Ben softly cursed at that news and then said, “Let us know if we can do anything on our end. Ace Webster and Kemp Whittier may have some sources.”
Hank nodded and refilled his cup as he rubbed his head like it hurt. “I’ll contact him. I’ll be damned if I’m letting any more women get hurt on my watch.”
“We’ll have to tell her when she wakes up.” Quinten dreaded the thought, too. She had enough on her plate as it was.
Speaking his mind, Ben said, “This is the last thing she needs right now. We have inspectors coming next week to look the place over.”
Hank grimaced. “You have my sympathies. Just keep an eye on her.” Hank grinned at them both. “Rumor has it that she’s expectin’.” He chuckled when they both sat up straight in their chairs and grinned. “I’ll take that as a yes. Well, congratulations are in order. And for the love of Mike, let’s keep her safe.”
The men talked to him about the grand opening. Hank planned to be there as backup, as a friend since he was technically out of his jurisdiction in Morehead. Quinten found it interesting that Hank had echoed Ben’s sentiment about keeping the women safe. Hank hated being out of control. Quinten wondered at what point that had begun to eat at Hank, since none of the women whose troubles he’d dealt with lately had been one he could call his own.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Mid-December…
Camilla was relieved as she, Ben, Quinten, and Ethan sat at a table at The Dancing Pony. Her hours had dropped to none at The Pony the last week in November so she could devote all her time to The Twisted Bull. Her workday had been spent sorting out orders for liquor, glassware, and other supplies with Sylvan Anders, her nightclub manager. Sylvan had committed to two years and Camilla was thrilled.
Getting the necessary restaurant equipment had taken more time than they’d planned and inspection approvals had been challenging. They were currently discussing the need to delay the opening of Chantilly’s Steakhouse.
“The last thing we want to do is have a huge grand opening on both sides and wind up understaffed or have problems,” Camilla agreed. “I wanted them to open up at the same time, but logistically, it just can’t happen.”
Ethan smiled, approval in his eyes. “We have to operate within our limitations. So Keller is working out all right?”
“Yes, I’m impressed with him.” Camilla knew Ethan had originally considered hiring Keller to fill her open position at The Dancing Pony. “He doesn’t want to limp through a grand opening any more than we do. What do you think about a Valentine’s Day launch? By then the equipment should be in place and there will be enough qualified waitstaff on hand.”
After discussing the changes in the promotional material, orders, scheduling and training of the new staff members, Quinten kissed her and went to work behind the bar.
She knew they were keeping a close eye on her because of what had happened in her office at The Twisted Bull. It was inconvenient, but Camilla appreciated it. She’d never said anything about it, but in the last couple of weeks there were times when she’d had an odd sensation, as though she was being watched.
She hadn’t said anything because she couldn’t really pinpoint what she felt, and she was already so hormonal on top of it. She had vivid dreams which she woke from in cold sweats. Dreams of being chased, being powerless and unable to defend herself.
Ethan surprised her when he came up behind her and gently rubbed her shoulders and said, “Grace was hoping to have a spa day with you sometime soon, sweetie. I think she’s a little worried about you.”
Camilla turned to this man who, although he’d been her boss, she’d always counted as a trustworthy friend. All he had to do was tell her something like that and she was all ears.
“She is? Why is that, Ethan? You know I’ve been really careful with my hours, and there’s always someone with me, even though it drives me crazy.” She emphasized the last word because she knew he’d been a big proponent of the whole let’s-get-Camilla-a-bodyguard idea.
Ethan chuckled and sat on the edge of the chair next to her. “She said she keeps having weird dreams, and you’re always in them. She thinks it’s women’s intuition, and I don’t doubt it. She has it, and so does my mom. Why don’t you call her sometime and set it up. Pretty soon, you’ll be so busy you probably won’t take the time to do that.” His last words were toned as an admonishment, but she scoffed.
“I will too. I have my priorities right, Ethan, believe me.”
Ethan grinned conspiratorially and said, “I hear that Ben wants to visit Hazelle House for the basic classes.”
Camilla nodded. “Quinten is going, too. He thinks he’s ‘not proper Dom material,’ whatever the hell that is. The man is evil with a feather, that’s all I can say. I’m so happy they decided to, though. Thank you for being an encouragement to him.”
Ethan rose and gave her a hug. “Anything to help an old friend.”
She returned his hug and murmured, “And you’ve been a good friend for a long time.”
“He told you?”
“Yeah, he told me his story.”
“He was a mess.” He looked over to where Ben stood chatting with Adam Davis and Jack Warner, who’d just walked in. “But he’s doing great now. Sort of like someone else I know.”
She cocked her head and smiled at him. “Oh yeah? Who?”
Ethan smirked at her as Ben approached them. “I think you know who, missy. But it all worked out there, too.”
Ben slid an arm around her waist. “Doing okay?”
With certainty, she nodded and said, “Yes. Thanks to Tom and his generosity, I’m not working with pressing financial deadlines, like I might’ve been without the inheritance. Makes for a lot less stress.”
“I’m glad the heirs decided to leave well enough alone,” Ethan replied. “Funny how information in the right hands makes a difference.” He said his good-byes and went over to Jack and Adam.
Ben gestured with a thumb over his shoulder at the dance floor. “May I have this dance?”
Camilla smiled up at Ben. “Do you know we’ve never danced with each other?” The two years before they’d gotten together seemed suddenly far distant.
Ben’s gaze was warm as she placed her hand in his. “I know. Good thing you’re wearing your boots, though, in case I step on your toes, tiny dancer.”
Camilla giggled. “Get while the getting’s good, Ben. Soon enough I won’t be tiny anymore. I’ll be big and round.” Ben skimmed his hands around her waist and rested them on her hips before sliding them just a tad lower, making her smile. The gesture made her feel…like she was his. He gazed down at her as they faced each other on the dance floor. She cupped his cheeks in her palms and lightly touched her forehead to his.
“I don’t care how big you get, sugar. You’ll still be my tiny dancer.” Lady Antebellum’s “Dancin’ Away With My Heart” began to play as he kissed her and then swept her away on the dance floor.
* * * *
Spencer parked her Camaro beneath the security camera and lights in the back parking lot, which had been completely cleared and resurfaced, while Camilla dialed up her voice mail. She’d been a little exasperated when Spencer had shown up on her doorstep to accompany her to the club for the grand opening that night.
She’d told him she was perfectly capable of driving herself, but he’d said that her men had sent him on that errand. They were already at the club, making sure things went smoothly, and had made her go home after lunch to rest and relax before getting ready for the big night.
After Spencer turned off the ignition, he came around and helped her out of her vehicle. As they walked to the back entrance, she put her phone to her ear to listen to the message.
“Hey, Camilla! It’s Emma. I just wanted to wish you a happy grand opening tonight. The guys and I will be in for a little while, but I wanted to tell you that personally. I also wanted you to stop by the office tomorrow. I got the results of your ultrasound, and I wanted to go over them with y
ou. Nothing for you to worry about, so just enjoy yourself tonight, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
There was no indication in Emma’s voice that it was anything serious, so Camilla made a note in her planner and let it slip from her mind as she walked to the back door. She giggled when she didn’t even have to reach for the doorknob as Cody opened it for her from inside. He gave her that sleepy-eyed sexy smile that he was so famous for and hugged her back.
“Wow, handsome. You’re decked to the nines!”
He was dressed in his black leather jeans, biker boots, snug black long-sleeved T-shirt, and black leather vest. The three of them had gotten together and coordinated their dress code just to please her, and she loved the results.
He helped her slip out of the leather coat she wore over her outfit. The weather had been mild all day, but there was a cold front expected soon, and the temperature was supposed to dip into the thirties overnight. She anticipated being at the club until well after two in the morning.
“You’re not looking too bad yourself, gorgeous. I’ll put your jacket in your office. Your men know you were dressing up tonight?”
“It’s the Christmas season. They should expect it!”
Cody gave her an indulgent smile. “I just hope I’m around so I can see their faces when they get a load of you.”
Standing in her closet that evening, she’d chosen this outfit as sort of a “last hurrah” at her costume days. She’d loosened the laces on the sides of the ruby-red leather corset because it was already snugger in the middle than she recalled it being. Even with loosened laces, she thought her silhouette was still damned sexy. She’d paired it with a matching leather miniskirt and wicked-looking high-heeled boots. Topping off the boots were fishnet stockings. Her hair was a mass of wild curls around her shoulders.
Around her neck, she wore Ben and Quinten’s gift celebrating opening her own club. A gold chain from which dangled multiple ruby teardrops, made by Clay Cook. It was the most beautiful gift she’d ever received from anyone, and she wore it and the matching teardrop earrings with pride.
“Holy hell.”
She halted in the back hallway, smiled, and turned at the sound of Ben’s voice. He stood in the doorway leading to the club with Quinten. Both men were slack-jawed. Sylvan Anders stood with them. She winked at Camilla, gave her a surreptitious thumbs-up, and slipped away into the club.
“You were saying?” she asked as she sauntered up to her men, who were supremely delicious in their sleek black suits, polished black cowboy boots, and black Stetsons. Sex-on-a-stick was the only phrase that came to mind.
Ben flapped his jaws a couple of times before saying, “Sugar, you look fantastic.” He slid his arms around her and kissed her forehead and whispered, “My God, I could eat you alive. Are you comfortable in this?” He slid his fingers along the steel boning in the corset but didn’t say anything else.
“Very. I loosened it.”
Quinten kissed her cheek and whispered, “How’s your stomach?”
“It’s just fine. I ate a little meal before Spencer picked me up. You know that wasn’t necessary, by the way. I could’ve driven myself. Now he’s stranded without his truck.”
“That’s handled already.” Quinten gestured toward the club entry. “Come take a look.”
The hallway they’d been standing in led to the restrooms and provided rear access to both the nightclub and the restaurant. They drew her into the main room of the club. She gasped as she took in the full effect with the lights down low and the music playing. Oak paneling lined the wall behind the bar, and the rest of the walls were painted a deep shade of ruby red, giving the room a warm, sensual feel. Mirrors were hung at intervals along the walls. The dance floor was set up almost identical to The Dancing Pony, in the center of the club space, with groups of tables on either side. The only difference was that The Twisted Bull had a slightly larger seating capacity and dance floor.
Patrons were already coming in the brand-new front entry, stopping to be carded by Heath, before making their way around the room to mingle and find seats. The club would be mostly country and western with a decidedly rock-and-roll edge, which would be reflected in the music the DJ played and the types of bands they booked. This was a big night, and she felt nothing but gratitude as she looked up at her men. If it had been up to her, she would’ve stayed at the club to help prepare and allowed herself barely enough time to get home, showered, and changed before heading back.
Seeming to read her mind, Ben said, “I know you didn’t sleep last night, sugar. You tossed and turned most of the time. Did you lie down and rest like I asked you to?” The question had the barest lick of steel to it, which her pussy responded to with a quiver.
She nodded. “Yes, I did. I thought I’d be too excited to nap, but I did. I also took a bubble bath.” It had felt decadent to lie there and soak like that while all the last-minute details were put together by the people she’d hired to do the job. Not exactly how she’d envisioned it all these years, but definitely the way to go.
“You hired good people, and they got their jobs done like they should. Now you can relax and mingle and enjoy the opening of your club.”
“Our club.”
“No, your club. We’re just your silent partners.”
“No, our club. I thought it would be just me, winging it, when I opened my own place. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you.”
Quinten kissed her. “We love you, baby. We’re here for you, always. Here comes Ethan and Grace.”
Ethan gave her his winning smile and held his arms out. “Congratulations, it looks like a winner. I declare your partnership with Ben and Quinten a big success.” Camilla hugged Ethan, gratitude welling up in her heart.
After Camilla hugged Grace, too, she looked up at Ethan and said, “Thank you for all your help and for sharing your wisdom with me.” Ethan shrugged casually. “We just helped you put the pieces together. You’ve had a stressful time of it the last couple of months, between all the break-ins, starting this place, and your change in status. I’m glad I could be of help. Oh, and I heard from the restaurant equipment distributor today. You should get the first shipment for the kitchen by the first week in January.”
“Good thing we didn’t wait on them, huh?”
“Yes. Well, let’s get you girls set up at a table so you can do the fun part of your job and make the rounds. You’re going to say a few words, once the crowd thickens, right?”
Camilla’s jaws flapped. “Um—um. That’s always been your job, Ethan. I’m not so good in front of people like that.”
Grace burst into laughter. “Said the former exotic dancer.”
Camilla laughed along with her. “Well, now that you mention it, I guess I could. I just never have before.” She looked over to the bar, eyes drawn to the spot she would feel most comfortable at the moment. The activity was all running smoothly.
Ben leaned down and whispered, “You’re the boss lady now, sugar. They’ve got it well in hand.”
They arranged themselves at a large semicircular corner booth, which would be a great place to watch the room from, and a waitress rushed over to take their drink orders. When Jack and Adam arrived, Grace excused herself and went off to the dance floor with Jack for a slow dance to Brantley Gilbert’s “Fall into Me.”
Ben and Quinten were involved in a discussion with Adam as the club began to fill up, the music increasing in volume as the noise level rose. Ethan told her that he’d fetch her when it was time to play to the crowd. She excused herself and went to check in with Sylvan, who was standing at the bar surveying the room. She was vibrant in her figure-hugging black-and-red dress and boots.
She smiled as Camilla walked up and greeted her. “Everyone is saying how much they love The Twisted Bull.”
“Are things running smoothly? Waitresses all doing okay?”
“Yeah. I gave Bambi a smaller group of tables since she has the least experience. She seems to be holding her own.”
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“Everything behind the bar okay?”
Sylvan waved at the bartender and exchanged brief sign language with him, which made Camilla smile.
Sylvan nodded and turned back to Camilla. “Yeah, everything’s fine, but I need to grab him another bottle of—”
“Tequila.”
Sylvan giggled, a musical sound. “I forgot that you probably used the same system at The Dancing Pony and would know the sign for tequila. Ben taught all the bartenders and the bears.” Camilla smiled that Sylvan called them that, too, a habit that she’d picked up in working with Camilla. It was easier than calling them by name, and they didn’t mind in the least. “We still haven’t gotten that last shipment in from the liquor distributor in San Antonio. I hope it comes tomorrow.”
“We’ll be fine for tonight?”
Sylvan nodded with self-assurance. “Oh, yeah. I’ve got this under control, so if you want to relax and mingle, it’s fine. You’ll be easy to find tonight. You look gorgeous in red.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that.” She smoothed her hand over her abdomen, which was still mostly flat.
“You should’ve seen the looks on Ben and Quinten’s faces when you walked in the door tonight. I hope someday I find a man who looks at me the way they look at you.”
“No one in your life right now?”
Sylvan scrunched up her nose and shook her head. “Not with the way I move from place to place. I date, but that’s all I have time for.”
“He’s out there,” Camilla said, patting her forearm. “You’re doing a great job, Sylvan.”
More patrons filtered in the front door, and she made her way toward the front of the club until she reached Heath, who was manning the door with Spencer.
Heath grinned at her and put an arm around her when she quickly said hello. “Boss, everyone loves your new place.”
Tiny Dancer [Divine Creek Ranch 13] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 31