by Kylie Parker
Chapter Four
The abrupt ending of his short conversation with Anna disappointed Jimmy, but Saturday night would be all about celebrating with his partners. At last, he was worry-free, although the news of the armored truck heist was in the front page of every newspaper in the state. He was positive that they had executed everything to perfection. Martin and Nicolas would leave for San Antonio the next day. They were planning on going on a long vacation to the Caribbean, but before they did that, they all wanted to pay one last visit to “Pink Lace”, a strip club in the nearby town of University Park. It was much smaller and usually was less crowded than the clubs in Dallas, ideal for a good, long night of fun.
They got there, some time before midnight. The big sign in fancy, fuchsia letters on the door looked promising:
“Just for tonight, all the way from Prague, Silvia, the Czech sensation!”
The sexy music playing from the multiple speakers and the very few, green and blue lights greeted the three men. Jimmy, Martin and Nicolas sat at the table closest to the stage and to the right and ordered drinks. This time, Jimmy Holden did seem to share his partners’ enthusiasm, but they paid no attention to him and for good reason. “Pink Lace” might have been located in a small town but the women working there were beautiful and very good at their job. Their sensual performances made their jaws drop. Even Jimmy, who wasn’t so easily impressed, soon fixed his gaze on the stage and couldn’t wait to watch the rest of the show. Twenty minutes after their arrival, a gorgeous, voluptuous redhead emerged, in a skimpy, scarlet dress.
“Oh, no!” Nicolas exclaimed. “That’s got to be Jessica Rabbit!”
“Her dress was longer.” Martin remarked, while Jimmy laughed at his friends.
“I’m waiting for the main event. Something tells me she’s special.” He chuckled. Jimmy let his eyes roam. A waiter was coming their way. He raised his right arm in the air. The waiter approached their table and bent towards Jimmy:
“Hey. The sign on the door says something about a girl named Silvia. Has she performed yet?” He asked in a loud tone.
“No, sir. She always performs at midnight and only once. Why?” The waiter replied.
“Why’s that?”
“She’s quite expensive.” The waiter’s last sentence didn’t come as a surprise. A few strippers had come up with clever ways to make a little extra money. He checked the clock on his cell phone. It was almost midnight, as the redhead finished her sexy dance.
“And now, the moment you gentlemen have been waiting for! Put your hands together for Silvia!” A hoarse voice with a southern accent announced on the speakers. The small crowd welcomed the so-called sensation with a quite loud round of applause, long whistles and yee-has, as “Crazy”, the famous ballad by Aerosmith started playing from the speakers. Indeed, Silvia was a sight for sore eyes. Not so tall, but wearing 4-inch high heels, a golden thong and a matching bra. She also wore a blonde wig and mirror sunglasses. Her curvaceous figure got Jimmy’s attention immediately. He couldn’t stop staring at her. Martin threw a 20-dollar bill on the stage, close to her. Silvia put her hand on the right handle of her eyeglasses frame and lowered her glasses, slowly sitting on her knees, with her free hand on the pole on her left. An orange beam of light lit up her eyes. Their light-green color shocked Jimmy. He opened his mouth wide in disbelief. It was then that Jimmy realized that Silvia was not really from the Czech Republic. She was a small-town girl called Anna Reigns…
“Holy shit…” He hummed. Jimmy turned his head to the right, looking for the waiter he had spoken to earlier. He had not gone far. He was taking an order from the adjacent table.
“Hey!” He yelled, curling his index finger. The waiter returned to his table in a hurry.
“You said she’s expensive!” Jimmy yelled in his ear. “How much is a private dance with her?”
“Five hundred dollars, sir. And she has a ‘no touching’ rule.” The waiter replied. Jimmy didn’t think twice. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a large wad of one hundred-dollar bills. He counted five and handed the money over to the waiter.
“Here. Take me to the private room.” Jimmy continued.
“Thank you, sir. Follow me.” The waiter said. Jimmy rose from his seat and winked at Martin. Nicolas couldn’t take his eyes off of Anna, but Jimmy would not look. Following the waiter, he heard a number of crude comments on Anna’s appearance, but he was way too excited to bother. Incredibly, Andy’s sister had a big secret and he couldn’t wait for her private performance. The mere thought of seeing her naked drove his senses wild. But Anna had many questions to answer first.
The waiter led Jimmy to a dark room with a big, brown, leather couch. He dimmed the lights on his way out. Jimmy’s heart was pounding in his chest. In a matter of seconds, Anna would join him. He heaved a big sigh, before lying back, assuming a relaxed posture. His manhood twitched, as he imagined her naked body, filling his mind with all kinds of dirty thoughts. Jimmy was so eager to enjoy her performance that he kept tapping his fingers on the cushions.
“I hope you’re ready for me...” Anna’s voice echoed in the small corridor that led to the room. She had even assumed a fake accent. But Jimmy could not be fooled. As soon as he heard the sound of her heels on the marble floor, he jumped up, sprinted across the room and hid behind the door. Anna stepped into the room and stopped three feet away from the door. Jimmy slammed it behind her, before grabbing Anna by the wrist. He dragged her to the right. Jimmy pushed her back and pinned her against the wall. To his surprise, Anna didn’t make a sound. His stiff muscles loosened, as his imprisoning arms slid down the wall to finally rest on her shoulders.
“Teacher by day, stripper by night.” He whispered, with a smug smile on his face.
“Jimmy Holden. Why am I not surprised?” She wondered, pushing him back. Anna watched his smugness evaporate in her confidence.
“I met a sweet girl this morning. Have you seen her by any chance?” He asked.
“I met a refined gentleman this morning, too. Where is he?” Her question only puzzled him more.
“I don’t know what your brother told you about me, but I’m not a refined gentleman.” Jimmy confessed. “Just how the hell did you end up here? Don’t tell me you’re doing this for the fundraiser.”
“I’m not.” Anna shook her head sideways. “I thought you knew about my brother’s gambling. He’s neck-deep in debt.”
“And you’re here to help him out?” Jimmy’s smug smile reappeared. “What are you, Anna? A teacher, a stripper or a Samaritan?”
“Do you have any siblings?” She interjected the question that Jimmy had been dreading.
“I did.” He said with a deep sigh, running his hand through his hair. “I had a twin brother. But that was a long time ago.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Anna got apologetic. “But I’m guessing you loved him. Is it me or did you get… upset this morning when I told you about the fundraiser?”
“It’s not you.” Jimmy reassured her. “I grew up in an orphanage. Of course I loved my brother.”
“Then you understand why I’m doing this.” She stated.
“I don’t get it. You moved in because your brother’s in debt? Where have you been all this time?”
“I was a teacher in Chicago, but I got a job here.” Anna muttered.
“And why did you become a stripper? Do you like the attention?” Jimmy’s last question insulted her.
“Is that what you think about strippers?” Her voice got high-pitched.
“I’ve met a few of them, sweetheart. Yeah, some of them love the attention. I just didn’t know if you were one of them.” Jimmy smirked at her.
“Some, not all.” Anna couldn’t hide her anger. “Take a seat.”
“No…” Jimmy whispered, taking one step closer to her. Once again, he grabbed her by the wrists and pushed her back. This time though, he was much gentler. He slid his hands up her arms, looking right into her eyes. They reached her should
ers. He squeezed her flesh once, before running his thumbs across the fragile line of her collarbone.
“Jimmy, what are you doing?” She squinted at him, her voice shaking. “I thought you wanted me to dance for you.”
“You can keep the money…” One more, soft whisper escaped him, as he bent his head towards her. His eyes scanned her beautiful face. He couldn’t resist the temptation anymore. Jimmy pressed his lips against her mouth. Anna was stunned to stillness. He used his fingers to caress her neck. She would not fight him. In fact, just a few seconds later, Anna returned the kiss. With her hot breath on his skin, Jimmy cupped her face in both of his hands, as she ran her fingers through his hair. Her move sent his pulse rising.
“I just wanted to kiss you.” He whispered in her mouth, before slowly leaning back. “Goodnight…” Jimmy’s tender kiss had left Anna breathless. Unable to utter a word, she opened her eyes, as he hurriedly left the room. Jimmy strode out of it, with a faint smile on his face, but his heart was still racing. If anything, he got her curious. It wasn’t every day that a customer paid $500 for a single kiss. For the first time in his life though, Jimmy wasn’t worried about money. It could have cost him ten times that, but he would still pay it. Anna was not a typical school teacher and he loved that. Jimmy Holden discovered that he was attracted to her. Anna’s attitude was unusual. She was a lot more than he first thought.
“I think I’m going to like Highland Park. Who would have thought that the Czech sensation is Andy’s sister? I sure wouldn’t. I want to see her again. I’m saying ‘goodbye’ to those two hoodlums and I’m staying right here. Damn it, Andy. Did you have to be such a degenerate gambler? And I’m sure she’s hiding something. She wouldn’t say why she does this and she sure as hell looks like she’s been doing it for a while. She wouldn’t be so expensive if she was just a rookie.”
Chapter Five
Jimmy kept his mouth shut about Anna that night and the following day. There was no way that he would discuss something so delicate with his partners. At the same time, he kept asking himself the same two questions: Just how much money Andy owed and who he owed it to.
Martin and Nicolas were soon on their way to San Antonio. It wasn’t a tearful goodbye by any means. Jimmy wished he didn’t have to see them anytime soon. Despite their annoying attitude, they were loyal to him and he knew that they would come to his aid whenever he needed them, but he didn’t need help to conquer Anna, or so he thought. The fundraiser would be a good chance for him to see her again. More importantly, Andy would not be there. He had not known him for long, but he had a feeling that Anna’s brother would not like it if he saw him flirting with her. Jimmy dressed up and went to the fundraiser that night, in eager anticipation of seeing Anna again. Of course, such a public place was not suitable for courtship, but he wanted to be close to her nonetheless.
The massive front lawn next to the equally large school yard was full of people and especially, children. Dozens of banners and flags of almost every color imaginable decorated the aging building, while a small podium with a microphone was placed at the end of the stone pathway. Parents and grandparents were in a quite festive mood, talking to each other and laughing out loud at times. Jimmy scanned the place. He was the only one who had gone there alone. Anna was chatting with a few other women next to that podium. He chose not to bother her for the time being. Jimmy turned his back to her and preferred to gaze at the road on his right.
A few minutes after his arrival, a massive, black SUV showed up. Its driver parked it on the left side of the road and stepped out of it. He was really tall, taller than Jimmy himself, but rather scrawny. The man in question had a dark-brown suit on. He folded his arms across his chest, as he leaned his back on the right side of his car, assuming a lazy posture. Jimmy had seen enough cops in his life. He could make no mistake. However, much to his surprise, he was not there for him. He had fixed his gaze on someone in the yard. Jimmy turned his head to the left. For some reason, Anna was staring at him. Before he could do anything, she began to walk towards him, fast.
“Good evening.” She said with a grin. “Am I talking to the refined gentleman or the guy from last night?”
“Hey, Anna.” He returned the smile. “Like I said, I’m anything but refined. Who’s the cop?”
“How do you know he’s a cop?” Anna got curious.
“Macho SUV, cheap suit.” Jimmy laughed. “It’s not that hard to tell. Do you know him?” He asked, sipping some wine.
“I have a restraining order against him.” She confessed. Jimmy’s surprise was so big that wine came out of his nose.
“Jesus!” He exclaimed. “A restraining order against a cop? What did he do? Shoot you?”
“It’s a long story. Anyway, I need to ask you a favor.” She spoke in a small, hesitant voice.
“What is it?”
“Can you pretend to be my date?” Anna requested. “I just want him to see that I’ve moved on. Maybe he’ll get it through his thick skull that we’re over.”
“On one condition.” Jimmy brought his index closer to his face.
“What’s that?”
“That you’ll tell me why you got that restraining order against him.” He added.
“Ok.” She nodded.
“Walk with me.” He urged. The look in Anna’s eyes changed. She did not seem worried anymore and would not risk another glance at the cop. Jimmy did not like the idea of having to talk to a bunch of strangers. He was only interested in Anna. He did not like the noise that the children made either, but adults can be very nosy.
Anna completely ignored the several groups of people who were gathered close to the entrance on the left, much to his pleasure. The two of them entered the school building and went to the right. Heading towards the last room straight across from them, Jimmy felt his pulse rising once again. He didn’t know what Anna had in mind, but he wouldn’t ask. A desk was in the upper left corner of the room.
“Thanks a lot for tonight.” Anna said in her sweet voice.
“You still haven’t answered my question.” Jimmy complained. “What happened between you two?”
“Well, first of all, he’s not just a cop. He’s an FBI agent.” Anna stated, but Jimmy was not impressed.
“Whatever...” He mumbled.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to talk about it. It still hurts.” All of a sudden, her voice got thick with emotion. “You can go if you like. You must think I used you.”
“Nah, forget about it.” Jimmy did think that she used him, but he did not want to force the issue. After all, he was all alone with her again, far from indiscreet eyes. Anna shut the door behind her. She then looked up at him, with a toothy smile on her face. Jimmy tried to verbalize, but she didn’t give him the chance. In a split second, her hands were on his broad chest. This time, it was Anna that kissed him. It was a brief, but demanding kiss.
“What was that?” He wondered.
“Payment.” She winked at him, leaning back. “This one’s free.”
“Last night was…”
“Strange.” Anna finished his sentence. “I mean, there you were, prying into my life, laughing at me. Next thing I knew, you kissed me. Why?”
“Do you want me to spill it out for you?” He teased her.
“Who are you, Mr. Holden?” She wouldn’t let up. “Andy said that you were here because you wanted to buy land, but you never did. What do you do? Are you a realtor? An investor, maybe?”
“I work in real estate.” Jimmy claimed. “I like Highland Park.”
“Which part?” Her persistence frustrated him, but Jimmy had the right answer.
“I’m looking at it.” He said with a smile. Things were going better and better for Jimmy, but their moment did not last. A loud, banging noise rocked Anna’s office. Before Jimmy knew it, he was lying on the floor, face down. Someone had kicked down the door. Anna’s stomach chilled with fear.
“What the hell are you doing here, you little slut?” Jimmy heard a deep, mal
e voice.
“Ben!” Anna cried, as Jimmy looked up at the man, over his left shoulder. It was the cop he had seen earlier. He was furious, clenching his fists, glaring down at a terrified Anna, breathing heavily. Jimmy wiped the small amount of blood on the edge of his mouth.
“You’ve just made a big mistake…” He grumbled, putting his hands on the floor to support his weight. Jimmy bounced back up, flipped around and faced him.
“You get the hell out of here, Mr. This is none of your business.” Ben urged, turning his gaze on Jimmy.
“The blood on my mouth says it is.” He disagreed, as he eyes lit with rage, right before grabbing the cop by the collar of his shirt. Jimmy spun him around once and threw him at the library that lay on the left. Ben’s body shattered the glass. Several big shards of glass landed next to him. Two, smaller ones pierced the skin of his forehead and his left cheek. Jimmy was too upset to stop. Just when he started towards the battered cop though, Anna’s voice forced him to stop.
“Jimmy, please don’t!” She begged. “I think he got his lesson!”
“I’m going to sue your ass for assault.” Jimmy threatened him. “The lady’s my witness. You’re going down, motherfucker.”
He stormed out of Anna’s office, wishing that he didn’t need to do that. Regardless of his past with Anna, Ben was still a federal agent. However, he felt the urgency to protect her and himself from him and he would not sit back and watch him abuse her like that. On his way out of the building, he came across several people who had heard the commotion. Jimmy needed some fresh air. Only the children were there when he got outside. He leaned his back against the wall on the right, licking the small wound on his lips.
“Son of a bitch…” He said to himself, trying to catch his breath, with adrenaline rushing through his veins.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Anna said, joining him.
“Are you serious?” His voice got high-pitched. “That son of a bitch just destroyed your door and called you a slut, for God’s sake! What about that restraining order? Isn’t it valid here?”
