Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
I was so sure when I walked into the strip club that I could dance on stage. It sounded like a good plan. Dance a little and make great money, then they might let me get by without telling them my identity. Of course, everything I knew about life then was from television, books, and the Internet, so I was only half right.
The money is okay, but they told me all I could keep was the tips I made serving drinks unless I went on the payroll. If I didn’t hand over some kind of identification, then Stowe, the owner of The Bald Beaver, wasn't going to cut me a check for my hourly wages. Giving him my real ID wasn’t an option, so I’ve been working my ass off to make decent tips while I try to find a way to get a new identity.
When I walked in and asked for a job, they put me on the stage, but it was clear I couldn't bring myself to strip. Too bad because that’s where all the money is. Some of the dancers can make thousands in a night. It’s how Quinn has managed to save up so much money that she’s now moving states away to start her life over and go to nursing school. She’s got enough stashed that she doesn’t have to worry about money while she does it.
“But I have fun on the pole,” I tease.
Sure, I dance on the stage but not when we’re open. A few of the girls even asked me to help them with technique once they realized I could dance but not drop my bra. Not that I have much to show when my top is off. If anything, it’s fun playing on the pole with them when they practice.
“Whit, I’m serious. Stowe thinks it’s only a matter of time before he’ll get you up there.”
“He does? He never said that to me, but he did say the offer was always on the table.” I can dance, but I feel inadequate compared to the other girls at the club and their gorgeous bodies.
“Yeah, you have no idea how many requests he gets and how disappointed the ones that ask are when they hear you only serve drinks. One guy offered five thousand for a private dance.” My mouth falls open. “I shut that shit down. Don’t go down a hole you can’t get out of. I watched my mom do it. You drew a line, Whit. Don’t let anyone make you cross it.”
“Okay,” I agree. “But if you stay, you can make sure I really don’t.” It’s not going to be the same without her. It was her that talked Stowe into letting me serve drinks that day. Then when Quinn found out I was staying in a motel, she informed me I was her new roommate. She’s truly an angel. I think when she saw me, she saw a bit of herself because at one time she was a girl trying to find a way out too.
“You want me to stay?”
“No,” I say without hesitation, even as a lump forms in my throat. I wouldn’t do that to her. “You don’t let anyone stop you from going after a life you dream of having.” I give her my own small words of wisdom.
Quinn grabs me, pulling me in for a hug. “Rent is paid till the end of the year. You can always call. I’ll pick up.” I force a smile onto my face, not wanting her to see me upset and feel guilty. She’s done so much for me, and I can thank her by letting her go.
The only problem is that once again, I’m all alone.
Chapter Two
MACK
My brother Lawson got married last weekend, so my other brother Ari and I decided to keep business to a minimum since the newlyweds are on their honeymoon. There was only one active case, so I grabbed it up to give myself something to do in the downtime.
It’s not that I want to stay busy all the time, but our detective agency turns away more people than it accepts, so I’ve gotten used to working non-stop. Part of me wonders if that’s going to change now that Lawson’s married and soon to be a dad.
I ignore the clench in my chest at the thought of my brothers getting married and starting families without me. Ari is so uptight, who knows if it will ever happen, but I can’t help the spike of jealousy I feel when I think back to Lawson’s wedding day. It’s not that I wanted to be him, it's just that I could feel how truly happy he was, maybe for the first time ever, and I wanted that too.
When I saw the Baxter case come across our database, I grabbed it up without really thinking it through. All I saw was a trip to Seaport, and it sounded like the perfect excuse to get out of town. This case was supposed to be simple. All I had to do was grab a few pictures to confirm identity and then come home. But from the moment I got here, nothing about this case has been simple.