Page 49

The last of the patrons exit the lounge through the stairs, leaving me and Jacques alone in the empty room.

“I’ve taken up serving at the lounge for extra money,” I say, keeping my voice even. Though, he’s making me faint with nerves.

He stops beside me, leaning his elbow on the bar. “Don’t we pay you enough?” he asks, placing a hand over his chest.

“No! God, no! Not at all–” I stutter. “I mean, you do—”

He laughs, and it’s the most infectious laugh I’ve ever heard. It makes my mouth quirk up. “I’m only fucking with you.” His face turns serious. His thick, dark eyebrows pull in. “Is someone giving you grief?”

Yeah, your brother.

“Of course not.” I smile, downing the rest of my drink. “Corrine asked me to lock up for her. She had a… She has a dentist appointment in the morning and needs an early night.”

He holds his hands up in surrender. “I won’t pry. But you should really get home, Camila. There’s a storm coming. I wouldn’t want you to get stuck. Especially without a car.”

That has my ears perking up.

He doesn’t know?

Surely, he must know. Maybe he forgot.

Everyone knows that my car was a write off, but not a lot know about my new car. Jacques should know since it was company courtesy.

I hold up the key to my Audi.

“Holy shit,” he starts, taking the key into his ring-adorned hands. “We really do pay you well.”

He doesn’t know.

My eyebrows pull in slightly with confusion, but I don’t let it show on my face further than that.

“Yeah,” I chuckle, snatching the key back from him. “I’ll be fine getting home.”

“Okay. If you need anything, let me know.” He winks his blue eyes at me and disappears down the steps.

Tucking in the last of the chairs, I breathe out a sigh of relief. I finished cleaning the Lounge quickly, so I decided to come downstairs and help clear up.

The storm is really doing its work outside.

Now that the music is off, the wind is so strong that it sounds like it’s inside the club.

Some of the other staff disperse to grab their bags, and Jayden comes in from the back door—soaking wet and shivering.

“Is it really that bad?” I laugh.

“Vix? I thought I missed you leaving the club earlier.” He’s all charm as he grins and strolls over to me by the stage. Taking off his drenched coat, he throws it on one of the chains.

“Hey! I just cleaned that,” I chuckle, though it’s not genuine.

That’s annoying.

“Oh, shit, sorry,” he says, but doesn’t bother to pick his jacket back up. I cut him an annoyed glance. “Well, I could certainly get used to seeing you right at the end of my shift.” He perches on the arm of another chair, waving bye to the last remaining staff.

The sound of pelting rain fills the club as they exit, then fades out as the door slams shut.

I twist on my heel, heading towards the dressing room to grab my things. If I don’t leave now, the wind will probably blow me away. I push through the padded staff door that leads into the red-lit corridors.

“You should get going. You don’t wanna get stuck in the storm,” I call over my shoulder, but as I turn my head, he’s there. Right behind me. I gasp, startled by his closeness. “Jayden, don’t do that.” I press my hand to my chest where my heart is battering my ribcage.