Page 46 of All Bets Are Off

“They want to go to the Excalibur out on the highway,” she continued.

I was familiar with the bar. It was one of the most popular strip clubs in the city. They’d purposely located it outside the city limits so they wouldn’t have to worry about cops regularly crawling up their backsides. The cops knew what was going on out at the club but as long as kids and wives were nowhere near it, they pretended they were unaware.

“Is something happening at the Excalibur that I should know about?” I asked.

“Oh, so many awesome things,” Rex drawled.

I pinned him with a dirty look before continuing. “What’s the problem?”

“The problem is that the dancers are threatening to go on strike,” Jackie replied. “They’ve managed to mobilize all the dancers—we’re talking every club—and they’re picketing up and down the strip.”

That was one of the disadvantages of literally living where I worked. The casino had everything I needed, to the point where there were times when I didn’t leave for days. That often limited the gossip I heard. “I didn’t realize.”

“My whales come here to gamble and have fun,” Jackie explained. “They love the Excalibur. Except … there are no dancers tonight.”

“Just tonight?”

Jackie held out her hands and shrugged. “I honestly don’t know.”

“Do you know who is in charge of the group?” I asked. “Like … they must have one central organization person. Maybe I can talk to him or her and see what the plan is.”

“I’m not sure who that is.” The way Jackie’s lips quirked told me that she wasn’t done. “I do know, however, someone who has been seen hanging out with them. Someone with ties to Stone Group.”

“One of our people is helping the dancers?” That was ludicrous. There was no way. “Who would be dumb enough to do that?”

“I believe you’re currently married to her.” Jackie tried to feign innocence, but I knew better. She was enjoying this far too much.

Slowly, I tracked my eyes to Rex. “Did you know your sister was helping the dancers?”

“Oh, why are you giving me that look?” Rex complained. “You’re the one who is married to her.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to remind him it was a fake marriage. That wasn’t the heart of the problem though. On a sigh, I briefly closed my eyes. “Where are they currently picketing?”

“They move around,” Jackie replied. “They’re in front of the Eiffel Tower right now, though.”

“So … close.”

Jackie nodded. “It seems you married a feisty one,” she teased.

“Yes, that’s exactly the word I was searching for,” I agreed dryly. “She’sfeisty. She’s not at all a pain in the ass.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” Rex asked when I started for the door.

I shook my head. “No. You need to stay here and watch this place. That’s your job. I’ll handle your sister.”

“Ah, famous last words.” Rex looked far too amused.

“You don’t think I can handle her?” I challenged.

“Nope. I think you’re in over your head.”

I wouldn’t say it out loud, but that was exactly what I was afraid of.

11

ELEVEN

Halley was fun to be around. So were the other dancers. I’d never given it much thought really. Exotic dancers were simply part of the deal in Las Vegas. I wasn’t proud to admit I often walked past them—and the showgirls who posed for photos on the sidewalks outside the casinos—and pretended they didn’t exist.

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