Page 66 of Dublin Brute

Then Tag turns his gaze back to me. “I’m sorry, B. I know you don’t want to hear this, but Nora is our way in. We’ll do our best to keep her clear, but we’re running late to the game and need to catch up or the fucking McGuires might sink our ship.”

The reality of his words turns my guts like soured milk. I hate this. I hate everything about Nora being dragged into our world, but… “What do you have in mind?”

Nora

The rocking bass thumps in my chest as I weave my way through the Friday night crowd at Legend. Lights flash in a dizzying array of colors, slicing through the dark like electric lasers. Half-dressed bodies move to the pounding rhythm, lost in their night, drinks raised high, laughter echoing off the walls.

I’m three weeks into this gig, and every shift frees me a little more from the cocoon of cotton I was wrapped in. I’m surer all the time that this isn’t for me long term, but many women work in clubs to get ahead and pave the way for their futures.

I can do this. It’s like diving into an ocean of pure energy every shift, jolting me back to life just like Tanya said it would.

My father is losing his mind. I know it’s petty to find pleasure in his moral outrage, but every time he tells me what I ‘can’t’ do, I’m prouder of myself for doing exactly that.

Doesn’t matter.

Kate and I have enough saved to start hunting for a flat of our own. Just thinking about it sends a thrill up my spine. No more living under Jordan the Warden’s watchful eye—just me and Kate carving out our own space.

“Nora!” Jay’s voice cuts through the din as he approaches me at the servers’ station. He’s got a confident swagger and makes black slacks and a Legend polo shirt look better than should be possible. He’s also a great boss.

He’s taken an interest in me and has been really supportive.

Kate says he’s into me, but I don’t think that’s it. If I were to guess, I’d say he’s playing the protective older brother role, keeping an eye on me as I discover this dazzling new world.

“Leave your tray there and come with me.”

I glance back at my section. “What about my orders?”

He waves a hand at the bartender. “Jinx, get one of the other girls to deliver Nora’s drinks. I need her for the next hour or two.”

“You got it, boss,” Jinx says behind the bar.

I wipe my hands on my apron, wondering what this is about. I haven’t spilled anything on anyone this week. In fact, I’m really getting the hang of things. An hour? “What do you need me for, Jay? Am I in trouble?”

“No, you’re not in trouble. I need you to cover one of the VIP rooms.”

My heart skips a beat. “A VIP room? Isn’t that for experienced servers?”

He chuckles softly, like there’s an inside joke I’m not in on. “You’ll do great. Just stay in the room, entertain your guest, and when they leave, you come back and finish out your shift.”

Something twists in my stomach—excitement mixed with apprehension.

The VIP rooms are where the high rollers spend their nights. They have one-way glass looking out over the club, but don’t have to bother with the chaos of the crowd. I’ve heard the people who rent them out for the night pay up to ten grand a night and expect an intense level of service.

I’ve also heard that they can get handsy and demanding.

“Take this.” He holds out a bottle of top-shelf scotch. “There’s a limited bar selection in the room. This will be the perfect icebreaker. Just see to the guest’s needs and keep him happy. You’re in Room 5.”

“Okay. I’ll do my best.” I hesitate but grab the bottle of scotch.

Jay’s casual demeanor eases some of my nerves, but I can’t shake the suggestion that I’m about to ‘see to the needs of a stranger’. The way he phrased it sends a shiver down my spine.

It feels creepy.

Tension builds in my tummy as I head to the private hallway that leads to the VIP rooms and find the gold placard that reads,

VIP Suite Five

I draw a deep breath and then let it out. Jay’s been good to me. He wouldn’t expect me to compromise my principles, would he? Is this a test? Has he been supporting me or grooming me?

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