Q rolls his eyes at the kid and keeps talking. “Just watch yourself. You’ve kept every woman at arm’s length for a fucking long time for a reason, Gabe. I just want to make sure you’re not setting yourself up for a fall.”
“He’s already falling. They text all the time. He gets this look on his face every time his phone buzzes.”
This time, I glare at Bump and the dopey expression he’s making. The kid doesn’t know when to keep his fucking mouth shut.
Q’s expression takes on a new level of concern at Bump’s admission. “If you want to bang her, fucking bang her. Get it out of your system. But whatever you do, don’t let her in. You keep your circle small on purpose, Gabe. Remember why.”
With a nod at me, Q ducks out of the doorway, and I frown at Bump.
“Did you really have to tell him that?”
“Q’s family. He just wants what’s best for us.”
Leaving the office, I walk up toward the VIP section, under the guise of wanting to make sure everything is ready to go. Down on the floor, Q and Zoe are meeting with the staff and security.
I slip my hand into the pocket of my black slacks and pull out my phone.
Legend: I’m ready for you, ladybug. See you soon.
Fifty-Three
Scarlett
The lop-eared bunnies are tap-dancing in my stomach as we approach the club. Harlow, Monroe, and Kelsey went all out, posting where we’d be tonight and making sure everyone who’s anyone will be at Legend.
Gabriel’s club is going to be safe. At least, as safe as I can make it.
I just wish I could say the same for my heart. Because it’s in serious jeopardy.
“I can’t believe you told Flynn she couldn’t come. She’s almost twenty-one, and her fake ID is damn good.”
I glance at Monroe sitting in the row behind me and Kelsey. “He asked me to help save the club, not bring in known minors to give the cops a reason to close the club down or fine him.”
“Like they’d ever find out.”
“Leave it alone, Monroe. We’ve got more important things to worry about tonight,” Harlow says, shutting Monroe up.
“Yes! Because Scarlett’s gettinglaid tonight!” Kelsey yells, and the cheers and screams in the SUV nearly deafen me.
“You guys! Stop. You’ll make me lose my nerve.”
“Not a chance. We all saw how you danced with him, and I know you, Scar. You don’t let anything stop you from getting what you want. Legend is going to find out exactly what that’s like tonight.”
More cheering fills the cabin of the Escalade as we turn the corner to pull up to the building that houses Legend, which looks like a Roman temple.
I turn to look at Monroe, who is checking her lipstick in a compact in the back seat. “Is Nate really coming with some of the team tonight?”
“He’s definitely coming, but I don’t know about the other players. They had that charity thing, so there’s a good chance they’ll want to get loaded and have fun after. We’ll see. If they’re not here by midnight, they’re probably not coming.”
I make a mental note to look around at midnight to see if they made it ... and then a dreamy smile stretches my lips.What if I’m gone by midnight?
It’s ten thirty right now. I have absolutely no idea how long it takes to seduce a man, but I’m giving it my best shot.
The Escalade rolls to a stop at the curb, and it’s a completely different scene from last week. The line behind the velvet rope goes down the street and wraps around the corner. A red carpet is rolled out to the curb, and paparazzi stand near the street, anxious to get a shot of whichever VIPs arrive next.
Kelsey reaches over to squeeze my hand. “Are you ready to do this?”
My hair and makeup are perfect. Kelsey made sure of that. I glance down at my white dress, knowing the fabric is going to shimmer under the lights and make me look better than I may have ever looked in my entire life.