by Deanna Chase
He shook his head. “You need me to make the contact.”
I laughed. “Leo, you should know me better than that by now.” I reached into the back seat and grabbed my bag of tricks. Five minutes later, I’d turned into a blonde with bright teal streaks in my hair and fake eyelashes that made my eyes look twice as large as normal. I’d also changed into a midriff-baring halter top and stuffed my feet into four-inch bright teal heels. “What do you think?”
He stared at me with his jaw slack. Then he gave me a nod and said, “Perfect. Just the kind of barfly Strix will salivate over.”
I winked and slammed the Charger into gear.
15
Leo led the way into the dank bar. “Another One Bites the Dust” drowned out the sound of my feet sticking to the grimy floors. Already the bar smelled of whiskey and tobacco and was packed with shifters who’d likely spent all afternoon cozied up to the barmaid.
“Classy joint,” I said to Leo as I noticed a thin blonde eye him, then slide off her barstool and saunter over. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun, her jeans threadbare, and her black bra was clearly visible through her white T-shirt.
He snorted and held his hand out to the woman as she approached. “Lexi, just the girl I was looking for.”
She slipped her arm around his waist and snuggled in close while eyeing me with suspicion. “How’s my favorite shifter this afternoon?”
“Better now that I’ve found you,” he said, pulling her in for a sideways hug.
I couldn’t help but wonder just how well they knew each other and if Leo had been less than forthcoming about their relationship. But then as she rested her head against his shoulder and slid her hand down to cup his ass, he grimaced and pulled away.
“I’m here on business, Lexi.”
Her lower lip jutted out into an obviously practiced pout. “I’m sorry. I heard what happened to your girl, and I figured you could use some female company.”
“For a hundred dollars an hour, right?” he said with one eyebrow raised.
“Well, a girl has to pay her rent.” She batted her eyelashes at him.
I cleared my throat, moved to stand next to Leo, and slipped an arm through his free one. “I’ve got him covered.”
Her frown caused deep lines around her mouth, aging her significantly.
I smiled brightly, held my hand out, and said, “Hi. I’m Karma. I heard you were the one to talk to if I wanted to score some… uh, red party favors.”
She stared at my hand like it was a dead fish. “What makes you think I’m the person to talk to?”
Leo pulled his wallet out of his pocket and handed her the stack of bills he’d taken from Felix’s tin. “Do you have answers now?”
She smiled sweetly, tucked the money into her black bra, and said, “Since she’s here, it’s going to cost you double.”
Of course it was. The way this woman saw it, if it weren’t for me, she’d already have Leo in a rented room upstairs and his wallet emptied as she had her way with a hot shifter.
“Sure,” I said sweetly and paid her ransom.
The opportunistic barfly pulled out her phone and sent a text. The phone chimed a moment later and she said, “Head to Sinful. When you order your drink, ask for a stripper by the name of Luscious. She’ll get you what you need.”
“Thank you.” I was already turning on my heel.
“Not so fast.”
I paused. “What?”
She held her hand out. “It’s another hundred for the text.”
“What happens if we say no?” I asked, sort of impressed at her gumption.
“Then I’ll call off the transaction as soon as you set foot out that door,” she said with a shrug.
“You’ve got some nerve,” Leo said, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at her.
I actually chuckled to myself and handed her the money.
A grin spread across her face, transforming her into a stunning beauty as she took the cash.
Without warning, I grabbed her hand and elbow and pulled her in close to whisper, “If your tip is wrong, I’ll be back and your tidy little information business is going to come to a crashing halt.”
This time it was her turn to laugh. When she sobered, she eyed me with contempt. “I’d like to see you try it, sweetheart.”
I gave her a knowing smile, grabbed Leo by the hand, and strolled out.
Once we were back on the street, Leo let out a low whistle. “Damn, Phoebs. You’re a badass.”
“You’re just now noticing?” I asked with an exaggerated hair flip.
“I knew you were dangerous with a dagger, but your undercover game is off the hook,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
“It’s all part of the job.” I glanced up at him. “Just think, if you follow through with working for the Void, in a year or two you could be the one wearing the halter top and four-inch heels.”
His eyes flashed with humor. “If it means I’m taking down the worst in the city, then bring on the stilettos.”
I chuckled. “You’re okay, you know that, Leo?”
His lips curved up into a pleased smile. “Right back atcha.”
We quickly made our way back to Bourbon Street, where the beer and hurricanes were flowing and tourists were already in full party mode. I quickly scanned the growing crowd then tugged Leo along and fell in line behind a woman who wore a skirt so short her ass floss was actually showing. The woman next to her had embraced a spandex jumpsuit that was so low cut I fully expected a wardrobe malfunction at any moment. Despite the fact they were commanding the attention of almost everyone within a half block, they were the perfect cover. Anyone looking in our direction would be focusing on them, not us.
Not that I expected anyone to recognize me in my barfly outfit. Still, it paid to be cautious.
It didn’t take long to get to Sinful, and when I stopped across the street from the club, I told Leo to wait for me outside.
He shook his head. “No can do. Dax told me to keep an eye on you.”
I rolled my eyes. “No doubt. But you’re still not going in there. If anyone sees us together, it could be trouble, especially after your fight with Strix yesterday. I just want to get in and get out without any drama.”
He eyed the club hungrily. “Do you think that bastard is in there?”
Yes. If this was where we were supposed to pick up the drugs, I was certain he was in there. But I didn’t want to tell Leo that. “It’s hard to say. But even if he is, you’re not going to touch him, right?”
Leo’s nostrils flared in irritation as he clenched his fists. He sucked in a deep breath and said, “No. Not now.” Then he took a step back and faded into the shadows of one of the many doorways lining the street.
“Good.” I patted his arm. “I’ll be right back.”
The moment I started to cross the street solo, a small group of college-aged guys turned and started a round of catcalls and wolf whistles. I responded by giving them the finger.
“Bitch!” one of them yelled.
Being the classy lady that I was, I responded with double birds and slipped into Sinful. The bouncer working the door took one look at me, nodded, and waved me through as expected. Good. He hadn’t recognized me. Single women almost never had to pay a cover to the strip clubs in New Orleans. But a few months ago, I’d gotten into it with a vampire inside Sinful. We’d all but trashed the place before I realized I had the wrong guy. Even though the Void paid for the damages, the owner hadn’t been happy in the slightest, and I’d been banned from the establishment for the foreseeable future.
Ha. Little did they know I’d already been back three times. What can I say? I’m good at my job.
The place was one of the classiest in the city. Blue velvet covered the walls while gas lanterns hung from the ceiling, giving off a soft glow of light. I scanned the room and opted to sit at one of the tables in the shadows. A woman with long, sleek black hair was spinning around the stripper pole, her hair fl
ying out behind her while the speakers blared “Naughty Girl” by Beyoncé.
“Hello, gorgeous,” a beautiful woman I recognized as the club manager said as she sat in the chair next to me. She had flawless brown skin, wore a white silk button-down dress shirt and matching skintight trousers and had an ordering pad in one hand and a pen in the other. “What can I get for you today? Appetizers? A drink?” She scanned me, her expressive dark eyes showing interest. “Or maybe a date?” she added with a wink.
I chuckled and smiled at her, playing along with her flirting. It was unusual for the manager to wait tables, but I knew her to be aggressive with women she found attractive and that was the only reason she was at my table. She was testing me out to see if she could get my number. She wouldn’t, but as long as she didn’t recognize me and blow my cover, that’s all I cared about. “I’ll start with just a drink. Moscow Mule. And can you let Luscious know I’m here?”
“Sure thing, sweetheart. But anytime you need more than just a drink, anything at all, you know where to find me.” She slid off the chair and sauntered over to the bar.
Bailey Belvins had been managing the strip club for just over a year. In all my past run-ins with her, I’d never gotten the impression that she’d allow drugs to be filtered through the club and hoped like hell she had no idea that was what was going on now. Of all the clubs in New Orleans, Sinful had seemed like the most decent one. If Bailey was in on it, that was going to be a real blow to the dancers who worked there.
Leaning back in my chair, I eyed a new dancer who took the stage. She was svelte and worked the pole like a damned Cirque du Soleil performer. Impressive.
Five minutes later, I had my Moscow Mule in my hand and my eyes glued to the incredible dancer when a sickly-sweet voice whispered in my ear, “Hi there, sexy. Ready for your lap dance?”
I glanced over at the stripper who was wearing a tiny see-through mesh skirt and a matching bra that did nothing to hide her assets. I blinked. “Lap dance?”
“Sure, sugar,” she said with a purr. “You were told to ask for me, right?”
“Oh, sorry. Yes. Lap dance. I’m ready,” I said, finally catching on. This was clearly all part of the transaction. I put my drink on the table just to the left of my chair and added, “Bring it on.”
She giggled and ran her finger lightly down my neck. “No worries. You’re not the first client to get confused. Just relax and enjoy the show. Before it’s over, you’ll have what you came for.”
“Perfect.”
I sat with my hands resting on the arms of the chair as she did a slow seductive dance, making a show of removing her top. Her breasts spilled out and she cupped them, bending in closer to give me a bird’s-eye view. Then, before I knew it, she turned around and stuck her ass right in my face as she shimmied a little. Then her bottoms came off, leaving her in a barely-there bright pink G-string. When she removed her skirt, a tiny package came out of nowhere and landed in my lap. I quickly reached for it as she glanced back, winked, and put one finger to her lips. I clutched the plastic-wrapped tin and quickly shoved it into my pocket.
Luscious continued her dance, repeating many of the same moves, and when the song ended, she leaned down and kissed me on the cheek. “You’ll need to pay me now for my… services.”
“Right.” I tucked a couple of large bills into the elastic of her G-string and added a few smaller ones for the dance. She had worked for it after all.
Her eyes glittered as she smiled at me. “Have a great night and come back and see me anytime.”
“Sure.” I picked up my drink and watched her strut across the club. I was just about to get up and walk out when another woman, dressed in a white fur-lined bra and panty set, appeared from the back.
Was that… Iris? She walked a few more feet toward the bar and stepped right into the soft glow of the light. Damn, it was Iris. Hadn’t she said she was a burlesque dancer? Had that been a lie? Or did she do both?
Almost immediately, a tall, shaggy-haired vampire whom I recognized as Strix appeared behind her and grabbed her around the waist. She turned and tried to playfully swat him away, but he tightened his hold on her and bent to say something in her ear. Her expression went from amused to pissed in two seconds flat. Then they started arguing. She had her hands on her hips and was yelling at him while he towered over her. The next thing I knew, Iris had a drink in her hand and threw it right in the vampire’s face. He sputtered, and his voice rose over the music as he let out a string of obscenities. He bared his fangs, and his body was vibrating with tension.
She glared at him, almost daring him to touch her again.
Strix reached for her, but the club’s bouncers had arrived and were escorting him to the other side of the room. She stood back, a fierce look of determination on her face as she watched them haul Strix into a VIP area. Strix must’ve been a regular who spent a shit ton of money, because anyone else would’ve been tossed out on his ass.
I jumped up and strode over to where she was now sitting on a stool, resting her head in her hands.
“Iris?”
She jerked her head up, startled. “How do you know my name?”
I gave her a gentle smile. “I’m Phoebe. Dax’s friend.”
“Oh.” She looked me up and down and frowned. “Why are you dressed like that?”
“It’s a long story. I just saw what happened with Strix. Are you all right?”
She sucked in a sharp breath. “No. Not at all. I’ve never seen him react like that before.”
“Are you two dating?”
“Not anymore.”
Jackpot. She was the in we needed to find out more about Strix and where he was getting his stash. “Want to go somewhere and talk?”
She nodded. “I’m supposed to be dancing in a few minutes.”
“I’ll take care of it,” I said and made my way to the end of the bar where the manager was helping the bartender mix drinks.
“Well, hello again.” She gave me her full attention. “Did you change your mind about that date?”
I played along and leaned in with a smile. “I’d love to, but my boyfriend probably wouldn’t like it too much.”
She gave me a half shrug as she flashed a wicked grin. “It’s just girls’ night.”
I chuckled and shook my head, amused. She was fun. “If I played for your team, I’d absolutely be interested in a girls’ night. As it is, I’m pretty attached to the man and his… ah talents.”
“I bet you are,” she said, still smiling. “My loss. So, if it isn’t a date you’re looking for, what can I do for you? Another drink?”
I shook my head then gestured to Iris. “I was hoping you wouldn’t mind if Iris took the rest of the night off. She’s pretty shaken after what just happened with her ex, and I’d like to take her home. I think she could use a little space.”
All of the amusement disappeared from Bailey’s face and was replaced with disgust as she glanced at the VIP room. “I wish like hell that vampire would just stick to the other clubs he frequents. He’s always causing trouble.” She glanced back at me. “Sure. Get her out of here and I’ll talk to the owner… again. The last thing I want in this club is for my girls to be harassed by dickless exes.”
“Thanks,” I said and squeezed her hand.
She tightened her grip on mine for a couple of beats while she held my gaze. Then she let go and winked. “If you get tired of your dude’s junk, come find me. I’ll make it worth your while.”
I was certain she would. But as attractive as she was, she didn’t have anything on Dax. “If anything changes, you’ll be the first to know.”
She was still chuckling over the exchange as I made my way back to Iris. Her eyes were red, but they were dry and there wasn’t a tear in sight. “Okay. All cleared,” I said. “Are you ready?”
“I just need to change.” She slid off the stool and headed toward the employees-only door. I followed. There was no way I was letting her out of my sight. Vampires like Strix were
n’t known for backing down when they were pissed off. As far as I knew, he could have found a way to slip into the back and was already waiting for her.
The small hallway was painted black and illuminated with soft red lighting. Off to the right was a small dressing room where she quickly changed into a skirt that hit at midthigh and a regular T-shirt. Except for the pounds of makeup she still had camouflaging her face, she looked just like every other coed in town.
“Okay,” she said. “Where to?”
“My place.” I quickly led the way back out to the street.
The moment we emerged, Leo was beside me. He opened his mouth to say something, but then his gaze landed on Iris and he promptly closed it.
“Iris is coming with us back to my place,” I said. “She hasn’t had the best night.”
Leo twisted his head in the direction of the club, then fixed his gaze on Iris. “What were you… I mean, were you on a date or something?”
She shook her head. “Just trying to pick up some extra rent money. Things have been a little tight lately.”
Both of his eyebrows shot up, and she rolled her eyes.
“It’s just a job, Leo,” she said sharply. “You don’t need to act like I was whoring myself out. I dance. People pay me. It isn’t that much different than burlesque.”
Leo raised both hands. “I didn’t say a word.”
“You didn’t have to.” She turned her back to him.
Leo and I shared a glance. He shook his head and pointed back at the club then at Iris as he mouthed Intel?
I nodded, pleased he’d already caught on. “I’ll tell you when we get to my place.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and nodded as we quickly headed back to the Charger.
16
“Have a seat,” I said, gesturing to the table just off the kitchen as I pulled the fridge door open. We were back at the Greek Revival townhome I shared with Willow and Tal and their wolf-shifting shih tzu, Link.
Leo and Iris both sat at the table while I reached down and picked up the small dog at my feet. He snuggled into my arms and rested his head on my shoulder, staring up at me with adoring eyes. I scratched the pup behind his ears, gave him a kiss on the head, and then set him back on the floor. He pressed his little body against my leg and waited.
