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Instead of taking a left and showing her the dressing room, I took a right, leading her toward our private rooms. “Down there, you have the private suites. Or more famously known as the Champagne Rooms. Number one is Mr. Knight’s. The rest have cameras, audio, and yes, you will be spied on, but it’s for your safety not because we give a shit what you do. And you’ll meet Kirsten soon. She’s our Champagne Room manager.”
Continuing down the hall, and taking several turns, I led her back out to the main hallway, pointing at the Blue Lounge on the way. We strolled across the lobby, and that’s when I noticed Lonnie was still at her desk. I stopped, propping an elbow on the tall surface, peering down at her. “What are you still doing here?”
“Well, when I saw the schedule for the Blue Lounge, I realized I should come in, in case you guys needed help, but I heard your new girl here is quite the dancer so maybe she can do it if she wants the experience.” She grinned at Giovanna. “I’m Lonnie.”
“Gia,” she matched her expression.
“Nice to meet you,” Lonnie grinned wider. “If they say you can take my place in Blue tonight, feel free but a little warning that our guest of honor is really grabby and though I find him to be extremely handsome,” she snorted. “I’m just not a dancer. But if he wants to take me into a room and give me?—”
“Lonnie,” I spat, “Mr. Aggio is Gia’s father.”
Lonnie’s face melted into a deep cringe. “Oh boy. Um… I’m?—”
“It’s o-okay,” Giovanna blushed. “Whatever my dad does is his business.”
Internally, I was having secondhand embarrassment for Lonnie. She was one of the nicest human beings alive, and digging herself into a social hole wasn’t common. She took a deep breath.
“And,” I interjected, trying to change the topic. “Gia’s going to be helping me manage Luxe.”
Lonnie quirked a brow.
“Oh, sorry, I haven’t told everyone. Luxe is what we’re naming the expansion.”
“Ah,” she flashed her perfect smile again, “love it. So fitting.” She looked at Giovanna. “Well, good luck, and I’ll see you around. I need to get changed.”
As we walked through the now bustling lobby, people scattered to make way for us. They openly stared at Giovanna, their eyes lingering on her. I kept my hand on her lower back for security, guiding her confidently through the crowd.
Coming to a stop at a tinted, black glass door, I pulled out my black keycard from my inside jacket pocket and scanned it, unlocking the door before ushering her inside. The floor was bare and covered in bits of glue and dust, as all the tiles had been removed. The freshly sheetrocked walls lined a small check-in area, though the custom desk had yet to be delivered.
“This will be the reception area where members will check in and rent rooms.” I waved a hand. “Follow me.” I led her around a corner and stretched my arms out in front of us. “This will be another set of double black doors, just like the one back there,” I said, pointing back to the entrance.
As we walked further into the massive space, she roamed around in awe. Machinery, tools, piles of sheetrock and lumber, and a few empty soda cans littered the floor.
“Based on the plumbing and markings on the floor over there,” she observed, “I’m guessing this will be the main bar area and that will be some sort of stage?”
I nodded. “And down on those two hallways,” I pointed to each side of the room, “will be all the private rooms and other mingling areas.”
She meandered to the furthest corridor, rolling her bottom lip between her teeth.
Sliding my hands in my pockets, I leaned back on a pile of lumber. “You seem nervous.”
She pivoted around to face me. “Nervous? Not at all.”
“Then what’s on your mind?”
Hands on her hips, she walked closer, coming to a stop near the bar area. “I’m like a kid in a candy store when it comes to interior design. I absolutely love it and I can’t help but design this place a little in my head.” She lifted her hands, flashing me her palms. “I’m not saying that I want to take over on the project or anything because this isn’t my club and I know it isn’t my place, but I can’t help it.”
“I know how you feel, because I’m the same way, and a part of me feels like this place is my baby.” I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest. “Mr. and Mrs. Knight have no interest in running this side of the club, though they support the project. Amber’s in charge of the dancers. Jade has to be available for Ian at any given second or break up the occasional fight.”
She snickered. “Nice.”
“You say that until you see it.” I chuckled. “Tyler, well, he’s our lawyer of course. Chance hangs out here because of Amber, but sometimes has to fly off to film, as you know. Declan’s just an investor and shows up to fuck and drink. We’re a tight circle. This place is run on love and trust, but this project’s pretty big and the last thing I want is for it to fail and disappoint them.”
Bending over, she inspected a stack of lumber and hopped back on top of it, landing on her bottom. “I don’t know my place here yet, but after our talk on the plane, I’ll offer my advice and expertise wherever needed.” She pointed to her injured eye. “Your girlfriend’s amazing for helping me cover up my eye as much as it could be and letting me stay with you guys. I promise to be out as soon as I find a place.”
“It’s no problem. She loves taking care of people and she offered. You guys are going to look at places tomorrow, right?”
The sound of the door closing around the corner summoned our attention. “Hello?”
