Page 21 of Rex

“Agreed. One small problem, though. Chubs and the club are unaware of the women spending the night at the clubhouse,” I answer in a careful tone.

“That’s ayouproblem. You two need to talk with the women and decide how you want to handle this. I won’t say anything either way you four choose to handle things, but something needs to happen before others end up in a worse situation,” Candy explains. “I’ve spent some time in the evenings lately at Club Ace and haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary, so they may have moved on to another club.”

“Or they’re targeting a specific look or age. If it’s some guys looking for an easy lay, they won’t be hard to spot. Traffickers are usually looking for a specific type of female or victim. With what Reeves just told me about that night, we weren’t the targets. We got the wrong drinks and now have no idea of who the targets might have been,” I answer.

“Aren’t you the tech genius?” Candy asks with a lifted eyebrow.

“Yeah,” I respond, but it’s almost a question.

“Can’t you put those skills to use by hacking into Club Ace’s security system or the CCTV cameras outside?” Candy asks with both eyebrows now raised.

Well, now, I feel like anything but a genius.

“Yeah, I can, and I’ll get on that,” I mumble, ashamed I hadn’t already thought to do that.

“Good looking out, Candy. While he does that, can I take you out for lunch?” Reeves asks with his most charming smile in place.

Candy stares at Reeves for a moment before ignoring his question and turning back to me.

“If you need help getting Lisa and Aria together with you two for your talk, let me know. I’ll make it happen. Also, those two are planning on hitting the town Friday night. I invited myself to go with them, and I’ll keep an eye out for trouble,” Candy states before standing. “Don’t wait on that talk.”

“I’ll try to set it up with them for tonight, and thanks, Candy, for inviting yourself to look out for them. One other little thing you might be able to help with,” I inform her and notice I have her full attention. “Craig—”

“Sorry, Rex,” Candy interrupts me and then grins. “That’s another one of thoseyouproblems I’m not getting involved in. Have a nice day, gentlemen.”

Candy walks out of the office and then the building. When the main door closes out front, I turn and grin at the look on Reeves’ face.

“You’re losing your charm and good looks, Reeves. She didn’t even bother to answer you,” I say in a gloating manner.

“What the hell? I’m not sure any female has ever ignored me as well as she just did,” Reeves answers.

“I’m sure lots of them have, and you just choose to forget,” I reply.

“Maybe I should be the one to set up the meeting with the women. You know, since Aria won’t speak to you,” Reeves suggests and winks before he walks out of the office.

I’m not gloating anymore.

Chapter 6

Aria

“Dr. Zanetti?”

“It’s Aria, Megan. You don’t have to call me doctor,” I say for the 100thtime.

“Okay, yeah. Um, well, anyway, you have a lady up front who has asked to speak with you. She told the receptionist that it isn’t dental-related, though. Do you want me to put her in your office?”

Looking up from my patient’s mouth, I nod before returning to the cavity I’m filling. I’m minutes away from being done, so whoever my mystery visitor is, they can wait.

When I finish, I chat with my patient for a moment before stripping off my gloves and pulling off my mask. Tossing them in the garbage, I wash my hands and dry them as I walk to my office. Walking in, I grin immediately.

Lisa is bent over a side table with several models of human teeth with various issues. She’s very carefully examining them, so I take a seat behind my desk and clear my throat. Turning her head, Lisa sets the model she was holding down and grins.

“You set these out just to scare people, don’t you?” she asks while plopping down in a chair.

“Well, yeah. I sometimes make little kids use them as building blocks in hopes it scares them into brushing more and longer,” I state.

“That’s evil. Dentists are evil. They’re like physical therapists. I swear both those professions are a little sadistic and secretly enjoy the pain of their victims. I mean patients,” Lisa declares before laughing.

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