Page 19 of Sizzling

He waved a hand as if that meant nothing. “I’ve been doing ladies’ five-dollar drinks on Sundays for years. Sure, it brings folks in, but when you’re onstage, it’s at least forty percent busier.”

“He’s not lying,” Mick added.

This only made it harder to tell Bash I had to quit. He seemed too happy about the crowd, which he should be. There were just as many men here as women and their drinks weren’t on sale. Not to mention the food that was coming out of the kitchen constantly. My tip jar onstage was already full, and I had two more sets tonight. I doubted I’d ever find a job as good as this one again.

“Here’s your dirty martini. Just the way you like it,” Sunshine said, pressing her chest against Bash’s arm as she held out his drink to him.

He winked at her. “Thanks.”

Yep, they were so fucking.

I cut my eyes to Mick, who gave me a look like he was thinking the same thing. I bit my bottom lip to keep from smiling. I didn’t want them to know we were onto them.

“Briar.”

The deep voice behind me caused me to stiffen as my heart sped up. I knew that voice, but why was he here?

My eyes widened as I stared at Mick, who was frowning as he looked over my shoulder. I had to turn around before Mick thought he needed to protect me. No reason to get him or Bash killed for pissing off the Southern Mafia.

Slowly, I turned around to see Storm Kingston standing there. The black T-shirt he was wearing stretched over his chest, leaving little to the imagination on just how cut he was. His biceps almost looked like the sleeves were too small. Lifting my eyes, I realized I was holding my breath. His hazel eyes were hard as he stared at me. Always so disapproving, yet it didn’t take away from the way the honey color drew me in. I wanted to study them closer. He hadn’t shaved in a few days, and the way it made his masculine jawline appear, I fought the urge to reach out and run my hand over it.

My memory hadn’t been exaggerating it. Storm was a god. One who disliked me immensely. That snapped me out of my moment of lust.

“Storm,” I said, then cleared my throat, realizing I’d sounded a little strangled. “What can I do for you?” That last bit sounded friendly enough.

“We need to talk,” he said, then glanced at the men behind me. “Alone.”

Great. So, he hadn’t just come in to get a drink and listen to the music. He was here with more crap I had to be concerned with. I immediately thought of Dovie at the apartment, alone. Sure, Maurice was working security downstairs, but that wasn’t going to stop someone if they wanted to get to me. Not really.

“Sure,” I said in a fake bright tone, then looked back at the others watching me closely. “I’ll be backstage for a few, but I won’t be late for my next set.”

Bash nodded his head, but he kept his eyes on Storm. Did he know who he was? He seemed unsure about letting me go.

“Nice to see your father’s place is still thriving,” Storm said to him.

That answered my question.

“I do my best,” Bash replied. “I was unaware you knew my best performer.” The cautious way he spoke to Storm made me wonder just how he knew him.

“There aren’t many gorgeous females in Georgia I don’t know,” Storm said with a crooked grin that was meant to ease Bash’s concern, but seemed so out of place on him. At least the Storm that I knew. He was always scowling.

Bash let out a nervous chuckle. “Yes, I imagine you do.”

His eyes shifted back to me then, as if he wanted to warn me. It was possible Bash thought I didn’t know who and what Storm was.

Reaching up, I touched Storm’s arm affectionately and smiled at Bash. Storm’s arm flexed under my touch, but he didn’t jerk it away.

“We won’t be long,” I told them, then turned my head up to look at Storm. “Follow me.”

I didn’t wait to see if he was behind me as I made my way to the door that led backstage. I knew he could keep up just fine. The people in our path seemed to part as we walked by. Was it just Storm’s commanding presence, or was he scowling again, looking like he might shoot someone who didn’t move? Probably the latter.

Stepping through the door, I kept going until I made it to the dressing room I used on nights I worked. I left it open for Storm to follow me inside, knowing he’d close it behind himself. Crossing my arms over my chest, I turned to look at him. His broad back was to me, and good Lord, his ass in a pair of jeans was fantastic. Jerking my eyes off his bottom half before I ended up admiring his muscular thighs, I watched as he locked the door before facing me.

“I’ve got ten minutes left on break,” I informed him.

He studied the room for a moment before looking back at me again, as if searching for something. “You need to leave town.”

I was already planning on it, but having him tell me that I needed to annoyed me. “And why do you think I should be taking direction from you?” My tone was snarky, but he seemed to bring out the worst in me.

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