That made her laugh. “I’m not gonna ask you to stick around.”
“Ouch.”
Her laughter was intoxicating. And something she didn’t do nearly enough. “That was fun, but I’m putting the brakes on this happening again.”
“You really aren’t going to admit how you feel, are you?”
“I don’t want you to think this is something it’s not.”
The look in her eyes defied her words. He knew exactly what this was.
As he dressed, she slipped into a bathrobe. When he finished, she walked him to the door. “Thanks for the quickie,” she quipped.
“You really know how to stroke a guy’s ego.” He pulled out the Glock from his jacket pocket. “Actually, you do. And you’re damn good at it.” He offered her the gun. “For your protection.”
“You remembered,” she said as she took it from him.
“I want you safe.” He purposefully didn’t kiss her goodbye, but she seemed unfazed. This woman was hard as hell for him to read. “Are you coming into the office tomorrow?”
“I’m at Henninger Security all day helping Tucker with his open house.”
“You can use that laptop whenever you need it, but it stays in my office. I’ll let my team know.”
“Got it.”
“I’ll text you the Applegates’ address. Thanks for a fun evening. Next time, let’s leave room for cuddling.”
As he shut the door, her sultry laugh followed him into the hallway.
She’s making me work for every little thing, and she’s so damn worth it.
His phone buzzed with an incoming text from Dakota. “Crow at Dungeon titty bar. Booked a room.”
Finally. “Be there in ten.” He jumped on his bike and powered down the street. Ten minutes later, he walked past the long line and up to Big D.
“Hey, thanks for getting me this gig,” Big D said.
After the men spent a few minutes catching up, Big D swung open the door and Sin entered The Dungeon. The first floor—L1—was open to all members and guests of members. On this level, the clientele danced and ponied up to the bar. About half the crowd wore masks, but on L2 and L3 everyone wore one.
A cute brunette waved and hurried over. “Hey, Sin, I haven’t seen you in forever. You’re looking hot.”
“You, too.” He couldn’t remember her name. “How’ve you been?”
“Busy. Wanna catch up over a drink?”
“I’m meeting someone.”
“Bummer.” The woman slinked away.
Sin texted Dakota. “I’m here.”
“Meet me on L2,” Dakota texted back.
As Sin made his way toward the stairs, several women stopped him.
“Hey, Sin, can I buy you a drink?” asked a masked woman he didn’t recognize.
“I reserved a private room,” said her friend. “Can you join us?”
“Sorry, ladies.” He shot them a smile. “I hate to disappoint.”
The scent of Evangeline clung to him. Her beautiful essence had seeped into his soul and her heavenly taste lingered on his tongue. Because of her, he had zero interest in hooking up with these women. Pausing in front of the retina scanner, he waited while the software authenticated him. The light turned green, he yanked open the fire door, and took the stairs to the second floor.
When he exited, three women chatted nearby. “Why, hello,” said one of the women.
“We—”
Dakota strolled over. “What took you so long?”
“Oh, my God, there are two of them,” said one of the women. “Or I’m drunk and seeing double.”
The gals giggled.
One of the women introduced herself. “Can I buy either of you a drink?”
“Sorry, ladies,” Dakota said. “I’m on my way out.”
She whipped her head to Sin. “How ‘bout a nightcap? My treat.”
“I can’t, but thanks,” Sin replied.
“They’re too gorgeous,” said one of them. “I think I’m in love.”
“Have a good evening,” Dakota said over his shoulder as the men headed toward the other side of the room. “Need my mask?”
“No. I’m only here long enough to put the squeeze on Crow, then I’m out.”
On L2, elite-level members could cozy up to the bar or plant themselves at semi-circular booths that faced the stage and watch a variety of erotic shows. Two topless dancers swung on poles while masked men and women ogled their half-naked bodies.
“He’s at the bar in a brown mask,” Dakota murmured. “So far, he’s dropped a bunch of bills into the dancers’ thongs. In five, he’s got a lap dance on L3.”
“Who tipped you off?” Sin asked.
“Mavis. She said he uses the alias Johnny Rocket.”
Both men laughed.
“Who’s the gal he’s hooking up with?” Sin asked.
“She goes by Midnight Rider.”
Sin spied Crow tucking a bill inside a stripper’s thong. “I’ll wait in the room for him.”
In silence, the brothers climbed the back stairs to L3 where private rooms and suites lined both sides of the long hallway. Dakota stopped in front of a door marked “Ecstasy”. The scanner captured a shot of his retina, the light flashed green, and Dakota opened the door as a masked woman moseyed over. “Hey, guys. Where’s Mr. Rocket?”
“He’ll be here shortly,” Dakota said before turning to Sin. “I’ve gotta run.”
“Thanks for this,” Sin said, then gestured for Midnight to enter.
“I don’t do two at once,” she said. “But you can take turns or you can watch if that’s your thing.”
“I’m here to talk,” Sin said.
On a chuckle, Midnight sashayed into the room. “Yeah, that’s what they all say.”
After closing the door, he leaned against the wall. Midnight’s breasts spilled out of her latex bra, and her shortie shorts showed off half her ass. But Sin wasn’t interested in her. He was interested in her sexy plans with Allen Crow.
He pulled out a crisp C-note. “What do you and Mr. Rocket do when you’re together?”
“We talk,” she said, relaxing on the futon. “Look, I’m not shy. If you wanna watch—”
“I’ll give you this Benjamin now and another one just like it after Mr. Rocket arrives. Two hundred bucks for five minutes is a damn good deal.”
“Sure is, so whad’ya want?”
“I need to speak to him about a business matter, so once we establish that you two are close friends, I’ll pay you the second hundred. That’s when you leave and forget you saw me. Do we have a deal?”
“No problem.” After snatching the money, she gave him the once-over. “You’re a cute one. I like ‘em tall and hard bodied. What’s your poison? How ‘bout a lap dance?”
Evangeline popped into his thoughts. “I’m good. How often do you and Mr. Rocket get together to talk?”
“Once, sometimes twice a month.”
“I’m going to wait in the bathroom. Once you two get started, I’ll let him know I’m here. That’s when I want you to remove his mask. Then, you can leave.”