Home > Filthy Vegas Nights (The Trifecta #3)(9)

Filthy Vegas Nights (The Trifecta #3)(9)
Author: Logan Chance

Damien smiles as if he can read my thoughts. “One of the main reasons we bought the club is so we can stop dancing. Having women paw at you every night is exhausting.”

I huff out a breath not really believing him.

“Ben was the only one of us who really loved the attention.”

“Clara told me he was a bit of a player before she met him.”

“A bit?” Damien cracks a grin.

“I’ve seen the way Ben is with Clara. I have a hard time picturing Ben as a player.”

“What can I say, Ben changed when he met Clara. But Axel hated the attention the most. Women pawing at him made him feel gross and used. The only reason he danced is because there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I promise you, after this club is established, Axel will never step foot on the stage again.”

“What about you?”

“I don’t mind dancing.”

“I bet.”

Damien rolls his eyes. “Like Axel, I see dancing as a means to an end. Not an end to being objectified, but to make sure we have a good future. I’ve always been a bottom of the line type guy, and now we have a thriving business, and our future is set. What about you?”

“Well, you know I’m going to school for graphic design.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

“I do. Two brothers, Trace and Slade. They’re overseas. They both joined the Marines as soon as they graduated. As for me, I decided to move here to start college.”

“Just now starting college? How old are you?”

I suck in a deep breath. “Yeah, I was sort of a wild child and never really did much after high school. I’m twenty-seven. It’s silly to think I can finish school now.”

“I don’t think it’s silly at all. I’m proud of you.”

My cheeks heat up. I don’t think I’ve ever really had anyone say they’re proud of me before. “Thank you.”

“What about your parents?”

“They passed away when I was in middle school. My brothers took care of me for a while. But once I graduated, they were both in the military and well, I just kind of went crazy.” I laugh a little even though I know it’s not funny.

Damien and I chat a bit longer about life growing up, and how him and his brothers got started in the business. Before I know it, the cleaning crew is coming in through the front doors.

“Oh, what time is it?” I yawn as Damien grabs his phone out of his pants.

“It’s almost four a.m.”

“I have to get going.” I scramble around the bar and head toward the backdoor.

“See you tonight.”

Oh he definitely will. And more importantly I’ll get to see him tonight...dancing.

 

 

6

 

 

Damien

 

 

I wait until I hear Shayne’s car pull out of the parking lot before getting up. When I looked at the clock, I was surprised at how long we talked.

Yes, I swore the past few days I wouldn’t be pulled in by her. But, I don’t know, there’s just something about her I can’t stop thinking about. I can’t stay away.

And believe me, I’ve tried.

Is it bad I’m beginning to like her? Like really really like her. After talking to her tonight, I can see she’s loyal and funny.

I head to my SUV, wanting more than anything to just get home and stop thinking about Shayne.

I need to get it together.

When I get home the silence deafens me. Even with Axel living next door, I still feel alone.

 

 

“What did you do to Shayne?” Clara asks, walking into my office.

“What are you talking about?” I’ve been up here all night. Clara’s been in her office across from mine for most of the night. She knows I haven’t had any interaction with Shayne. She snuck downstairs to talk to Ben whose office is located behind the bar right next to Axel’s. Before she went downstairs, Clara asked if I wanted anything, and I told her no, giving myself an excuse to talk to Shayne later tonight.

“She looks like a zombie.”

Guilt swamps me. While I was sleeping, Shayne was in class after I’d kept her up all night. I’ve been so wrapped up in my mixed feelings for her, I didn’t even think about what she’s going through.

“Fuck.” Pushing out of my chair, I rush downstairs. When I reach the bottom I stand back and watch. She isn’t as fast as she normally is, and I can see the fatigue evident in her face.

I catch her attention as soon as I move toward the bar, and I wonder if she feels the same pull I feel.

“Whiskey?”

I shake my head, feeling even worse when I hear the weariness in her voice. “Why don’t you cut out early?”

Her eyes widen, as she grips the bar hard enough to make her knuckles white. “What? Why? Are you firing me?”

The panic in her face has me stepping back. The pure terror makes me wonder what she’s keeping from me, and I’m determined to find out what it is. “No, you’re not fired. If I didn’t fire you for spilling a drink on the mayor, why would I fire you now?”

“Then why are you sending me home?” She sucks on her bottom lip, worrying it with her teeth.

I watch that movement closely. “I’m giving you a break. You’ve been working here every night since we opened.” I lean in, so she can hear me better, “And I kept you up all night last night. You have to be exhausted.”

The relief is almost instant. Her body sags against the bar, her fingers loosening on the wood. “I’m tired, but it’s fine. Thanks for worrying about me boss, but I’ve got this.”

I open my mouth to argue but notice there’s still a trace of fear barely concealed in her face. “Ok.”

She smiles brightly, turning to help a customer, but I stop her by placing my hand on her arm lightly.

“After the Trifecta’s set you’re done behind the bar for the night. I want you to take a look at our website.”

Her forehead crinkles as if she’s about to fight my order. “Will I still get paid?”

A tiny bit of understanding of what motivates Shayne shines through with the hesitation in her question. “You’ll still get paid. I’ll throw in some extra since you’re missing out on tips by not being down here.” I wait, wondering if she’s going to fight me on the extra money. When she nods, I let her go so she can help out at the busy bar. It seems like money trumps pride when it comes to Shayne. I tuck that little nugget of wisdom away for when I’ll have more time to analyze it.

Axel and Ben step out from their door behind the bar where their offices are hidden. They stop when they see me watching Shayne, both of them grinning like they know a secret I don’t.

“What?” I ask when they flank me. We walk backstage to get ready for our performance.

“Nothing,” they both answer in unison.

I roll my eyes, grabbing the bottle of baby oil and slathering it over my abs. Just like my brothers, I can’t wait until we don’t have to do this anymore. The music begins alerting the crowd of horny women that they’re in for a treat. The noise level is almost deafening.

“Ready for this little brother?” Axel asks, slapping me on the back as Ben hits the stage making the noise level elevate even higher.

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