Page 10 of Redeemed (Redeemed #1)
Chapter Nine
Kennedy
T here were a few cars in Emerald Nights’ employee lot when I arrived.
Although my first reaction was fear that the footage from the alleyway cameras would jeopardize my membership, I let those thoughts go.
Tori didn’t strike me as someone who would waste my time by having me drive in just to be denied.
So, I let myself hope that I was one meeting away from the access that would put me closer to Michael Ellis.
I reach the entrance of Emerald Nights and am greeted by Tori’s bright smile.
“Thank you for coming on short notice. The owner was very insistent about setting your appointment up as soon as possible.” Tori grabs my hand as her sweet smile drops, and she looks at me with eyes etched in concern. “First, how are you doing or feeling after the other night?”
Of course, she knows about the altercation—her brother is the owner of this club.
“Are you okay? The shift in your aura was so swift, if it wasn’t for the colors, I would’ve missed it.”
A nervous smile tugs at my lips as I ease my hand out of Tori’s grip. “I’m doing okay. Just a little bruising, nothing too serious.”
“Nothing too serious!? Kennedy, you were attacked. Yes, we deal with rougher clientele, and I can’t begin to know the things you’ve seen, but we demand a level of respect here.”
“Let’s just call it a conditioned response.”
Tori’s eyebrows scrunch together, but I give her a polite smile, hoping we can move on from this part of our conversation.
“Trust me, my brother was pissed watching the footage. I think he was able to pull a clear photo of the assailant from our security cameras.”
“What exactly does he plan to do with the identity of my attacker?” I ask, unsure of which side of the law this business tends to lean toward.
She sighs. “If I know my brother, probably something illegal. But let’s get you upstairs so he can discuss this more in detail.”
Tori quickly moves across the floor, her brunette ponytail bouncing with each step.
We reach another employee-only door that’s located by the DJ booth.
On the wall, is an eight-foot mural depicting Medusa that is captivating.
She looks powerful and alluring against a gold background that contrasts the dark green aesthetic of Emerald Nights.
Her body is draped in a cream-colored dress that settles comfortably on her feminine curves and is accented with a gold necklace and cuffs on her wrist, complimenting her brown skin.
I step through the door to find that the hall on the other side of the door splits in two directions, one to a private elevator and an exit, the other, I assume, to the employee section on the other side of the building.
Tori pushes the call button for the elevator, and I see it coming down from five floors above.
“Does Emerald Nights do business on each floor?”
“This elevator only goes to the fourth and fifth floors, which house the owner’s office space. On the other side, our second floor holds the VIP section you’ve already seen.” She gives me a soft smile. “The third floor contains the employee break area.”
We step out onto the fifth floor to a beautiful waiting area.
The color scheme changes from the green and gold theme of the lower level to black and gold.
The space is inviting with a large, black leather couch, accented with gold throw pillows.
An ornate grey marble rug lies under a glass top coffee table.
The size of the TV mounted on the wall would make Nate swoon.
“This room’s just as beautiful as the lounge below.”
“Yeah, when I designed this space, I wanted it to feel like his. The owner doesn’t do much for himself, and he deserves to be able to relax in the space where he spends most of his time.” Tori chuckles. “I also like spending his money.”
I laugh as we continue through the sitting area toward an open door on the other side of the room. I’m caught in the luxury this office space has to offer as we pass a mini bar and kitchenette area. Tori enters the room first, knocking gently on the door before stepping over the threshold.
“Knock, knock,” she singsongs as she moves right into the room.
“By all means, walk right in, Victoria.”
That voice shakes me out of my wonder as I cross into the room and see the god in the suit from the alleyway leaning over a large, ornate desk. His gaze moves from the computer screen to my face, before he stands to his full height.
“Oh, hush. I know you saw us coming up on the cameras. I’m sure you remember Kennedy from that little alleyway incident. Kennedy, this is Alexander Carter, the owner of Emerald Nights.”
I’m transfixed by seeing this man again as he steps around his desk, looking at me with no surprise at all.
His eyes are more guarded today than the night when we first met.
Although, there’s still a glimmer of curiosity alight in his gaze.
I shake away the shock and pray it isn’t apparent on my face, stretching out my hand as I step forward to shake his.
“Nice to officially meet you, Mr. Carter,” I say with a tight smile as warm fingers grasp mine.
Just like the night we meet in the alley, he’s wearing a perfectly tailored suit.
The top button of his dress shirt is left undone, allowing signs of a tattoo to show, and his thick brown hair is styled perfectly—pushed back off his forehead with a slight curl at the ends.
My hand flexes at the thought of what it would feel like to run my fingers through it.
“Please, call me Alexander, and it’s nice seeing you again, under better circumstances.” He gives me a half smile, prompting a flash of a dimple and I feel my knees weaken a bit. Kennedy, get a fucking grip . “How’s your leg?”
“Still bruised. I had a pretty bad limp yesterday, but I’m feeling better today.”
“I’m going to head back down to my office for the evening. Alex, let me know if either of you need anything.”
Alexander and I both startle at the sound of Tori’s voice, having forgotten that she’s in the room.
“I think I got it from here,” he says, his intense green eyes studying me.
I don’t allow myself to read too much into the questions I see in his eyes. There’s only one reason why I’m here, and it’s for this man to approve my membership.
Alexander runs a hand over his face before he gestures toward the chairs in front of his desk. “Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
I sink into one of the plush chairs, get comfortable, and rest my hands in my lap.
“I’m glad you were able to make it in on such short notice. We were able to identify the man who attacked you, and I’ve already pulled copies of the footage. My first question is, how would you like to move forward with handling this situation?”
His focus is trained on me. I cross my leg, tilting my head and narrowing my eyes.
“Wasn’t it just a couple of nights ago you were wanting to prevent being a witness to a murder. Are you now offering my attacker up on a silver platter?”
His chin is resting on his hand as he rubs his finger back and forth over his mouth. I see a little twitch of his lips, like he’s holding back a smile.
“Attacking a beautiful female in an alleyway is definitely a crime that needs punishment. Maybe we let him off too easy.”
“Maybe I was interrupted in the middle of my attempt at retribution.”
He flashes me a smile and I give him one right back.
“My sincerest apologies, but I seem to recall you thanking me for my intervention.”
“You can make it up to me.” I lick my lips and watch his eyes follow the path of my tongue. “I would love for my VIP application to be approved.”
“Oh, I was thinking a coffee date would make up for my interruption.”
The shock of that statement overtakes me, and I sit contemplating why exactly this man would want to date me. He leans back in his seat, studying my reaction.
This could work in my favor. He wants a coffee date, and I want a membership.
“It seems that coffee date would be more for you than it would be for me,” I reply with an arched brow.
He looks up at the ceiling with a small smile, “I guess you’re right about that.”
“I’m often right about most things,” I reply with a smirk.
His chuckle is deep, and the sound does something to me. I instantly want to hear more of his laugh.
“I didn’t hear a no to that coffee date.”
“And I didn’t hear a yes to my application being approved.”
“You drive a hard bargain.”
“I’m a woman who gets what she wants.”
He leans forward, all traces of humor gone as he stares directly into my eyes, demanding all of my attention.
“What exactly does this woman want?”
There are so many ways I can answer that question.
An attraction is building between us, and in this moment, I’m curious enough to see if a spark will catch. I lean forward, mimicking his movement.
“Right now, I think I want to say yes to a coffee date with a handsome stranger.”
“I approved your application when I asked Tori to bring you in today.” We stare at each other, guarded smiles sliding across both of our faces. “I also planned for you to have a booth in the VIP section tonight. If you want it, of course.”
“That would be nice. Thank you.” I can feel myself blushing under his attention, and I can’t remember the last time someone made me genuinely blush.
“I aim to please.”
His computer dings with a notification and a flash of annoyance crosses his face. He stands to pull on his jacket and I follow his lead, rising to my feet.
“Let me get you down to Tori’s office so she can set you up with your membership.”
Alexander moves around his desk toward the door and I stand, intending to follow behind him. That’s when my eyes become busy admiring the way his suit accentuates his broad shoulders before allowing my eyes to move lower.
He opens the door, stepping aside for me to walk past and I snap out of my ogling to realize my feet haven’t moved. I feel no shame as I saunter forward, closing the distance between us. There’s a slight smirk on his lips as I move past him into the waiting area.
“Your office space is amazing. The interior design is flawless.”
“All credit goes to Tori. She has an eye for design and a habit of spending well over budget.”
He smiles fondly while speaking of his sister. You can see the care and affection he holds for her with just the mention of her name.
What must it feel like to be loved like that?
Our hands graze against each other as we both reach forward to press the elevator call button.
That simple brushing of our skin sends an electric thrill through me.
There’s a shift in our energy, building on what we started moments ago in his office.
The elevator dings with its arrival, and the doors glide open.
Alexander lifts a hand towards the elevator. “Ladies first.”
I walk onto the elevator with my hands clasped together in front of me.
There’s a need to grab control of my emotions in this situation.
My goal must remain clear; I have the membership, now I have to put the next part of my plan in place.
He steps in next to me, hands in his pockets, and I fight the urge to allow his proximity to take over my thoughts again.
That is, until the elevator doors close and two things become obvious within the small confines.
First, the amazing woodsy smell of his cologne makes me want to take a deep inhale so I can lock that scent in my memory.
Second, the intensity of being alone in an elevator with this insanely attractive man makes me want to throw caution to the wind and have my way with him.
I roll my lips between my teeth, looking forward, only to catch Alexander watching me. It’s the second time I find myself wondering if he feels this same magnetic pull pulsing between us.
We hold eye contact for a moment before I clear my throat. “So, are you and Tori pretty close?”
There. A nice safe topic.
“Tori is my best friend. She gives me a hard time, but I enjoy it—don’t tell her I told you that,” he says with a wink. I bite my lip, holding back a smile that he so effortlessly evokes.
As the elevator doors open, I step out heading for the exit door that leads back to the main floor. An unexpected light touch on my elbow has me pausing, and I glance over my shoulder with a raised brow. He tugs my arm slightly, turning me around.
“Was there more?” I ask, my voice coming out breathy with a certain need that shouldn’t be there for someone I hardly know.
He steps in a little closer and butterflies take flight in my stomach. I have to look up to make eye contact with him and the height difference does something to my libido. I’m no delicate flower at five-nine, but this man is at least a head taller than me.
“Kennedy, I’m an extremely private man. And since you have VIP access here, I imagine you’re just as private as me. I need you to know that you’re safe when you’re with me.”
“Did you forget how you met me? I have no problem taking care of myself.”
“The image of you with a knife to that man’s neck won’t leave my mind any time soon. I know this kitten has claws.”
I throw my head back, allowing myself to laugh freely at his ridiculously funny comparison.
“You’re right. I am extremely private, and I definitely don’t date.”
“Let’s talk before you leave here tonight, and we’ll finalize plans for that coffee date.”
“Okay,” I say with a shy smile.
He’s close enough that I could run my hands up his broad chest, but I take a step back instead of diving closer. I give him a smile before turning away to head back through the door.
As we make our way across the room, I fall back and let Alexander lead the way, following him through the employee-only area. When we reach Tori’s office, Alexander knocks on the door, waiting for her to let us.
“Come in!”
He opens the door, but gestures for me to enter first.
“Goodness, Alex, what the heck took so long. We had other things scheduled outside of your meeting with Kennedy.”
Tori winks at me, knowing that she’s giving her brother grief. It’s all the more special to witness now that I know he secretly loves every minute of it.
Is this the way normal families interact with each other?
She looks past me to Alexander and her head tilts as mischief lights her eyes. “Well, your aura looks mighty bright since I dropped Kennedy off with you.”
“Goodbye, Victoria.” Alexander closes the door, leaving Tori and me laughing at his abrupt exit.