Page 176 of Wrecked
He shot her a smile. “You’re going to your club. You’re not hiding, you’re not running, and you’re definitely not scared.”
They walked into his garage. He opened the back door of the SUV. She fisted her hands on her hips. “This is ridiculous. I want to sit in the front seat.”
“C’mon, baby,” he murmured. “I’m going to the club for you. Sit in the back… forme.”
On a huff, she got in. He drove them to Lost Souls, parked in the owner’s spot out front.
“Hey, Hawk.” Tony slid his gaze to Addison. “How’s it goin’?”
“Hi, Tony,” Addison said.
Tony stared at her. “I didn’t recognize you, boss. Love the Matrix vibe. You changed your hair, and the masquerade mask is a new look.”
“Things been quiet out here?” she asked.
“All good.” He opened the front door and they sailed inside.
Addison sighed. The music, the chill vibe, the costumed people calmed her. These clubbers just wanted to have fun. They weren’t there to hunt her down.
As expected, Liliana was mixing drinks and making small talk with the patrons, but she was working the entire bar alone.
Once in their office, Addison dropped her handbag on the sofa. “Are you running that report now?”
“Yeah, baby. It won’t take long to set it up.”
Addison sat behind the desk, logged in. “There should be two bartenders tonight.” A few clicks and she had her answer. Someone was scheduled, but he wasn’t there. “We’re short one. I’m going to help Liliana.”
“I don’t want you going out there without me,” he pushed back.
She rose, walked over, and palmed his backside. “God, I love your ass.” Then, she shot him a smile. “I’m not leaving the club. I won’t go upstairs without you. You will be five minutes behind me.” She kissed him. “I got this.”
She left, pulling the door closed.
As she made her way through the crowd, the stress fell away. Most nights, members said “hello”, but tonight, she was invisible in her disguise. She liked being unrecognizable and blending in.
She walked behind the bar. Liliana made her way over. “Sorry, but you can’t be back here. What can I get you?”
“It’s me, Addison.”
Liliana’s eyes widened. “Well, you got me.” Then, she smiled. “I would have walked right by you. Love the hair. Why the new color?”
“It’s a wig,” she replied. “I used to wear them all the time, but I got lazy. Time to change things up.”
“What can I get you?” Liliana asked.
“We’re short one, so I’ll work back here with you.”
A surge in patrons kept them busy pouring drinks. Not long after, Hawk made his way behind the bar. “Need help?”
“We’ve got this,” Addison replied. “How ‘bout you sign up new members?”
He glanced around. The room was filling up. “I’ll be nearby.” He held her gaze for an extra beat before grabbing a tablet.
She loved how things were changing between them. They were definitely moving toward being a couple. Despite knowing the truth about him, and his past, she questioned whether being with just one woman would satisfy him.
Shaking away the thought, she turned her attention to the waiting customers. A few recognized her, but most didn’t. Flying under the radar worked for her.
As Addison was making a cocktail, Tommy pulled up to the bar. He caught Liliana’s attention. She flashed him a big smile, then hurried over. She leaned across the bar and whispered something to him. He grinned, then whispered something back.
