Page 3 of A Knotty Choice: The Seduction of Sharon

His eyes flashed but he nodded.

“Just serving drinks. You’ll be safe. Nothing will happen that you don’t agree to.”

My lip popped from between my teeth as I glared, and he held up his hands as if to show he was innocent.

“I’m just saying! It’s a party, and you’re an adult, and you might decide you want to party too.”

I was tempted even though I knew most people would say it was foolish. Still, it was in a public place, there would be other waitresses, and I was sure the club had bouncers. If I got there and things seemed shady, I could always leave, and the worst that would have happened was losing a night of work.

“We’re offering a grand.”

He said it like he was dangling the tastiest treat known to man.

My eyes widened at the amount, and the thin veil of hesitation holding me back evaporated. That was enough to pay the rent on my shitty apartment for this month, plus part of the next. There was no way I could turn it down.

“What time should I be there?”

His face had triumph written all over it, but I didn’t care.

“I could always pick you up.”

He didn’t make it a question, and my brow cocked even as I smiled and shook my head.

“Nice try, but no thanks.”

He shrugged as if my rejection didn’t faze him. For an alpha who looked like he did, I was sure he had plenty of options.

“Setup starts at nine. Go up the staircase at the back of the building and tell the guard Ilias sent you for the party. They’ll get you to the right place.”

A little flutter of suspicion wiggled in my gut, but I shoved it away. I’d text Cadence to be sure there really was a party on Thursday and let her know I’d be there. If anything happened, at least there would be one person who knew where I had been.

“I’ll be there.”

Chapter Two

Sharon

The Warehouse looked exactly like what it had been named after. From the outside, you’d never think there was a club just beyond the austere walls, but there were all kinds of rumors about the place. The main floor was a typical club, but the balcony encircling it on the second floor was only for the rich and powerful.

None of that was visible from the metal staircase I climbed up to the single, reinforced door. The only thing that reassured me I was at the right building was the guy in a suit leaning on the railing.

“I don’t recognize you, sweetheart, but if you need an alpha for the night…”

He left the offer open, and I flashed him a smile. As far as alphas went, he was typical, and at least his scent wasn’t as stomach turning as the one who’d hired me.

“Ilias hired me to waitress for the party.”

Cadence had confirmed there was a private party for someone tonight, being hosted in one of the second-floor rooms. Apparently her mate knew the people, and she said I’d be perfectly safe as long as I was in the building, although she wouldn’t be here tonight. Pregnancy was making late nights impossible for her, but she told me to find a female alpha named Madame if anything happened.

“Of course he did.”

His eyes looked like chocolate under the single light hanging on the wall, and they left a pleasant tingle as they skimmed down me before he let out a sigh and opened the door behind him.

“They’re setting up in the theater. I’ll walk you there.”

He strode with the same confidence all alphas seemed to possess, but I noticed the way he kept an eye on me the whole time, especially when we passed any open doors. I didn’t know exactly what Cadence’s mate was involved in, but she’d been hesitant enough to talk about it that I had a feeling it wasn’t all on the right side of legal. I had no interest in getting involved in that type of thing, and kept my eyes locked straight ahead or on the alpha guiding me.

“Right through here. The bar is in that room on the other side, so that’s probably where you need to go.”

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