Page 78 of Throne of Sin

One of them stands and says, “Half hour until victory, men!” They all raise their drinks and cheer.

They all ignore me, as I clean up the glasses. A few of the men order more drinks but never look at me. They’re too busy talking with each other in hushed voices. It’s their tone that gets my attention.

“He’ll never see us coming.”

“Here, here!”

One of them waves a hundred up into the air and Shelby sashays by right away.

“Do you have time for a quick lap dance, darlin’?” The man with the money asks.

I watch as two of them are led toward the back booths with thick black curtains. It’s for the “quick” lap dances. A bunch of college boys are near the back and I go toward them, wanting to keep an eye on these guys. There’s something about them.

“What can I get you boys?” I ask in a cheery voice.

“I’d take you on a platter,” one of them flirts. I have to fight the eye roll that threatens to make itself known.

“It’s your lucky day. I’ll give you a quick two-minute dance for free.”

I drag him behind the curtain, trying to hear the conversation. Much to my disappointment, the men don’t talk to each other. I do a quick two-minute mini dance and the poor kid looks scared of me. He was the big man in front of his friends, but alone, it’s like he’s never seen a woman.

Just as I’m about to end the dance, I hear one of the guys speaking. “Is there a girl named Sienna that dances here?”

Sienna?

“Times up.” I open the curtain for him to leave, and plan to do the same until I hear the guy in the next booth continue talking. My ear stays on the soft cloth as I listen.

“She’s my girl and no one fucks with me or my girl.” The man stops talking and the curtain moves a moment later, indicating that they’re leaving.

I wait a few minutes before I leave the private area and get more drinks. I keep the men with the vests in my peripheral vision at all times. I have a bad feeling about them. It’s close to midnight when Robin touches my arm. I’ve been so focused on the table I didn’t notice her.

“Dante’s here,” she hisses, eyes wide and looking afraid. “You have to leave.” She tries to push me toward the exit.

“Trust me, he’s not here.” I shake my head. Dante would never bring Oakleigh to a place like this. I’ve seen him with her, he’s too protective.

“Trust me, he is. He’s in his office.” Her hand on my arm tightens and my eyes flick to the hall that leads to his office then back to the table of men I’ve been watching. They’re gone and I see two of them heading out the front door.

“Fine.” I fake a smile and Robin lets go of my arm. I walk by her and make my way into the changing room. I grab my bag and toss my work clothes in.

Robin’s facial features wash with relief as I head toward the exit but, instead of leaving, I turn the opposite direction and head straight for Dante’s office. I’m so angry at him, I can’t see straight. He and Oakleigh better not be here.

I push the door in with all of my might. Two men with vests stand over Dante with guns aimed at his head. I frantically look around the room and don’t see Oakleigh, but that doesn’t mean she’s not hiding somewhere. This is the reason why I hid her from Dante in the first place.

The guns swing over to me, giving Dante a moment to get his gun and jump up. Dante shoots one of the guys, and the other guy’s gun points back at him.

“None of us are getting out of here alive boys.” He’s talking to the men of the motorcycle gang.

The one guy is bleeding, but he’s alive and raises his gun once more. There are two guns to his one.

“Where is Sienna?” they ask.

My eyes ping-pong back and forth as I’m ignored. If I wasn’t so scared, I’d be insulted. I should take a step back and leave but I can’t stand here knowing Dante might die. If someone is going to kill him, it will be me.

“I sprayed your mother with the hose today,” I interrupt, reminding everyone of my presence.

“Not a good time, Demi,” he says, refusing to look at me.

A gun swings toward me. “This your girl? I think it’s time for you to know how I’m feeling right now.”

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