“I’m twenty-one now.”
“So I hear,” he said, checking her out. Thanks to Madden staying with his mole theory, he’d tracked down how Cartwell’s trip had leaked—the local PD. Someone on Hank’s payroll had reported Cartwell’s travel plans when he’d let the locals know how and where to reach him in the case of an emergency.
Madden had apologized to Kellan and redirected his mole efforts. He’d become somewhat of a fixture down at the police station.
Best of all, Jade was back on the market and free game as far as Reason and Kellan were concerned.
Wearing a barely-there white-hot club number with thin straps over and under the shoulders, Jade looked classy, if not sophisticated, in the halter-style dress with its open back. When she rested her elbow on the bar, Reason damn near panted at the side view of her tan skin and full breasts. She was too damned innocent and too damned pretty to be dressed like that on a Saturday night at Clink.
Swallowing then, he took a second to regroup and even turned away long enough to catch his breath. Kellan, apparently wise to the problem at hand, worked his way between Reason and the bar. “I had a feeling we’d see you tonight.” He looked at her with too much familiarity. “Where’d you ditch the tail?” He leaned over the bar and kissed her cheek.
Aware of the Killian brothers watching the action, Reason leaned against the bar, blocking their view. Jade smiled sweetly, shifting her focus from one bartender to the other. “He’s outside. As you can probably guess, he has orders from Kane.”
“Oh, Kellan!” Katherine had apparently marked her target.
Jade stiffened but she didn’t look Katherine’s way. “Looks like Reason will be waiting on me tonight.”
“I just bet he will,” Kellan said, slapping Reason’s back and grabbing a few beer bottles for regular customers now sitting on either side of Katherine.
Gaining his bearings, Reason asked, “How about a virgin daiquiri?”
“How about the real deal?” Jade swirled around on the stool and took a deep breath before she crossed those long slender legs, a fact he was sure she had plotted and planned, just so he’d watch the act and notice the sexy side slit exposing her hip. “I like something with a little kick to it.”
“Uh-huh,” he said, unable to stop grinning. “I’ve got your kick coming right up.” For a little bit of nothing, he’d set a Screw Me Sideways in front of her and call out the drink name like a proper invitation.
Mixing up her daiquiri with only a tad of alcohol, Reason noticed Katherine glaring at Jade. Stirring her Bloody Mary with a slow and calculated circular motion, the cougar behaved as if she were contemplating her next show-stopping move.
Before he served Jade her first drink, Katherine called out, “Reason, honey, are you free later tonight?” She fluttered her eyelashes and puckered her lips. “I’m bored and need something thick and meaty to keep me entertained.”
About that time the music died down and Reason could’ve sworn Jade groaned. He swung his gaze at the daring young woman, placed her drink in front of her, and said, “That’s on me. Happy birthday.”
“Thank you,” she replied, accepting her drink and sliding away from her barstool.
“Jade?”
“Yes?” Jade looked hopeful, like she expected a dance or a compliment or maybe a request for her phone number.
“Reason!” Katherine crooked her finger back and forth before tapping the rim of her glass. “I need a refill down here.”
Son-of-a-sorry-bitch! Kellan had just served her a drink. Hadn’t he?
Reason tossed the bar towel over his shoulder. “You look real nice tonight, Miss Summers.”
“Thank you, Reason.”
A minute later, the crowd devoured her whole. Now Reason needed to figure out how to lose Katherine in that throng of club goers. Then the night would hold real promise.
Chapter Eight
Jade wasn’t much of a drinker but the daiquiri was cold and wet, enough to dampen her thirst but not enough to sate her hunger. She sauntered away from the bar, wondering where Kellan might have gone.
She already suspected Kellan of hiring the driver and his sidekick but the limousine seemed like a little much for a bartender’s salary. She glanced down at her dress. Who would’ve thought he would’ve gone shopping for her, too?
Wandering through the club, she took in the scenes and the sectioned-off play stations. Clink’s patrons were folks with fetishes and desires like anyone else. Before she’d studied the club scene, Jade used to think the only difference between club-goers and vanilla couples was the desire to act out in public versus staying at home behind a closed and locked door.
She’d learned a lot since then.
“Hey, good lookin’.” Kellan’s arms locked around her waist. He nuzzled her hair and swayed to the music, pretty obvious about his intentions. He was pushing her toward one of the side doors. Thanks to her friendship with Nory, Jade had been to Clink countless times and definitely knew what was behind door number one.
“Hey, yourself,” she said, pivoting. Looping her arms around his neck, she enjoyed the song and loved the dance. “Are you on break already?”
“You might say that,” he whispered, his lips hovering over hers.
“I’m not leaving, Kellan.”
“No one said you had to leave.” Yet he scooped her up and carried her straight through one door and right out the other.
“What do you think you’re doing?” She wiggled, trying to encourage him to set her down. “Kellan?”
“You’ll see.”
The chauffeur was waiting for them. As soon as they were inside the car, he threw his arm around her shoulders and dragged her to him. Their lips met in a fiery kiss, the kind of kiss that meant something and led somewhere.
He cupped her neck with his hands, brushing his knuckles up and down her neck as he thrust his tongue inside her mouth like a greedy lover might. It was seconds, maybe even minutes later, before he backed away from the kiss.
“You look so damned pretty.” He gave her a lingering gaze before he quickly added, “But I want you to leave.”
“What? No.” She couldn’t believe her ears. “Why?” Was this about Katherine Andes? She didn’t bother asking.
Kellan frowned. “It isn’t safe here tonight, Jade.”
“It’s never safe anywhere.” She crossed her arms. It wasn’t safe when she was running from the Amish, yet she’d kept running. It wasn’t safe when she was sleeping on the streets but she didn’t turn and go home. “I’m not leaving.”
“You can go wherever you want to go, but you need to stay out of the clubs tonight.”
“I’m confused. You send me a car. You buy me a pretty dress and now you—”
“Wait.” Kellan held up his hand. His gaze swept over her. “The car and guys are on me but I didn’t send you this dress, Jade.”
Unnerved, she swallowed once. “You must’ve.” Her head spun with maddening ideas. The dress and shoes were perfectly sized. “It had to have been you.”
Kellan’s demeanor changed on a dime. He framed her face and stared into her eyes. “Take a deep breath.” It was only then when she realized she was trembling. “Where’d you get the dress? Who delivered it?”
“The driver. He said a courier from the store dropped it off and—” She gasped. “How could I have been so stupid?”
“What store?” Kellan thinned his lips and waited. “Honey, which store sent it over?”
“You’ll have to ask him.” Jade wanted to strip off and pitch the dress. Shifting uncomfortably, she blurted, “Kellan, I need to change. What if it isn’t safe to wear this?” She reached behind her back, going for the zipper.
He placed his hand over hers. “It’s not the dress, Jade. What kind of box was it sent in?”
“Oblong—gold and black.”
“What did you do with it?”
“There… wasn’t anything else in it.”
“Where is it, Jade?”
“Why? What’s going on?” She gasped then, remembering the unusual weight of the box. “Oh. My. God. You’re right. It’s in the packaging. There was something in the bottom of it.”
“Come on.” He grabbed her hand and they hurriedly left the limousine.
“Kellan, wait. I—” She took a deep breath. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I shouldn’t be here.”
He stopped. “No. I’m wrong. This is exactly where you need to be. We can keep an eye on you.” Forcing a smile, he added, “Besides, you really do look stunning. I’m just an ass who wanted to keep you to myself. It’s your twenty-first birthday.” He winked. “What kind of lover would I be if I asked you to sit at home on your birthday?”
“Is that what we are, Kellan?”
“Whatever we are, we need time to figure it out. I can’t do that if you’re not nearby to remind me how lucky I am. Right?” Pulling her against his rigid body, he kissed the top of her head and whispered, “Let me call Kane. Don’t leave the club. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
* * * *
“Anybody have any idea what the pastel wristbands are for?” A pretty redhead leaned over the bar with her hands clasped in front of her. She moistened her lips and eyed Kellan’s cock like she’d either had a hold of it at some point or planned to grab a good grip later that same evening.
Reason observed. Kellan wasn’t giving her the time of day.
“See the bouncers,” Kellan replied, barely looking at her.
“What are they for?” She was persistent.
Kellan set up twelve glasses in front of him and showed off like a good bartender might. He mixed up Long Island Iced Teas and Singapore Slings. Concentrating for a second, he focused on the bottles in front of him before calling out, “We’re running low on gin and triple sec!”
“Gotcha,” Elliott said in passing, heading to the stockroom.
The bar was packed. The line outside was on a two-hour, no-promises wait.
“Hello?” The gal waved her hand in front of Kellan’s face. “Seeking information over here.”
Kellan, not always the most patient Clink employee, finally glanced up and said. “They’re color-coded like …” His voice trailed and he scanned the club before nodding at Reason, signaling him to find Jade, no doubt.
“It’s not that tough to answer a simple question. It’s not like I’m offering to blow you behind the dumpsters.”
Kellan worked on the cocktail order and glanced up long enough to paste on a smile. “Mint green signifies you’re looking for a play partner and light pink, or maybe it’s yellow, means you’re hoping to find someone who is a suitable fit for a lasting relationship.”
“Really? So people actually come here to find lasting commitments?”
“Guess so.”
She laughed. “And here I was told the bartenders could dish up saucy comebacks with every drink they serve cold.”
“You’d be surprised,” Kellan said, scooping ice in the glasses and studying her with a more intense look. “Wait a minute. I know you. You’re the gal from the city.”
“That’s right,” she said. “We met a few weeks before your club was hit.”
He balked at that. “Hit is not exactly the word for it.”
“Shame, wasn’t it?” She moistened her lips and stared at his.
Reason tried to gauge where the conversation was heading. “Can I get you a drink?” He wiped down the bar and offered to grab her something since Kellan was working on a server’s order.
“No, I’m just with here with a message.”
As soon as she said “message” Kellan’s body went rigid and Reason’s mind traveled to the last time he’d heard a similar warning. It was right after Sarsarone’s guys had shot up the club the first time.
“No need to go for your weapons, boys,” she purred. “I’m not on Hank’s payroll.”
“What do you want?” Kellan asked. He could take her apart regardless of who signed her checks.
“Who are you?” Reason asked.
Tristan approached then, apparently curious to see what was holding up the continual flow of pushing alcohol out and bringing the cash in. “Problems?”
“We got it,” Reason said out of the corner of his mouth. “Keep us covered down there.”
Tristan whistled and motioned for Elliott, likely aware of the brewing trouble.
“I don’t want anything, boys. You can relax. But I am here to deliver a mes—”
“Kellan! Reason!” Katherine’s whiny voice rang out. “I’m lonely, fellas!”
“Just a minute, Katherine,” Kellan said, holding up his index finger before leaning closer to the messenger. “You’ve got thirty seconds.”
She flattened her palms on the bar and practically swung her body over the wood. “You tell that little girl you guys protect that it’s not safe for her friends. If she doesn’t do what Hank Sarsarone tells her to do, then they’ll end up like this.” She yanked up her shirt and showcased a mix of jagged scars. “I’m here because I had the bad luck to befriend someone like Norina Baldini. If he would do this to me? He’ll chop up her little blonde buddy and leave her scattered across his favorite harbor.”
Kellan gasped. Reason groaned. “Dear God.”
“That’s what I’m sayin’,” Katherine snapped, slamming her hand against the bar. “I have a perfect body and you’re coming on to someone who looks like that!”
The gal lowered her shirt. “It happens. And I’m only here to do you a favor. Norina could end up like this. She’ll be a constant reminder of your failures. And that other gal? What’s her name? Jade?” She scoffed. “He’ll see her dead so unless you enjoy burying your girlfriends, Mr. Andrews, I suggest you put some distance between you and Miss Summers.”
“Fellas! I will not be put on ice down here!” Katherine slammed her glass against the bar. “Service, please!”
“Just. A. Minute. Katherine!” Kellan yelled, turning his gaze to the young woman again. “Who sent you?”
“No one. And I don’t want to hurt anyone. I’m only here to help.”
“Since when does help sound like a masked threat?” Reason asked.
“Just tell Norina what I said. She needs to distance herself from everyone she loves. That goes double for you boys.”
Before they could question her further, she disappeared into the crowd. “Go!” Kellan yelled, motioning for Tristan and Elliott, too.
Reason leapt over the bar and pushed his way through the club “Excuse me. Pardon me. Excuse me.” He yanked his headset away from his neck and situated it so he could speak into the mic and hear the responses from the bouncers and security team. “Main door, this is Reason. There’s a redhead coming your way. She’s wearing a low-cut navy top, short white skirt. High heels. Stop her.”
“Reason. What’s the problem?” Ansley’s voice filled his ears.
“Maybe nothing. We need to question her.”
“Reason? She’s gone, man.” If Quinlan Stevens said she was out of there, she was out of there. No one came or went without his knowledge.
“Fuck!” Reason threw his arms up in the air. He turned around and searched the bar, realizing it was a pointless effort. The messenger had slipped away from them. “Damn it.”
“Anything we need to discuss right this minute?” Why the hell hadn’t Tristan taken Ansley home yet? Her dad didn’t want her there. Hell, her men shouldn’t have wanted her there. None of their women should’ve been there with the constant threat of violence hanging over their heads.
“We’ll talk later,” Reason said, yanking off his headset and marching back to the main circular bar, the hub for drink-slinging action.
This night was turning into one continuous circle of total chaos. In the back of his mind, Reason couldn’t help but worry about Jade. Kellan had asked him if he’d purchased Jade’s dress. After he said he hadn’t, Kellan sent Graham to the Cartwells with a key to Jade’s place. Something was going on there. He just hadn’t had time to find ou
t what.
Reason was only steps away from reclaiming his usual post at the bar when the DJ bellowed, “Don’t forget the observation loft is open to our VIPs. For your viewing pleasure, session play is now available in all dungeon settings. If you like a little color in your cheeks, don’t miss the spanking chamber, a new feature right here at Clink! The South’s Nummmmmber Onnnne Adult Entertainment and Pleasure Club!”
Reason had a real love for paddling his subs. The mere mention of the spanking chamber left him looking for the only little ass he wanted to spank as of late. If he couldn’t play, he could at least fantasize. Leaping over the bar, he caught a glimpse of Jade. Standing about twenty feet away, she seemingly enjoyed casual conversation with a young couple sporting black wristbands.
“Two longneck Buds,” a cowboy said, throwing a ten on the bar.
“Sure thing, man.” Reason opened the cooler, set up the beer bottles, and popped off the caps. “Anything else?”
“That’s it, buddy. Keep the change.”
“Thanks, man.” Reason turned to Kellan. “Any idea what the black wristbands mean?”
Kellan chuckled. “Wondered when you’d notice that. I’ve had my eye on them but feel free to run interference.” He tilted his head at the printer terminal. The tickets were shooting out faster than normal. “The black bands are for couples looking for an additional play partner.” He wagged his finger at Jade. “And I must’ve pissed off our girl. She has on a mint-green band now. Means she’s looking to play tonight.”
“What?” Reason leaned back so he could peer around one of the cocktail waitresses. “Damn if you’re not right.” A beat later, he added, “Maybe she doesn’t know what it means.”
“If she does, she’s spanked.” Kellan turned, stuck a hundred in the cash register, rang the tip bell, and shrugged. “It’ll be my honor to give her twenty-one licks after closing time.”
About that time, a known Dom approached her. She nodded, casually brushed her bangs away from her brows, and shot them a smile.
“Go on,” Kellan said. “I’ve got it covered here. Jade’s bracelet indicates she’s looking and she’s bound to find the kind of trouble she can’t handle.”
Screw Me Sideways [Clink 1: A Cowboy Sex Story] (Siren Publishing LoveEdge) Page 6
