Page 60 of Scarred Hearts

“It’s okay.” He laughed quietly before becoming serious again, pressing a finger to his ear. Yeah, in Ian’s room with Gia. I’ll be right there. He lowered his hand to his side. “I have to go handle some things. Go work in VIP with Amber and Trina, and I’ll see you at the table.”

He exited through the hidden door behind the curtain, and I took a deep breath, puffing out the air with big cheeks. I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on my job. VIP with Amber and Trina was always a good time, and hopefully it would help distract me from any drama with Tyler. We could talk later, when we had some privacy away from prying eyes and ears. For now, all I wanted to do was enjoy the night and avoid all else.

As I entered the showroom, Amber flew by in a blur, but she screeched to a halt when she saw me. Her ample breasts were barely contained by a skimpy red lace top, and her eyes widened in surprise at seeing me there. “What are you doing in here?” she asked, her words slightly breathless.

“Luke wants me working VIP tonight.”

She scanned the crowd before she lifted her chin across the room. “Trina’s got the new VIP section tonight, so you’re with me.”

“Will she be mad?”

Amber shook her head, her long brown hair swaying. “No, and someone’s already requested your presence, so Jade was going to get you anyway.”

“Who?” I asked.

“Table two,” she replied with a mischievous grin. “I don’t know who he is, but that man is fine as hell.”

As she rushed off to grab orders from the bar, I made my way through the crowd of eager patrons. The lively club was already packed and full of the energy I craved so much. The thumping bass of music filled the air, and the lights swirled and flashed across the room with the beat of the music, enhancing the dancers’ routines.

A few men stopped me, slipping a couple of dollars into my garter and see-through green top. I gave my breasts a little shake for each of them as a thank you before continuing on toward VIP. My heart raced, wondering who’d requested me.

The bouncer, dressed in all black with a stern expression, pulled back the plush velvet rope as I approached. Passing table three, I offered a quick greeting to Ian, Jenna, and Declan before Chance reached out, his hand slapping mine in a playful high five as I passed.

I came to a stop at the table after theirs. Everyone greeted me with smiles before my eyes fell on Dario, seated on the end closest to me. Swallowing the awkwardness and knowing his presence was going to drive Tyler insane, I feigned a grin.

“Hi!” Pressing my palms to the table, I leaned forward, giving the five men and two women a good view of my cleavage and pierced nipples through my top. “What can I get you all to drink?”

Feeling a presence of someone approaching me from the right, I stood straight, thinking they’d pass right by me, but it was Tyler, glaring in my direction as he slipped into the booth with his family. Blinking slowly, I returned my attention to the men in front of me. My job was focusing on them, and I had to distract myself or I’d end up causing a scene.

“Dario, she’s even more gorgeous than you told us,” the one at the back center of the booth commented loudly.

The other men laughed as Dario ran his fingers up the side of my leg. “I wanted to see you again.”

“I’m glad you came,” I yelled over the music, taking a small step back to coax his hand away.

“Oh, he hasn’t come yet!” Another one of his friends shouted, causing the table to erupt in laughter. “I’m not even sure I wanna still get married after seeing you, baby girl!” he continued. “Damn, Dario did good.”

“Wait,” I gasped, my gaze lowering to Dario, “you’re the bachelor party I’m dancing for in the Blue Lounge later?”

He nodded once with a sneer. “Yeah, and we’ve been pregaming down the road at Woody’s.”

Fuck fuck fuck fuck. I had no choice but to do it. Whether Tyler and I were together or not, or I was mad or not, I didn’t want to disrespect him. However, dancing was my job, and paying customers always came first at work.

With a confident grin, Dario extended his hand toward me, revealing a small wad of cash between his fingers. “But for now, I want a private dance and will make it very much worth your while.” He stood, and I took a step back. Gone was the charming man I met. While it was clear that he had been attracted to me, his demeanor now was completely different. The dim lights of the club cast shadows on his face, making him appear even more mysterious.

I stole a glance at Tyler, who looked pissed. My stomach twisted uncomfortably as I remembered the comment he’d made at the warehouse and our heated argument earlier. Despite my best efforts to remain calm, my inner-brat was starting to surface, fueled by the embarrassment he’d caused me.

Leaning toward Dario’s ear, I whispered literally nothing before turning to Tyler with a smile. I knew it would spark jealousy in him, and I felt a small sense of satisfaction. With a sly smile, I took Dario’s hand in mine and guided him toward the owner’s table.

Unable to resist, I paused and lightly ran my fingernail under Tyler’s chin, forcing him to make eye contact with me. I could see the confusion and frustration in his gaze, but it only added to my wicked pleasure. In that moment, I wanted to prove that I was anything but helpless, and I was determined to make him see that too.

Driven by naughtiness, I clenched my fists, ready to deliver a blow so low that he would never dare disrespect me again. But as I looked down at him, something inside my heart flipped a switch. His gaze was filled with only the purest intentions for me, and it softened my own demeanor. Pain was etched in his dark eyes from our earlier exchange, and I felt his fingers on the same spot where Dario’s touch had lingered only moments before.

I didn’t want to hurt him. My heart, soul, and mind, only wanted to protect him. I was vaguely aware that everyone at the table was staring at us, waiting for whatever was about to transpire between us.

Dario gave my hand a small squeeze. “Are you going to dance for me?” he asked behind me.

Ignoring him, I leaned in closer to Tyler, my mouth just barely grazing his ear, “Your enormously perfect dick was and is the only one that ever had a hold on me.” Pressing my lips just under his earlobe, I didn’t care who saw, as I left him with a lingering kiss, then stood up straight.

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