Page 53 of Don't Lie To Me

“He won’t tell her.”

“He’s risking his job to keep this secret. I don’t know him all that well, and I know his job is important to him. How do you know we can trust him? If push comes to shove, what if he gives me up?”

His eyes come back to me with more determination. “You make sure he doesn’t. I saw the way he looked at you last night, you can manipulate him easily to do whatever you want. Use your charm to keep him on side with us.”

I blink back at him, I think in shock. Is he actually telling me to date the cop just so we can keep this a secret? “How the fuck am I supposed to continue on like nothing in my life has changed, when everything has?”

“You’re the strongest person I know, trouble. You will find a way.”

A bang sounds at the door. “Sloane, let me in,” comes Romeo’s booming voice, his patience obviously worn thin being kept in the dark.

I sigh heavily, not wanting to deal with his shit anymore tonight. He’s probably here to demand the date that he didn’t get to have because we were waiting for the police to arrive. I pull myself up to standing using my desk, and Onyx joins me. His arms wrap around me as he hugs me into his solid chest. The two of us stand together in silence as he holds me tightly, giving me everything I need right now, comfort only he can provide.

Romeo bangs again. “Sloane,” he calls, more desperate.

I huff out a breath then move out of Onyx’s hold on me, opening the door for Romeo.

He barrels through, looking like a raging bull on steroids. He collects his swipe card from my desk and pockets it. His dark eyes come to mine. “Time to tell me what the fuck is going on, doll face.”

Chapter 20

Istarehimdown,my eyes burning into his, feeling the tension between us thicken with each passing second. “Nothing for you to worry about, boss.” I sidestep him and move into my bathroom, throwing some water on my face. My head is foggy, and I feel like I’m about to hit the floor, but I’m not ready to go home. Tonight has been traumatic for all involved, and I know I need to go check on my girls and make sure everyone is okay.

I reapply my lipstick and fix my eye make-up then straighten my ponytail, catching my reflection in the mirror. I’m still the same girl I was this morning. But why do I feel so different now? So out of place in this club that has been my home for as long as I can remember.

From the doorway I catch sight of Romeo watching me. I turn back to face him, straightening my shoulders. “We should do the rounds, make sure things are in order,” I suggest.

“Good idea. Are you okay to walk on your own or do I need to assist you?” He raises a brow, his expression still serious.

“Fuck off, Romeo. I’m totally fine.”

“Keep lying to yourself, Sloane.” His eyes scan over me skeptically, but he doesn’t push it anymore. “Once we have done the rounds, the two of us are coming back in here and you’re going to tell me what you know about this missing girl.”

I roll my lips, not ready to tell him anything. Without a response, I stalk past him, and he follows me. The two of us walk back into the main bar with Onyx closely behind.

Myriah runs toward me dramatically, her arms outstretched as she embraces me tightly. “Are you alright? What the hell was all that about, girl?”

“They were looking for a girl who is clearly not here. Just our new commissioner throwing her dick around, nothing to worry about. Can you and Sally clean up the bar and get ready to close? I’m going to check on the girls next door.”

“Done.” She smiles at me, but her normal happiness doesn’t reach her eyes. Tonight has rattled her. It’s rattled all of us.

Across the now empty room, I catch sight of Sally. She offers a subtle nod of acknowledgment, her eyes meeting mine briefly. I know she’s tough, and she’ll handle looking after Myriah and pack up for me tonight with no problem.

Onyx, Romeo, and I move through to the VIP room, where two girls are back up on the stage dancing, but the place is dead thanks to the cops. Only a couple of the tough-as-nails guys who are on Jagger’s payroll were keen to hang around. Understandably.

Romeo turns back to me, a slight frown etched onto his face when he sees the dismal, empty room in front of us. “Do we call it a night and lock up early?”

“Maybe.” I massage my temples, trying to think on it as I walk toward the bar. “The girls okay in here?” I ask Erica as she’s wiping over the bar.

She leans into the bar, tossing the cleaning cloth that was in her hands into the sink. “Totally fine. The assholes lined us up and checked all our IDs then left. What the fuck were they looking for?”

“Guess they were just making sure no underage girls were here,” I lie with a tight smile.

With a shake of her head and a roll of her eyes, her unimpressed expression is clear. “How stupid do they think we are?” She huffs out a laugh, taking up a fresh tea towel, moving to the dishwasher. Steam pours out of it as she flings it open. “Girls will be down on tips,” she tuts, and I’m not surprised. If anyone is going to give it to me straight, it will be her. She might be behind the bar, but I know she takes her job seriously and she has a sense of motherly ownership over the dancers. It’s why she’s been employed with me so long; I always know with her around, there is another set of eyes keeping watch over this place.

“I’ll make sure they are reimbursed.”

“I knew you would.” She nods, pleased with my response.

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