Page 24

Vin was the only guy around who actually said more than a few words to us at a time. It was part of his job, it wasn't like he did it by choice. But he was a little different than the rest of Virgo's men. He didn't look at us like we were trash. He was an ass at times, but he gave you room to grumble and complain a little bit.

I wasn't sure if he was here because he wanted to be or if Virgo was forcing him to be. Temptation to ask him over the years was there, but I never actually questioned him about it. It didn't really matter what his answer would be. We all had a role, and running the back room of the club was his.

“Alright, I'm going, give me a second.” Standing up, I tugged my skirt down. “You know, I'm not the only one in here who can do the private room.”

“Yeah, but you're the only one in here who goes by Ash. When you're requested, you're requested, I can't send in someone else.”

“How about you don't send any of us?”

“Berlin. . .” Pausing, Vin hung his head, lowering his lids to cover half his eyes.

“I know, I know, I'm going, no need to run to Virgo.”

“Then stop flapping your mouth and go.”

Turning around, I walked to the private room. For a brief moment, I wondered if Salt would be behind the door. I could feel my heart start to bounce in my chest and my hands get sweaty with nerves.

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been waiting for him to return. He had come in twice in the past week, the chances were in my favor I'd see him again.

Slipping inside, I did my ritual of blinking quickly, trying to adjust to the darkness. The shadow against the wall moved as the man stood up and started to walk towards me.

Is it him?

“Are we feeling better today?” His voice skipped through my chest, twisting my heart.

“You're back again,” I said, doing my best to keep my voice steady. The tension I felt melted away as soon as I knew it was Salt.

The room felt lighter, the air cleaner and fresh as if his presence made the difference. He was like the shining star in a black world. For the first time in my life, I was happy to be in that room.

“Did I get you into trouble?” Salt asked as he approached me in the dark. “Or are we on good terms today?”

When he stopped a foot away, I realized just how big he was. He was towering over me, at least six feet tall. His shoulders spanned the length of my arms if I stretched them out, his chest was puffed up and firm behind the fitted button-up shirt.

I half expected the buttons to pop off and shoot me in the face as he curled his arms around his ribs, resting his chin on the edge of his fist.

Shaking my head, I focused on his face as the shadowed room turned into actual objects. “No, I did what you told me to.”

“Good girl,” he said, his voice a whisper as he smirked. “I'm glad you listened.”

I felt my lips curl up into a soft smile, the movement so out of place and forgotten I wasn't sure it was real. All of my smiles had been fake for as long as I could remember, but not then, not with him.

Why am I happy he's pleased with me?

Shaking the smile off my face, I focused on what I was actually doing and not how happy it made me to please him. “Are you here for another dance?” I asked.

Lifting his hand to my face, he brushed his thumb across my jaw. “You're too pretty for this, you know that?”

My body went up in flames, instantly trembling from his touch. I felt my cheeks blush, my skin so hot I was certain he could see the bright fire on my face.

No Berlin! Stop this now!

Taking a step backwards, I dropped my eyes to the floor. “Don't do that.”

“Do what?”

“Don't tell me I'm pretty.”

“You don't like a compliment?” he asked, his eyes piercing the top of my head as I refused to look up.