Page 9 of Beautiful Trauma (The Irish Rogues #5)

A fter staring at the laptop screen until my vision blurred, I rose out of my chair and rubbed my watery eyes.

Once I could see again, a quick glance at the clock told me it was time to make my first rounds of the evening.

Although we had intensive security working the club, things ran better when the staff knew that an owner was in the building.

When I opened the door, I found one of the family bodyguards, Thomas, waiting for me. “Good evening, Kellan.”

Since he’d been with us for years, he knew better than to call me sir like Andrew. “Evening, Thomas. How’s the vibe tonight?” I asked with a smile.

Usually before a walk, we gauged to see the energy in the club. Some nights it was already batshit crazy by the first walk. “The vibe is light,” he reported back in his usually stoic way.

“I’m glad to hear it.”

As I started down the hallway, Thomas fell into step behind me. When I stepped out into the main room, energy surged around me. The bass of our high-end DJ rumbled through me while the smell of sweat, cloying cologne, and sweet perfume mingled in the air.

My gaze flicked left and right as I surveyed the crowd. I’d just started to the VIP section when a stunning brunette stepped into my path. I should’ve been immune to her presence considering I was surrounded daily by beautiful and sexy women. But I wasn’t.

In fact, my steps faltered after I did a head-to-toe assessment of her. Her dark hair cascaded in waves down her back. Her scrap of a dress was strapless, and her ample cleavage spilled over the top. The dress ended mid-thigh, which exposed her fabulous legs.

When I met her inquisitive gaze again, a shudder echoed through me. It was cliche as hell, but from the instant my eyes locked with hers, something shifted within me.

Something that had been dormant since Reagan’s betrayal. It was unnerving as hell.

An inviting smile curved on her plump, red lips. “Hey sexy, wanna dance?”

Still in shock, I gave her my usual answer. “Thank you. But I’m working.”

When her mouth turned down in a pout, the dirty bastard in me couldn’t help imagining what it would look like wrapped around my cock. “That’s the first time I’ve been given that line.”

“I can assure you it isn’t a line. I really am working.”

To my surprise, she reached her hands out to cup my biceps. My muscles retracted under her touch. After squeezing them tightly, she asked, “Let me guess. You’re a bouncer?”

Although I shouldn’t have, I decided to play along. Grinning, I replied, “Guess again.”

“Bartender?”

“I’d have less clothes on if that was true.”

What the fuck? Did I actually just say that to her? I usually had to have a drink or two in me to be so direct. Or at least have had a first date. Apparently I was channeling Dare tonight with my innuendo.

She must have appreciated my response because her dark eyes flared before an erotic chuckle escaped her perfect lips. “True.” Tilting her head, she tapped her chin in thought. “Exotic dancer?”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I countered, “This isn’t that type of club.”

“Pity,” she mused.

“You might not say that if you saw me dance.”

A wicked gleam burned in her dark eyes. “I don’t think I’d give a shit about your dancing skills after seeing you naked.”

Fuck me. Normally, I didn’t go for direct women. I liked to work for it. “You’re a cheeky lass, aren’t you?”

She giggled. “I love your British accent.”

“Actually, it’s Irish.”

Embarrassment tinged her cheeks. “Oops. Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“So, you never answered my question.”

“Which one?”

She tossed a wavy strand of chestnut hair over her shoulder. “Your position.”

Since she brought out the cheekier side of me, I replied, “Oh, I work many positions.”

Smacking my chest playfully, she replied, “Naughty boy.”

Although it should’ve stoked me on, her teasing chastisement caused me to pull back a little. “You’re right. I am. The truth is I’m a co-owner in this club.”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

“It does?”

She nodded. “All your big dick energy makes sense now.”

Considering I was the last one of my brothers to exude any alleged “big dick energy”, I blinked at her in surprise. With my bravado continuing to fade, I replied, “If you say so.”

Extending her hand, the girl said, “I’m Mya.”

“Kellan.”

Before she could shake my hand, her dark eyes widened in panic. After jerking her hand back, she gasped. “No, no, no.”

“Are you okay?”

She shook her head. “I can’t believe he followed me here.”

Glancing behind me, I saw an angry-faced man striding towards us. He looked like the kind who was juiced up on steroids. His fury was singularly focused on Mya, which caused my protectiveness to rise.

Turning back to her, I asked, “You know him?”

“My ex, Anthony.” A shudder ran through her. “I guess I should call him my stalker since he keeps showing up wherever I am.”

I gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. You’re safe.”

“You don’t know him,” she argued.

“And you don’t know me,” I countered.

With my fists clenching at my sides, she widened her eyes. I turned to block Anthony from getting to Mya. But he outmaneuvered me by bobbing to the right. Before I could stop him, he grabbed Mya by the arm, causing her to cry out.

“What the fuck are you doing here with him?”

Whirling back around, I growled, “Take your hands off her.”

He glared back at me. “Pipe the fuck down. This doesn’t concern you.”

“Considering she doesn’t want to see you, I’d say she doesn’t concern you either.”

The guy took a step towards me, dragging Mya along with him. “I’m going to say this one last time. Mind your own fucking business and get lost.”

I moved to stand toe to toe with him. “Since you’re standing in my club and assaulting one of my patrons, it is my business.”

His nostrils flared in challenge. “Then what are you going to do about it?”

“I’m going to ask you to take your hands off her.”

A cruel chuckle erupted from him. “And if I don’t?”

“I will have you removed and detained.”

“You’re one hell of a pussy to have your men fight your battles for you.”

His words demeaning my manhood were like a match to a powder keg.

Growing up, my father constantly shamed me for being more soft-spoken and less violent than my brothers.

His humiliation was constant as going so far to constantly say I was a waste of a cock and a dishonor to the males of the family.

Sometimes he even questioned my paternity as if I couldn’t have possibly come from him.

Most days I could regulate my triggers. Especially if I was in a public place.

But not today.

Launching myself at him, I grabbed him by the throat. “How dare you put your hands on a woman in my club!” I snarled.

As I tightened my grip around his windpipe, his eyes bulged. He quickly released Mya, who staggered back. When I didn’t release him, he pleadingly rasped, “I…let…the…bitch…go.”

Slowly, I shook my head at him. “You went too far, Anthony.“

The bluster slipped from his glare and was replaced by fear. His nails scraped against my hands at his throat. As they dug into my skin, a rush of metallic scent entered my nose.

Mya touched my arm. “Please let him go.”

Slowly, I turned my gaze from Anthony to Mya. “He hurt you tonight. And since he did it so easily, I imagine he’s hurt you many times. Not to mention tormenting you by stalking you.”

“While that might be true, he isn’t worth it.” Squeezing my arm, she pleaded, “Just let him go.”

As I stared into her frightened eyes, I shook my head. “I won’t allow him to hurt you ever again.”

At Anthony’s whimper, I flicked my gaze back to him. With a maniacal smile, I replied, “Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you.”

After shoving him back, I landed a right hook to his cheek. While he flailed back, I slammed my fist into his abdomen. An agonized grunt erupted from his lips. Whirling around, I pummeled four or five punches into his kidneys.

As he doubled over, I socked him in the nose, sending blood spurting over my knuckles and onto my hands.

“Sir, don’t!” Thomas cautioned me from behind.

Ignoring him, I continued punching Anthony. After Thomas tried grabbing me by the waist, I flung him away.

Undaunted, Thomas stepped between me and Anthony. Grabbing my shoulders, he shouted, “Kellan, stop!”

Somehow his words got through to me, and I froze. I realized then that although the music continued playing, those dancing around us had stopped and were staring at me in both curiosity and horror.

“Get him the fuck out of here.”

“Yes, sir,” Thomas replied.

I realized how shaken he was by my behavior since he’d called me sir. But I didn’t have time to worry about that now.

I whirled around to take in Mya’s cowering form. When I took a step towards her, she jumped back, her eyes wide with fear. “It’s okay. You’re okay.”

As I held up my hands to steady her, I realized they were stained with blood. After tucking them to my side, I asked, “Are you all right?”

Her pale face shone brightly under the club lights. “I…I…”

When her eyes rolled back into her head, I dove forward to catch her before she could pass out. After sweeping her limp body into my arms, I faced the curious crowd surrounding us.

“Let us through!” I bellowed as I started moving forward.

After just seeing me pummel Anthony, people quickly scattered. As I passed the bar, I called, “Bring me some ice water and a pot of tea.”

“You got it, boss,” one of the bartenders replied.

I strode down the hallway to my office. After opening the door, I kicked it shut. Mya remained silent as I went over to the couch. After easing her down onto the black leather, I squatted down beside her.

At the fear reflected in her eyes, I shook my head. “You should know by now I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I do,” she whispered.

“Then why do you appear so scared of me?”

She swallowed hard. “You choked him…and beat him.”

“I did.”

With her voice wavering, she said, “It was scary…you were scary.”

“I’m sorry you had to see that.”

Her brows furrowed. “But you’re not sorry you hurt him.”