Page 16 of Reclaimed

He shakes his head and looks at me blankly. “Sorry, she’s not taking dances tonight.”

I give him my back while my mind works. She always dances extra on Fridays. Did something happen? I think back to that bachelor party and feel a rush of anger heat my chest.

Hushed voices to my right raise above the music from the main stage. Argued whispers draw my attention around the corner that leads to the back exit.

“Please, Lucien.”

The man I presume to be Lucien scoffs and waves his hand. “You’re fine. What do you think is going to happen?”

I round the corner to find Isla arguing with another security guard. She’s wearing a black oversized sweatshirt and a short pair of light gray shorts, indicating she’s done for the night. Her face is pinched and a thread of fear enters her tone. “This is part of your job!” she hisses.

The sight of this five-foot-nine built man chuckling at her sends my blood boiling. Is this part of the reason she’s called off dancing the rest of the night?

“No, sugar. My job is out there, making sure nobody puts their hands on your pretty little ass. Once you step off that stage, you’re no longer my problem.”

“I’m taking this to Manny.”

“Go ahead. The boss will tell you the same thing. You’re safe here. I don’t know why you’re bitching at me about this.”

“That’s enough.” I move swiftly down the dim hall.

“Who are you?” Lucien asks, blocking my way as if he wasn’t just telling Isla a second ago that she’s not his problem.

“We’re friends,” she says to Lucien, putting a hand on his arm to redirect his attention. Her gaze hits mine before flicking to the floor in…is she embarrassed?

“Ah, well that’s impeccable timing. I’ll leave your friend to help you out.” Lucien smirks before passing me in the hall.

I turn my chin to my shoulder, watching him go. He disappears around the corner with a flick of his fingers.

“Are you all right?” I step closer for privacy without crowding her personal space.

She slings an arm across her chest, and settles the other on her stomach. “I’m okay,” she says quietly.

“You aren’t dancing tonight.”

“You watched my set.” She meets my gaze, confusion swirling in her hazel eyes. They clear and the corner of her mouth twitches. “You tried to buy onto my card.”

I tilt my lips in return. “Is it just me or the whole place can’t get access?”

“It’s not just you.” A heaviness settles over her again. “I—I don’t want to talk here. Can you walk me out?”

“Of course.” I step around her to pull open the exit door. “Does this have anything to do with what you and the security guard were arguing about?”

“I asked for an escort to my car,” she says flatly.

My hand on her elbow stops us beneath the yellow glow of the outside light. “Is someone bothering you?”

The tense line of her shoulders does nothing to alleviate my suspicions. And when she flints her gaze around me, I find myself on high alert.

“Isla,” I urge louder, shaking her elbow.

Her eyes are huge when they return to mine. “Come with me.” She locks our fingers together and tows me behind her. My long strides easily catch up to hers and I follow her quietly to her car while my mind works to solve a puzzle I’m missing pieces to.

The headlights flash on a small two-door sedan, and she tosses her duffel bag in the trunk. Her arms lock protectively across her chest.

“The club got a visit earlier this week from the sheriff. Five women have been murdered in the last two months across the state. All five were strippers,” she says in a rush.

“You’re worried.” I state, reading the tense lines of her face.

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