Big Girls Don't Cry

have the house staked out. And one of us will be waiting inside for you.”

Gasping at the extent of their preparations, she had an insight into Jake, the commander, hard, detailed, and relentless. But she reminded herself before she shrunk into mindless acquiescence, she’d been taking care of herself for years now. For God’s sake, she was a world class martial artist. She raised her chin, determined not to be cowed.

“Can I assume that you’ve had it staked out since you moved me here?”

His smile broadened.

“Yeah, darlin’, that’s a safe assumption.”

Lexie shook her head disgust at his over protectiveness. She broadened her glare to include Brady.

“Et tu Brute?”

Brady’s guilty shrug said it all.

~~~

Jake and Brady stood on the porch watching her pull out of the garage without a backward glance. At the entrance to the cul de sac, she came to a brief stop, then gunned the Camaro and sped away, dust from the dry road wafting behind her.

Jake took a deep sigh and shook his head.

“Damn, Brady. This is killing me. I pray to God that Anthony would understand. Using Lexie as bait is the last thing I want to do. But even I accept the fact that if we don’t bring her in, she’ll be out there on her own.”

Brady punched him in the arm.

“Couple things, big guy. There’s no way you can control that little spitfire if she is on the team or not. She’s gonna do what she damn well pleases and you know that in your gut. I got a feeling the sooner you accept that reality, the better off you’ll be. Christ, you might even stop frowning seventy five percent of the time and get that lady killer grin of yours back on that Hollywood face.”

He faced Jake and for once, the insolent smile was gone. “And, yeah, she’ll be a hell of a lot safer with all of us watching her than she would be on her own. Finally, Jake, Lexie is a trained fighter. I pity the guy that tries to stop her. But you and I both know she’s playing in the big leagues now and doesn’t know it. So, rest your conscience. Anthony would probably kill us both if he knew what we are doing with his precious sister. But if he was here making the decisions we’re making, you can be damned sure he’d do the same thing. He knows her even better than we do.”

Jake nodded.

“Thanks, buddy. You’re right. I…I know all of that. And you know how rare it is for me to question my judgment. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, Brady. She’s got me tied in knots. I’ve never been this way with a woman in my life.”

Brady grinned. “Hell, Jake, the only experience I’ve had in this arena was with a love sick spaniel puppy. Sorry to tell you, but we eventually had to put him down. When the poodle he was lusting after ran off with the Airedale in the big house on the corner, he was too miserable to make it on his own.”

Jake managed a grin.

“It’s a great story, even if it isn’t true. And I get your point. But I’m not miniature spaniel, Brady.”

“No, Jake, you’re not, far from it. And not to stroke your ego, but the way that firecracker of a girl looks at you, I don’t think you have to worry about the neighborhood Airedales making off with your woman.”

Jake started to contest Brady’s description of Lexie as his woman. He chuckled to himself. May as well admit it. He was closer to that lovesick spaniel pup than he wanted to admit. And, yes, dammit. Lexie was his woman. Now he just needed to convince her of that.

Chapter 18

The Senora Travieste’s exclusive section anchored by the nightly strip show was hopping when Lexie hit the floor. Unlike the open area in the front that catered to the younger, less well-off crowd where Lexie had performed her outrageous bar top dance, the private area sought the well-heeled. The exorbitant cover charge was only the first indication that money (and lots of it) was the distinction between the two areas of the club. Lexie had spent a good bit of time in seedy nightclubs before Anthony rescued her, but the memories were never far away. The big surprise was how classy this club was. You could almost forget that the place was a strip club and more than likely a front for a thriving prostitution ring, not to mention a drug consortium. The drinks were expensive, the food was tasteful, and the decor understated.

Lexie decided there must be a pulchritude standard to be a waitress. She had never seen more gorgeous women in her life. Whoever hired the girls must also have designed the costumes they wore. She noted with a secret flush of pride that she could hold her own among the beautiful young women. While all the girls filled out the risque costume admirably, no one had her particular combination of long athletic legs and very generous breasts.

Compared to the front section she’d been in the night before, the crowd was definitely older and didn’t blink at either the cover charge or the outrageous prices for the watered down booze. Rings of tables surrounded the stage. According to Isabella, her trainer, the cost of a seat escalated, depending on proximity to the stage. Chairs close enough to touch the stage had a cover charge of $150. Lexie was startled. The money flowing in this understated desert town was surprising. And it wasn’t just the gangs who had money to burn. The only thing more plentiful than money was testosterone. The hard eyed men surrounding the stage and sprinkled throughout the audience had that “touch me and you will die” vibe that she’d seen in Jake and his buddies. These were men accustomed to danger, inside and outside of their role as fighters. They were adrenalin junkies. She should know. She was one of them.

Isabella was one of the most striking women she had seen. Her long black hair swung in a graceful shiny curtain when she walked. Easily four inches shorter that Lexie, her soft curvy body begged to be touched. Her dusky skin, a gift of her Mexican heritage, glowed. The expertly applied makeup highlighted her wide brown eyes and full pouty lips. She had an air of seductive innocence that made every head turn when she walked by. But Lexie had seen too many Isabellas in her work. She recognized the implacable gleam in the young woman’s eyes that revealed a lifetime of experience, much of it bad.

Lexie liked her immediately. Isabella was the kind of woman she resonated with. They didn’t have to explain themselves to each other. Both recognized a kindred spirit and relaxed in the instant familiarity.

“Call me Bella. That’s what my friends call me.” Isabella added with a pert grin, “It’s better than Izzy.”

Her chime like laughter attracted the attention of the men next to them. Lexie shook her head, knowing how easily both she and Bella attracted attention. Jake had sure been right about that. In the last three hours, she’d had over a dozen outright offers for sex and close to a hundred hands grabbing at her ass. It was a good thing she was a practiced flirt. She knew how to duck out of an outrageous grasp without crushing the sensitive ego of the perpetrator.

The two girls rested in the back of the room seeking momentary relief from the needs of the patrons. The show stopping stripper on the stage was good enough that even the jaded audience was watching with rapt attention.

Lexie took the moment to press Bella for information. She hoped their mutual attraction and comfort level would make her forthcoming.

“Looks like there’s a lot of money flowing in this place. Do we ever get any of it? Besides tips?”

Bella’s eyes narrowed as if considering her answer.

“You’re right. This little old town is flowing with money. But then for the savvy buyer, there’s lots to spend it on.”