Page 27 of Savage Hearts
Well, probably. This is Sloane we’re talking about. And it seems like she has dozens of these big, dangerous guys hanging around.
And she probably carries that much cash in her bra.
But why would she make it so specific? There was no need for Giant Hot Dangerous Stranger to mention Declan. Not that GHDS mentioned him by name, but the implication was there.
Wouldn’t it have made more sense if he simply approached me and said I didn’t need to sell myself, his assumption that I’m a sex worker being based on the way I’m dressed?
And furthermore, why would a total stranger assume a woman is selling herself unless there was evidence? More evidence than a slutty dress and heels?
Plenty of girls my age dress like they’re trying to mortify their fathers, and I’ve never heard of a single man approaching them in the ladies’ room and telling them they still have hope in their eyes!
In theirprettyeyes, specifically. My breath catches.
Wait… does GHDS think I’m pretty?
I ponder that for several seconds until I throw my hands in the air, irritated by my own stupidity.
“You all right in there, lass?”
I suck in a startled breath. It’s Spider, from outside the ladies’ room door. He must’ve heard me growling at myself in frustration.
I’m about to answer that I’m fine, but I’m stopped by the realization that if Spider’s standing right outside the door, he would’ve seen GHDS as he left.
And if hesawGHDS… he definitely wouldn’t have just let the guy mosey on past like he was out for a pleasant evening stroll.
I don’t know much about men in the Mob, but I do know that if Declan put Spider on my security patrol and Spider saw that beast come out of the restroom I was in, Spider would’ve lost his mind.
I doubt he would’ve been quiet about it.
Holding the envelope of cash behind my back, I push the door open a few inches and look through.
Spider stands sentry two feet away. I peer cautiously up and down the hallway. Other than Spider, it’s empty.
“Lass? You okay?”
“You already asked me that.”
“I know, but your glasses are all steamy.”
Of course they are. A large, handsome, terrifying man just set my endocrine system on fire.“I’m fine, thanks. Did you see someone come out of here a minute ago?”
“No. Why?”
“Oh, no reason. He just—”
“He?”
Spider bristles like Wolverine and steps forward, eyes blazing. He whips his hand around under his suit coat to the small of his back, where I suppose a large loaded gun is nesting.
I say quickly, “I meant she! Sorry. Um, she… whoever was last in here… left something on the counter.”
“Oh. Right.”
Like a light switch has been thrown, Spider settles back into his usual amiable, attractive self. He folds his hands in front of his crotch and smiles at me. “You ready to go back to the table, lass?”
The cash in my hand has gained considerable weight since I opened the door. I have no idea what I should do with it.
Leave it on the sink? Stuff it in my underwear? Try to find its owner?
