"I know, but we sell sex here. You know that as well as I do. Your jobs are to sell desire, want, need. What's so bad about what I'm doing?"
"You’re leading her on,” she mutters. “She deserves better than you."
"Rosa," I groan.
"And if you don't, she'll find someone who will."
"Fuck that."
"If you keep doing what you're doing, then she will."
"Rosa," I say, a warning in my voice.
"If you want her, you're going to have to show her. You can't just fuck her and leave her and ignore her."
"What the fuck makes you think I'm going to do that?" I hiss, my voice low.
"You've already done it," Rosa says, shrugging. "Time and time again. That's not going to work. If you want her, if youwant a future with her, then you're going to have to treat her like a person. Like a woman. Likeyourwoman. You can't just say she's yours whenever you wanna get your dick wet. That's what it takes. Or she'll find someone else. Someone better. She'll be a damn good wife. And she'll find a guy who's not a piece of shit. And she'll leave this place behind."
"Is your little speech over?" I ask, leaning against the bar.
"It's the truth, Viper. You know it."
"Maybe," I admit.
"Then don't fuck this up. Don't push her away. Not this time."
"You're a good friend, Rosa."
"Don't patronize me."
"I'm not. I mean it. You're a good friend. Thank you for looking out for her."
"Always. Even when she's an idiot. Especially when she's an idiot. And right now she's being one, because of your sinfully gorgeous ass. If you were ugly, I doubt she'd put herself through this shit."
"Well, then. I guess I'd better change my tune." I chuckle, and Rosa laughs.
"Hey. Don't forget what I said," she warns as I walk away, but I'm done fucking listening. I nod to Jaxon sitting in the VIP booth, and he motions for me to come over.
"What's up, Jaxon?"
"I hear you're taking Ivy home."
"That's right. Her name's Iris."
"Do me a favor?"
"What's that?"
"Don't be a prick."
"Funny." I laugh. "I've had two lectures today, and you're the second one. What the fuck is it with everyone giving me shit tonight?"
"Everyone's looking out for her, Viper. We don't want to see her get hurt. She's been through enough because of my brother," he mutters.
"Jaxon, look. You have nothing to worry about. I'm going to treat her like a fucking princess."
"Good. Because if you don't, you'll have the whole club breathing down your neck. I couldn't do much about it before, but you're not my brother," he warns.