Page 144 of Square Deal

Cruelty would have been ignoring my limits.

Hannah Jane changed me. I could admit at least that. Love was real. I knew that now. I loved her as much as I could. But, at the end of the day, love just wasn’t enough.

The stripper who had a name that started with “C” giggled and rocked her pussy against my nonexistent erection. “I didn’t peg you as one of the shy ones, Mr. Lawson. Just relax. I’ll show you a good time.”

I looked over at the glass of mediocre whiskey on the table next to me. “I’m a little jet lagged, baby.”

There was a reason I never called Hannahbabyafter we got together. That’s what I called women who I paid to entertain me.

“Why didn’t you say so?” She settled on my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. “You seem like you just need someone to talk to,” she said as she twirled a strand of my hair around her finger. “What’s on your mind, handsome?”

There was a commotion outside the door to the VIP room that caught my attention.

Celena—I think it was Celena—trailed her fingers down my jaw. “Security will take care of whatever it is.” She took my hand and slid it up her thigh to rest on her ass. “Why don’t we get to know each other while you finish your drink?” she suggested, handing me the glass. I tossed it back and swallowed it down. She traced her fingertip along the lines on my neck. “I love a man in a suit.”

My head spun.

“Tell me,” she said, fishing for something to latch on for conversation while we ran out the clock. “Tits or ass?”

I chuckled darkly. “Why choose when you can have both?” I winked. “You do.”

The scuffle outside grew louder, but my head was swimming with alcohol. Cindy was trying her best to ride a hard-on that wasn’t there. I’d tip her well for that. I appreciated people who worked hard.

The door flew open. Cathy was startled. But when she saw three more men come in, dollar signs popped up in her eyes.

“Gentleman,” she smiled, tossing her fake extensions over her shoulder. “We were just finishing up in here, but I can rally up a few more ladies if you’re looking for a good time.”

Steve, arms crossed, wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Smells like stale farts and bad nachos in here.”

I couldn’t tell if he was homicidal or just pissed off behind the beard.

Chase shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I don’t mind it.”

Steve smacked him upside the head.

“Mr. Lawson will be leaving now,” Luca snapped.

Wait. What? No, I wasn’t.

“Is he paid up?” Luca asked, sounding somewhat annoyed.

Cecilia reluctantly slid off my lap. “Everything is pay before you play.” She eyed Luca. “Anything I can do for you, handsome?”

He flashed his wedding band.What a chump.

Luca glared at me and jerked his head toward the naked lady in the middle of the room. “Tip the lady.Well.”

Steve raised an eyebrow. “You for real, DeRossi?”

Luca leveled a look at Steve. “That’s how this works. This is her job. Haven’t you been to a strip club before?”

He shrugged and shook his head.

I pulled out a wad of Benjamins and dropped them on the table beside my empty glass. I wasn’t one to stuff bills in a dancer’s G-string.

Chase pressed his fist to his mouth and let out a quiet, “Damn.”

I rolled my eyes and buttoned my suit jacket. “I’d rather get picked up by the mob than you three,” I slurred. “Who the hell told you where I was?”

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