I was confused. “Saddles & Racks is a prostitution—”
“No, no.” Joss shook her head. “It’s an escort service. Client’s don’t pay for sex, but it’s known that—”
“Basically if the date is going good, you might as well end it getting laid while getting paid for it. I mean, not paid for sex. Shit. You know what I mean.” Paul rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “Look at me, running my mouth to a cop and FBI agent.”
“So let me get this straight.” I was trying to put all the pieces together. Apparently, Paul was involved somehow, but he didn’t know all the details. “You two met while you, Joss, were working undercover. You fell in love. Now you’re engaged, and I’m here to help bring down the man that your mother let sell your virginity. But the real kicker is that the boy who’s shitty ass you used to wipe is going to be an informant to help bring down his own father so he doesn’t have to do time?”
“And my mother killed herself.”
“Wow,” I breathed and finally sat back down. “This explains all the tequila you’re drinking. But it’s cool that Paul knows all this? No offense.”
Joss smiled and looked to Paul. “When I took my brother down, Paul was there. He ended up killing two of my brother’s men. But since I’m undercover, I’ve made the decision that Paul is going to be an informant too.”
I asked, “Paul killed two men?”
At the same time, Paul asked, “I am?”
“Yes, I’ll explain. I mean, two hours ago I didn’t think you’d be here, Paul. But having the two guys in the entire world who I trust the most in the same room has made me realize that for this plan to work, I need to fully trust my partners.”
I smiled. “Partners. Just like you’ve always wanted.”
“Yeah, but I never knew I’d be taking down my own brother’s father and the man I hate the most in the world.”
“Seems like the best person to take down.” I winked.
“How am I involved? I thought you just wanted me for my body,” Paul asked, and I rolled my eyes.
“Here’s the thing. Bryce had tabs on Andi—”
“Who’s Andi?” I asked.
“My undercover name.” I nodded, silently telling her to continue. “His Bottom, Jasmine, knows me as Andi. She knows he went to meet me for lunch. What she doesn’t know is he got popped by the FBI. The story he’s going to tell is there was a random robbery at the restaurant. Two of his men were shot and killed when they got in the way. I guess Bryce knows the owner. Anyway, he’ll tell Tony and whoever that he was arrested because when he was being questioned, a cop saw that he had a gun on him and he couldn’t provide a permit for the gun or a license to carry. Nothing to do with him being a pimp.”
“I still can’t get over that little Brycie Marquez is a pimp.”
“He goes by Martinez now. Tony changed his name to reflect him as a father once the shit hit the fan with me. I guess moving across country with a kid makes you plan to bring him in on the family business. And since it’s a family business, Bryce needed his birth father’s last name.”
“Crazy shit. When do we start? What’s my job?”
Joss smiled and looked to Paul. “This is where you come in.”
He perked up. “I’m intrigued.”
She turned back to me. “You’re going undercover as a buyer, and Paul is going to be your bodyguard.”
“What?” I laughed. “No offense again, but how is an ex-gigolo going to protect me?” Paul was a built dude, but that didn’t mean he knew how to fight or use a weapon. Killing two men could have been a mistake.
“I’m ex-Army,” Paul stated. “And no offense, but I’ve probably killed more people than you.”
“Boys,” Joss cut in. “No need to have a pissing contest over who’s killed the most men. The fact of the matter is you both know how to protect and serve. I also trust both of you with my life. So if you two can put your dicks away, you’ll realize my plan is solid.”
I’d never heard Joss talk like that before. Maybe this Paul guy was good for her—toughing her up. Whatever it was, she was right. We had other things to worry about.
I just hoped we’d all survive.
8
Cat
