Page 92 of Collide

Taking my hand, Danny led me through the foyer and off to a doorthat had a VIP sign above it, the four armed men following behind.

Twinkling lights lined the dark stairwell Danny led me up, and themusic from the club echoed around us, the bass was so loud I could feel it thumping in my chest. Lining the wall was artwork, each framed picture was of the silhouette of a woman pole dancing. I stared at each picture, falling in love with every single one, they were just so classy and elegant which summed up Sapphire.

The club had a reputation for being the best club in the whole ofHollows Bay. Some of the girls at Club Sin had aspirations of working their way up to Sapphire, but it was a place I never imagined myself stepping foot into.

How times had changed.

When we reached the top, another doorman opened the door andonce again shook Danny’s hand before nodding his head in a greeting to me.

“Welcome to Sapphire, Riles,” Danny announced as he led methrough into the main VIP bar.

My mouth dropped open at the surroundings. The area was a levelabove the club but a long window allowed patrons to see what was going on down below. It also blocked out the heavy music playing in the main atrium of the club, instead, seductive jazz music played throughout. Three huge crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling giving off asubtle glow, and low brown leather sofas and tables were scattered around the place, each table held a little lamp which also cast a soft glow. The place had a vibe of a very exclusive speak-easy.

A bar ran along the back wall and a quick glance told me thealcohol here was none of the cheap shit Club Sin stocked, it was all top-end labels, and the bartenders were moving up and down behind the bar, mixing cocktails and working their asses off to serve their guests quickly.

The whole place exuded money, and it would have been a greatplace to spend a few hours had it not been for the sickeningly beautiful women wearing practically nothing, walking around and flirting with the men.Oh, and swinging themselves around poles. Did I mention the threecircular platforms with individual poles dotted throughout the area, each with a gorgeous woman dancing seductively around them?

Instantly, my evil little mind started questioning which of the girls Kaihad fucked, and my mood soured, not helped by the tiny blonde girl who came sidling up to Danny and rubbed herself against his arm.

“Hi, Danny, haven’t seen you in a while,” she purred, not even in theslightest bit bothered he was holding my hand. Not that it bothered me, but come on girl, have some respect for a fellow sister.

“Yeah, been busy,” Danny replied dismissively and pried her fingersfrom where they had curled around his bicep.

“Get your ass back to work, Monica, let the man at least get throughthe door,” another woman said, scowling at the blonde.

She was a little older than Monica, her hair was as black as the nightsky, and she had gorgeous light blue eyes. She gave me a beaming friendly smile as if she knew me, which was a bit weird seeing as I had never set foot in this place before.

The blonde, Monica, huffed at the other woman before scurryingaway as quickly as she had arrived.

“Sorry about her, she’s like a bitch in heat sometimes,” the blackhaired woman said to Monica’s retreating form. Danny threw his head back and let out a knowing snort and I smiled too, reminded of what Blaze used to be like around men with a little bit of money or power.

She looked back at me and again gave me a look like she knew me. “Why don’t I take Riley to the bar and get her a drink while you go doWhatever it is you do? I’m Kimmy by the way.”

How the fuck she knew my name, I did not know but she didn’t giveDanny the chance to answer as she took my hand and pulled me towards the bar. Danny let me go willingly so I assumed he knew no harm could come to me here. There were about fifty or so other patrons in the VIP section but none of them had bothered to look away from their conversations, or the dancing girls so I figured there was nothing to be worried about.

“How did you know my name?” I finally asked Kimmy when she satme on a stool at the bar before disappearing behind it to start making me a drink. She grabbed a tall glass and some bottles of spirits from the side and I guessed from the ingredients she was making me a Long Island iced tea, one of my favorites.

“Because the only girl Danny would dare to bring in here is KaiWolfe’s new girlfriend,” she said with a wink.

Girlfriend?!

Fucking hell, she’d got that wrong.

“Uh, I’m not Kai’s girlfriend,” I said, correcting her. She neverresponded, just carried on pouring shots into the cocktail shaker. “And that never really answered my question either.”

“Kai phoned earlier, he wanted me to make sure his girl was lookedafter tonight, he’s got it bad for you.”

There was no teasing or jealousy in her tone, on the contrary, shegenuinely looked pleased. And if Kai had told her personally about me then he must have trusted her enough, and that helped me to relax.

She shook the cocktail mixer and I looked around to see whereDanny was, he was engrossed in conversation with an old, balding guy who I could have sworn was at the charity ball.

“How long have you worked here?” I asked Kimmy as I turned back toher.

“Since it opened two years ago. I was working in another bar whenKai realized I was wasted there and offered me the managerial job here.”

She poured the drink into the tall glass and garnished it with a wedgeof lime and a fancy straw before sliding it over the bar to me. I took a slip and relished the sharp taste on my tongue, it was a perfect mix of all the ingredients. I didn’t drink often, but if I ever stayed behind after Club Sin closed, this was my go-to drink.

“That’s good, thank you.”

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