The Heir No One Must Know

Chapter 3: Bartender Jace

The club was larger than I had imagined, its sleek, modern facade illuminated by neon lights that pulsed in rhythm with the muffled bass spilling from inside.

A long line of people snaked along the sidewalk, their excited chatter filling the crisp night air as they waited impatiently to get in.

I hadn't expected this new spot to gain so much buzz in just three weeks, but then again, it was New York. What else should I have expected? In a city that never sleeps, the nightlife scene thrived on the allure of the next big thing.

Sam pulled into a parking spot near the club, cutting the engine before turning to me with a wide grin.

"You're going to love it here! This place is absolutely lit."

I shot her a deadpan look as I grabbed my things. "Yeah, well, I don't like lit places—especially not this kinds of lit places."

Sam rolled her eyes, unbuckling her seatbelt. "Oh, come on, Bri. You haven't even stepped inside yet, and you're already judging."

I sighed, clutching my purse a little tighter. "I already know what to expect—loud music, drunk people, and guys who think winking is a personality trait. I'm not new to this, Sam."

Sam snorted. "Okay, fair, but not all of them are like that. Who knows? You might actually have fun this time."

I shot her a deadpan look. "Highly unlikely."

She waved me off, stepping out of the car. "Well, too bad! We're already here, so there's no escaping now."

I groaned but followed her lead, stepping onto the sidewalk. The bass from inside the club was already vibrating through the ground.

Sam strutted up to the guard—a damn huge guard—who had to be at least 6'8", maybe even taller. The man was built like a brick wall, his arms thick enough to snap someone in half without breaking a sweat.

I couldn't help but stare at the mountain of muscle standing in front of me.

How was it even possible to be that massive? Was he human, or had someone just dressed up a gorilla in a suit and called it a day? Honestly, I wasn't ruling anything out.

Sam leaned in and whispered something to him, her lips barely moving. Whatever she said, it worked like magic as a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Without hesitation, he stepped aside, letting us through without so much as a second glance.

As we walked past, I caught the sound of annoyed voices rising behind us. People in line were grumbling, some even throwing in a few choice words about special treatment and unfairness.

I leaned toward Sam as we made our way inside. "Okay, what kind of sorcery was that? Do you know the guy?"

She grinned, flipping her hair dramatically. "Let's just say I have connections."

I narrowed my eyes. "Connections, huh? You sure you didn't just flirt your way in?"

Sam gasped, feigning offense. "Brielle! I would never." Then she smirked. "Well... maybe just a little."

I rolled my eyes. What should I expect? Sam always has a trick up her sleeve. She has a strategy for everything, literally almost everything. "Figures."

As we moved deeper into the club, the pounding bass filled my ears, and the dim, neon lights flickered against the walls. The place was packed—people were dancing, drinking, and laughing like they had no care in the world.

Sam turned to me with an excited glint in her eyes. "Alright, first stop—shots!"

I groaned. "Of course. Why am I not surprised?"

Sam grabbed my wrist and practically dragged me toward the bar. The bartender, a tanned guy with sharp features and sleeves of tattoos. He caught a glance at us before leaning over the counter with an easy smirk.

"Well, well, if it isn't Sammy," he greeted. "Back to cause trouble?"

"You know me so well, Jace," Sam winked before turning to me. "Two tequila shots, please."

I scrunched my nose. "Tequila? Seriously?"

Sam rolled her eyes. "Yes, Bri, seriously. One shot won't kill you."

Jace chuckled, pouring the shots with practiced ease. "First time here?" he asked, sliding the glasses toward us.

I shrugged. "First time here, but not the first time I have gone clubbing; this is probably the last."

Sam nudged me playfully. "Ignore her. She's a grandma trapped in a twenty-something's body."

Jace smirked, resting his elbows on the counter. "Is that so? Well, Grandma, let's see if you can handle a shot of our strongest tequila."

"Strongest tequila? Seriously? You gotta be kidding me." I dramatically let out as I narrowed my eyes at both of them before sighing. "Fine. One shot. But if I die, I'm haunting you both." (I know how dramatic she is, Okay?)

Sam grinned triumphantly. "Deal."

We clinked our glasses together, and before I could change my mind, I threw the shot back. The burn was instant, searing down my throat like fire. I coughed as I felt the familiar taste of the liquor, squeezing my eyes shut as Sam laughed beside me.

"Oh my God," I wheezed. "This is awful."

Sam patted my back. "That's the spirit, babe. Now, round two!"

I shot her a glare. "Chill your t**s, Sam. It burns, let me breath first."

Jace laughed. "I like you, Grandma. You're fun."

I rolled my eyes, "Please don't call me that, bartender Jace," I said, shooting him a deadpan look.

"No can do, Grandma," he shot back with an infuriating smirk.

I groaned, rubbing my temples. "Great. Now I have two people to annoy me tonight."

Sam slung an arm around my shoulder. "Oh, come on, lighten up! You survived one shot of Tapatio Blanco 110. That's a win in my book."

Jace nodded in agreement. "Exactly. I say you celebrate with another."

I scoffed. "I say you stop trying to get me drunk."

He chuckled, leaning on the bar. "Fair enough. But let me know if you change your mind, Grandma."

I rolled my eyes and turned away, muttering under my breath. Sam, of course, was still grinning like a lunatic.

"Okay, what now?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Now," she beamed, grabbing my wrist, "we dance!"

I barely had time to protest before she was pulling me toward the crowded dance floor. The music pulsed through the club, the bass thrumming in my chest. People were already lost in the rhythm, bodies swaying, hands in the air, drinks spilling as they moved.

I hesitated at the edge of the dance floor, but Sam wasn't having it.

"Bri, you're not going to just stand there, are you?" she teased, moving her hips effortlessly to the beat.

"I—I don't like dancing," I admitted, feeling incredibly out of place.

Sam gasped dramatically. "You don't like to dance? Who are you?"

I rolled my eyes. "A sane person."

She laughed and grabbed my hands. "Well, tonight, you're not. Just follow my lead, okay? No one cares if you suck at it. Just feel the music."

I sighed, but the excitement in her eyes was contagious.

"Fine," I muttered. "But if I embarrass myself, I'm blaming you."

"No ones gonna care, but okay, deal," she grinned.

And just like that, I found myself letting go—just a little—as the music wrapped around us.

I began dancing with Sam as she encouraged me, her energy infectious. At first, my movements were awkward, stiff, but the way she hyped me up—cheering, clapping, even twirling me around like we were on some grand stage—made it impossible not to loosen up.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, okay! Stop making a scene!"

Sam only grinned. "Never! Now, come on, Bri, feel the music! Move those hips, girl!"

I rolled my eyes but did as she said, swaying to the rhythm. The music pulsed through me, the bass heavy, almost hypnotic. It wasn't so bad, actually. Maybe, just maybe, I was actually having fun in a damn club.

"See? Told you!" Sam shouted over the music.

"Yeah, yeah," I said, shaking my head. "Don't let it get to your head."

I let myself get lost in the music, laughing as Sam twirled me around dramatically. The flashing lights, the pounding bass, and the energy of the crowd filled me with a rush I hadn't felt in a long time.

"Now this is what I'm talking about!" Sam cheered, tossing her hands up. "See? You're having fun!"

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Maybe just a little fun."

She gasped. "A little? Girl, you're dancing like a teenager who just got kissed by her crush!"

I couldn't help but laugh at her choice of words. I'm not denying it—I was actually enjoying myself. The music vibrated through my bones, the crowd swayed in sync, and for once, I wasn't thinking about work, responsibilities, or anything else that usually occupied my mind.

Sam grabbed my hands and spun me around again, both of us laughing like kids. "We should do this way more often!"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," I teased.

She pouted dramatically. "Ugh, Bri, you wound me."

I only laughed in response, letting the music take over as we danced the night away.