“I know you’re trying to reassure me and I appreciate it, and I’m trying not to worry, but it’s just my nature to always think about those I love. I have faith that he’ll be okay, though.”

His gaze held mine for another few moments and then he nodded. “I’ll let you know when I hear something, but my bet’s on him calling you before he calls us.”

Smiling at him, I said, “Thank you.” Taking a step backwards and out of the office, I added, “I better go get ready for my shift.”

“I’ve gotta head out soon, but I’ve got Rogue stationed out front keeping an eye on security. Just let him know if anything strange happens, yeah?”

“Will do,” I agreed before leaving him to head to the staff room.

I ran into Rogue in the hallway, not loving the way his gaze zoomed in on my chest. “Hi, gorgeous,” he greeted me. His voice grated on me as much as his gaze did.

Fixing an icy glare on him, I said, “Don’t call me gorgeous. And I don’t appreciate your eyes on my chest.”

He raised his brows. “You’re fuckin’ kidding me, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m not fucking kidding you,” I snapped, my irritation jumping to record levels. It took a lot to piss me off, but this guy had managed to do it both times we’d come in contact.

Anger clouded his features. “If I want my eyes on your tits, that’s exactly where I’m gonna have my fuckin’ eyes. I don’t appreciate club whores telling me what the fuck I can and can’t do.”

My blood boiled to the point where I thought it could blister my skin. “You need to get your facts straight, asshole, because I don’t appreciate club members calling me a whore when that is so far from what the hell I am.”

His hand shot out and he gripped my bicep as he shoved me against the wall. Bending his face to mine, he snarled, “Bitch, I really don’t give a flying fuck what you are. Stay out of my way if you don’t want my eyes on your tits and my hands on your body.”

My heart beat faster and my breaths grew shallow, but I’d be damned if I would let him threaten me like this. Shoving him hard so he stumbled back, I warned, “Don’t ever place your hands on me again. I can guarantee you that you won’t like the repercussions if you do.”

The way he sneered sent chills along my spine and I fought not to wrap my arms around my body in an attempt to shelter myself from him. I refused to give him the satisfaction of that.

He opened his mouth to speak again, but at that minute, Wilder came our way. “Everything okay with you two?” he enquired, a frown on his face.

Rogue flashed a huge smile at him and nodded. “We were just getting acquainted. Everything’s good here. You going home, man?”

Wilder stared at Rogue for a moment before turning his attention to me. “You good, Harlow?”

I regained control over my breathing and nodded. “I’m good. And I just had a call from Scott who asked me to let you know he wants Rogue stationed over at Trilogy tonight. He’s called Blade to send someone else here for the night.”

Wilder’s face pulled into a frown. “Really? He hasn’t called me about that.”

I watched Rogue carefully, taking in the way his face contorted in anger. Fuck you, asshole. Holding his gaze, I nodded and said, “Yeah, he said he didn’t have time to make two calls and - ” I turned my gaze to Wilder and hit him with a sweet smile, “ – I guess you were right when you hedged your bet that he’d call me first.”

Wilder grinned. Bingo. Way to a man’s heart – tell them they were right about something. “I knew he would, babe.” Looking at Rogue, he said, “Okay, brother, I guess you’re off strip club duty. I’ll catch you later.”

Once Wilder had walked away, Rogue got in my face. “What’s your fuckin’ game, bitch?”

I squared my shoulders. “You wanna fuck with me, expect me to fuck back with you. I’m no club whore; I’m the President’s old lady, and I roll over for no one, asshole.” I spat my words out before turning on my heel and stalking away from him. My heart had begun beating a million times faster than it usually did; well, at least that was how it felt in my chest. Threatening a man like Rogue wasn’t something I had ever done, but as far as I was concerned, it had to be done. I had to show him I wouldn’t be a pushover.

As soon as I was safely in the staff room with the door locked behind me, I called Blade.

“Harlow, what’s up?” He answered on the second ring.

“Blade, can you spare me a guy tonight? For security at Indigo. Our guy can’t make it now.”

Without hesitation, he replied, “Consider it done.”

I let out the breath I’d been holding in. “Thank you.”

“I’ll have someone there within half an hour.”

We ended the call and I relaxed back against the door as my breathing evened out. Now all I had to do was figure out how to keep Rogue away from me while Scott was away. I refused to burden my man with anything else so there was no way I’d share with him what had happened today. Not until he got home, at least.

6

Harlow

Knives slicing my throat.

That’s what it felt like the next morning when I woke up. Rolling over in bed, I almost cried in agony as I swallowed. By the time I’d made it into the bathroom and grabbed painkillers from the cupboard, my whole body had alerted me to the fact it was also in a great deal of pain. Every muscle ached, and I could have sworn that every bone did, too.

Once I’d taken the pills, I pulled out my phone and texted Sharon who had stayed overnight next door.

Me: You okay? And how’s Lisa and Michelle?

Sharon: I’m good. Michelle is doing better today but Lisa is still sick. I’m going to go home and shower and have some sleep in my own bed before coming back to check on them. How are you?

Me: I have their cold now.

Sharon: Are you working today at the café?

Me: Yeah.

Sharon: Sorry honey. I’ve got your Indigo shift covered tonight so at least you can rest then. I’ll check in on you before I leave for work.

Me: Thank you xx

I wanted to call in sick to my mum, but I knew we’d be having a busy day today and that she had no one else to call on, so I got dressed and headed into work.

She took one look at me when I arrived and said, “Go home, baby, I can manage on my own.”

“No, you need me today, Mum.” I grimaced as I spoke and she shook her head at me.

“I’ll manage on my own.” She attempted to shoo me away, but I resisted.

Standing my ground, I said, “I’ll get better as the day goes on; that’s what always happens when I have a cold.” The heaviness in my head led me to believe this might not be true today, but no way would I let her know that.

She frowned at me until something caught her eye behind me. When the door bell sounded, I turned to find Madison entering the café with a smile on her face.

“Morning, ladies,” she greeted us.

Mum returned her smile. “Madison, will you tell Harlow she is too sick to work today?”

Madison’s smile disappeared as her gaze zeroed in on me. “Oh, no! Are you sick, too? So many people are coming down with this cold. Apparently it’s a nasty one. You should definitely go home and sleep it off.”

“I’ll be okay, and honestly, if it gets worse later, I promise I will go home.”

Mum sighed; she knew how stubborn I could be. “Fine, but I’m holding you to that.” She eyed Madison. “Do you want your usual?”

“I’ll make it, Mum. You go do your stuff out the back,” I said as I made my way behind the counter.

She muttered something under her breath as she left us to go and get the kitchen ready for the day. I began making Madison’s coffee as I asked, “Did you hear from J?”