Reclaimed (Powell Sanctuary #5)

Chapter 15

15

Aiden

Three days later we’re back at the club for Isla’s Friday night shift. As a special favor to her boss, she’s working the bar section after her regular set. It’s mainly pole work away from the main stage. The purpose is to give the drunkards across the room something to look at while they rack up their tabs, and she’ll end up with a little extra cash in her wallet.

I know she’s been worried about money since she stopped doing the private dances. If she wasn’t so stubborn, I’d offer to help, but I know she won’t accept it. I just barely won the argument to let me cover half of her utilities and the groceries. So while she’s been busy, I’ve been sneaking extra baby supplies into her closet. A package of wipes or diapers here or there that she isn’t likely to notice.

As I sip my vodka, a shadow casts across my sightline. A man in a crisp black suit and that annoying prick of a security guard, Lucien, stop in front of my table.

“I’m Manny,” suit guy says.

“Nice to meet you, Manny.” I recognize the name of her boss.

The dimming stage lights steal his attention. He appraises Isla as she sashays across the platform. The three of us watch her twist her calf and pull herself up the gleaming silver before he reverts his focus back on me.

“I remember you. From her audition. You’re the reason I hired her back.”

I regard him coolly.

“You gave her a hundred dollars. That much money for a body like that? I knew she’d be special.”

My fingers curl into a tense fist on my thigh. “Her body is not something I’ll be discussing with you. Ever.”

“You like her.”

“I’m dating her.”

“It’s funny,” he goes on as if I didn’t speak. “Not many of my girls are… taken. Most men don’t have the ability to watch their girlfriends get naked for so many other men.”

I flick my tongue out over my bottom lip, an unrestrained tell of my agitation. “I’m not like most other men.”

“Would you be the reason Stella isn’t taking private dances?”

“Not that it’s any of your business what we discuss in private, but Stella is capable of making her own choices without my interference.”

“She said she’s afraid.”

“Then you should listen.” I lock eyes with his dark ones.

From what I’ve been told, Manny isn’t usually an ass. He takes good care of his dancers. This is probably him thinking he’s looking out for her, but he’s going about it with the wrong guy.

“She’s well cared for here.”

“Keep it that way and we won’t have a problem.”

Lucien chuckles beside him.

“Something funny?” I ask the short, dark-haired man. I’ve got at least four inches on him but his biceps are the size of my head. My temper rises as they continue to monopolize Isla’s set.

His lips turn down and he shakes his head. “I didn’t say a thing.”

Antagonizing bastard.

“Is there anything else I can do for you?” I bite out, ready for them to get the fuck out of my space.

Manny smiles. “No. I just wanted to formally meet my star entertainer’s… boyfriend.”

Fuck. This. Guy.

“And now you have.”

“Indeed. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

I shift my glare from him to the stage. Isla’s working the floor now, but her attention is on the three of us. I lift my glass to my lips and give her a subtle nod.

She slides down onto her back, arching, spreading her knees and grinding against the pole. I’m so enthralled, I hardly notice when her boss and his shadow finally walk off.

Like magic, my irritation evaporates. Just as she’s done since the first time I saw her dance, my problems vanish only to be replaced with a calm peace. But there’s something new here too. A warmth. Spreading through my veins and settling that part of me that felt directionless for so long.

I want her.

I want to claim her.

And I think I might be falling in love with her too. Now that’s a wild thought to have at a strip club.

I toss back the rest of my drink as she finishes her dance. We already decided I’ll remain here while she goes to work on the bar. The glass-encased pole is in my direct line of sight, and I’ll have a broader view of the room from this seat. I flag down the passing waitress for a fresh glass of water, and when Isla emerges from the back hall, I wave her over.

She smiles at me with pink, flushed cheeks. The way she ignores every set of eyes on her except mine does something to me. Stokes my possessiveness yet quells it at the same time.

“Here.” I push the glass across the table.

“Thanks. I only have a couple of minutes before I need to get up there.”

“Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m just a little out of breath. It’s fine. Normal, um, you know,” she says quietly.

“If it starts to not feel normal, you let me know.”

“Thanks, Powell.”

“Did you eat?”

She shakes her head. “I’ve been busy.”

“Order something from the bar before you dance. We can grab it on the way out.”

“Do you want something too?”

You. I want you.

“Just double it and I’ll pay the tab.”

“Pickles and ice cream?” She giggles at my horrified expression. “I’m just kidding. I’ll get us burgers. No onions.”

“Sounds good, starshine. Good luck.”

As she saunters away, she smiles at me over her shoulder. I ignore the way my cock twitches in my pants in response to the way she shakes her ass.

My phone lights up. After checking she made it onto the bar area, I read through the texts.

Silas:

We’re having a night out. You’re coming, Aiden

Sutton:

We won’t take no for an answer

Lee:

I’ve found demanding he show up somewhere isn’t all that successful

Corjan:

Aiden, please meet us for a night out

The corner of my lip twitches. Despite how shitty I’ve been to all of them, over the last four months, not one of them has given up on me, and for that I’m eternally grateful. It’s why I don’t feel a hint of resistance when I text back:

Me:

When and where?

Lee:

Has hell frozen over?

Jack:

Are pigs flying?

Jude:

Is it a cold day in July?

Corjan:

Must be a blue moon

Me:

Very funny

Jude:

We’re driving out to Sunset bar next Sunday in lieu of Mom’s. Isla’s invited too

Me:

Are all the girls coming?

Lee:

Better brace yourself. Those women can be a handful

Jack:

She can drink virgins with Whitney and swap pregnancy stories

Jude:

And Frankie. She’s not pregnant but she doesn’t drink

Silas:

Jeez, I’m feeling left out

Sutton:

Me too.

Silas:

You could bring Nellie. I could bring mom

Corjan:

Please don’t bring your mom. She’s more of a handful than Bree and Juniper combined

Lee:

Agreed

Silas:

She’s a hoot

Sutton:

She’s liable to get the cops called on her

Me:

You are the cops

Sutton:

Exactly

Chuckling at my screen, I blindly find my drink. Time and place secured, I tuck my phone away and let the boys banter. The humor dissipates from my mind as a commotion across the room catches my attention.

I’m out of my seat before I’ve even ascertained what’s happening. All I know is it involves Isla and a man at the bar. He appears to be fifty or so, his black hair streaked with gray but it’s the lines creasing his face that really define his age.

His chair flips over as he suddenly stands and screams something at her that I can’t hear. She stops moving, her heel catching as she takes a step back as far as her box allows her to go.

A security guard—someone other than Lucien, thank god— reaches him first, holding him back as he waves his finger around and yells at Isla.

“You dumb dirty little bitch! I want my dance!” he screams, spittle flying from his mouth.

She looks equal parts scared and pissed as she stands beside her silver pole.

As I reach the bar, I don’t stop, vaulting myself over the top.

“You can’t be back here!” someone shouts, but I don’t stop moving to see who it is.

“Let’s go, darling,” I hold out my hand for her to take.

“Aiden,” she whispers, and I know what she’s thinking. She’s worried about how this looks and she’s worried about her job. Her fingers find mine anyway, curling tight like I’m a lifeline.

“I’ve got you.” I tighten my grip as she walks down the hidden stairs behind the bar.

“I should strangle you just like those other whores!”

My head whips around so fast my neck muscles clench. I start to release Isla’s hand.

She buries her free hand in my shirt, twisting taut around the fabric. “Aiden!” The thread of fear in her voice pulls my attention. “Don’t! Don’t leave me.”

Palming the back of her head, I yank her into my chest. I search the faces around me until I spot one I recognize.

“Manny.”

He nods. “The police are on their way. Take Stella home. She’s finished for tonight.” For being such a pretentious fuck, at least he takes care of his business.

I adjust my grips my arm is around her shoulders and she’s tight against my chest. “Let’s go, baby.” She follows without a fight.

I bang on the door to the dressing room. “Is everyone covered?”

“You don’t have to do that.”

I look down into her wide, fearful eyes. Tipping her chin with my index finger, I study her. “Yes, I do.”

The door swings open and one of the girls I recognize from the other night stands in the crack. “Who’s asking?”

“Aiden Powell. Stella needs to get changed.”

At the mention of Isla, her face changes.

“Girl, what happened?”

“Rude customer.” Her shoulders deflate with the weak description. “This is my boyfriend. He’s just helping me get my things.”

“Are you hurt?” The girl throws her shiny black hair over her shoulder and cups Isla’s cheeks, inspecting her face.

“No. I’m okay. Just spooked. He said he should strangle me like the other whores.”

My gut clenches at hearing the sentence a second time. I don’t think for one second that he’s the one murdering these women. Just some disrespectful piece of shit trying to scare someone who he thinks owes him her body.

“That sick motherfucker!”

My sentiment exactly.

She snags Isla’s wrist and drags her in. “I’ll have her changed and back out to you in a second. We’ve got a strict no men rule and that includes hot overprotective boyfriends.” She looks me up and down with a pout. “Unfortunately.”

Isla flashes me a tight smile and lets her friend pull her through the door. “Be right back.”

“Be right here.”

The door opens five minutes later and I take Isla’s hand on the way out to the car. Her smooth palm infuses mine with warmth and chases away some of the lingering anger.

“You okay?” I ask her.

She adjusts the hood on her gray sweatshirt with one hand and pulls her long, brown hair out from underneath.

“I’m okay. It’s not the first time I’ve been screamed at by an entitled customer. He’s bought a dance before and was pissed I’m no longer filling my card.”

“Isla!” The back door to the club swings open hard enough to bang against the wall. We both turn to see the same bartender that yelled at me hustling out into the night. “You forgot your food.”

“Thanks, Benjamin.” She releases me to meet him.

“Are you all right?” He echoes my concern from a moment ago. A sinister quiver of jealousy awakens in my gut.

“I’m fine.”

“Is he….” Benjamin lowers his voice for the rest of the question. His words are swallowed in the wind.

“That’s my boyfriend.” Isla flashes me a quick smile, some of the light returning to her eyes. A heat blooms in my stomach at hearing her mention it so casually, so easily, in a way that feels right and not fake at all.

“Okay. Good. Kelly’s been asking about you. We haven’t seen you out since you moved back.”

“Things have been a little crazy.” Isla shrugs. “Tell your girlfriend to give me a call and we can set up lunch or something. She can bring Carter.”

I don’t catch what he says next, but his parting statement is clear. “Say hi to Juniper for me.”

“I will. See you Monday.”

Isla waves as she returns to my side. She holds up the two Styrofoam containers. “Dinner. Thank goodness he remembered, because I’m starving.”

“Sorry.” I clear my throat. “I forgot.” The headlights flash on my sedan as I unlock the car for her and open her door. She slides safely in, and I close her inside.

“Good friend?” I ask as I crank the engine.

“Used to be. Juniper and I would go out with Benjamin and his girlfriend Kelly a lot before I moved three years ago. I haven’t been out to the bars since I came back. For obvious reasons.” She waves a hand holding a fry over her stomach.

“I hope she calls you to set up lunch.”

“Me too. They have a small kid together, so it’d be nice to have an experienced mom in my circle of friends.”

While my mind whirls over tonight’s situation, she gabs and snacks on her fries the entire ride home.

I’m glad she isn’t rattled by the events. Either that or she covers her fear well.

Something I find deeply concerning.