AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The club upstairs was just for show. A business to hide the real business below. I’d seen this sort of thing before.
The one downstairs had loud music too, but it was dialed down much lower. Men in sport coats, suits, and leather jackets were scattered throughout, the cigar smoke a thick cloud everywhere. There was nowhere to escape the fumes. Girls were there too, just in G-strings. They were either serving the men drinks or lap dances or just lounging all over them.
I felt out of place, fully covered in my black dress.
Bartholomew crossed the room toward an area where men had a corner booth. This must be his crew because the second he approached, a couple men got up so the two of us could sit. His authority was silent—but effective.
We took a seat, and his drink was immediately brought to him. She must have assumed I was having what he was having because I got a glass of amber liquid too.
Did I really need to be here?
Even with his men, Bartholomew had little to say. He responded to most of their greetings with simple nods. Then he lounged back and looked bored as he surveyed the room around him.
I wasn’t sure why he wanted me there. I’d much rather be in bed right now.
“Are you ready?” He seemed to be addressing me even though his gaze was elsewhere.
To leave? “We just got here.”
He turned to look at me then gave a slight nod toward the corner. “I have another assignment for you.”
This underground world was not the same thing as talking to an older lady at the Louvre. These men were the real deal, underground criminals that cops were afraid of. I’d frequented events like this with Grave over the years.
“The man in green. Join their table and eavesdrop on their conversation.”
I gave him the most incredulous look. “I’m a whore, not a spy.”
“A whore is a woman who does whatever her client wants.” He turned to look at me, his eyes dead and lifeless. “So you’re still in the right line of business.”
“I’m not stupid. I know what will happen to me if they figure out what I’m doing.”
“You think I’d let anything happen to you?”
“No offense, but I don’t know you.”
His eyes shifted back and forth between mine. “I swear on my life that I’ll protect you. That’s all you need to know.”
“You should have told me all this up front.”
“Would it have changed anything?” he asked, one eyebrow cocked. “You’re getting paid a fortune to live an exciting and adventurous life. You get to be one of the boys for once instead of lying on your back.”
It was nice that I didn’t have to sleep with Bartholomew if I didn’t want to. It was an option because he was always game for a good time, but it wasn’t an obligation, and that did make him infinitely more attractive. “I want more money.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Call it hazard pay.”
This guy had no expression other than the one he wore. He never smiled. He never frowned. He was just stoic, always. “How much?”
“Double.”
Silence.
I’d probably asked for too much.
He continued to stare. “Deal.”
Easiest raise ever.
