I started buying her more things. Hell, the value of her entire studio apartment can’t possibly be more than a few hundred dollars. But the woman has pride, and I’d be seriously stepping on it if I came home empty-handed and informed her that a new wardrobe would be delivered later that day.
I do, however, take note of her sizes. Extra-small everything. She’s damn tiny. I can’t picture her stripping. It’s mind-boggling. Even her bras are a B cup.
I stuff everything into a duffel bag I found in her closet and hurry from the apartment, taking the stairs back down to my SUV two at a time.
Unease is creeping up my spine as my phone vibrates silently in my pocket. I pull it out and glance at the screen before answering. “Blade.”
“Hey, Spidey. Got your message. What’s going on? All you said was urgent, call me.”
“I’ll explain on the way. Can you meet me at the Sky Lounge?”
Blade chuckles. “Need to unwind a bit?”
I groan. “Nope. Need to stop a human trafficking ring.”
He sucks in a breath. “I’ll meet you there in ten.”
I grip the steering wheel with both hands, far tighter than necessary on the drive to the Lounge. I should turn over what I know to Blade and let him assign some other guys to this case, a case with no paying customer. I should recuse myself because after having only known Britney for a day I’m already emotionally involved with her.
Rule number one—never get involved with a client. I absolutely must pass the job on to Blade and go back to my house. But I won’t. I won’t for the same reason I should. I like this woman, and I want to personally make sure she’s safe. She’s my responsibility. No chance I’m going to turn over her safety to someone else, even if I would trust every man on our team with my life.
Blade is already in the parking lot and he strolls over to me as I climb from my SUV. He’s wearing all black. Not shocking. I am too. It’s what our wardrobes mostly consist of. “Care to fill me in a bit?” Blade asks.
“I did that job for Cindy this morning at the animal shelter.”
“Right. I remember.”
“Met a woman there, Britney. Works for Cindy. She was sleeping in the parking lot. Long story short, she worked here also until last night. She overheard her boss talking to another man about selling her.”
Blade groans and rubs his forehead. “Fuck.”
“Yeah. It’s bad. I knew you wouldn’t want me going in and snooping around alone.”
He claps me on the shoulder. “Damn straight. Where’s the woman now?”
“My place.”
He lifts a brow.
I glance away. “She needed a place to stay. I could tell Cindy was beside herself. Inviting someone to stay with her is complicated.”
Blade nods. “I’ve met Cindy several times at Surrender. No need to say more. I get it. I can probably even guess what her fetish is just from knowing her.”
I nod. “Anyway, I offered. Britney is at my house now. I just went by her place to pick up some of her things. It’s been tossed.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah, the stakes went higher. That’s when I texted you.”
“Let’s go check this fine establishment out then.”
I walk next to Blade as we approach, and it only takes a few minutes to pay our entrance fee. By the time we’re seated, I’m struggling to contain my aggravation. I’m actually seething at the thought of Britney ever being inside this club, let alone dancing.
There are currently three women on the stage. All are wearing nothing but G-strings. The lighting is dim, naturally. Several men are sitting in front of the stage holding up dollar bills.
We’ve taken seats farther back, but it only takes a few moments for a tall, slender woman to approach and slide her hand across my shoulders. She leans in close, letting her huge fake tits hang in front of my face. Thick locks of her black wig fall across her shoulders.
I’m a dude. I like tits. But I’ve never seen the attraction in places like this.
“Hey there,” she drawls. “I’m Licorice. Interested in a private dance?”
I shake my head. “Actually, I was hoping to see a particular dancer I saw last time I was here.”
Licorice gives me a fake pout and twirls a lock of fake black hair. “What’s she look like, honey? Maybe she’s backstage.”
“She’s short. Super long hair. Cute round face. Blue eyes.” I lean back a bit to avoid this woman’s perfume.
She chuckles.