All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,298

and the man I’m starting to fall in love with because of his generosity and protection.

As Alex joins me in the office, I motion for him to sit on the couch, the phone to my ear. When I hang up, I pocket my phone and frown. “I’m going to have to take Karina to my place.”

“What’s happened?”

“This Phil character, who is stalking Zoe, keeps coming around the club and Zoe’s afraid if he gets to Karina, he’ll use her as leverage to get to Zoe.”

Alexander stands and glances at the time. “The club is closing soon, right?”

I nod.

“Why don’t you take care of cupcake, and get her to your place? I’ll run out to an all-night grocery store and pick up some things for her. Do you have any idea what she likes?”

My chest bounces with a laugh. “I think you’ve figured that out, haven’t you?”

Alex chuckles. “I mean food.”

My eyes drop to the erection growing in his slacks and I growl, my own body responding to his and the fresh memories of Karina’s willing body. I can still smell her musk—and Alex’s—on my skin despite the bathing and it’s something I could get used to. “She likes hard cheeses, organic crackers, and sweet Riesling. But that’s all I know because that’s all she’s had here at the club.”

Alex saunters forward. “I’ll improvise.”

His nearness sends an ache to my groin. I know I’m taking a chance in opening my heart, but with my body still tingling with pleasure from fucking Alex, I let my guard down a little. “Check out of Dexter’s casino and stay at my place. I have a spare room in my lair.”

Hope glitters in his eyes. “Are you sure?”

“I’m not asking you to move in. Let’s take it day by day.” I hand him the spare keys to my house and the address, along with my gate code. “Can you find your way?”

“I’ll manage. Thank you.” He brushes a chaste kiss against my lips.

Resisting the urge to give more, I shove my hands into my pockets.

Alex heads to the door. “Any requests from the store?”

“I’m sure whatever you get for her will be fine. We have blood on tap here, so be sure to have a couple of glasses before you leave.”

He nods and exits the office.

I have just enough time to sigh before there’s a knock at the door and Maximus pokes his head inside. “Everything is taken care of. The club is closed, the customers gone, and the staff is doing their usual clean up.”

What a weight off my shoulders. “Thank you, Maximus. I appreciate your assistance.”

He smirks. “Just doing my job. You can take off if you want. I’ll make sure everything gets closed up for the day.”

There’s a part of me that bristles at him telling me I can go, as if I report to him, and I’m about to open my mouth to tell him so when an epiphany kicks me in the balls. Maximus isn’t overstepping his bounds. He’s trying to tell me I can rely on him. Shame warms my face, and I nod. “Thank you. I’ll do that.”

I follow Maximus down the stairs. He continues toward the bar to talk to Roxy, one of our bartenders, and I head into the dungeon to Karina’s room. I rap twice, and open the door.

She’s sitting cross-legged on the bed, her smartphone in her hands and a smile on her face. But in the dimness, I can see her eyes are red-rimmed.

“Are you all right?” I close the door behind me.

She nods. “Yes. Just stressed out about this situation with Phil.” Karina sniffles and scoots to the edge of the bed. “Are you taking off?”

“There’s been a change of plans.” I sit beside her on the mattress. “You can’t stay here at the club anymore. Phil doesn’t know how to take no for an answer, and I don’t want to take a chance he’ll get to you and Zoe.”

She bows her head and starts gathering her things. “I understand. I’ll just get my things and get out of your hair. I’m really sorry—”

“Karina.” I place a hand upon her back.

She pauses, but doesn’t look at me.

“Sweetheart, I’m not asking you to leave. I’m asking you to come with me…and Alex, to my home.”

She sits upright, her eyes glassing over and staring at the ceiling, her bottom lip trembling. “God, Theo.” Her words quiver with emotion. “I can’t ask you to put your neck out for me like this. I can find