Dixie Lynn Dwyer (7 page)

She wanted to say no. She didn’t want to take such a chance in being alone with them somewhere, but she found herself agreeing. Both men smiled.

“Let’s go then,” Richie stated, and they headed back toward the others.

Juliet stood in front of the mirror to apply some final touches to her makeup. It was Friday night, and she was in charge of the reserved section along with a few of the waitstaff. She applied the red lipstick and the gloss that made it shine. She added some mascara to her long, thick eyelashes, bringing out the blue color in her eyes after she applied some eye shadow. Her hair was down, brushed to one side, and clasped. She didn’t have to wear her usual attire or the Dixie Chix T-shirt that Carl and Richie didn’t like her wearing. She smiled to herself. Like she would stop wearing that shirt. It was one of her favorites and she had it in three other colors.

She smirked then looked at herself one last time. Yesterday was a nice day. Carl had stuck to his word about taking things slow. Richie had stated that he never made such a promise, so he was a bit harder to keep at bay. Before the end of their afternoon, they both had her practically begging for their touch as they mastered the fine art of oral sex once again in the small Corvette.

She felt her cheeks blush. She liked them both. A lot.

“Now that is a smile I’d like to see more often,” Susanna stated as she stood by the doorway watching Juliet.

Juliet stood up and fixed her black flare skirt with the scattered blue rhinestones on it. Her matching blue camisole with the black sheer blouse was tied low against her waist. Her skin was showing and so was the belly ring that Carl and Richie found to be very sexy.

“You look hot,” Susanna stated.

“Well, I’m working the VIP section, so who’s coming tonight?” she asked Susanna.

“Well, there’s some oil-drilling friends of BJ’s and Monte’s and then some other businessman from Austin or something. His secretary called, said he heard about our dance hall making the top-ten lists and decided he would like to see what we’re all about. She mentioned that this guy likes to invest in numerous businesses.”

“You’re not thinking about selling?”

“Hell no! This is it for me. I’m not even close to thirty yet. I’ve got time, and this is a dream come true for all of us. Now tell me, how did things go with Carl and Richie yesterday?”

“They went well. I told them that I need us to slow things down. They were reluctant to agree, but I convinced them…eventually.”

“That’s good, honey. You’ve got to be ready for this type of relationship.”

“I know.”

“Okay, everyone is meeting out front. Ready?”

“Sure I am.”

Juliet followed Susanna out of the staff lounge and into the main area by the bar. Outside, the large crowd awaited entry into Dixie Chix. The women all gathered around and smiled wide. They were all dressed for a fun and wild Friday night. Plus it was open mic night from eight until ten. There were some really talented people living in Delite.

The ladies placed their hands into the center and yelled together in one strong voice, “Dixie Chix.”

“All right, ladies, get to your stations and remember to be safe,” Susanna told them, and they headed to their stations.

As Juliet walked toward the private section, she caught sight of Richie, dressed in black dress pants, a dark blue cowboy shirt, and black cowboy boots. His eyes widened, and she smiled at him then winked. He gave her a wink back, and she felt her belly flutter. God, he was one sexy man.

* * * *

It was nearly ten, the open mic night was through, and the band, Cowboy Up, was playing some good, fast country music. All the special guests had arrived and were happy thus far as the waitresses tended to each of them. Juliet made her way over to the first section, where BJ and Monte were entertaining some friends. The men were tall and hard looking. They flirted with her like crazy, and she just blew them off. Susanna joined them a little while later, and Juliet excused herself.

* * * *

Robert Sinclair sat in the private booth along with three of his guards and two women they’d picked up upon entering the dance hall. The waitress who got their drinks was really cute, but what caught his eyes was much more appealing. The redhead with the great body and petite figure never glanced his way. At least not while he was looking. Finally, as she made her way across the dance floor from the bar, he had to do a double-take. His shock was enough to warrant his guards’ attention.

“Boss, are you okay? Are you having a heart attack?”

He shook his head. He watched as Juliana disappeared to the table around the corner from theirs.

He took a few unsteady breaths.
Holy fuck, it’s Juliana.

He thought about the fact that she was alive, that he was the one to find her, and that she was fucking hot. With a body and looks like hers, his boss, Pierce Mellbrook, was going to lose his fucking mind. Now in his forties, Pierce would never let her go. He would keep her beside him at all times. She was his fantasy woman. He married her piece-of-shit mother, aunt or whatever, just to get to Juliana. He needed to remain calm. The moment Juliana saw him, she would panic. He had to find out why she was here. She didn’t look to be a waitress or barmaid. In fact, she looked to be in charge as the waitstaff approached her to ask questions. Just then their waitress approached.

“Another round, sir?” she asked.

“Yeah, honey, and can you tell me who the redhead is?”

The waitress smiled. “That’s Juliet.”

“Juliet, huh? And is she in charge or something, like a manager?”

“Something like that. Is everything okay?”

“I’d like to speak with her, if she’s in charge.”

“Okay.” The girl nodded then walked away.

He waited patiently. He needed to play this smoothly.

* * * *

“Hey, Juliet, the guy over in the VIP section is asking to speak with you.”

“Is something wrong?” Juliet asked.

“No. I think he just wants to meet you.”

Juliet started walking toward the table and noticed there were two women getting up to leave, and they didn’t look happy. The four men remained sitting. As she approached, two of the men got up and took position on either end of the booth. She turned to greet the tall man with the brown crew-cut hair then froze in place.

In an instant, she knew that all coloring left her face. She felt her body shake. This couldn’t be happening.

Robert Sinclair sat in a private booth at Dixie Chix. She was as good as dead.

“Calm down, Juliana. I’m not here to make a scene. Please join me,” he stated confidently.

“No. What do you want? Why are you here?” she asked him. He raised his eyebrows at her.

“Sit down. I’m willing to be nice, but you know you can push only so far, Juliana.”

She found herself sitting in the booth, and then the guard took position behind her so no one could see her and Robert talking. She was losing her cool. The surveillance cameras would catch this.

Carl was probably watching her right now. And Richie would be making his way toward her.
Oh God, he’ll kill them. Pierce will kill them both.

“I’m shocked, sweetie, and not only because I accidently found you, but because you look fucking incredible.” He placed his hand on her knee, and she tried to pull it away, but he gripped it tighter.

“No, no, Juliana. You know what I’m capable of.”

“What do you want?” she asked him, her voice shaking.

He smiled as his hand moved a little farther up her thigh.

“I want you, Juliana. You’re my ticket to break free from Pierce. I’m tired of him.”

She shook her head.

“Please just leave me alone. I have a life here and friends. I won’t do what you say.”

“Oh, yes you will do what I say, or I’ll call Pierce immediately. I think that you and I can work something out.” He leaned closer to her neck. She felt his breath against her skin, and his tongue touched her there.

“Your little secret is mine, sweetie. Pierce is interested in this dance hall. It’s quite the success. He asked me to check it out, but seeing you makes it so worth my while. My God, Juliana, he is going to go wild when he finds out you’re alive and well.”

“No. Please, don’t tell him, Robert. Please. He’ll kill me.”

“He’ll kill anyone who stands in his way of having you.” He inhaled against her neck. “You’re all grown up.” He kissed her neck, and she shuddered in disgust, but she couldn’t fight him. She had to play his game right now. Once she was away from him, she’d run. She didn’t have a choice.

“What the fuck is going on over here?”

The sound of Richie’s voice penetrated her body, and she jerked away from Robert only for him to wrap his arm around her shoulders and squeeze her to him. She couldn’t look at Richie. If she did, he would see her fear, and she would also let Robert know that Richie meant something to her. Richie and Carl would be as good as dead.

“They’re having a private conversation, asshole,” the guard stated. At least that was what Juliet thought the three goons were. Suddenly, there were others gathering around. Robert smiled then pulled her crossed legs closer to his thigh.

“And who might you be?” Robert asked, and Juliet refused to look up at him.

“I’m in charge of security here. Juliet is one of our employees, and she’s not supposed to be sitting, she’s supposed to be working,” he stated. She glanced up at him, and his black, angry eyes held hers. Did he somehow know that she was in trouble?
Oh God, please don’t say you’re my boyfriend.

She widened her eyes at him, pleading for him to go away.

“Juliana, tell the man you’re fine and that we’re old friends, lovers,” Robert whispered then leaned against her neck and caressed her chin. The tears stung her eyes, but she swallowed hard.

“Please leave us alone. I’m fine, and I’m due for a fifteen-minute break, which I’m taking right now.”

Richie’s eyes widened, and she could see the daggers in them as Robert continued to touch her.

“Thank you for doing such a great job. Now be gone,” Robert stated, and Richie walked away.

She felt like vomiting.

“I hope that isn’t a boyfriend or lover, sweetie.” She shook her head.

“You’re not lying to me are you, Juliana?” He pressed his hands beneath her skirt and caressed her thighs. He was trying to part her legs, and she wouldn’t allow it.

“Open for me, or I’ll call Pierce right now.”

“No, please don’t do this to me. Not here. Please.”

The tear rolled down her cheek. She couldn’t stop it.

“Shhh, baby. Don’t get all teary eyed. I’m just reminding you about what happened to your last boyfriend,” he whispered against her neck.

“No. Oh God, no. Please, Robert. I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Oh, so that guy is your boyfriend?”

“No. He’s just a friend. I don’t date.”

“A knockout like you doesn’t date? I find that hard to believe.”

“No. It’s true. I wouldn’t date anyone. I can’t. I was worried that he’d find me,” she admitted. Her concern was over Richie and Carl. Robert was a murderer. He did all of Pierce’s dirty work.

“So Danny boy was your one and only lover?” he asked as he squeezed her thigh.

She nodded her head.

“That’s what threw Pierce over the edge. He wanted your virginity. He wanted to be your first and only.”

Another tear rolled down her cheek.

“I have to call him, Juliana.”

She shook her head rapidly. “No, please don’t call him. I’ll do whatever it is you want, Robert. Please.”

“Do not run, Juliana. Whatever you do, don’t run, or I’ll kill your friend, Richie.” She gasped as he pressed his hand between her thighs. His fingers were against her panties, and she grabbed his wrist.

“Don’t fight me. I’ll take what I want from you. You’ll do as I say. Now, we’ve got fifteen minutes to catch up. Let me see for myself how you’ve grown.”

“No. Don’t do this. I said I would cooperate.”

He pressed his hand over her mound, and she gasped as he pried her thighs open. “Your stepfather will expect complete cooperation from you, Juliana. Let’s see how you do on a test run.”

She grabbed his hand and was trying to stop him from hurting her further.

* * * *

“Excuse me. Is there a problem here?” Susanna interrupted, and Juliana wiped her eyes as Robert pulled his hands from under Juliet’s skirt.

Juliet cringed.

“No problem. Just reacquainting with a friend.”

“Juliet, would you like to introduce me to your…friend?”

Juliet looked up at Susanna. She knew something was up. Susanna would help her to get away from Robert and then she could run.

“Robert, this is my boss, Susanna. She owns Dixie Chix with her husband.”

Susanna didn’t miss a beat as she reached her hand across the table and shook Robert’s hand.