It felt good.
“That’s why we’ve always counted on you, Cutter,” Denton raised his glass in a semi-toast. “You get things done.”
Cutter smiled appreciatively, hiding the disdain deep down that threatened to make him physically retch. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t stay in business too long, would I?” Unlike some corrupt, no-account politician and his whore wife! “If y’all will excuse me … I’ll get right to work …” It was his chance to exit, and he took full advantage of it. These weren’t his type of people, and he’d had all he could stomach of the pretentious couple and the arrogant ARA. He was feeling the need to shower badly.
Smiles followed him out the door, even after it had closed fully, they allowed almost a full minute to go by before anyone spoke.
Cherry would be the first to break the silence. “OK, what’s Plan B?” she asked, looking to each man in the room. “In case this do-gooder fool turns down the offer of a lifetime?”
“Hell, I thought we’d send you to ‘negotiate’ with him,” Denton winked at Frost.
“If I’d had the chance to do that first, we’d probably be sitting here with that fox bitch between us right now.” Cherry Denton had never doubted her powers of persuasion. There had never been a man or woman, yet she’d failed to convince to see things her way with a little “persuasion.”
“True, true!” Her husband smiled at her in adoration.
“I don’t think that would’ve been wise, ma’am,” Cee Tee spoke up. “You don’t know how badly things like this can go …”
Denton laughed, “And you’ve never seen my wife negotiate.”
Cee Tee’s eyes widened, and he cut them away in slight disbelief. Who talks about their wife like that?
“I don’t think you have to worry about that, Ms. Denton,” Frost spoke up. “I am hoping to have that covered.”
“Oh, do tell …” Her eyes grew bright in anticipation. She liked proactive people. This Frost seemed to be one who wanted to leave nothing to chance.
The merc looked to Cee Tee, and they exchanged knowing glances. “I didn’t want to mention it while that thug was here.” He turned back to the Dentons. “But let’s just say I have something in the works, even as we speak.”
Denton grinned conspiratorially and wagged a finger. “Frost, you devious bastard. Have you been holding out on us?”
Frost crossed his arms and gave the couple a smug look. “Let’s just say I got us a ‘hole’ card.”
***
You know it’s rude to eavesdrop on people,” Tiger told Lulah as she came around the sofa and sat down beside him.
She gave a depressed shrug, “Yeah, well, seems like I’ve forgotten a lot of my raising the last few years or so.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head, suddenly feeling very old. “Just babbling to myself.” She put a hand on his leg. “What are you gonna do, Tiger?”
He leaned forward, covering his head with his hands. “I dunno. That’s a lot of money, Lu.”
“You don’t believe a word he’s saying, do you?”
“We go way back. We were Spacers. We flew Chargers together. I’d like to think that might still count for something.”
“It might for you. It means nothing to Cutter.”
He raised his head and turned to look at her. “You talk like you know more about Cutter Hawkins than I do.” His eyes probed hers. “There something I should know?”
Lulah fought the panic that suddenly gripped her. Did Tiger suspect? Would he see it in her eyes? Should she just come out and tell him what had happened? Would he understand? Would he be repulsed by her … or even worse ... Would he hate her?
In the end, fear got the best of her. She’d just spent the night with the man she thought she’d lost forever. He’d come briefly back in her life. Maybe this was it. He was getting ready to leave again. She had no idea when she would see him again … if ever. She wasn’t going to end it by doing something stupid like being honest.
“I’ve just heard a lot of bad things is all,” she murmured, trying to sound as calm as possible. But it was all she could do to sit still, every fiber of her being screaming for her to get away before he saw right through her.
Tiger watched her for what seemed an eternity, his face impassive. She feared she’d gave herself away. Something in her voice maybe. The way she avoided his eyes. Perhaps he’d noticed the way she now fidgeted slightly.
“Yeah,” he finally said. “I hear a lot of the same things.” He gave her an ironic smile. “I have to say I’m a bit surprised at your concern. I figured you’d be happy to see Amber gone, regardless of how she went.”
She looked to the ceiling and sighed, “Last night, I would’ve probably given her to Cutter myself. Free of charge.”
“But?”
“I dunno. Something about her. Something I can’t quite put my finger on. I see it with her and Britt.” She looked to him now. “She’s not just a ready-made fantasy whore. I know that now. There’s more to her.” Oh yeah! A lot more! And I’m dying to see it!
“How do you know that?” He’d known it all along. There was something about the vixen. What was it? Maybe another woman could shed light on it for him.
He had no idea just what kind of light could be shed.
“I dunno. Just intuition, I guess.” That and I wanna fuck her brains out!
“A woman’s intuition?”
“No,” she replied, her eyes squinting as if she were trying to squeeze a thought out. “More like a mother’s. Something that Britt brings
