Page 112 of Vicious Little Games

I was able to get fifteen out of twenty fraternity guys to attend our fake reunion on such short notice, which was a small miracle. Daddy won’t be happy about all the airfares on his credit card, or the free rooms, but if we find Cole’s father then it’ll all be worth it.

Now, the hard part.

“Free lap dances for a DNA clinical trial? Seriously?” I ask Eli when I catch up to him in the front lobby Friday after getting his text. It’s my very last shift before Daddy and Vanessa come home.

“Hell, yes,” Eli replies smugly. “I told them it was for a very important ‘clinical trial’ to end erectile disfunction.”

“And you think that will actually work to convince them?”

“It already is working.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “No way.”

“Get a straight man drunk, offer him free titties in his face, and he'll do anything you fucking want. Especially to cure ED. We should have all the samples for you soon.”

“Wow. That’s…great.”

“The dancers are aware that DNA is for a paternity test, but not for whom. They're collecting and labeling each sample as they get them. And getting paid extra, obviously.”

“Thank you. I owe you one,” I tell him while throwing my arms around his neck.

“I didn’t take you for a hugger. Stop it before someone sends a photo to Dante.”

“Sorry. I’m just nervous,” I say with a forced smile when I release him.

“Do you know where you're going to send the samples yet?” he asks, straightening the sides of his suit jacket like I wrinkled the material in seconds.

“I’ve already spoken to a local testing facility that can have the results within twenty-four hours.”

“So maybe before the men leave on Sunday?”

Holding up my crossed fingers, I tell him, “That's the hope.”

“And they're going to be able to process this many samples over the weekend?” he asks in disbelief.

“For a small additional fee per sample that I’ve already promised them.”

“Paid for by Daddy's black card?” he guesses with a raised eyebrow.

“Of course. I didn't think he would mind.”

“Oh, Dante won’t mind. At least, not unless Vanessa minds.”

“Oh, shit. Vanessa,” I mutter, slapping my palm over my forehead. “Do you think I should’ve told her before doing all this?”

“Yes, you should have told her! How do you think she’s going to react to you tracking down Cole's daddy behind her back?”

“He may not even tell her. I don't even know if he'll want to meet him if he’s even one of the men in the group that showed up.”

“Cole will want to meet his father, Cass. But sure, leave telling Vanessa up to him.”

“She won't be angry with me, will she? I mean, Cole has been wondering who his father is for twenty-one years!”

“And you somehow pulled off the impossible in one weekend. If anything, Vanessa may be a little ticked about that.”

“I’m trying to stay optimistic, I am. But…what if Cole’s father is not here? This whole plan may be for nothing if he’s not one of those fifteen men.”

“It's not nothing. This is definitely something, Cass. And even if your plan doesn’t succeed, you should still tell Cole. Won’t you have to anyway in order to get his DNA sample?”

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