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“Since you ladies are drinking, I’ll get some fries going for you. Be right back.” Not only did I have a legal responsibility for someone leaving Velvet Vortex drunk, I wanted to make sure the ladies were safe to drive home when they were ready.
A shadow of guilt crossed Kip’s expression as I neared the register to place the food order. “Sorry to cut your meal short,” he said, “but I need help.”
I released a weary breath. “It’s all right, mate. I knew it wouldn’t last long. Let me tell Ella I’m not skipping out on her.”
Replacing my name tag on my shirt, I hurried over. “I gotta save Kip from drowning. I’ll be back when I can with your fries.” I picked up my plate and hurried to the kitchen to box it up.
When I returned to the bar, I barely had time to think about Ella other than to grab another drink for her and Cami with their snack. At least the tips were flowing well. I didn’t need the money, but it was a matter of principle to me. If a customer got good service, they should tip—end of discussion. Even though the staff was paid well, a good chunk of what they made in a night was from tips. When those were dependent on another person’s mood that shit blew.
As Cami moved away from the bar and headed toward the restroom, my focus immediately shifted to Ella. A brown-haired guy quickly claimed Cami’s seat, and my protective instincts kicked into overdrive. I’d seen plenty of crazy shit go down in my life that I could spot trouble a fucking mile away. The guy looked shady as hell. My gaze flicked her way several times, assessing the situation and gauging her body language. He chatted with Ella as she defensively crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn’t interested in whatever he had to say.
Good.
As soon as I took care of the people at the end of the bar, I planned to make my way toward her without looking like an overbearing asshole. Suddenly, her expression morphed into annoyance as she slipped off the barstool, scanning the floor below. Had I not been watching her; I would have missed what the motherfucker did.
A guttural growl rumbled through me as I stormed toward him with laser-focused rage. In a swift motion, I knocked over Ella’s drink, shattering it into the wall. I jumped over the bar, narrowly missing her as she gaped at me, and I grabbed the fucking guy by his shirt. I tossed him on the floor like a sack of rotten potatoes before I pinned him down and raised my fist, pounding him with one good shot straight in the nose.
“Get the fuck out, and don’t you ever come back here again, you miserable piece of shit,” I roared.
Shocked, the man stared at me as blood poured down his face. I hopped off him, my hands clenching and unclenching with my barely restrained temper. “Out. Now.”
“I’ll fucking sue you for assault,” he yelled.
By then, everyone in the restaurant was watching the drama go down.
I climbed onto the bar top, cupped my hands around my mouth, and talked as loudly as possible. “Take a look at this man. He just tried to slip drugs into a woman’s drink. If you see him here again, notify me or Kip immediately. And for the rest of the fuckers that might even think about drugging and raping a girl in my club, I’ll come for you, too, but I won’t be so damn nice. Consider yourself warned.” I looked down the length of the bar at Kip as a wicked smile slipped into place. “I’ll be back. I want to make sure Ella is all right.” I hopped off the bar and headed over to a shocked and rattled woman. Her hands shook as she picked up the pieces of the glass on the floor.
“Shit.” She jerked her hand back, blood pooling on the end of her finger and dripping onto the floor.
“Ella, are you okay? Let the staff take care of that.” I gently took her arm as she trembled. “Let’s get you cleaned up and make sure there’s not any glass in your finger.”
“Okay.” Her voice wobbled as she focused on me.
“I need to let Cami know I’m with you. She’ll freak out if I leave without telling her.”
“Kip. Tell Cami that Ella is with me,” I said as we passed by him.
He nodded, then I led her through the kitchen and to the door marked “employees only.” I passed through the break room, collected a Band-Aid and antibacterial wipe, and took her outside.
My temper was still at full throttle, but I didn’t want to scare Ella any more than she already was.
We stepped outside into the cool night air, and I closed the door behind us.
“Are you all right?” I gripped her shoulders. “Did you drink anything from the time he sat down next to you?”
Her eyes widened as she shook her head. “No. I … he put something in my drink?” Anger brewed to life behind her gaze.
“Yeah. Thank god, I saw him before it was too late. Let me see your finger.” I gently cleaned it and inspected the small slice before I placed the Band-Aid around the cut. “There you go.”
To my surprise, Ella hugged me. “Thank you. I could tell he was an asshole as soon as he took Cami’s seat. I told him she would be right back, but he didn’t care.”
Her entire body leaned against mine, tremors still racking her small frame. She buried her nose against my neck, and her breaths grazed my skin. Ella’s full breasts pressed against me, and her warm, soft curves were short wiring my brain.
I wrapped her in my arms, comforting her. My heart skipped a beat as her body fit perfectly against mine. Reluctantly, I stepped back and allowed a little space between us before she could feel my dick straining against my jeans. It wasn’t the time, but my cock didn’t seem to care.
“I won’t put up with that shit in my club.”
Confusion skipped across her face. “Wait. Your club? You own Velvet Vortex?”
