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I can’t help my surprise. “You’re Lee’s mother? You must have had him when you were like—”

“Nineteen,” she answers my unfinished question. “I’m older than I look, gorgeous.”

“So, you both work for Annika?”

“Yep.”

“And you’re happy for your son working for a…”

“Criminal?”

I shuffle uncomfortably as she crouches to take my legs measurement. “I wasn’t going to put it so bluntly.”

She chuckles. “But it’s what you meant.”

“Yeah, it’s what I meant.”

“Annika Wolfe is an empress of the underworld.” Diamond stands and jots some measurements down on a pad on her desk. “She is a woman making waves in a man’s world and even before any criminality, she’s a force to be reckoned with. She’s stone-cold, unforgiving, and sometimes can be downright cruel.” She turns back to face me, leaning on her desk. “But she looks after her own and she appreciates loyalty. She may not lavish you with praise and thanks for a job well done, but you’ll be rewarded however she sees fit. She’s a good woman, Harvey, and we’re lucky to work for her.”

I digest her words, chewing them slowly. Diamond is obviously very fond of her boss and Jean-Michelle was also very excited by the prospect that Annika was visiting his hotel. I watched Annika maim a man today, but I have to admit he was a prick. I alsoshouldn’tadmit that it turned me the fuck on.

“You’re not worried that she means it when she fires you?” I ask her.

“Oh honey.” She smirks. “That’s how I know she loves me. She may never find the words, but if she fires you and still expects you in the next day, you’re a part of the family.”

For the rest of the day, while Annika is working in her office, I lurk out on the main floor of the club. Waiting to one side, next to the curtain that leads to the hall where the offices are, I can see if anyone tries to get back there while still being able to people watch in the club. It’s still only late afternoon but there are a lot more people here. Men in suits laugh and drink with each other while watching beautiful women dance on the stage. They must have all finished their jobs early as it’s Friday and the atmosphere in here is lively. Honestly, it doesn’t feel sleazy like most of the clubs I’ve been to before — for work, never for pleasure — there are no suspicious stains on the floor.

“Hey, man,” Den the barkeeper jogs over to me.

“Hey.” I smile at him as he approaches.

“I’m off tonight, just heading home, I didn’t know if you wanted to move in.”

“Tonight?” I practically squeak.

“Yeah, I mean it might be nice to hang out a bit as we’re going to be living together.” He shrugs and I can’t help but feel endeared to him.

“Sure, I can move some stuff in tonight, get a feel for the place.”

His face lights up. “Great, you’ve got your key?”

“Yep.” I pat my pocket where the key Diamond gave me earlier sits. “I’ll head on over once the boss is back home.”

“Awesome, I’ll see you later, man.” He claps my shoulder and heads through to the staff door where the lockers and changing rooms are.

My eyes catch on Candy walking in the same direction just a couple moments later. She is wearing nothing but a thong and huge platform heels, her perky breasts sitting proud and bare. She gives me a wave with a friendly and in no way flirtatious smile, like she’s fully dressed. Another dancer passes her in the doorway.

“Oh, Stace, thanks so much for swapping with me tonight,” Candy says, placing a hand on the other woman’s arm. Neither of them bothered about the quick exchange in their underwear.

“Anytime, babe. Friday night tips beat Friday afternoon tips any day of the week.” The blonde walks past as Candy disappears and turns to give me a very sexual once over, biting her lower lip. “Hi handsome, you want a dance?” She’s still wearing a bejewelled bra matching her midnight blue G-string barely covering her pussy. She’s gorgeous, blonde, curvy, all good things.

“Not tonight.” I smirk at her.

“Well, if you change your mind, you just ask for Stacey.”

“I will.”

“Having fun?” The voice behind my shoulder startles me. Annika stands there, staring at me with that unimpressed brow arched.