Page 112 of Forbidden Need

“I asked the guys to take me to—”

“You’re coming here, to the club. I want you here for the rest of the day.”

“Why?” she asked with creeping suspicion. “Baby?”

“Questioning me?”

Her eyes closed. “No, I would like to see Strat though. Could I try Jagg’s before—”

“He’s in the basement.”

That opened her eyes fast. “He’s—Strat? Strat’s in the basement? Stag’s basement? Baby—”

“Guy knows how to pick his battles. You can talk to him here. Work from here. I don’t want you on the streets.”

He’d have his reasons. Trust not only came easily, it comforted her too. Even without knowing all the details, she didn’t doubt her guy’s intentions.

“Any chance you’ll get a break for dinner?”

“I’ll find something to eat.”

Her smile quirked. “I can bring something to you.”

“Good girl.”

The line disconnected and her eyes closed again. Stag. Fine with her. But Strat? Oh, this may not end well.

THIRTY-EIGHT

“THIS’LL SHAKE the jungle,” Hock said as they descended Stag’s stairs to the basement.

“What?”

“Women only come down here when the boss is done with them.”

“Or he’s passed.”

“Or that.”

Leaving the stairs, they entered the basement’s square hallway. “I’ve been down here before,” she said.

Daly apparently remembered. “The only woman who ever went left and came out alive.”

Snuff popped open the door to the right. “This is the boring room.”

She heard the TV and computer games before following them in. Pool balls ricocheted, but the dozens of voices dwindled until silence reigned.

“Subtle entrance.” That was a familiar voice. “You lost, Scamp?”

Men moved aside until her friend, seated in the far corner, in a Barca, just like he’d be at home, came into view.

“No, I’m here to see you, old man.” She started walking. “The rest of you, ignore me.”

Though there were whispers, no one had the balls to go back to their fun. She stopped in front of her friend. If he could still be called that.

“Talking to me?”

“You’ve got a room full of wise guys ready to take me out.”

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