Page 24

“It’s a woman’s watch. Did you buy it from a fence or something?” Fang teases, but there’s a seriousness in his gaze that tells me he knows something’s up.

“Just need to return it to its owner,” I lie smoothly, my voice a low rumble of feigned indifference.

“Where did you find it?”

“Velvet.”

“So what’s the rush? It probably belongs to one of the strippers. Just hold onto it until one of them asks about it.”

I drum my fingers on the cold metal of Fang’s desk, a staccato beat to match the thrumming in my chest. “Man, it’s just… It’s a time-sensitive thing. The owner’s probably freakin’ out about losing something so valuable.”

Fang eyes me, skepticism etched in the lines of his face. “Can’t you wait until tomorrow? You could take it to that fancy watch shop near the Superdome.”

“Tomorrow could be too late,” I mutter, knowing full well that Isabella will want her watch back as soon as possible.

“Does this have anything to do with the sister of—” Fang starts, cutting himself off as if saying it out loud might summon trouble.

“Yeah, it’s hers,” I admit, letting out a heavy sigh. There’s no point in lying anymore because he’s going to interrogate me until I tell him the truth.

“Then give it back and leave her alone.” His voice is firm, brooking no argument. “You shouldn’t be tangled up with her. Have you figured out why she’s working at Velvet?”

“We don’t exactly talk,” I reply tersely, my mind flashing back to the heated silence right before she offered to dance for me.

“Are you sleeping with her?” Fang’s voice is as sharp as a blade.

“None of your damn business,” I snap. When he continues to glare, I add, “Fine. Once, okay? It was just once.”

“You fucked Isabella Vasquez? Please tell me you didn’t do it at Velvet.”

“About that…”

“You’re a fucking dumbass.” He looks like he’s swallowed a bug, disgust and disbelief fighting for dominance on his face. I get why he’s flipping out. Not only did I sleep with the enemy, but I also did it at work, after swearing I wouldn’t touch any of the women there.

“Guilty as charged,” I say with a chuckle, trying to ease the tension.

“Did anyone see you?” He’s on his feet now, muscles tensed beneath that nerdy tee like a panther ready to pounce. Today’s shirt reads “In my defense, I was left unsupervised.” Maybe I need that shirt.

“Nobody saw us,” I reply. “Except… maybe Vicki.”

“Tank’s girl?” Fang’s voice is a whisper now, laced with dread. “Jesus, Ice. If she tells Tank and he rats you out to Vapor, you’re cooked. What were you thinking?”

“Nothing. Not one damn thing.” The admission twists like a knife in my gut. “It just happened.”

“Shit,” he breathes out, pushing his glasses up as he contemplates the mess I’m in. The silence stretches, taut as a wire about to snap. He’s staring at me like I’ve got a death wish, and maybe I do. “You need to tell Vapor about this.”

“Tell him what?” My voice is sharp, almost defensive. “That I screwed up once? There’s nothing to tell.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Why do you care who gave her the watch then?”

“Curiosity,” I lie smoothly. But as I snatch the watch from the desk, I realize Fang’s not buying it. “If you’re not gonna help, just forget you saw this.” I stuff the watch into my pocket, ready to bolt.

“Wait, Ice!” His call echoes into the shop as I stomp onto the grease-stained floor. The clang of metal tools and the smell of oil and sweat mix with my frustration, creating a storm inside me.

Fang’s hand clamps down on my shoulder, spinning me back around. “Get back in the office,” he orders, and something in his tone tells me not to argue.

Once we’re behind closed doors, he looks me dead in the eye. “I’ll see if I can get a hold of my guy,” he concedes, but there’s a catch in his voice. “But you gotta promise me, if Isabella has a boyfriend, you’ll back off.”

“Yeah, I know. I shouldn’t be messing around with her anyway, right?”