Even that small amount of sympathy made Natalia’s eyes prickle with tears.
Moving jerkily across the room, Natalia picked up one of the gallery brochures. “By the way, an art gallery in Ybor is having an opening next month for four emerging artists who are painting in the modern-impressionist style. I’m one of them. Here’s the information.”
She handed over the publicity brochure. “If you want to come.”
“A gallery? In Ybor City? Oh, mija, of course I’ll come.” No hesitation, simply a wide smile.
Natalia’s throat clogged. In the club, Olivia had told Ben Haugen about Natalia’s art—and the renowned photographer had recommended her to the gallery owner.
So, even this she owed to Olivia…who wouldn’t attend her special night.
But maybe she’d have someone she knew there. “Thanks, Mama.”
Chapter Fifteen
The bar stank of spilled stale beer and sweat. But the drinks were cheap, something Barry had to consider these days. Dammit.
At the table, Piers was on his left, Scott across from him.
“It still pisses me off how Ghost stole your manager job.” Barry took a hefty swig of his beer.
“That meddling, stick-up-his-ass bastard.” Scott slammed his fist on the table hard enough to rattle the glasses …and silence the other customers. Wrecker was a perfect scene name for him. “My fucking wife’s giving me crap about losing the job, and I have to grin and take it.”
Piers shook his head. “It’s rough when a bitch holds the purse strings.”
“Yeah.” Or when the purse disappeared entirely. Barry scowled. Valerie had brought in a steady paycheck, managed their accounts—and kept his contractor business organized.
He stared at his drink. The bank account was at zero and the credit card maxed out. Wouldn’t be anything coming in, either. He’d lost another job this morning when a finicky old fart of a client had backed out.
“It’d be nice if you could get the club manager job back.” Piers tapped his fingers on the table. “Did I tell you me ‘n’ Buttley got tossed out of the Shadowlands?”
Barry half-smiled at Uttley’s nickname. Then frowned. “Tossed out?”
“What the fuck happened?” Scott straightened.
“We were giving the lezzie-lover spic some shit, and an older bitch tries to stop us. And then your good buddy Ghost and Saxon kicked us out. Said not to come back.” Piers glared at Scott. “You said we’d run that place. And get a lot of pussy, too.”
“Jesus, it’s not Scott’s fault GI Joe caught you. Or that the owner came back from Europe,” Barry said loyally.
“Not my fault, but I know who to blame for me losing the job.” Scott’s eyes darkened with anger. “Fucking Ghost.”
Piers curled his fingers into a fist. “I owe him somethin’ too. Want to ambush him?”
“Yeah, but not in the way you’re thinking.” Scott looked at Barry. “You’re still a member, so how about a whisper campaign? The bastard has a file in the Shadowlands; there’s some good shit about why he left Seattle.”
“Spread gossip?” Barry grinned. “Sure. Me ‘n’ Kahlua will be all over that.”
Chapter Sixteen
In a sitting area, Valerie glanced around the Shadowlands, trying not to be obvious as she watched for Ghost…and hoping not to see Barry or Kahlua.
Linda joined her, then bouncy Sally came over with her friend Zuri, and Valerie was flabbergasted to learn Sally lived with two Doms, and then Zuri said she had two Doms, as well.
“Seriously?” Valerie shook her head at Zuri. “I saw you at the housewarming with two men, but I thought you were only playing around. Both of them?”
Zuri burst out laughing. “Both. I was so not ready for them, but they’re far better than Sally’s. Can you imagine a troublemaker like her hooked up with two former FBI agents?”
“Not a problem.” Sally buffed her fingernails on her shirt. “I have them properly tamed now.”
A black-haired, olive-skinned Dom leaned over the back of Sally’s chair. “Are we discussing taming techniques, baby girl? This should be fun.” The low voice held a pronounced New England accent.
Sally stiffened like a cornered rabbit. “Um, Master Galen, this is a new member, Valerie.”
With what looked like a very firm hand, Galen gripped his submissive’s shoulder even as he smiled at Valerie. “Good to meet you.”
“Galen.” A big fair-skinned Dom walked up. “Did you know Ghost changed up the office room in the back?”
“No. Into what?”
“He’s calling it a fuck-machine festival.”
“Wicked good.” Galen straightened. “As it happens, we have a little pet here who needs taming.”
“Do we now?” Laughing, the bigger man plucked Sally right off her chair, slung her over