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“Yes. With plans to buy it once Laura retired, but I was also working on convincing her to make me a partner in the meantime.”
“Was she considering it?”
“She was.” Mel sighed. “Now that dream is dashed and I’ll have to start from scratch somewhere else. But that doesn’t mean I can’t give those assholes a parting gift.”
He smashed his lips together to prevent grinning like a damn fool. Her attitude showed her strength and determination. While it was good for the task force, it was also a huge turn-on for Finn. Some men were into meek and mild, even submissive, women. Finn preferred women with a bit of fire. Speaking of fire…
“You can’t tell anyone about this. Not even Sapphire.” Even with the little he’d seen them interact, he could tell they were close. But confiding in the hostess about what they were doing could put Mel at risk, even unintentionally.
She blew out a soft breath and with it an, “Okay.”
“Also be aware, whenever I come into the club, I’ll be keeping my phone on me. Make sure Sapphire knows that. I’ll most likely have to take photos for documentation and evidence.”
“We have a policy—”
“I understand the reason for that policy and I promise not to violate anyone’s privacy. Both your girls and your customers.”
“Unless they’re breaking the law.”
“That’s a given. The subjects of our investigation will be the exception.”
“That’s fine. I’ll tell her to let you keep your phone. I’ll just need to come up with a good excuse. What about the prospects who work the front? They’re not going to let you keep it. Even the girls can’t have their phones with them on the floor. They have to store them in their lockers and only use them in the dressing room.”
“I can use the employee entrance.”
“Saint...”
“If he says something, we’ll make other arrangements. If I have to, I’ll grab a burner and hide it somewhere inside. In the meantime, text me if you see anything suspicious. I don’t care how small. If you can grab a picture without a risk of you getting caught, do so. But bottom line, don’t put yourself in harm’s way. If they’re doing what we think they’re doing, we’ll have plenty of other opportunities to document their activity, including sending in CIs to make buys.”
“Basically, I need to pull off the blinders, pay attention and let you know what I see.”
“That’s it.” He paused. “Well, except for the dating part. Are you okay with that, too?”
Without hesitation, she answered, “Yes. I’m willing to pretend we’re dating.”
Crew would be in hog heaven with that news.
“Will I have to eventually get on the witness stand and face them?”
He had to tell her the truth. “It depends. We’ll avoid that, if possible, and one way would be if I witness the activity myself. If you do have to testify, we can ask the court to keep you anonymous for your safety.” He reached over and squeezed one of her fisted hands. When it relaxed under his, he kept it there.
“By obscuring my face and voice?”
“Yes.”
She nodded and focused on his hand covering hers.
It was time to lighten the mood. “Have you ever dated a ginger before?”
She lifted her gaze to him. “No, but I still won’t be dating a ginger. We’ll only be fake dating, right?”
Right. “I’ll have you know, there are perks to being my pretend girlfriend.”
“Oh?” She fought a grin. “I can’t wait to hear them.”
He didn’t bother to fight his. “You get to spend time with me. That’s the biggest perk of all.” When she laughed, he added, “And I’ll always pay for dinner.”
“You or the government?”
“Me, by the way of the government. Your tax dollars hard at work, of course.”
“Mmm hmm. Is that all?”
“Did I already say that you get to spend time with me, my sparkling personality and, of course, my good looks?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Can you help me find my eyes? I rolled them so hard, they popped out and hit the floorboards.”
He grabbed her chin and lifted her face. “Let me see.”
“Well, at least one of us can see.”
He chuckled. “I could see that being your new career. A comedian who strips. You’ll be raking in the dough.”
“Hmm. Not a bad idea. Open a club that combines comedians and strippers.”
He snorted. “I’d attend.”
“And hosts drag queens.”
“I’d still attend.”
“Maybe some musical theater.”
“You lost me there. Unless it’s hot, naked women swinging around a pole, cracking jokes and then busting out a show tune when you least expect it. I might pay good money for that.”
“Stripper variety shows.”
He laughed. “You’re on a roll.”
“Just like my eyeballs,” she huffed. “All right, well… It’s time for me to head home.”
As she reached for the door handle, he grabbed her arm. “Wait.”
She twisted in her seat to face him.
“If we’re going to play a couple, we need to practice to make it look real.”
