I nod as I glance around at the club. It’s nothing like I imagined. There’s a lot of wood which normally I wouldn’t like, but here it makes the place feel warm and inviting. The stage is huge, which must mean they have a lot of women up there at night. The bar in the back, closer to the stage, is a great place for it. You don’t miss a thing. The tables are spread throughout, and I notice one table has all the girls around it. Some I’ve met, others I haven’t.
I look back up at Finn, and he presses his strong lips to mine. “I’ll introduce you, don’t worry.”
I smile, loving that he knows what I am thinking.
When we get to the table, I tighten my hold on Finn’s hand. This is it. This is my introduction into his world.
“Everyone, this is Mia. Mia, you know Ivy, Gillian, and Harper. This lovely lady is Nora. That beauty is Adalyn, and this charmer is Maren,” he says, pointing everyone out.
“Nice to meet you,” I say, smiling through my nerves.
“We’ll see,” Nora says, causing them all to laugh.
I look around and realize I’m chum among the sharks. I glance up at Finn, and he has no expression on his face. He gives nothing away sometimes, and it’s confusing as hell.
“Nora put your claws away,” Ivy says, laughing.
It’s strange seeing Ivy in this crowd of women. I’m not saying they aren’t all beautiful because they are, but they don’t look welcoming. They appear tough and maybe a little hard. It doesn’t make you want to pull up a chair. It makes you want to run out the door.
“Finn, they’re waiting for you. Go, we’ve got Mia. I promise it’s good,” Gillian says, smiling.
He looks down at me, and I nod. He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and rushes off behind a door.
I’m completely on my own.
“Sit, Mia. Let’s get to know you,” Nora says.
I pull out the only open seat, which is next to Gillian and Adalyn. I fold my hands on my lap, trying to keep from visibly shaking in my seat.
“You’re from California?” Adalyn asks.
She has kind eyes that hold a sadness. I wonder what her story is.
“Yes. I’ve been there since I can remember. Until recently, I thought I was born there, but apparently, I was born in Vegas,” I say.
“How’s it going living with Finn?” Gillian asks.
Alright, maybe this isn’t going to be so bad. They don’t seem to be wanting to cut me open. They are just asking things to get to know me better.
I smile at Gillian. “So far, it’s great. I mean, Finn isn’t the most talkative person, but I think he’s happy too.”
“A silent man is never a good thing,” Nora says, lifting a perfectly shaped eyebrow.
“Well, no. I mean, he talks, but he hasn’t complained about anything, so I’m guessing that’s good,” I say, trying to fix what I said.
“These guys aren’t like the guys you’re used to. They don’t sit behind a desk all day. They don’t sit quietly while shit happens around them. They don’t drive around in BMWs that daddy got them,” Nora says, lifting her shoulders. Letting me know she isn’t sorry for anything that comes out of her mouth.
“Hey,” Harper says, leaning over to see Nora better. “I drive a BMW that my piece of shit father gave me.”
Nora laughs, staring at Harper. “Sweetheart, you know damn well what I mean.”
She means I’m used to dating rich guys and that I’ve been given everything I’ve ever wanted. But how the hell would she know that? Unless Ivy or Finn said something.
“So, what are your intentions with Finn? Is this your way of getting closer to Porter because that man has suffered enough? He doesn’t need any more heartache,” Nora says.
“Nora, enough,” Harper hisses.
“I met Finn long before I knew about Porter,” I say, holding my head up.