Page 90 of Don't Lie To Me

“Stop listening to rumors, Erica. If I had a secret recipe for the ideal man, I would share it with you. Trust me, I have nothing.” I toss back my drink, ready to move on.

She tops up my glass. “If you find it, let me know,” she says, way too hopeful.

“I will, sis.” I awkwardly pat her hand, my attempts at comfort feeling clumsy and forced. Even after all this time running this place, I’m shit at the girly stuff.

I collect up my glass and hop up from the bar, ready to take a walk around the room. The vibe is fun and playful. My girls that are still hanging in this space and not already in the private rooms are all dressed up in flashy cocktail dresses, the men in expensive suits and masks that add to the sexy allure. I know this is about fucking and living out your dark fantasies, but maybe it could be more. Maybe we could do something to help girls like Erica. I’m not sure how yet, but I’ll think on it. Maybe Romeo has some ideas of games we could play or something fun we could do to find people their real love match.

Onyx steps in at my side as we walk toward the front bar. “See, what did I tell you, big guy? It’s nearly midnight and no crazy stalker to speak of. Can we go have a little fun of our own now?”

He wraps an arm around my shoulders, his lips dropping to my ear. “I won’t relax until I get you home safely and that crazy motherfucker is dead.”

Romeo looks up from his computer with a cheeky smile as I approach him with Onyx by my side. While Reef and Romeo have done their own thing, Onyx hasn’t left me for a second all night. “I’m impressed, Sloane, you’ve outdone yourself with this event. Our VIPs are happy, our girls are cashed up, and our bar is busier than ever.”

Reef sits at his side, the two of them enjoying a quiet drink in the front bar, away from all the action still going on in the VIP section.

I lean onto the table, exhaustion starting to take over. These nights are always long but so damn worth it. “Are you checking the figures before the evening is over?”

“I like to see how much money I have coming in.” He grins.

“Just wait till next door is finished. You will be able to bring all their wicked fantasies to life… even your own.” Reef chuckles at his excitement, and I wonder what his fantasy is. I feel like Reef knows something I don’t. Both sets of eyes come to me, and I know I have something to do with it.

Reef pulls me down onto his lap, kissing my cheek as he hugs me close. I take up his tumbler, having a big swig. Now that the night is getting on, we can relax a little bit, and after the week I’ve had, God knows I need it.

Onyx moves into the seat opposite us, the four of us settling into conversation that feels way too normal and comfortable. But I have spent a lot of time with the three of them over the last few days, and somewhere among the chaos, this has become our new normal.

From across the bar, I catch sight of Sally’s reaction. She smirks as she shakes her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. I know what thismust look like, and for once, I don’t care. It feels right. “So, Romeo, what’s this fantasy you have?” I ask, wanting in on it.

His expression changes instantly, his eyes flaring with heat.

Before he can answer me, Reef’s phone rings, and he takes it out of his pocket. From my place on his lap, I can see it’s a work call, so I hop up so he can leave the table.

He moves a couple of tables over and leans into the wall, answering the call. As he talks, he still watches me. His expression is unreadable, and I’m not sure if it’s something to worry about or not.

“What do you think they’re calling him about at this time of night when he’s off the clock?” I ask the others.

Romeo’s brow rises in my direction. “Reef’s never off the clock; he’s a workaholic like you.”

As I sip on my drink, I watch him hang up the call. He takes a deep breath before returning to our table, and I already know I’m not going to like what he’s just been told. “That was the boss.”

“And?” Romeo asks, still distracted by his laptop.

“They found another girl’s body, heart cut out of her chest, left on the steps of Harley’s new clinic. She was another working girl just like the last one. Blonde hair, same build as you, Sloane. A note was pinned to her. It’s becoming a daily occurrence,” he says, horrified.

He has all of our full attention now. Even Romeo, who had been engrossed in his laptop, has closed it to listen in.

“Let me guess, I’m coming for you, my girl.” I shake my head, irritation and sickness coming over me. This poor girl, wrapped up in my fucking mess.

“This one is different. ‘Your father took all his secrets to the grave, but you won’t.’”

“Secrets? What secrets did my father have?” I wonder out loud. “Why would he leave it at Harley’s clinic?” I whisper, worry filling me for her.

“This place has security round the block tonight, he wouldn’t be able to get close enough to get in, and your apartment is locked up tight after what happened yesterday,” Romeo says, but I see the worry now crossing his face.

After the call last night, I know he’s been on all of our minds today. Jagger has men out on every fucking corner trying to track him down. He’s also got a couple of cops from bordering districts keeping an eye out. Malachi has been on his computer all day trying to look for anything that could lead us to him. But so far, their searches are turning up nothing.

Onyx’s attention comes to me. “We should get you home. Tonight has been the success you needed it to be. People have seen your face. Now we go into lockdown for a few days, just until your brothers or the cops locate him.”

I sigh heavily, not loving the idea, but it feels like he’s closing in on me. He knows way too much about my life, getting my friend involved now as well. Maybe Onyx is right. “Okay,” I agree.

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