Page 34 of Ruthless Riches
9
Alexis
The Devil’sPlayhouse was crowded by the time we got there, with a line snaking out of the main entrance. Nate and I didn’t have to wait. The bouncer spotted us heading over from the parking lot, and he beckoned us up to the door and dropped the rope to let us in.
That was one positive thing about being semi-famous on this island—easy access to places like this.
We took a right on the first floor and headed into the Atrium. The club was already packed and pumping, with loud, sexy music thumping from the speakers, flashing blue neon lights breaking the darkness, glasses clinking, and sweaty bodies grinding against each other on the dancefloor. On a platform in the middle, a masked DJ worked his decks, and on either side of him, girls in black satin dresses danced in cages that were suspended from the ceiling by chains wrapped in tiny glinting lights.
A steep spiral staircase on the left side of the massive space led to a cozy balcony area for VIP guests. On the far right, there was a large platform with another bar, black lacquer tables, and leather couches. A small exit lay just beyond that, partially hidden by marble columns and silver spray-painted plants.
Nate and I headed over to the platform bar. We ordered drinks—virgin, of course, because we needed to stay sober—and turned to survey the throngs of clubgoers on the dancefloor. The thought that the Butcher could be somewhere down there, staring right at us, made goosebumps crop up on my arms.
“Do you think he actually followed us here?” I asked Nate, leaning close to him so he could hear me.
“I hope so.” He finished his drink and put his glass down. “Are you ready?”
I nodded and put my drink down as well, affecting a furious expression.
Nate did the same, narrowing his eyes and folding his arms across his powerful chest. “Are you fucking kidding me?” he said in a heated tone, loud enough for everyone around us to hear. “You’ve been talking to him again?”
“He’s just a friend,” I said, putting my hands on my hips.
“Bullshit. He’s trying to fuck you.”
I jabbed a finger at his chest. “Stop being so childish,” I hissed. “It’s pathetic.”
He shook his head, lips tightening into a sneer. “Fuck this. I’m out of here.”
He whirled around and started walking away. I shouted after him. “If you actually leave right now, I’m not coming home tonight!”
He turned back to face me. “Do whatever you fucking want, Lexie,” he said, lifting his palms. “You always do anyway.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Have fun sleeping alone!”
“Have fun fucking your new friend,” he shot back, voice dripping with condescension and loathing.
With that, he turned around and stalked away. It looked like he was storming toward the exit that lay near the bar, but he was actually going to walk over there and duck behind one of the columns so he could keep an eye on me from the shadows.
I kept the angry expression on my face, shaking my head as I watched Nate go. A few people who were standing nearby looked at me with bemused expressions on their faces before whispering to each other behind their hands, but no one approached me or said anything to me.
I went back over to the bar, sat down, and ordered a colorful mocktail. Then I spun around on my black velvet barstool to look over the club again.
As I sipped at my drink, I wrinkled my nose and grimaced slightly, as if the glass was filled with strong alcohol. If the Butcher was actually here and looking at me right now, he’d think I was drowning my sorrows and letting my guard down.
My phone suddenly buzzed in my purse. I quickly checked it to see a message from Nate. Everything good here. I can see the whole bar section perfectly. I can see the right side of the dancefloor and the VIP section as well, so if you want, you can wander around there at some point, and I’ll be able to keep an eye on you. Just don’t go too far to the left.
“Lexie!”
I looked up at the sound of a feminine voice calling my name over the thumping music. A second later, I spotted Ruby pushing through the crowd on the dancefloor.
When she reached the bar, she hurried over to me, teetering on her bright pink high heels. “Hi!” I said, giving her a hug. “What are you doing here?”
She pulled back and grinned at me. “I’m here with Todd. Remember him?”
“Is he the guy you met at the frat party?”
“Yes! We had dinner at the rooftop restaurant earlier, and then we decided to come here for drinks.”
