Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“Just an observation, but you seem more on edge since Italy. Are your needs being met? Sex is just sex, right?” Crue says.
I don’t like his observation.
Or his insinuation.
I’d given him shit about this months ago when he started blue balling because he only wanted to fuck Rya. But when it’s on the flip side, I won’t go into detail. Because the truth is, I haven’t fucked Daphne, or anyone else, since I got back from Italy. But he doesn’t need to know that. At my silence, he continues, evidently having enjoyed his dig. Fair, considering I had done the same to him.
“I just wanted to check up on how my ‘security’ is performing for your staff.” I almost laugh at his coy use of “security.” Which tells me that there’s either someone here who can’t be trusted or there’s an underlying question.
This shit is all for show—him inviting partners to drink on the house—but also to remind them who is in charge. If he didn’t trust them, they wouldn’t be here. But then again, I know Crue doesn’t trust anyone.
We’d come to an agreement years ago when I first met Crue. My services and business were in high demand, and I needed protection for my staff when the clients’ demands became more specific. And rich fuckers always think they can push or do what they want, even if it isn’t contracted. I know because I’d dealt with them myself. Having Crue’s men stand as guards in the room during the “dates” as said pleasures were played out reduced the danger to my women and men. And if I were to find out anything happened before or after, I’d deal with it personally. And in exchange, I offer services and entertainment for such occasions.
“As usual,” I say, watching two of my girls work the men in the room. Entertainment, of course. Both of them can defend themselves if something were to ever go down.
These men are dangerous.
But they also pay a lot.
Crue considers this. “I’ve received some intel that I don’t think you’ll like.”
I furrow my brows. “Such as?”
Crue lets out a sigh. He’s not one to pull punches, but if it affects my business, he knows better than the next how unyielding I can be.
“One of the girls at my bar was approached by a man. We don’t have clear footage because he was wearing darkened shades. I only have two security guys at the bar, who pretend to be regulars, and even they can’t make an accurate description of him. He propositioned my bartender.”
I take another sip of the whisky, my jaw clenching. “So what does this have to do with me?”
Crue places his empty glass down and waves for one of my girls, who immediately fills it back up. “He told the bartender that he works for Dawson Escorting.”
I almost shatter the glass in my hand. “What?” I ask, unsure I’ve heard him right.
Crue eyes me and dips his gaze to my strangled glass. I retract my hand and smooth over my white jacket. “I thought your security was top-notch at your establishments. How can no one identify him?”
“Don’t offend me, Dawson,” Crue warns.
I throw back my whisky, then hold the empty glass out to be refilled. I’ve had little fires pop up here and there as people try to take what is mine. But no one had blatantly tried to use my company name and services.
“Whoever it was, they wanted to go undetected. Unfortunately for them, they probably didn’t realize it was one of my establishments and that I would report the incident to you.”
I think on this for a while. “Or they knew exactly what they were doing and saying. And who you were and your operations in my business,” I state.
Either way, I’ll have to deal with it immediately and make visits and calls to find out anything and everything I can about this mystery man.
“A calling card, you think?” Crue considers. “Either way, friend, it looks like you have a stray or an enemy brazen enough to grab your attention.”
CHAPTER 11
Honey
For a few weeks I don’t see Dawson, and I’m fine with that. Although part of me expects him to walk through the door every day. But that leaves a bitter taste since the last time he came here, it was with an outrageously beautiful woman. And I was too embarrassed to ask Crue if that beautiful woman was his girlfriend. Because that would make it sound like I’m interested in Dawson, and I shouldn’t be.
No! I mean… I’m not.
That is until I’m closing the store, and a car pulls up. I recognize it immediately. I’m attempting to lock the front door as he slides his sunglasses onto the top of his head while strolling toward me. My heart rate picks up a notch as he gets closer, and I wonder if I should shut the door in his face and hide inside.