Page 22 of Safe and Sound

Jabbing my finger at her, I said, “Absolutely not.”

“He’s legal.”

“Barely.”

Dani rolled her eyes. “Fine. I won’t be a cougar tonight.”

“How noble of you,” I teased.

“We were heading out of here anyway,” Dani said.

“You’re leaving already?” Dare questioned.

Nick held up his hands. “Listen, we have no hate forBandia, trust me. It’s just we never get out of Gloucester, so we want us to experience as much of the nightlife as possible.”

Dare grinned. “I don’t mind. Unless you plan on taking Ava with you.”

Lexie shook her head. “Oh no. We wouldn’t dream of it.”

Nick eyed Dare up and down. “You’re not one of those rich dudes who takes advantage of women?”

I gasped in horror. “Nick!”

“What? You know I’m going to look out for you.”

“Do you have to embarrass the hell out of me while doing it?” I groaned.

Dare interrupted our squabble. “I’m not offended by your question, and you’re right to ask it. There’s a lot of creeps out there in all tax brackets.” Extending his hand, Dare said, “I give you my word that I will keep Ava’s best interests at heart. Even if it means I don’t get any pleasure but her company tonight.”

“Keep talking like that, and you’ll be completely pleasure free.”

While Dare chuckled, Nick shook his hand. “She deserves a really good time tonight.”

“It would be my honor to give it.”

Giving Nick a playful shove, I said, “Right, well, I’ll see you back at the hotel.”

With a wink, Nick said, “See you in the morning.”

“Seriously. Go.”

While the girls couldn’t contain their giggles, they waved goodbye along with Nick. Once they were out of earshot, I sighed. “Nothing like meeting the family on the first date, huh?”

“If you want to even out the playing field, I can totally introduce you to three of my brothers. Well, maybe two since one was already indisposed in the VIP section with his wife. My other brother is also here with his wife, so they’re probably somewhere fucking as we speak.”

“Wow. I had no idea this club was such an aphrodisiac.”

“It’s supposed to make you leave your inhibitions at the door.”

“Isn’t that usually what happens in a sex club? There’s not like a hidden dungeon or peep show room here, is there?”

“No. But if you’re ever in New York, my brother-in-law's club, Inferno, has all of that.”

“Jesus,” I muttered.

“It’s pretty cool because it’s got something for everyone. The Heaven side is pretty tame compared to what goes on in Hell.”

“I can only imagine.”

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