Page 44 of The Perfect Stranger

“The club.”

He threw a sideways glance at me before turning back to the road.

“You wanna stop for a lap dance?”

“No, I don’t want to stop for a lap dance. I will need five minutes at the most.”

“Straight shooter.”

I ignored the jibe. I didn’t need him off-side, and I certainly didn’t need him reporting his suspicions.

Ten minutes of silence later, Anton stopped the SUV at the club’s entrance. Blood stains still remained on the ground where Andrews had been shot. The two security recognized and greeted me when I walked in. One frowned slightly at my presence, minus Gabriel, but said nothing. I followed the path down the hall bypassing the strippers already in full swing for their morning clients and spoke to Clara, the hostess.

While warm and friendly, she was confused to see me there alone.

“Welcome back, Mr. Suárez. How can we be of service to you today?”

“I’m here to see Ana.”

“Is Gabriel also joining us?”

“Maybe later.”

“Oh, right. Well, come with me. She has a client in ten minutes. I can push him back if you like?”

“No need,” I assured. “I’ll only be five minutes.”

She giggled lightly, and I realized then how my meager ‘five minutes’ would have sounded to her experienced ears. We approached the entrance to the wing containing the ‘show’ rooms. The entry door was locked and guarded by the biggest of the security. I couldn’t make a scene. I needed everyone to think it was business as usual.

The hostess gestured to the room Ana danced in and left me to it. The room was dark, but I found my way down to the chair and waited. Having been alerted to my presence and the expected client, Ana wasted no time.

Taking my hand, she led me into the glass box before greeting me.

“You’re back!”

Her face was freshly made up and the dress she worse had a split all the way to her bronzed hip.

“You look gorgeous,” I smiled warmly.

Under the warmth of the soft lights, she blushed. “Thank you.”

“I’ve been thinking about what you said. Were you serious yesterday about helping?”

“Of course.” Her eyes came alight with opportunity. Opportunity to see the Santos family brought to their knees. She was no supporter, years of witnessing and receiving abuse had taken its toll.

Retrieving a burner cell from my pocket, I held it out. “I don’t want you to do anything that puts you in danger, Ana. All I want is for you to contact me whenever you hear word that Luis Santos is heading back to the club, or when he requests you to join him.”

“What will you do?” She took the cell and gripped it tight.

“I’m going to end him so everyone else can start living.”

The docks were heaving with activity. Containers were being loaded, everything from small tugboats to container ships were being piled high with produce ready to hit the open seas. Some would be making a path to Asia, others to the States.

“Over there.” Anton pointed to where boxes of dragon fruit filled with cocaine awaited. I scanned the crowd of workers all focused on their tasks so they could make their breaks and shipping deadlines. I was still playing it safe, determining that this could be my first real test by Gabriel to prove my allegiance. Then again, it could also be a way of stinging me if shit went south.

“Can I help you?” a thick accent greeted me belonging to a sweaty, overall-wearing man.

“I’m here to check the shipment before it’s loaded.”

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