Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
I stare at the woman with her gray hair and suspicious eyes. For some reason, I can already tell I like her. She’s trying to keep vulnerable women safe, and I can’t fault her for it.
“Loretta, may I—”
“That’s Ms. Loretta to you.” She bristles.
I must admit I’m not used to being spoken to like this, but I force myself to remain civil for Diamond’s sake. “I’m not trafficking anyone. This girl came to my club tonight to work as a dancer.”
Loretta’s gaze bounces over to Diamond.
“I was just trying to make enough money to get my own place.” Diamond’s cheeks are bright red as she looks at the tile floor.
“I’m not judging you one bit, sugar.” She points the bat at me. “But you, that’s another story.”
“Go on in and get your things.” I shoo Diamond down the hallway toward a door marked WOMEN ONLY in bold lettering.
Diamond looks from me to Loretta and back again.
“Get in there. I’ll take care of him,” Loretta agrees and points to the door.
Diamond, still unsure, turns back to me. “Don’t take Mama, please. I can’t let you leave with her.”
“I won’t be leaving here without you, Diamond. Now go.” I take her shoulders and spin her back toward the door.
She hurries away to get her things.
Once the door closes behind her, Loretta smacks the bat into her palm. “I don’t know who you think you are, but—”
“My name is Devlin Harrigan, and I’m here to change your life.” I pull my phone from my pocket and swipe until I find my banking app.
“I’m here to end yours if you so much as think about hurting that girl. She’s the sweetest, kindest little runaway I’ve ever had here, and I won’t let you take her.”
“She’s a runaway?” I raise a brow.
“It’s none of your business what she is. Now, if you don’t get out of here, I’m calling the cops.”
“Call them.” I shrug. “Ask for Captain Lindell. We go way back.”
Her mouth drops open.
“But, instead of all that, I have a better idea. Give me the routing number and account number for the shelter’s primary bank.”
“What?” She glances at my phone.
“I’m going to deposit a donation right here, right now, as a thank you for taking care of my assistant for me.”
“Your assistant?”
“Diamond.” I enter in my wiring instructions.
“You can’t buy her from me, Mr. High-and-Mighty. She’s not a pony.”
“I know she isn’t. She’s much, much more. But I’ve hired her as my assistant.”
“You mean your dancer?”
“No, she wanted to dance. I wouldn’t let her. She’s too young, too innocent, too …” Too mine.
“Give me your name again.” She scowls.
“Devlin Harrigan.”
She picks up her phone and presses something on speed dial. Holding the phone in one hand, the bat in the other, she eyes me with unbridled suspicion.
“Hey, yeah, this is Loretta down at All Saints Mission. I need to speak to Carlton.” She frowns at the phone. “Yes, Captain Carlton Lindell. Did I stutter?”
She reminds me of Brenda. Fierce and takes zero shit. She’s in the right job. Helping women and protecting them from predators takes a particularly fierce personality, and Loretta has it in abundance.
“Carl, yeah. It’s Loretta. There’s a man here says he knows you, and he’s trying to take a girl from here. I think he’s a trafficker.” She gives me a triumphant glare. “He says he knows you—”
I can hear Lindell giving an incredulous laugh as the door to the women’s quarters opens and Diamond walks out, a small bag over her shoulder. She’s changed into a T-shirt and jeans, more comfortable and absolutely cozy. Damn, she even makes dressed down look good. Her curves can’t be denied.
“Devlin Harrigan.” Loretta practically spits my name into the phone.
The laughter on the other end stops abruptly.
“She’s not going to let me go with you.” Diamond looks up at me, and I can’t tell if she’s relieved or disappointed.
“I need you to know right now that I will never hurt you, okay?” I take her bag and sling it over my shoulder. “I’m not a trafficker or anything of the sort.”
“Then what are you?” She peers into my eyes as if she can see my measure written in them.
“I’m just a man. One who knows what he wants.”
“And you want me?”
Yes. Any way I can get you. “I want an assistant. One who can be on call at all hours of the day … and night.”
She licks her lips when I say the last part. Fuck, my cock tries to act up, but I need to keep a level head, especially when Loretta is staring at me. The older woman ends the call, and that’s when I notice her hands are shaking.
“Carl clued you in, I take it?” I give her a razor-sharp smile.
“Yes. I. Yes.” She seems to have paled a little.