The Fighter (The High Rise, Book 1) by Harper Bentley Read Free Book Online Page A

start screaming in stereo as we jump up and down like
teenagers before Paul clears his throat getting our attention.
    “Here are the
vouchers to get in. There’s a coat and purse check but I see that
fabulous Chanel with the chain shoulder strap you’re wearing won’t
be leaving your side.” He winks at Dani.
    She excitedly
gives him a shortened version of how she works for Chastity who
gave it to her for Christmas and he smiles telling her he’s way
jealous and that he’d love to hear more about it later. He then
opens the door and we’re blasted with club music as he hollers for
us to go on inside.
    “He’s so
cute!” Dani shouts as we walk toward the floor.
    “He is! I
think he might have a ‘thing’ for me!” I yell back.
    “Unless you’re
hiding a penis under that dress, I doubt it,” she returns with a
snicker.
    I turn to her
with a frown and she nods laughing.
    Huh. And here
I thought I could read people. I guess the purse comment should’ve
clued me in. Boy, do I feel dumb.
     
     
     
     

Six
     
    Tonight I walk across
the street to the club to give things a last-minute inspection and
all seems well. My men do awesome work, so it’s no surprise but it
never hurts to have another look around .
    The permits
were signed weeks ago so I’m only here making sure everything goes
off without a hitch. Phil, the club owner, has had more than the
usual difficulty with my explanation of the AC units because, you
know, an on-off switch is tough to figure out when it’s digital.
But that just comes with the job, I guess. “That” referring to
idiots.
    “Hey, amigo!
Glad you could make it!” Phil says as he holds his hand out.
    “Hey,” I
reply, shaking his hand. “Just wanted to make sure you’ve got the
AC figured out and to give the electric and plumbing another
look.”
    “They’ll be
fine! Just have a good time, compadre!” he answers excitedly,
patting me on the shoulder.
    Another thing
that’s annoyed me about him is his use of Hispanic words when he’s
clearly Irish-American, red hair and all.
    “I will once I
know everything’s in working order.”
    “Come with me
for a moment,” he says, nodding his head toward the bar where
several people are scurrying around getting ready for the big
opening. When we get there, he calls a muscular guy over. “Tommy,
this is Heath Noble, the building project manager. You’ve seen him
around. Make sure to get him whatever he wants tonight.”
    Tommy nods
looking me up-and-down then winks as if he and I have a secret.
“Baby, you just let me know what your poison is and I’ll hook you
up all night long.” He licks his lips which makes me
chuckle.
    “Thanks,” I
answer and let out a snort when he winks again. He laughs then goes
back to stacking glasses and arranging bottles.
    “Tommy might
be batting for the other team,” Phil leans over and whispers.
    “It’s cool.
Pretty sure he understands that I’m not.”
    Phil glances
at his watch. “Doors open in ten, esé, so I’ve gotta get to the
front. Madonna’s supposed to be here!” he says, clapping his hands
like a little girl before rushing off.
    I turn and go
back to inspect a few things and wait for the crowd.

    By midnight
the place is jam-packed. I’ve never seen such a diverse crowd, and
I’ll be damned if the queen of pop herself hasn’t for fucking real
shown up. At first I thought it was just a guy in drag, but the
huge entourage of bodyguards and groveling friends has proven me
wrong. Also, everyone screaming on the street when they came in was
a definite clue. I’ve seen other celebrities, some I could place
and some I couldn’t, but it seems Phil’s done pretty well for
himself tonight, other than figuring out how to operate the damned
AC unit. I’ve met him in his office twice to show him again how to
work the digital switch, how to flip the main disconnect breaker in
the electric panel in case something goes wrong, and to remind him
that his cleaning crew needs to