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She liked Grant, even if she did get upset that he intervened every time someone showed interest in her. In her gut she’d known he wasn’t a voyeur, but now that meant she had no idea who’d been watching her.
“You okay?” Grant bent slightly, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“Yeah,” she lied. “You mind if I hold on to the other lighter for a while?”
“As long as you want.” His words were careful, his voice low.
She nodded absently. Who the hell had been spying on her? She turned.
Before she could walk away, Grant stepped close enough only she could hear what he said next. “I’m pretty sure I lost that lighter here, so whoever dropped it . . .” He didn’t have to finish. Whoever had dropped it had been at the club too.
“I’ve got your back.” He waited for her to look up and meet his warm brown eyes. “Anyone messes with you, don’t hesitate.”
Tears stung her eyes, and she nodded, not trusting her voice to reply.
His stare bore down on her as she headed backstage. Normally, when she arrived before her first dance, she mingled with the crowd or other dancers, but she didn’t feel like it tonight. Someone, possibly someone here now, had followed her to her apartment the night before, stood outside her bedroom window and watched her sleep. She’d been aware of the possibility; it was why Carpenter had rented the apartment in the first place so as not to risk someone following her to her own home. Until now, she hadn’t believed anyone deemed her important enough to watch closely.
Stilettos tapped out a rhythm on the concrete floor behind her. She glanced in the mirror to her left and found Ronnie Sinclair assessing her with a cool eye.
She considered kissing the other woman’s ass, but decided she’d get a truer sense of a woman like Ronnie Sinclair if she pissed her off. “Something I can help you with?”
Ronnie’s condescending grin reflected in the mirror.
Gretchen clenched her fists and waited.
“You’re excellent at what you do.” Ronnie ran her hand along the makeup table beside her as she came forward.
“What do you want?” Gretchen turned, slamming her locker behind her.
“Can’t I compliment a talented woman when I see one?” Ronnie’s hand went to her chest as her eyes opened wide in false surprise.
“Last night you didn’t even want to meet me,” Gretchen reminded her. “Sorry if I’m not fooled by the let’s-be-girlfriends bullshit.”
“You’re right.” Ronnie stopped and straightened. “Another thing for me to admire about you, Lilah Jennings.”
It didn’t bother Gretchen that the other woman had checked up on her, she’d expected it. Ronnie wanted her to be upset by it though, so Gretchen glared at her.
Ronnie’s lip curled in satisfaction. “Just so you know, I didnotget your last name from Jay. He didn’t know it.”
So that’s the game she wanted to play? Gretchen snickered. “Why would he? We don’t talk much when we’re together.”
Another person may have missed the quick flare of jealousy in Ronnie’s cool blue eyes, but Gretchen didn’t.
“I came to let you know I’m considering offering you a position within my organization.” Ronnie recovered. “It’s a bit more selective than the clubs. I cater to wealthy, cultured men, with distinct appetites.”
Gretchen had to remind herself that Lilah would be expected to be flattered by the offer and disguise the fact that the idea of satisfying Ronnie’s clients’ appetites made her stomach turn.
She slid atop the table behind her and leaned back on her arms as if unable to care less about the proposal. “And what am I supposed to do with that information?”
“Consider it,” Ronnie replied. “And consider what you need to do to be successful with me. My men don’t like women who fall in love easily.”
Gretchen raised a brow. “I’m sorry?”
“You and Jay, that isn’t real, Lilah. You need to learn to recognize those things, or you won’t make it in this industry.”
Gretchen’s body shook with laughter. “I assure you I have no delusions about what we are to each other. And I’m not a woman who falls in love easily.”
“Hmmm.” Ronnie considered her for a moment before nodding. “Perhaps. Just know I’m watching, waiting to see if you’re worthy.”
