Page 39 of Underground Prince

“This is about my hair,” I said, catching her by the shoulder. “Not about the nights. I’m good with that. Really good. Didn’t the guys tell you? Even curmudgeonly Jake liked me.”

The mention of that name had her changing her tune. “He’s anything but crabby. That takes into account a cranky old man who does nothing but mumble his annoyance into his chest and follow up his demands with spittle. This is also what I wanted to talk to you about. He had you alone?”

“I will discuss it all with you, anything you want, if we do it while you mess with my hair.”

“Scar—”

“I already have the base. Bleached blonde.”

“This is…”

“You can do anything with it. I’ll give you full control.”

“You sound high. You know that?”

I nodded eagerly. “‘Cause I’m excited.”

She pressed her lips together. “You’ll let me lecture you? Explain to you everything I’m thinking right now?”

“Absolutely.”

Silence. I didn’t break it. All I needed was a few more seconds, and then…

“Okay.”

“Yes!” I broke into a full-blown smile.

“But hair chalk,” Verily said, turning to her dresser. “That’s all you get.”

“Aw, Vare—”

“We’re trying it out, and if you like it in twenty-four hours, I’ll give you permanent. Deal?”

“Ugh. Fine.”

I sat on a stool in front of her vanity. She combed my hair before spinning me away from the mirror so I wouldn’t see the finished results until she was ready. I heard the ripping open of boxes, the crackle of her slipping on gloves, and the click of opening some such color, before she spoke behind me.

“Do you agree with me that Sax is dangerous?”

It was difficult to keep the exasperation out of my tone, until I remembered that she was truly worried about me. “Yes.”

“His family is worse.”

“Hmm?” I’d closed my eyes, succumbing to the lull as she pulled my hair and ran it through her fingers.

“His brother is violent. Into some really bad stuff.”

“Like what?”

“Drugs, for one. Some sort of shipper. He knows slimy people and is used to getting his way with them, never mind us. To think of you blipping on his radar…”

“Why would he clue in to me?” I asked. “I’m a waitress.”

“That family is extremely close.” Verily’s fingers paused. “Maybe not relationship-close, but they know the goings-on of each other. Sax is watched. Especially by those on his brother’s payroll. Jake is one of them.”

“And Sax keeps Jake around because…” I couldn’t picture Theo consenting to a monitor, unless there was some sort of benefit.

“Because Jake plays horribly.” Verily moved to my left side, coloring my strands there. Another lid clicked open. “And yet he keeps throwing more money into the pot. He’s great for the other players. Sax keeps an eye on him, mostly, but there’s a lot he has to keep in his sights. Which is why Jake was able to corner you.”

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