Footsteps sounded on the marble floor.
Ghost strode around the corner, bearing erect. Mouth stern.
The girls relaxed, then Alexis frowned. “Can a guy come in the girls’ room?”
What the fuck?
Ghost pulled in a slow breath. Natalia had said Valerie asked him to come quickly. He’d been expecting an upset professor, not two young women who clung to Valerie like toddlers who’d lost their mama.
They looked so young.
He frowned. Too young. He’d be damned if they were older than nineteen. If that.
And he was scaring them. Bad colonel.
Deliberately relaxing his muscles, he smiled. “Good evening, ladies. As it happens, I’m one of the Masters here, so I’m allowed to poke my nose into every room. Even in here when someone asks for me.” He lifted an eyebrow at Valerie.
“Thank you for coming. We have a bit of a problem.” Her warm voice was so comforting the girls leaned in closer.
He had to appreciate her wording. “We” showed she was standing with the girls. And they had only “a bit” of a problem. One he’d been summoned to fix. “Let’s hear it.”
“Someone named Wrecker told Alexis and Chloe he could get them into the club since he’s the manager here. Now they’re here, he said they’d all go have a good time upstairs. Him and one or two of his friends. Privately.”
Jesus. Ghost forced his voice to stay calm. “Can I assume they’re not twenty-one?”
“No. Eighteen, barely, and seniors in high school. They’ve figured out this isn’t a good place for them, but they have no transportation. The manager drove them here.”
Don’t blow your stack, Colonel. “I’m glad you realized the danger, ladies. Good job.”
The compliment reassured them.
With a shuddering breath, the petite blonde wiped her eyes.
Now, what to do? Hadn’t he seen Max playing in the back dungeon with Alastair and Zuri? Sorry, Max.
“First, I’d like you to talk to one of our members. He’s a cop—and no”—he held up his hand to forestall the protests—“you’re not in trouble with the law. We want to make sure this doesn’t happen to another girl, maybe even one of your classmates.”
“But, but…” The blonde was shrinking back.
The slender redhead was made of stronger stuff. “He’s right. We were fucking stupid, but we’re okay. Only, maybe someone even dumber, like your sister, wouldn’t be.”
A flash of worry crossed the blonde’s face, and her chin went up. “Okay.”
“You got this?” Ghost asked Valerie.
“I do. However, if you could walk in here, can’t the manager? Apparently, he was called away to deal with a fight in the dungeon and left them with one of his friends—who might be getting antsy.”
“I’ll handle it. Sit tight.” Leaving through the entry, walking quietly so as not to wake the snoozing guard, he entered the club, spotted Olivia, and motioned her over.
She gave him an unreadable look. “What?”
Whatever her problem with him was, he’d deal with it later. “I could use some help. Wrecker brought in a couple of high school girls to play with.”
Olivia’s face darkened. “The bloody wanker.”
“Exactly. They’re hiding in the restroom with Valerie—a friend of mine. I want them to talk with Max.”
“Good plan. And me?”
“While I find and brief him, will you take guard duty?” Ghost motioned to the restroom behind them. “If Wrecker or his conspirators poke their head in, can you tell them you’re the only person in there?”
“I can and I will.” She smiled tightly. “It’ll be a pleasure.”
Ghost left her to it. At the bar, he sent Cullen in search of Max and pulled Josie over to fill her in. Having a lookout might be wise.
On the way to the loo, Olivia spotted a man by the munchie section, who was keeping an eye on the door. Hmm. He was one of the new members who’d joined shortly after Wrecker had been hired.
When he turned to assemble some food from the buffet, she slipped into the restroom. As the door closed behind her, she glanced around. The Masters and Mistresses had their own locker room, and she hadn’t been in here in years.
No one in sight. She poked her head around the divider. Yes, there were two terrified girls tucked against a blonde about Ghost’s age. “Good evening. I’m Olivia, serving as your guard dog while you’re in here.”
Ghost’s friend relaxed. “Thank you so much for helping out.”
“It’s my pleasure. Sit tight and quiet, and I’ll fend off the bad guys.” On that note, Olivia headed back to take up position just inside the doors.
Hmm. If Wrecker invaded the restroom in search