Her brow was puckered with worry. Because she cared. Because she’d stepped in. Alexis and Chloe hadn’t asked her for help; she’d involved herself anyway.
“Nice work with the girls, Professor. I’m glad you were here.” He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Not the way you thought the evening would go, I bet.”
Her laugh was a beautiful, husky contralto. “Not even close. Thank goodness you were here.”
“I’d like to settle you at the bar to unwind while Cullen and I deal with Wrecker.”
He saw the objections in her eyes, but then she showed him her trembling hands. “Unwinding might be wise.”
“Good answer.” She’d handled everything with admirable calm. Not until after the crisis had she started to shake.
He really did like this woman.
As he led her into the dim interior of the club, the thrumming music washed over him. He tucked an arm around her soft waist and curled his fingers over one pleasingly round hip. She fit against him exactly right.
She gazed up at him. “When Wrecker spoke to Olivia, his voice sounded familiar. Would his real name be Scott Hicks?”
“It is.” Ghost eyed her. “Do you know him?”
“He’s one of my ex-husband’s friends.” Her nose wrinkled. “I always thought he was a creep, but perving on high school girls is past disgusting.”
“I’d have to agree with you there.” He studied her for a moment. “How long have you been divorced?”
“Separated since last November, official in January.”
Fairly recent then. “Children?”
“Two and one grandson.” The way her voice softened told him her family hadn’t lacked for love. Lucky kids.
At the far end of the bar, Cullen was talking with Saxon, one of the younger Masters. He and Jake, another Master, ran a veterinary practice.
Hips swaying to the music, Josie was mixing drinks. “Colonel, what can I get you?”
He shot her a look that made her laugh.
“Hey, colonel isn’t so bad,” she said. “Jessica told me about a club in San Francisco where the submissives call the owner My Liege.”
“God help me,” he muttered.
Valerie had her hand over her mouth, but her eyes were laughing.
“I am no longer,” he said with emphasis, “in the military.”
“Right you are, Sir,” Josie said with a tiny salute.
“I’m going to tell Holt to beat you more often.”
Valerie stiffened. “No, you shouldn’t.”
The professor was quite the defender of young women, wasn’t she? Ghost leaned down and whispered, “It’s an idle threat. Holt is a gentle Dom.”
“Oh. Oh, that’s good.”
He tugged on her hair. “I, however, am not.”
To his delight, she swallowed, and her body leaned against his.
“So, you two. Orders?” Josie held up his bottle of Elijah Craig bourbon.
He shook his head. “Nothing for me. Valerie?”
“I’m fine. Really.”
He eyed her. No purse. No wallet-sized bulges. “There isn’t a charge for drinks, lass. Why don’t you two figure it out while I deal with business?”
She touched his arm. “Be careful.”
“Of course.” He stroked his hand over her silky hair, then collected Cullen with a glance.
Indicating that Cullen had filled him in, Saxon came too. The veterinarian was almost as big as Cullen and moved like a fighter. Good enough.
Any one of them could toss Wrecker out, but the manager had friends here. If he called for help, a brawl might erupt. Hopefully, a show of overwhelming force would intimidate the bastard enough he’d leave quietly.
“He’s over there, Ghost.” Cullen jerked his jaw toward the munchie corner where Wrecker was sitting and watching the restroom door like a cat at a mousehole.
“Probably still hoping the girls will reappear.”
Saxon grinned. “We’ll make a good substitute. I have really nice legs, after all.”
“You do. I’ve noticed that myself.” Ghost coughed as Saxon’s elbow hit his ribs.
As they approached, Wrecker scowled. “I don’t have time to deal with your problems. Come back later.”
“You’re our problem,” Cullen said. “We’re going to show you to the door. Z will be in touch.”
Face darkening with anger, the asshole jumped to his feet. “What the fuck. I’m the fucking manager here and—”
“We spoke to the high schoolers,” Ghost said in a low voice. “You can leave quietly, or I’ll make a call, and you’ll be in handcuffs with a police escort.”
Wrecker took a step back, then shook his head. “I don’t know any high—”
The bastard. With a growl, Ghost took his arm, ready to dislocate it if he put up a fight.
When Saxon slapped a big hand on the asshole’s shoulder, and Cullen stepped closer, Wrecker caved.