facetiously at the man and held his body invitingly. I rushed over and grabbed his arm, yanking him away.

  “Please help me, please.” I growled, sounding more desperate than I liked.

  A.J’s gaze scanned the bar, and he gave the tick a sympathetic smile before holding up a finger, indicating he’d be a minute. “Where’s Donny?” A.J hissed.

  “Downstairs somewhere. Please.” I bounced on my feet.

  A.J grabbed my arm and dragged me to the stairs. I followed close behind as we made our way to a back doorway which led into the employee only section. He veered off down the dank hallway leading to the changerooms. Before we reached our destination, A.J spun and glanced over my shoulder. His voice dropped to a near whisper, “Okay, but this is the last time I hook you up for nothing. You know it helps, but this shit ain’t free, Sor. I can sort you out today, but that’s it. After, it will cost you.”

  “I know. I’ll pay you. Whatever you need. Please.” I hated how whiny I sounded.

  A.J jotted into the changeroom and unlocked his locker. I’d always found it odd that he was one of the only guys who kept his locker locked. It finally made sense.

  He dug through his bag and came up with a similar looking sniffer like before, only that one was a red chrome in color. He shoved it into my hand and darted another look to the changeroom door. “Do you remember how to use it?”

  I nodded and started to wedge it inside the lip of my shorts.

  “What are you doing? Just take it. You can’t have the whole thing.”

  I shot him a look of panic. “I don’t want to take it unless I really have to.”

  A.J shook his head and held out his hand. “No way. No deal. Give it back.”

  My heart thrashed at the thought, and I stared wide-eyed at A.J. “Please. Take my share of the tips tonight. Whatever you need. I’ll give you what I get from this guy in the back too. A.J come on. Please.”

  He firmed his lips and glared for a minute before flicking his gaze back to the door. “Fine. But I get all your share tonight. All!”

  “Deal.” I secured it back in my shorts and whipped around to leave. A.J grabbed my arm and spun me back.

  “Don’t get caught or we’re all fucked, got it?”

  I nodded, and he shoved me ahead, encouraging me to keep going.

  When we got back into the main part of the bar, A.J returned to the second floor. I watched after him before scanning the room and returning to Remy.

  Vibrations cumulated over my bare skin, bringing goosebumps to the surface and making my legs wobble. I needed to get some semblance of control back, or I’d look guilty without having done anything. That guy was trained to see through a guilty conscience and mine was glaring.

  It was the busiest time of night at the club. The music blared and the crowd suffocated me as I pushed through the congestion to return to table six.

  Once back, I slipped into the seat across from him and leaned in, raising my voice above the noise. “It’s nuts in here, isn’t it?”

  He nodded and screwed up his forehead in confusion, indicating to my empty hands. “I thought you were getting me another drink.”

  Having played the game a hundred times, I rehashed my charm and smiled knowingly. “I thought you might like to have that drink somewhere a little quieter and moderately cleaner.”

  He studied me silently for a minute as though I was kidding, but then his smile grew at my offer. “I’d like that.”

  “Come.” I rose and waited for him to follow.

  The private area, reserved for The Escape’s special customers, was accessible through a keyed entrance to the left and behind the main bar. A pair of bouncers generally hovered around the doors and were the ones who held the key cards to let us in when needed. Other than Donny, they were the only people who held access.

  The two men on duty were Gunner and Tiny—who was anything but. Both men were built like brick shithouses, but had hearts of gold. They always had our back if trouble brewed, and being a club where the drunk population skyrocketed every Friday and Saturday night, it happened more often than not.

  At the locked double doors, I nodded to Gunner who was the first to catch my eye. He shifted to the card reader as I turned back to Remy. He was taking in the two men and dashed a look back over his shoulder to the crowded front of the club before meeting my gaze. Only then did the concentrated look fall from his face, and he smiled.

  I certainly hoped it wasn’t a huge mistake. For the first time since I started working there, I didn’t trust Donny to know what he was doing.

  Gunner held one of the doors open and ushered us inside. I thanked him and waved Remy to follow me up a wide, open flight of stairs to the second level. Up top were several private rooms along with a main area containing the private bar. Ordinarily, I stuck to the main room. The other men used the more private spaces, but I didn’t for a number of reasons. Mainly, I had no shame and didn’t give a fuck if someone walked in on me. Plus, Ashton often preferred I stuck close.

  I led Remy into the main room on the upper level. It was empty and the lights on the end tables flanking the two leather couches were dimmed. The walls were painted a dark burgundy and runners of tube lighting glowed softly along the ceiling as well. The music from the main part of the club didn’t penetrate completely and remained a distant thumping in the background that we could feel more than hear.

  I moved to the cherry wood bar and hit the back-panel switch that lit up the wall of lights behind the liquor shelf. Turning back, I noticed Remy had stalled at the entrance and looked around with a furrowed brow.

  When he saw my attention on him, he nodded to the empty room. “Are we supposed to be in here?”

  I laughed and fished inside the beer fridge for his beer. After popping the cap, I found a coaster and placed it on the bar. “Special privileges for special customers
. Anyone who is friends with Donny gets them. So, lucky you, here we are.”

  He crossed the room, keeping a watchful eye as I pulled down a glass and filled it with ice. Not measuring, I splashed a good two ounces of spiced rum into the glass and topped it off with Coke.

  “I don’t even know Donny. Just met him for the first time last week.” He stared at my glass as I sipped from it. “Are you supposed to be drinking while you work?”

  I lowered it and pinned him with a quizzical eye. “What do you mean you don’t know Donny?”

  Remy shrugged. “He and my brother seemed to be acquainted. I don’t know him.”

  I rolled this information around my head a little more and drank a good swallow from my glass. His response was passive and not once did he appear to be covering his footsteps. He was good.

  I took my drink and moved to the front of the bar to join him. He hadn’t sat and instead leaned against the bar beside the stool. Taking a moment, sipping my drink to buy time, I examined him. He was significantly taller than me—but who wasn’t. Being five-foot eight made every guy I met taller than me, but he cleared six feet easily and had inches to spare. His dark, olive-colored skin gave him a permanent looking tan.

  Not surprisingly, he was well groomed. Clean shaven, perfectly sculpted eyebrows which framed two stunning chocolate brown eyes. His hair was cut short and styled with mousse, not a strand out of place. I had to agree with Ashton, he was pretty hot—for a cop. Plus, his accent just gave him an edge. If my head space wasn’t so muddled, I might have swooned.

  Unfortunately, I hadn’t been in the right frame of mind for weeks and all I saw was a job that needed done.

  A job that no longer appealed to me.

  That particular one carried a razors edge to it. If my instincts were correct, I could be walking into a trap.

  I set my drink on the bar, and snagged the beer he had yet to touch. I approached him with as much confidence as I could muster and stood closer than was necessary, peering up. Holding his drink, I wet my lips with a long delicate draw of my tongue and smiled. “Don’t you want your drink?”

  When he accepted it, I hooked a finger into the top of his jeans and gave a little tug, making him lose his balance and step into me. He didn’t expect it, and when our bodies came into contact, his gaze darted all over my face in confusion. “Let’s find somewhere more comfortable to sit, shall we?”