Page 96 of My Temptation

I didn’t have time to respond before she pushed open the door behind her and walked inside.

“Follow me.”

When I heard Samson’s voice, I turned to face him, but he was already walking. I was careful to take notice of my surroundings. Everything I saw could mean something, so I stayed hyper-aware.

We walked into another area, and the stage was directly in front of me. A young girl danced, but it was obvious by her expression that she wasn’t in the room in her mind. Her eyes were distant, and her movements sloppy, almost uncoordinated, which led me to believe she was on something.

She’d have to be to dance in a place like this.

Following Samson to the bar, I pretended I was adjusting my watch and pulled the small device from the band. This would be my only chance to plant it because I had my doubts he’d turn his back on me again. While I slid onto a stool at the corner of the bar, I reached out and wrapped my hand around the bar's edge, quickly sticking it underneath, while keeping my eyes on the stage. I wanted Samson to believe I was interested in the dancer, but in truth, I was scanning the tables near the stage. Several men in suits were sipping drinks from cocktail glasses, their eyes locked on the girl, completely unaware of everything around them. I had to admit this wasn’t what I expected, but nothing in this place seemed to be.

“What are you drinking?”

“Beer,” I replied and watched the bartender open the bottle before sliding it in front of me. I lifted it to my mouth and pretended to take a drink, but there was no way in hell I did. I didn’t trust that he hadn’t spiked the bottles back here, especially after seeing the dancer's state.

“She’s something special.”

I glanced toward him when he slid onto the barstool on the other side of the corner, essentially putting him across from me. “She’s young.”

“You don’t like the young ones?”

I shrugged, remembering what Nick told me about Samson’s possible plan of needing men. “They usually need a lot of work.”

“Depends on the girl.”

“That’s very true.” I tapped the edge of my bottle on the bar top. “Gotta admit, I thought there would be more dancers on stage back here.”

“We like to showcase one girl at a time.”

“For your buyers?”

He studied me closely, and I assumed he wouldn’t answer, so I was surprised when he started talking. “We have a reputation for the quality of girls in our organization. We don’t fuck around with what people want when they come to us to do business.”

I gestured to the girl dancing. “She looks strung out. Your buyers really like that?”

His eyes narrowed slightly, but I kept my expression neutral. I had a feeling I was pissing him off, but I was hoping he’d get angry enough to say something incriminating while defending his business. “She’s a filler while buyers wait for the next showcased girl to dance, but yes, some buyers do want a girl who likes to party.” His eyebrow lifted. “Heard your girl likes to party.”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

“She knows how much I’ll tolerate and doesn’t take it any further.”

“She got you here tonight,” he pointed out.

I jerked up my chin. “I’m here because I’m interested in your business, not because April persuaded me to come.”

“What’s an electrician from North Carolina know about my business?” he asked sarcastically.

I shrugged. “Well, just from what I’ve seen, you bring in young girls, train them to behave the way your buyers demand, and then sell them.” I lifted the bottle to my lips and pretended to drink. “How am I doing so far?”

“You're observant.”

“This isn’t my first experience.” I trailed off, hoping that would keep him wondering about me and talking. “What I haven’t figured out is how you find your buyers. Can’t exactly advertise what you have going on in here.”

“We have an extensive network.”

“Outside of Devil’s Lake?” I snorted, as if I thought that was impossible. I wanted to offend him, make him think I assumed he was a small fish in a big pond. I had a feeling insulting his abilities would get him to say shit he wouldn’t usually say.

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