Page 22 of Hollywood Comes Home

“Back off!”

“Come on baby, let’s go to a more private room.” He put his lips next to my ear. “I hear strippers love to fuck strangers in private ro—”

His body was ripped from mine. I smoothed my outfit and lifted my gaze to see Luke holding the man by the shirt. He stood the guy up straight. Immediately, the customer tried to swing at him, but he caught his fist, twisting his arm behind his back.

“What the hell, man?!” The drunk patron squirmed in his control before gasping when he saw who had caught him.

His friends jumped to their feet, charging Luke, who drew his gun, holding it next to his side to conceal it from the crowd. Every muscle in his arm was flexed, straining the black shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows. “Are you assholes with this guy?”

The shortest of the group stepped forward, lifting his hands in front of him. “Uh, um, Mr. O’Brien, we’re going to leave.”

A bouncer appeared out of nowhere, dragging the handsy man away as his friends followed them out. Luke returned the gun to his waistband, glaring at me. The awkwardness between us was evident.

“Thank you.” Trying to avoid any further conversation, I sped back to the bar.

5

MOVING ON

AMBER

My shift was passing rapidly. I’d been so busy, I barely thought about anything other than work. Ian was with Declan, Luke, Tyler, and Alejandro at the owner’s table in a deep conversation when I approached with special cocktails they’d ordered from the bar.

Declan lifted his gaze, thanking me as he took the beverage. Tyler glanced up momentarily with a curt nod, taking the glass. He and Ian were examining a small stack of papers with a phone flashlight until Ian dropped the documents onto the table. He turned the flashlight off, sliding his phone into his inside jacket pocket. Whatever it was had them bothered.

“Did you need something?” Ian finally spoke.

“Oh.” I shook my head, now realizing I’d been standing there a little too long. I turned to leave.

“Amber!” he called after me.

I spun to see him stroking his neatly trimmed beard. Luke’s eyes darted to mine, then averted to the girl behind me on the private pole. He didn't dare speak to me after what happened earlier.

“Are you okay?” Ian leaned forward, propping an elbow on the table. “You look tense.”

Nodding, I smiled. “Everything’s great, Mr. Knight.”

Cocking his head, he studied me suspiciously just as Jade approached, laying her hand on my arm. I recoiled a bit, unsure if she knew Luke had seen me. She shook her head subtly. Yep, she knows.Luke slid over a bit, and she plopped down onto the bench next to him.

He wrapped his arm around her. He’d always done that when next to her so no one would bat an eye, I was sure, but now I knew why.How long has it been going on? Why are they being so secretive?

“Can you fill in for GiGi?” Jade blurted. Grabbing a glass, she poured herself a shot of whiskey before gulping it all at once and setting the glass on the table. “She doesn’t want toget naked. I passed her in the hallway, and she told me.”

Giggling, I shrugged. “Mm-kay, this is a strip club.”

“She’s been a dancer before, which is why I hired her for it straight away, but—” she pointed to her lap.

“Ah, never mind. I get it.” I glanced at Luke, who arched a brow curiously at me as if he was daring me to utter a word.

“I moved Lacie to the platform GiGi was supposed to dance on,” Jade continued, pulling my attention back to her, “so you could have the main twice.”

I creased my brow. Lacie deserved that main stage spot.

“She was happy to switch. Don’t worry.”

Exhaling with relief, I nodded. “I’ll go change.”

“Thanks, love.” She winked.

---