AllFreeNovel
Share Us
So, this is the perfect time for my exit. I creep toward the door and push it open, temporarily blinded by the sunshine. So, naturally, I instinctively reach for my sunglasses, but they aren’t on top of my head or tucked into my shirt collar.
“Shit,” I mutter to myself. I hesitate, ultimately deciding not to go back inside. Surely, I have a backup pair in my car somewhere. Kenna’s words replay in my mind as I stroll to my car. I know I need to do something, which means heading to Club Dynasty to find out what they know about Sandee.
Sandee’s not a flake, even when she’s wrapped up in a new romance with some rich guy. I have a sinking feeling she’s with Nogales, though.
It’s been more than a few weeks since I last heard from her, and I really miss her. I’m afraid by now something bad has happened to her.
She bailed me out often enough when it came to the bills before I started working atFor Goodness Cakes. Mom would forget about her responsibilities when she was in love—again—and it was up to me to make sure the lights stayed on, and the rent was paid. Sometimes Sandee helped. It’s time for me to return the favor.
I crank the engine to life and tug on my seatbelt because I may be reckless, but I’m not stupid. I think I’m not, anyway.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” Joaquin’s growly voice startles the hell out of me.
I scream out, and my hands leave the steering wheel for a beat as my car slowly backs out of the parking space. I slam on the brakes and glare up at him through my driver’s side window. He’s on his bike, looking at me like a grew a second head.
“I’m taking care of some business. What in the hell do you thinkyou’redoing?”
He nods, a sexy smirk curling his lips upward. “I get it. You’re trying to get yourself killed.”
Killed? “Hell, no, I’m not. I’m just trying to find my friend and make sure she’s all right.”
He stares at me like I’m some foolish little girl, and I hate it. “The cops don’t care. No one seems to care but me, which means it’s up to me to do what needs to be done.”
Joaquin looks like he’s about to haul me out of this car, sling me over his strong shoulder, and march back inside the clubhouse. Instead, his shoulders drop, and he nods. “Hop on, and we can go together.”
I’m ready to argue with him, but his words pull me up short. “What?”
He flashes that panty-searing smile. “You heard me. I’ve already told Ace, and he’s cool with it, but only if I’m your escort. So, hop on, and let’s get moving.”
When shock turns me into a statue with my jaw wide open, Joaquin claps his hands loudly. “Giddy-up, woman. Get your fine ass movin’.”
After another few seconds of sitting behind the steering wheel with a dumbfounded expression on my face, I nod and kill the engine. I step outside the car on shaky legs before I command myself to get my shit together. Joaquin is offering me a safe way to do what I need to do, and I’m hesitating. “Okay. Thanks,” I say quietly.
The ride to Club Dynasty passes quickly. Before I can gather my thoughts, we arrive at the club. The music drifts out into the street, bumping a sexy beat, and inside, girls rotate on stage every two and a half minutes.
“I’ll ask the questions,” Joaquin says in a no-nonsense command.
I stop and frown up at him. “Excuse me?” That macho bullshit doesn’t work with me.
His deep brown eyes roll in exasperation, and I bite back a smile.
“If I ask the questions,” he explains, feigning patience, “people are more likely to be honest, fearing a beatdown. If you ask, we’ll be here all fucking night.”
I want to argue with him, to tell him he’s wrong, but despite his handsome face, Joaquin looks tough, like he won’t take anyone’s bullshit. “Okay, fine. But you do your enforcement thing, and I’ll ask questions that you don’t. Deal?”
I hold out a hand, and when his much bigger hand clasps mine, I gasp and close my eyes. The electricity between us is out of this world powerful, and I need to steel my hormones and my emotions against that heat and that fire.
“Deal, Willow.”
Ugh, why does he have this effect on me? The feel of his big, slightly calloused hands is like a finger over my clit, a hand tearing my panties from my body. “Okay. Great. Cool.”
He smiles and puts a hand on my lower back as he guides me through Club Dynasty, ducking and dodging drooling old men and rowdy younger men eager to see the beautiful women dance slowly for them.
“There.” I point out to of the dancers Sandee said is a casual friend. She’s mentioned that sometimes they hang out together. “Her name is London.”
The blonde has huge tits, and Joaquin stares at her for a beat. I hold my breath, waiting for that flare of attraction, but it never materializes. “All right. Stay cool,” he instructs as we approach London.
Her gaze flashes with recognition as her blue eyes land on me. “Willow. Hey. What’s up?”
