Page 6 of High Rise Secrets

“Nothing. I’ll be right back.” I leave my drink and head in the direction my mystery girl went. A large man steps in my way, blocking my path. He crosses his arms over his chest and glares at me.

“Who was that girl?”

“One of the owners,” he grunts.

“I need her name, please.” I’m fucking desperate for information. I run my fingers through my hair and try to look past the hulking giant standing in my way to catch another glimpse of her.

“Unless you’re paying, and she’s accepted the offer, you don’t need to know. Either go back to your seat or leave.”

I put my hands up in surrender. I don’t need to risk getting kicked out of here or causing a scene. I’ll find out about this place and who owns it if it’s the last thing I do.

Chapter 3

Addison

So, hottie bartender wasn’t as good in the sack as I thought he would be. His dick was a decent size, but he clearly has never been shown where a woman’s clitoris is located. I spent my time trying to wriggle around until he could find it, then gave him fake praise when he managed to skirt over it. Ultimately, though, I had to do it myself.Especially because he came in under two minutes.

I’m sitting in the small office looking over the list of clients who have come in for the night. Mostly, it’s the same men who are here weekly, but I stop scrolling down the list and gasp when I see Ethan’s name. I have looked over this list every night since opening, hoping to see his name. Every night has been the same disappointment—until now.

I stand, fix my mask in place, and walk out onto the main floor. My eyes scan the crowd looking for the one man who makes me weak in the knees and turns my insides into jelly. The place is mostly cleared out, with it being one in the morning, but I hoped to see him. I see Washington, our bouncer, who was on door duty tonight and walk up to him, draping my arm over his large forearm.

“Hi, sexy,” I coo. I just like to flirt with the man, not that I need to. “Ethan Freeman was here tonight. Do you know what time he left?” I rub my barely covered breast over his arm, and he looks down at me, a tiny smirk gracing his lips.

“No, ma’am. I think it was shortly after your friend for the evening arrived.”

I roll my eyes.Once again, poor choice on my part.“Yeah, if you see my friend,” I say, putting air quotes around the word, “come around again, please don’t let him in unless he wants a membership.” He nods once in understanding. “Thanks, hon. I’m going to head out. Have a good night.” I pull him down and smack a kiss on his cheek.

“Have a good night, Madam Ember.” I watch him discreetly touch his cheek and smile to myself. That man is such a softy underneath his rock-like body. He would do anything for us girls.

I walk to the locker room to take my mask and wig off. Then I change into my clothes from work that day and leave through the back door. My black Audi is tucked toward the back of the lot, and I click the FOB to unlock the doors, checking the backseat before I get in. A girl can never be too careful. The ride home is silent, but my mind has been reeling. Why did he show up after all this time?

“Addy, what the hell is this?” Eden asked, shaking a piece of paper in front of my face.

“A sheet of paper?” I responded coyly and went back to looking at the books. We needed to bring in new clients if we were going to be able to keep this place growing. I’d been trying to come up with new ideas on how to entice new clientele.

“Why the fuck are Ethan Freeman’s yearly dues being paid by you?”

I snapped my head to look at her, guilt written all over my face. I’d never been an exceptionally great liar, especially around those I love. There’s no way she could have uncovered that information unless she was looking for it.

I opened my mouth to say something just as she cut me off. “Don’t you fucking lie to me, Addy,” she seethed.

Lia and Everleigh stepped into the small office. “Keep your voices down. We don’t want the clients to hear. What’s with all the ruckus? Whose balls am I ripping off?” Everleigh asked.

“Addison is so hung up on this fucking Ethan guy that she’s paying his dues. I checked. He hasn’t stepped foot in this club since we opened a few years ago,” Eden said, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Seriously, Addy? Why are you so hung up on this guy anyway? Sure, he was a good lay, but he has no clue who you are,” Lia piped in.

I stood and glared at my three best friends. I love them, but there were times when I wanted to wring their necks. “Fuck all of you. What I do with my money is my business. If I want to pay someone’s dues, I’ll pay them.”

“All you’re ever going to be to him is some random stripper he hooked up with. Jesus, Addy, he doesn’t even know your real name. You told him your name was Ember. You don’t have a chance in hell with that man. Until he actually comes to the club, I’m removing him from the list.” Eden slammed the paper down on the desk, and I glared at her.

“Watch it, Eden,” I kept my voice low and stalked toward her. “You have a lot of secrets yourself, and I would hate for some of them to come out.” She clenched her jaw but didn't say anything. “He’s staying on the list, and you’re going to keep your nose out of my Goddamn business.” I glared between all of the girls. “All of you are going to forget this, got it?”

“How do we even know he’s safe? We can’t have someone in here that hasn’t been vetted,” Eden said.

“I’ve done enough research on him. He’s safe. The worst thing about him is his choice in dates.” I mumbled the last part.

I stare at my building for a few minutes, replaying that night five years ago. Way before I got the job as Ethan’s assistant. It’s late, I’m tired, and I should go to bed. Thank God tomorrow is Saturday and I have nothing planned.