The unfortunate thing was that as Vik bent down to kiss my forehead, Lev walked in. There was a tense moment of pressure building in the room as Lev’s eyes flashed at Vik’s hands on me. He had that look in his eye, the one that I’d met a few days prior, and I knew I’d have to intervene. Otherwise, Lev would rip his childhood friend a new asshole. He was protective of me. I got it. I understood it. That was what friends did.
Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I removed myself from Vik and quietly made my way over to Lev, lifting my hand, palm out, and communicating with him in complete silence.
He looked down at my hand then up into my eyes. The sharp edges of his face softened and he took it without a word, holding it tightly. The gesture said so much more than words could have. I would be his rock when his reason floated away. And he would be the person I needed to remind me that I was no longer alone in the world. A perfectly imperfect friendship had somehow formed, and losing Lev was not an option.
He found me, and whether he knew it or not, I was his, in a way.
You know what they say…
Finders keepers.
The club was not very busy for a Friday night.
It was unusual since Fridays had been a major moneymaker in the past, according to Lev. Men who were finished with the work week came to Bleeding Hearts to unwind, drink in good company, and treat themselves to a private dance or four.
Lev and I sat in the far corner on the left side of the stage. It was the perfect place to watch the room with a view of everything and everyone.
I watched in curiosity as Lev pulled something out of his pocket and showed me an earpiece before he put it on. He spoke into it, “Cam, you ready?”
From the right-hand side of the stage, a young man in a suit raised his hand to show Lev he could hear him.
Lev sat back, turned to me, and stated, “Tonight will be a good night.”
Was he trying to reassure me? I was convinced that the safest seat in the house was sitting next to the hot guy in the suit, giving orders over an earpiece. I didn’t need reassurance.
The girls took to the stage. First, Lana, doing a pole routine, then ChaCha with her slow striptease, then Birdie came by with a glass of soda and a hug for me, telling me she’d been so worried about me.
A feeling of warmth bloomed inside of me. Yes, I was sitting in a gentleman’s club, watching women take their clothes off for cash, knowing the man by my side would hurt anyone who looked at me funny, but I had never felt more at home in a place apart from my family home, when I lived with my mother.
Lev spotted a man sitting on his own, looking forlorn. He spoke into the earpiece. “Cam. Table twelve. Send him a whiskey neat on the house.”
My brow rose. “He looks pretty down. You sure you want to liquor him up some more?”
Lev kept his eye on the floor, but tilted his head toward me. “Free anything makes people happy. Watch.”
Sure enough, the man watched as Anika smiled seductively, placing the drink on his table and leaning down to whisper something in his ear. The lonely man smiled immediately.
Impressed, I asked, “What is she saying to him?”
“That we appreciate his business and loyalty.”
I nodded. “Right. Okay. You clearly know your shit. I bow down to you, oh great one.”
His eyes smiled in that way I loved, and I almost slid down the front of my chair, sighing dreamily.
I asked Lev if he wanted his drink topped off. He said no. I didn’t think he realized I wanted to go visit Nas behind the bar. I kept hinting, saying how thirsty I was. He kept frowning, telling me to signal Anika.
There was no being inconspicuous with Lev. It was all or nothing. I finally blurted out, “I really want to talk to Nas.”
His brow furrowed. “Why didn’t you just say so?”
“Because I’m grounded,” I muttered and slumped lower into my chair.
He snuffled, and I liked to believe it was Lev’s version of a laugh. He nodded to the bar. “I can still see you from there. Stay in sight.”
I perked up, leaning over my chair and showing my enthusiasm. “Really, Pop? No foolin’?”
“Go,” he murmured in a bored manner, but his eyes were laughing.