Page 13 of Fiercely Protective

She slapped her arms at her sides in exasperation. “You know what, I knew this was a mistake. I never should have cometo this club or accepted your offer. I will go change or better yet, I will have the dress returned here in the morning, and I will go wait for a ride. There is no need for you to send me home in your car; the bartender offered to drive me home after the club closes, or I can just take a cab.”

She turned to walk away from me, and I allowed it because I knew she wasn’t going anywhere. Her hand reached for the doorknob, but the door wouldn’t open. She turned the handle again and started pulling on the door before she turned back around to face me.

“Unlock the door.”

I leaned back against the edge of my desk and waited for her reaction.

“We aren’t finished yet, Angel. Would you like a drink?”

She put her hands on her hips and looked so magnificent in her fury.

“No, I don’t want a drink. I want you to unlock the door.”

“Are you certain? Whiskey can be quite calming.”

She moved away from the door to stand before me and took a deep breath. “Mr. Delaney, I am trying to be calm, but the way you have behaved tonight, and the fact that you will not allow me to leave is quite disturbing. There is nothing you can say that will make me stay.”

Since there wasn’t anything I could say, that would convince her, perhaps more intimate methods would be more persuasive. I wanted her to let go of her anger and accept everything I was offering. I was about to reach for her when shots fired outside the club got my attention.

“Was that…?”

I shoved my hands into my pants pockets and studied her reaction.

“Gunshots? Yes.”

“And you are not concerned?”

I leaned back against the desk. “Of course I am concerned. Gunshots are always taken seriously.”

The way her expression changed from fear to disbelief and then to irritation was almost comical.

“There are gunshots outside your club, and you aren’t going to investigate?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Is that what you want me to do?”

She put her hands of her hips. “It does seem like an appropriate action to take.”

“Very well, stay here.”

Before I could reach the door, Blaze pushed it open, the deep frown on his face was indicative of the seriousness of the situation.

“Someone took shots at Nickolai as he was leaving the club. One of his guards was injured, and Nickolai is understandably pissed.”

“The shooter?”

“Dead, but there was another one that got away.” He looked over my shoulder to where Bri was standing. “She needs to leave.”

I turned around and frowned at the way her complexion had paled. “Sit down, Angel, before you fall.”

I watched as she sank into the chair near my desk and then turned back to Blaze. “She stays. No arguments about it. Do you know anything about the shooter?”

Blaze’s eyes narrowed as his gaze moved from her back to me. “He wasn’t wearing a t-shirt advertising who was working for, but perhaps Nik will know something.”

“The body?”

His lips lifted on one corner. “The Bratva has already taken care of it.”

I nodded. “Make the necessary calls so that the police don’t show up here. I don’t want any unnecessary attention here at the club. Offer a free round of drinks on the house. Let’s keep it business as usual.”

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