A Dirty Business (Kings of New York #1)(18)

“No need to worry, Sloane. We’d never do anything that would come back on you,” I said with a small smile and a cool tone.

Her face clouded over. “I’m not hearing reassurances here.”

I looked back to my father. “Nor will you because you should know better than to threaten me or my family.” I heard her soft intake of breath, and I ignored it. “Tell me what my father needs to heal from this so that I can make sure to get him out of Dr. Nea Sandquist’s care before she does something stupid, like call the police.”

Within three hours, my father was being discharged before the good Dr. Sandquist started her next shift. And after all that, I headed to my uncle because he said it was time for the second favor he needed from me.

This time, I brought Ashton, because while my uncle sometimes got visits from only me, he knew that Ashton and I were barely two separate people.

Both families were aware. Neither liked it.





CHAPTER FOURTEEN


JESS


Katya was filled to the brim, but that was normal. Friday night was always insane. They’d booked a DJ, so the crowd was especially hyped up. Neon lights flashing everywhere. Shot glasses glowing in the dark, being carried around the place.

They had ultraprivate boxes where people didn’t know they existed unless they were in the club with the lights on, or they were in one of the boxes. Then they had entire private floors, and the high rollers went there. They got their own bartenders, their own dance girls, their own shot girls. Then there were the VIPs, and I had no clue what they got because I’d never been allowed up there. I liked Katya, for the most part. I knew there were parts of it that were shady, but so far I hadn’t had anything happen smack in front of my face. The biggest issue was if a parolee came in, not knowing I had a second job here, and I had to notify their PO, just in case. I enjoyed it as much as they did.

“Your girl is doing good.” One of the new bartenders came over—Justin.

I looked where he was looking and saw Kelly circling a booth with her tray. I’d been watching her, too, and he was right. She knew how to smile to engage the customer but step back and evade when necessary. I was guessing Anthony had put an extra couple security guys around the floor she was working because there’d been two customers who’d ignored her rebuff and tried to grab her. The guys had moved in right away, and I mean, they were there even before Kelly could blink. They were fast tonight, not taking any bullshit.

“She’s done this work before, but I’m protective.”

He nodded.

He’d started working here a couple weekends ago. Anthony had asked me to train him one of the nights, but it wasn’t necessary. He’d been a natural, so I wasn’t surprised he’d been moved to Friday nights already. Trim but built with defined shoulders, chest, and arms. He had a quick grin and golden-brown curls on top that I’d witnessed more than a few girls sighing over, and he was nice. Plus funny. He was already a favorite over some of the other guys behind the counter. Customers knew where to go, who were the asses and who weren’t. Justin was popular.

“I’m surprised you had time to come over here.” I nodded at the customers waiting for him to get their drinks.

He flashed a grin my way. If I could’ve seen better from the lighting, it looked like he was blushing a little. Maybe? I couldn’t tell. He leaned closer, quieting his voice but still loud so I could hear him. “I’m wondering if your girl is single?”

I stepped back, giving him another once-over, but more intentional this time.

He braced himself, taking a breath and holding it.

“You’re single?”

His head lowered, some shyness coming over him. “I am.” He nodded toward the girls behind him. “That’s work. I never dip where I work, but . . .” His gaze went back to Kelly, and I saw it then. A full glaze came over him.

He was a goner for her.

And Kelly with how she was . . . I scowled at him. “You fuck her over, I will destroy you.”

He jerked his gaze back to me, his eyes widening for a second. He blinked, a wariness edged in, but I still saw the determination shining through. “That’s not the plan. I’m not that guy. I mean it.”

I was going to regret this, but I nodded. “She’s single.”

That was it. That was all the opening I was giving him. No way was I going to let him know she was a romantic and tended to fall quickly. If he was worth his word, he’d figure that out and proceed with caution. Or the ultimate respect.

He dipped his head a little. “Thanks, Jess.”

He was leaving as Anthony was zeroing in on us.

Our manager pushed around the customers waiting for me, frowning at me and Justin talking, but jerked his head to the side. When he added a lone finger wave, I knew he meant business. The funny thing about Anthony was that his outsides were all smooth and slick. Dark-black hair slicked back. His face was always manscaped to perfection. Smooth skin. Full lips. I swear he used a ChapStick a day. He was maybe five ten. One eighty. He kept himself trim. Silk shirts, half-unbuttoned. Soft trousers. Loafers. But his insides were stressed. He always seemed worked up and tight about something. I’d learned to half enjoy it.

I frowned but moved to the side so he could lean over better to talk to me.

“I need you in VIP tonight.”