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Someone wanted to own, control, or take the life she envisioned for herself.
Just as Dayle had wanted to do.
Her stalker had only taken his place.
TWENTY-TWO
Three nights later Hoyt collapsed onto the stool behind the register, and Rogue lifted her tired feet to the small cushioned settee in the waiting room and rested her head on the cushioned back.
Timothy was sprawled in a chair; his gaze was lively, though, and filled with mirth. Natches was cranky but appeared in better spirits after Chaya arrived with Ray. Maria, Ray’s wife, had helped wait tables for two nights; she was beside him on a long bench, while Desmond and the rest of the staff were resting wherever they could before heading home.
“I would say it was a very productive four nights. ” Timothy rubbed his hands in obvious glee. “I have to say, Janey, this is the best vacation I’ve ever had. ”
With the staff present, Alex had already warned her that no one should know Timothy was part of DHS
> or a part of the investigation. Mark and Tyrell were there, leaning in a back corner, supposedly simply friends Alex had pulled in to bus tables.
It was almost funny watching the women lust after the hard abs and tight bodies of her new busboys.
Unless they were staring at Alex. She’d had problems with that.
“I’m exhausted. ” Janey draped her arms over the reservation counter and laid her head in them. “Oh God. I just want to sleep. ”
“I finished up your paperwork earlier,” Rogue said and yawned. “Really, Janey, you need to get organized. Once I had it in the proper piles, it went quickly. ”
“You’re hired,” Janey mumbled into her arms.
Rogue’s laughter was amused, but Janey wasn’t joking. In four days, Rogue had managed to do the impossible. She had organized the paperwork. Janey lifted her head and stared back at her friend silently.
Rogue rolled her eyes, then stared around the room. “Who’s giving me a ride back to the bar? Janey sent her monster sheriff after me this afternoon. ”
“Only because you swore your bike was broke,” Janey accused her.
Rogue flipped her red gold curls and gave her an innocent expression. “Sweets, it’s Saturday night. I was supposed to have fun tonight, remember?”
“You did. Three men pinched your butt, one gave you a fifty-dollar tip, and you managed not to break your legs in those heels. ”
Timothy smiled with rich amusement.
“If you didn’t have fun,” Janey concluded, “I had fun watching you. ”
“God save me,” Natches muttered as Rogue’s laughter tinkled through the waiting room and she stretched her legs before pulling out her phone.
“Watch this,” she drawled and made her call. “Zeke? It’s Rogue. ” Her voice became heavy, tired, languorous. “The cabs are all busy and I’m so tired. Please pick me up. ” She waited, and Janey watched as her expression flickered with something not so innocent. “Do I have to ride in the back?” She waited, then drawled, “Will you use the handcuffs?”
Pure wicked laughter fell from her lips as she flipped her phone closed. “He’ll be here in ten minutes. ”
“Is he using the handcuffs?” Timothy asked with a little too much curiosity.
Rogue pouted. “He said only if I break the law. As though I want to get caught doing that. ” She winked at Timothy before rising to her feet and moving for the door. “Nite nite, folks. ”
“Are you serious about hiring her?” Hoyt asked as the door closed behind Rogue’s leather-clad form.
“If she’ll take the job. ” She looked around at the staff still lingering. “Any objections?”
“She’s fun. ” The waitress Tiffany shrugged as she moved to Rogue’s seat.
“She’s smart,” Desmond stated. “Our new sous-chef arrives Monday; this will give me time to prepare him for the rush that comes on Wednesday. His wife is an excellent waitress as well. Opening the new banquet room should be no problem. ”
