She sighs. “Is it weird that I’m actually excited?”
I chuckle again. “No.”
She shrugs. “All right then, let’s go.”
_____________
We take a Town Car because K doesn’t have any of her things at the loft above Red, and I don’t feel like getting a DUI tonight. Traffic is busy, and the sidewalks are full of people.
We pass by the big Ferris wheel, and I look up at the building across from it, remembering how I used to go up there and sit to get away from all the shit down here. I recall the time I took K there. It was just after Mary called me because she’d gotten beaten up.
She was at my house, about to go through some insane withdrawals. I didn’t tell Kathrine everything that night, but deep inside I wanted to. I didn’t understand my feelings for her. I’d never felt that way before, and it freaked me out.
I’ve always been scared to become my parents. I look away from the building and grab her hand that rests beside her thigh. She smiles at me before turning back to look out the window.
I’m not scared anymore.
I’ve got what I want, and I’m never letting her go. Tonight, she will see Club Red for all that it is. She’s accepted me for who I am. I thought for sure she would have demanded I shut it down. I thought she would have walked away from us, but she didn’t.
I exhale the breath of air I didn’t know I was holding as we pull up to Red. The line to get in is long like always. My club is number one in town. All the people in line will go in, have some drinks, dance, and maybe meet someone new.
The ones who are passing the line, looking like money, they will head straight to the back and go through the secret door.
They’ll climb down the staircase that looks over the well-organized casino, and they will spend money like they’ve got an everlasting supply.
They’ve had background checks run on them. We know everything there is to know about the ones who hold secret pass cards. We’ve been very careful.
The driver opens the door for us once we come to a stop, and I climb out. Turning around, I grab K’s hand and help her out also. She adjusts the bottom of her dress, and we head to the door. We walk through the dark hallway, and the all-black doors slide open, revealing Red in all its glory.
The place is enormous, with a lit-up bar going down the whole left side. The booths on the opposite wall are full of thirsty patrons, ready for bottle girls to serve them. But we aren’t going to join the rest of the party just yet. I clasp her hand and lead her toward the back of the club.
We near the brick wall where Ben stands. “Boss,” he greets. I called him earlier today and told him everything, so he knows K isn’t in the dark anymore.
“Hey, Ben,” Kat says.
He nods at her and then looks back at me. “Jace is down there.”
I narrow my eyes. “Alone?’ I question.
“No. He insisted on taking his new girlfriend.”
“What?” I ask. “And you let him?”
“I tried to stop him, but he started to get pretty pissed. I didn’t want a scene right here at the entrance.”
I exhale, frustrated with my brother. Why can’t that motherfucker act right, ever?
Running a hand through my hair, I step forward and K gasps as we turn down a small hallway.
“Oh my God! I never knew this was a door!” she says. I look over at her. She’s taller in her shoes, but still not my height.
“This is cool.” She smirks in approval as we turn again and enter into the kitchen. Antonio greets us.
“Mr. Bryce!” he says with a smile. “How are you?”
“Doing well,” I reply. “I hope you are as well.”
“Everything is going well here. We have a full house tonight.”