“Well, this is a first,” she muttered, taking in her surroundings. There was a smoky hue throughout the large open area. It was a two-tiered room, and both levels circled the stage in the center of the room. There were two dancers on opposite ends. One was sliding upside-down on the pole. The other was spreadeagle with only a G-string and pasties covering her nipples. A man from the table closest to the stage leaned over, stuffing a bill into her panties.
“You need a table or sitting at the bar?” The feminine voice shouting over the music caught Addison by surprise and she turned fast, stumbling into the wall.
The woman grasped her arm, steadying her. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Addison straightened and snickered. “Sorry.”
The woman arched her brow. “Table or bar?”
“Neither. I’m here to use the bathroom.”
She sighed, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. “That lazy fuck still hasn’t gotten the bar bathroom fixed?”
“Apparently not.”
The woman smirked and pointed past her shoulder. “About four tables down, you’ll see a hallway on your right. Bathrooms are down there.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Addison turned, staying close to the wall and keeping her eyes straight forward. Unfortunately, not everyone was paying attention to where they were going. A large man heading straight toward her was looking in the direction of the stage. With nowhere to go, she flattened her back against the wall and braced her hands in front of her.
“Joey!” The familiar female voice was distant but loud enough to get the man’s attention seconds before he slammed into Addison. He stopped inches from her and grabbed her shoulders. It wasn’t aggressive, but she froze under his hold.
“Well, shit. I’m sorry, honey.”
She forced a smile, wiggling out of his grip. He dropped his arms and immediately stepped around her, laughing and headed toward the woman. “I got distracted, Ava.”
It was a fair excuse. There were plenty of distractions in the club.
Addison glanced over her shoulder to see the woman, Ava, scowling at Joey and playfully slapping him on the arm as he passed. When she glanced over, Addison mouthed, “Thank you.”
The long-haired brunette winked and gestured to the hallway. Addison once again stayed close to the wall, this time with no further obstacles. She walked down the hall, eyeing the ladies bathroom at the end.
At least she wouldn’t be dodging any men in there.
Right?
****
“Dance?”
Cross ignored the bleached blonde standing between him and Oak. It was anyone’s guess who she was talking to. Every brother got equal attention when it came to the dancers at the club. However, some were more eager than others. Every once in a while, Cross would partake in the backroom entertainment, but it had been a long time. Getting his dick sucked on a cum central couch didn’t have the same appeal as it once had. Maybe he was getting too old for the bullshit. He was closing in on forty in a few months. Between the stress with the club business and everything else, he had a lot on his plate. Occasionally, he’d indulge at the clubhouse with a woman for a night. But never anything more.
Oak stood, wrapping his hand around her waist. “I got something else in mind.”
Cross snorted, shaking his head.
“When are we heading out?” Cue asked.
They were picking up a transport of cash. It was possibly a two-day ride, but he was hoping they could do it in one. With all that had happened nine months ago, Cross wanted to be close to home base. It was a sentiment most brothers shared.
“Brother” —Gent spread out his arms— “Relax, enjoy the entertainment.”
Cue glared. “I’m not drinking ’cause I’m riding out, asshole. And it’s hot as fucking balls in here. When the hell is Barry gonna get the A/C fixed?”
It was rare that any of the members took off their cuts in public, but the vests were currently hanging on the backs of their chairs. Cue wasn’t exaggerating. The longer they sat in there and more customers rolled in, the hotter it got. He was tempted to go wait for Wraith in the bar. It was ten degrees cooler with a much better view.
