Possession (Club X #3)(36)
Author: K.M. Scott

I looked over at Cash, who didn’t seem to know how to react to Stefan’s declaration of brotherhood, and shook my head. “On that note about our father’s sperm, I’m out of here. I have work to do so Mason and his brother have the time of their lives. Just give me a call when you’re bringing them up.”

“He said they’d be here around ten, so I’ll keep them downstairs with Stefan’s people to loosen them up for a while. I’m thinking between eleven and midnight.”

Standing, I turned to leave. “Got it. I’ll block out some time with my best dancers. Any idea what they’ll want?”

“No, but I’m thinking girls in the room would be a good bet. Plan on that.”

With a chuckle, I said, “It’ll be the easiest dance most of them have ever had, I bet. Small town guys are usually pretty easy on the girls.”

“Let’s hope so.”

When everyone arrived for work, I pulled Simone aside to let her know about the club’s special guest for that night and explained how she’d be working with another dancer for him. Always a trooper, she jumped at the chance to show off her stuff and represent the club.

“Thanks, Simone. I knew you’d be a good choice. I’m going to put you with Abbi, so he’ll have opposite ends of the spectrum.”

“She’s brand new, Kane. Are you sure?” Simone asked, her eyes studying me closely.

“You doubt my decision?” I joked.

“No. Just that she’s never done anything in the rooms and she’s really new.”

“She’ll be fine. I’ll be watching on the monitors, so don’t worry. It won’t be a girl on girl thing. It’s just the two of you dancing in the room.”

Simone shrugged. “Oh, okay. So we’ll just be doing our thing and that’s it? Who’s the guy?”

“The brother of someone we’re working with, so I want him happy.”

A sly smile spread across her lips. “How happy are we talking here, Kane? You’re putting your girlfriend in the room with him.”

“Not that kind of happy.”

Simone’s allusion to them servicing Mason’s brother bothered me, and it was clear from her reaction that she knew. “It’s kinda cool seeing you with someone, Kane. Everyone knows, but it’s okay. You just broke a few hearts.”

“Get to work.”

I turned and walked out toward my post as she called after me, “I saw that smile. I want you to know I like this new Kane better than the cranky one.”

Ignoring her teasing, I found Abbi milling around the fifth floor hallway with a few other dancers. “Ladies, you need to get yourselves ready, so head back to the dressing room. We’ve got a big night tonight and I want things to be great.”

As they passed me, I caught Abbi by the arm and stopped her. “I’m going to have you dance in one of the rooms tonight.”

Fear filled her eyes. “In a room? I’ve never done that, Kane,” she said in a panicked voice.

“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine. Simone will be in there. Just dance like you always do, okay?”

Nodding, she tried to force a smile. “Okay.”

“I won’t let anything hurt you, angel. I’ll be watching on the monitor the whole time.”

“I know. I just worry that I’ll mess up.”

I ran my finger down a long blond tendril that touched her cheek and whispered, “I wish we were home right now and you weren’t wearing that wig. I like it better when I get to run my fingers through your hair.”

She instinctively touched her nape and frowned. “I wish I still had my hair.”

“Shhh. You look beautiful no matter what your hair looks like. Now go get ready and when Samson comes to get you for that dance, don’t worry. Remember, I won’t let anything hurt you.”

Abbi stared at me with a frightened look for a long moment and then said quietly, “Okay.”

I saw a text right before midnight from Stefan telling me Cash was bringing Mason’s brother up to his room, so I texted back Room 1 and sent Samson to find Abbi and Simone. I didn’t like the idea of them being two floors down, but that was the only big room empty for the night. I’d be watching the entire time, so if anything happened I’d be down there in seconds.

Cash brought Jethro Jennings up to meet me on the fifth floor a few minutes later. Not always a believer in first impressions, this time I couldn’t deny they were usually right. I instantly disliked the guy. His look was too fucking slick, especially for a supposed small town bar owner. Well shorter than his brother, he came up to right above my shoulder and reeked of cheap drug store cologne like he’d taken a bath in the shit. One look and I knew he gave off a vibe that made me mistrust him as much as I’d ever mistrusted Shank.

As usual, Cash played his role as the consummate classy businessman with perfection, though. Even as his eyes watered from the smell of his guest, he introduced Mason’s brother and I shook his hand, noticing how tight the guy’s grip was. Only men trying to prove they’re tough guys shook hands like that.

“Nice place you have here, Kane. Can’t ever go wrong with tits and ass.”

Asshole.

I may have been the guy who ran the darker section of the club that rarely kept on the right side of the law, but I did it with respect for my people. This guy in one sentence had diminished every person who danced for us to body parts.

Cash’s eyes grew as big as saucers, probably because he thought I’d lay the guy out for saying that kind of shit about my staff, but I knew my role in this and simply smiled as I tried to forget how much this guy rubbed me the wrong way.

“I think you’ll find my people are the best around, Jethro. Enjoy your time here. And as I always tell our members, remember no touching unless the ladies say so.”

Quickly, Cash told him about the room we’d set up for him down on the third floor, and they left to head off in that direction just as Samson came running up behind me. “Small wardrobe malfunction. Simone must have had one too many pieces of Janie’s chocolate cake the other night because she’s busting out of her top. They’re fixing it now, but she needs a few minutes before she can get to the third floor room.”

“Is Abbi ready?”

“Yeah. She’s good to go.” Samson wrinkled his nose. “What is that disgusting smell?”

I rolled my eyes. “The guy she and Simone have to dance for. Cash just took him down there, but he’s still with us in all his disgusting spirit.”