“That would be Sergio. He likes his girls. And the more you can see of them, the better.” She gave Lexie an appraising glance. “He’ll probably come after you next.”
Lexie put up her hands. “Uh huh. No way. I’m off men for a while. After this last guy that I’m still trying to get rid of, I’m done with men. They’re too needy. I need a break from men.”
Bella winked. “Well, honey, I can tell you, if you aren’t interested in that blue-eyed hottie, there isn’t a girl working here that wouldn’t lap him up in a second! That is one righteous man. Those eyes, and damn that butt. Tell me, honey, is he as hot in bed as they say he is? What is it they call him? The ‘all night wonder’?”
Lexie hid her shock. Both at the familiar way Bella talked about Jake and the flare of anger at the idea of any of the gorgeous women who worked here going after him. She frowned, “Please, let’s not talk about him. I’ve got enough on my mind.”
Getting control of her emotions, she focused on the mission.
“Bella, I don’t want to sound ungrateful because I’m so grateful that I got the job here.”
“You should be. Hell, girl, there a line a mile long of girls wanting to work here. In case you didn’t notice, every girl in this place scores at least a ten on a hot chick scale of one to ten.’
Lexie nodded.
“I know that. But I’ve run in to some bad shit lately and I could really use some cash. You…you mentioned last night that I might be able to get a little on the side.”
Bella was dismissive. “Hell, honey, I’m not talking about filling out your personal stash. Uh huh. This deal is bigger by a magnitude of about a thousand! Tell, me, girl, are you interested in making some serious money?”
“Damn! Who isn’t? But…I don’t want to put out. I’m in a bad place right now.”
“No, honey, I’m telling you this isn’t about sex. It’s about…doing business. If you know what I mean.”
Lexie hoped she looked puzzled.
“You mean drugs?”
“Yeah, honey, that’s exactly what I mean. But not your nickel and dime shit. This is the big time.”
Lexie gasped.
“Are you like…like a dealer?”
Bella sneered. “I prefer to say I’m a business woman. Me and the other girls here have walked into a goldmine. We tapped into an operation that is bigger than any I’ve seen. And I’ve seen a lot.”
“So…so… Sergio runs it?”
“Hell, no! He’s not involved. It’s people on the outside.’
Lexie gave her a skeptical glance. “You mean it’s happening under his nose and he doesn’t know about it?”
“Honey, I didn’t say that. There isn’t a damn thing that happens here that Sergio doesn’t know about it. But if he gets a big enough cut and distance from the crap if the cops find out? Hey, he’s sitting pretty. Same with the gangs.”
“You mean the gangs aren’t involved either? I don’t get it. The gangs are always involved. You know that, Bella.”
Bella shook her head impatiently.
“Hear me out. I’m telling you this is different. Of course, the gangs get their cut, but they aren’t running this. I’ll be honest, I’m not exactly sure who is. But we are selling some of the most righteous shit I’ve ever seen. This stuff is so pure that it melts in your mouth. And, honey, the beauty of it is that all we have to do is hook up with the thousands of hot little soldier boys who circulate through this town and introduce them to the best shit they’ve ever had.”
“Wow. It…it sounds great. How…do you think I could be involved?”
“Honey, with your looks and that killer body, you could be rolling in money within the month. Hell, I’m making more in a month than I did turning five tricks a night for a year. And you’re coming in at a great time. I got notice last night that the biggest shipment we’ve had yet will be here in a couple of days. All we have to do is get the parties organized and prepare to rake in the dough.”
Lexie frowned. “I’m not sure what you are talking about. I still don’t understand who’s running the show, but heck, what do I care? I just want in!”
Bella jumped up and gave her a high five.
“That’s the spirit, sister!” she hesitated. “There is one slight issue.”
Lexie groaned in disappointment. “Damn, I knew it sounded too good to be true.”
Bella laughed. “No, no. Nothing bad. The only problem is that the guy who does the interviewing is the most disgusting man alive. And let’s just say, he has an interesting interview process.”
“Who is he?”
“We call him the Watcher.”
“Why?”
“Because, honey, he likes to watch. And… to get him to notice you, you need to do a lap dance for him.”
Lexie shook her head trying to quell the fear churning in her gut. This was too close. Too close to some very bad memories. She took a deep breath and tried to sound annoyed, not scared.
“Oh great. I haven’t done that for a while. I…I’m rusty.”
“But you have stripped, right?”
“Yeah, over the years. But it’s been a while.”
Lexie didn’t even try to imagine Jake’s reaction. She reminded herself that she had brazenly told Jake if she had to strip she would. But a lap dance? It was too personal. Taking a deep breath, she shoved down her fear. It was like Bella said. This is business and if she has to do this to get on the inside, she will.
“Okay. I’m game. Where is he and when do I do it? The lap dance, that is?”
Bella grinned. “Just one small thing. You don’t do it with him. You do it with me.”
“What?” Lexie’s voice rose in a shriek.
Bella gave her a nonchalant shrug. “I told you he likes to watch. You done any girl on girl action?”
Lexie shook her head and tried to quiet the warning signals blaring in her brain.
“It’s a piece of cake, honey. Just do the kind of moves you usually do and keep bumping into me. That’s all he cares about. But if you don’t want to get sick, I advise you keep your eyes off what he is doing. Disgusting doesn’t begin to describe this guy. But, maybe we’ll get lucky. Half the time, he’s so drunk he barely knows we’re there.”
Lexie swallowed hard, hoping she’d have time to talk to Brady.
“When do we do it?’
Bella winked. “He’s waiting for us now.”
Chapter 20
Jake mused as he listened to the dial tone waiting for Dirk to pick up. He hated like hell to leave Lexie tonight, but he needed answers to some questions that were gnawing at his gut.
“Lt. Col. Reynolds.”
Jake responded. “Hey, Dirk. Jake Gardner here.”
“Jake. Good to hear from you. How’s your investigation coming along?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, Dirk. Do you have a few minutes? Or better yet, can I buy you a beer? We could meet at the officer’s club.”
“Yes to the beer, Jake. But I can go one better than the club. I’m at home now and was about to throw a steak on the grill. How about you join me? It will give us a chance to catch up. It’s been a hell of a long time since we’ve spent time together.”
“A steak sounds great, Dirk. What about Emily? Will she mind me barging in?”
“Nope. I’m a bachelor this summer. Emily and the girls are spending a couple of months in Europe. It’ll be
