Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 122896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 614(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 614(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Shit. He was not expecting Mel to confront the prospect like that.
Neither was Ringo, since he stopped and frowned at her. “Don’t answer to you.”
Mel squared off with the biker. “Yes, you do, since I’m the manager.”
Finn stepped next to her and curled an arm around her hip in solidarity.
Ringo sneered, “I only answer to Saint.”
Mel shrugged. “Fine. I’ll talk to Saint, then.”
“You do that.” The prospect pushed past them, knocking hard into Finn’s shoulder on purpose.
Dickhead.
He took a deep breath to tamp down his temper at that obvious slight, then escorted Mel out the door into the late September evening and toward the Tacoma.
He kept his voice low. “You’ll be wasting your time talking to Saint about him. He’s more than aware of what the prospects are doing since he’s the one who probably ordered them to do it.”
“Of course. But those prospects leaving their posts is another way to put the girls at risk. Just like the cameras being disabled. No one is preventing a customer from just going into the dressing room to harass the girls. Or worse. I don’t like it. Someone should be watching at all times. Someone should also escort the girls out to their cars when they’re done for the night. Ever since Saint fired my bouncers, every safety measure that Laura and I put in place has been disregarded. If someone gets hurt…”
Her frustration was palpable and he hoped the dancers appreciated how much she cared about them.
He helped her into the truck and once she was settled, he jogged around to the driver’s side and climbed in. When he had the door shut and no one was able to overhear them, he finally replied with, “Okay, tomorrow, if and when Saint shows up, I want you to complain to him about the issue of the prospects disappearing. Make sure to emphasize how it puts the girls in jeopardy. Then let me know what excuse he uses for them. Once he gives you that lie, press him on it. For example, if he says they’re just going out back to smoke, tell him that smoke breaks should be limited to certain times and during them, he needs to make sure someone else is covering the hallway.”
“I can do that.”
He pushed the start button and brought the Toyota to life. “Good. Let’s get you home. I bet you’re hungry.”
“I am.”
He was, too. For the blonde in the black, super short, sexy-as-fuck dress with the killer legs. “We can pick up something on the way, if you want. Plus… I really want a tour of your haunted house.” Not to mention, other places.
“I never said it was haunted!” She shuddered.
With a laugh, Finn shifted the truck into Drive.
Mel clung to his arm as she dangerously weeble-wobbled over the stone driveway in those crazy heels.
“I could carry you, you know.”
“Oh, is that a service you provide as part of your ‘protect and service’ package?”
He laughed. “Only for you.”
“Once again, you’ve proven chivalry is not dead.”
“I don’t want you spraining an ankle.”
“I’m sure Taint would love me hobbling around the club in a slinky dress and an orthopedic boot.”
He chuckled at that vision. “I don’t think anyone is really looking at your feet, Mel. Well, maybe a certain type of clientele is, but most are not.”
She paused at the top of the vestibule steps and cocked an eyebrow at him, keeping a completely straight face. “Then, what are they looking at?”
“Your sparkling personality.”
She released a delicate snort. “Well, that’s disappointing since I spend a fortune on shoes.”
Once at the door, she reached into her bag and pulled something out. He figured it was her keys until she held her hand out to him.
He frowned at whatever was on her open palm. It looked like… cookies of some sort? Whatever it was didn’t look appealing to him. “What’s this? An appetizer before dinner?”
“They’re not for you.” She jiggled her hand. “Take them.”
He did and lifted them to his nose. The odd smell made it wrinkle. “Who are they for? Are they to appease the ghosts?”
Her shoulders shook as she unlocked the door and pushed it open. The second she did, two big dogs rushed forward. He quickly took a giant step back, almost falling over his own feet.
“I hope you like dogs.”
“Now you tell me?”
Two large Doberman Pinschers circled Mel, whining and crying in excitement. She gave both wiggling dogs a scratch behind the ears as she bent over and planted kisses on their head. “Did you miss me, my babies?”
Their crying increased to a fevered high-pitch, making Finn wince.
“You’d think I haven’t seen them in weeks.”
Suddenly, one broke off and ran up to him, jamming its nose directly into Finn’s crotch. “Damn.” Then it circled around and jammed it in his ass. “I’ll have you know, your dog just committed assault.”