Chapter 16
Once they reached the nightclub, Liza discreetly pulled out her phone and started recording. She followed Mona inside, all the way into one of the back rooms.
With so many temp staff and new faces coming in daily, no one paid. attention to an unfamiliar girl like her.
As Mona headed into the locker room, the floor manager walked over.
“Mona, you’re covering Room 831 tonight. Get the drinks in there once they’re ready.”
“Got it,” Mona replied from behind the changing partition.
Outside, Liza overheard everything.
‘Room 831? A private VIP room in a place like this? Obviously full of men. And Mona is serving them?‘ she thought.
Liza was nearly giddy with excitement. If she could catch Mona getting handsy or flirty with some man and show the footage to the family–and especially Eldon–Mona’s reputation would be toast.
No, this is too good to wait. I need to call Eldon right now and have him. walk in on the scene himself.”
She ducked into a corner and quickly dialed.
“Eldon,” she whispered dramatically, “I just found out Mona works at a nightclub–and she just went into a private room with a man. I’m really worried about her safety. Can you come, please?”
10467
Chapter16
“Where is she?” Eldon’s voice was cold, laced with fury.
Liza quickly rattled off the club’s address and the room number. Just to be safe, she even shared her live location with him.
Not wanting to be outed as a trespasser, she waited until Mona left the locker room, then slipped in and grabbed a bunny girl outfit to blend in.
Meanwhile, Mona pushed a cart of drinks out of the bar and made her way to Room 831.
She arrived at the door, knocked once, and walked in. “Gentlemen, your drinks are here.”
The lighting was low, the atmosphere smoky and intimate. As she looked up, her gaze landed on Tanner, sitting comfortably in the center of the
room.
The spotlight from the ceiling cut across his face like a blade–half in light, half in shadow. He looked like a devil in a tailored suit. Handsome. Terrifying.
Mona didn’t hesitate–she turned and ran.
Behind her, Tanner swore under his breath. “Run? You’ve gotta be kidding.”
Mona tore down the hallway and sprinted to the front entrance, but just as she reached the door, a hand yanked her backward.
It was Tanner.
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her roughly into his arms.
“Mona beauty,” he said with a chilling grin, “last time you slapped me, then flipped me over like I was nothing. Tonight, we’re settling all the
26.031
Chapter 16
scores–old and new. You’ll pay me back. with your body.”
“Mr. Hardin, I was out of line before,” Mona said, her voice tight with fear. “I sincerely apologize. Please, let me go.”
She was terrified. Men like Tanner were dangerous–the kind who took pleasure in cruelty. Falling into his hands could mean anything. She might not make it out whole.
But he only laughed, leaning closer. “I like it when you beg. Especially in bed. But just so you know, even if you cry, I’m not stopping tonight.”
With that, he dragged her, struggling, back into the club.
In a split second, Mona jabbed her elbow into Tanner’s chest and stomped hard on his foot.
He let out a grunt of pain but didn’t release her.
Timing it perfectly, she spun and locked her arm around his throat in a chokehold.
Caught off guard, Tanner was forced to back off and let go. “What are you, a porcupine? Touch you once and it’s all–out war?”
As soon as she broke free, Mona bolted for the door and flung it open.
Just outside, a Rolls–Royce was parked by the curb. She instantly recognized the license plate. Without a second thought, she ran straight to it and pounded on the rear window.
“Mr. Haley–please help me!”
Seconds later, Tanner came storming out. He grabbed her waist with one arm and lifted her clean off the ground like she weighed nothing.
54 161
Chapter16
“Let go!” Mona thrashed in his grip, kicking and clawing.
She’d escaped him before, but only through surprise. Now that he was on guard, there was no chance of slipping away.
As he carried her off, Mona twisted in his arms, shouting toward the car with all her might, “Mr. Haley, I’ll do whatever you want! Please–help me!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, the car doors slowly swung open.
Waylon stepped out from the backseat, calm and composed as always. He approached with a faint, unreadable smile.
“Mr. Hardin,” he said evenly, “Ms. Morse and I have a standing golf appointment. I came to pick her up.”
His voice was smooth, his expression utterly relaxed–as if it wasn’t the middle of the night, as if none of this was the least bit unusual.
