Page 8 of An Epic Voyage (The Epic Beauty Salon Files #1)

I ndigo had worked cases with less than favorable conditions. She’d crawled through bat-infested caves, navigated alligator-filled swamps, and dealt with the scum of the earth. Nothing had prepared her for Jinger Jenkins. The woman was a hellion. And demanding. And a monster.

There was barely a scratch on one of her acrylic fingernails, but the woman had demanded that Indigo redo all ten.

Fine. She had complied, using the color Jinger selected.

Once it was on, Jinger had decided she hated it and blamed Indy.

She’d redone Jinger’s nails two more times after that.

Indy had come so close to grabbing the poison-laced polish from her bag, but she’d managed to stop herself.

Homicide was never the answer, especially not so soon into her mission.

Thankfully, she hadn’t needed to remove the acrylic, or it would have taken at least an hour, maybe more. Indy wasn’t sure she could be in that woman’s presence for that long. She had patience, but Jinger sorely tested it. After exchanging phone numbers, Indy had fled as fast as possible.

“So, Pammy fobbed this job off on you, huh?”

Indy looked up from inventorying the makeup in the salon to see a man with a platinum-blond mohawk and several ear piercings smiling at her.

“Actually, she fell ill.”

“Bullshit,” the man coughed into his hand.

Indy smiled, instantly liking him. “I’m Indigo.”

“Oh, what a unique name. I love it.” He stepped closer, studying her face. “Girl, it’s the color of your gorgeous eyes.”

“Thank you, and that’s why my parents picked the name.” That was one of the few things she remembered about them. She’d been five when her father had passed away. A year later, her mother was also gone. She’d been so young.

He shook her hand. “I’m Jordy.”

“Nice to meet you, Jordy. How do you know Jinger?”

“I’m her stylist, personal shopper, tailor, whipping post, you name it.”

Indy chuckled. “How long have you known her?”

“Around three days after she started dating Benny. He hired me for her.”

Indy raised a brow. “Benny? You’re that close with Benedict Van Houten?”

Jordy waved his hand. “Oh, heavens, no. That man has said barely two words to me. Jinger calls him that, so I use it mockingly. It’s a character flaw, I know.”

She chuckled.

“Evil Bitch Woman from the Bowels of Hell is what I call Jinger.”

Indy burst out laughing. “If she’s that bad, why do you stick around?”

“I’m a money slut. I can’t turn down the obscene amount they are paying me. Apparently, my pride and self-esteem can be bought. Character flaw number two.”

“I think I like you, Jordy.”

“I can tell we’re going to be fast friends, Indigo. Let’s get something to eat, and then we’ll chat. I’ll dish all about life among the glitterati.”

“Sounds good.”

As she was exiting the salon, she almost plowed into a tall, solid frame. “Oh, sorry, Griffin.”

“My fault. Hey, Jordy. Where are you two headed?”

“My new friend Jordy and I are going to grab a bite to eat and talk shop.”

He nodded. “Have fun.”

Indigo almost invited him to come along but thought better of it. No sense in getting too attached to anyone since she would be gone as soon as she located the missing nuke.

She gave him a finger wave as he walked away. Indigo shook her head, realizing she’d been staring at his fine ass. She turned to apologize to Jordy, but he was staring too.

With a sigh, he said, “That is one fine specimen. He makes life with Jinger tolerable. Too bad he bats for the other team.”

“How do you know?” Not that she thought Griffin might be gay. She’d seen the way he’d reacted to her skimpy bra and panties.

“Darling, I would’ve slipped into his bedroom naked if I thought there was a chance. The man is as straight as an arrow. He exudes testosterone.”

That he did. She’d been instantly attracted to him too.

“Let’s get our drink on.”

Indy followed Jordy to the bar that looked like one you would find in any upscale neighborhood. Soft jazz played in the background, and the televisions mounted on the walls were turned to various ball games with the sound down.

Jordy waved to the bartender. “I’ll have a top-shelf margarita on the rocks.” He turned to Indy. “What would you like?”

“That sounds good. I’ll have the same.”

The bartender nodded and began working on their drinks. Jordy slid into a booth, and she joined him. A few minutes later, a server brought them large blue glasses rimmed with salt. Indy took a sip. Woo , it was strong. She’d have to limit herself to one so she could do her job with a clear head.

“Did you want to order dinner?” the server asked.

“Yes.”

She placed paper menus in front of them. “Here’s what’s available tonight.”

There were only a few offerings, but it was more than Indy expected. “I’ll have the grilled chicken sandwich.”

“Fries okay?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll take a hamburger with everything, medium well, and fries,” said Jordy.

“Those will be out shortly.”

As soon as the server left, Indy leaned forward. “Okay, dish. How did you end up with Jinger?”

“Cause I’m an idiot?”

“I don’t know you, Jordy, but I’m an excellent judge of people. You are not an idiot.”

“Thank you. Okay, true story. I’ve styled some of the hottest pop stars and young Hollywood starlets. Not to sound self-important, but Jinger read an article about me and decided she had to have me. I had zero interest in limiting myself to one client, but Benny wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“You must be very good at what you do.”

“I am.” It was said with confidence, not arrogance. “As per the contract, I had to move in with them temporarily—I say temporarily because I don’t see that relationship lasting much longer,” he whispered. “I get to travel and that’s fun, or it would be if I didn’t have to deal with Jinger.”

“You are seriously making me regret taking this job,” she joked.

“Oh, you will. I guarantee it.”

“Have you been to Van Houten Island before?”

Jordy shook his head. “First time. I’m looking forward to it. Jinger is a sun worshiper, which you’ll realize when you go to cover her crow’s feet. I’m hoping that she spends all her time in the ridiculous teeny-weeny bikinis she insists on wearing, giving me a much-needed break.”

“I imagine finding clothes for her frame is challenging.”

Jordy made an exaggerated face. “Honey, you don’t know the half of it. That woman’s proportions are improbable and impossible. Think Barbie come to life—if Barbie had triple D implants.”

Indy’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. “Speak of the devil.” She punched the button and said, “Hello, Jinger.”

“Get up here now to do my hair and makeup.”

Indy pulled the phone from her ear and stared at it. “Rude,” she mouthed to Jordy. When she replaced it, she said, “I’m on my way.”

As soon as she disconnected, Jordy’s phone buzzed.

“Damnation,” he muttered. “I was hungry.” He answered on speaker. “Yes?”

“Where the hell are you? I need clothes now.”

“I’ll be right there, sweetie.” He ended the call. “I hate her. I really do.”

“Are you sure the money is worth it?”

Jordy huffed a laugh. “Oh, yes, it is.”

They canceled their dinner order, finished their drinks, and left the bar.

Indy glimpsed Griffin as he talked with someone a few feet away.

She averted her gaze and headed to her suite to grab her makeup case while Jordy hurried to meet Jinger.

It would be easier for Jinger to visit the salon, but she doubted that would happen tonight.

She reached Jinger’s suite and knocked on the door. A man opened it, and his gaze raked her body. It wasn’t an interested look, more like an assessing one. She knew from doing her homework that this was Franklin Shepherd, Benedict’s assistant. “You’re Pammy’s replacement?”

“I am.”

“Come in. You’ll find Jinger in there.” He pointed over his shoulder as he angled around her.

“Thanks,” she called out to his retreating form.

Indy glanced at the space. Her suite was elegant.

This one was as opulent as a five-star hotel.

It would have been ideal, except for the raised voices.

She headed to where they emanated and entered a dressing room with a large vanity surrounded by lights, racks of clothes, and a half-naked Jinger.

She was snipping at Jordy as he held out an emerald-colored gown.

“No. I don’t like it, you moron. Find something else.”

He replaced it and removed a deep-blue gown that looked as if it cost more than the yacht.

“Are you high?”

Jordy tried again. This one was short and ruby red.

“Yes. That one.”

Jordy sighed, and when Jinger turned around, he rolled his eyes.

Good Lord, she truly was an evil bitch woman from the bowels of hell. Jordy’s nickname was spot-on.

“Get over here, Indigo,” Jinger snapped.

It took everything in her to remain calm. She walked over and placed her case on the counter. Jinger was preening in the mirror with her fake breasts and her pert nipples on full display. How anyone thought those mini beach balls were normal looking was beyond her.

“Hair, makeup, or dress first?” she asked.

“What?”

Somehow, Jinger made a one-word question sound like a put-down. Deep breath . “I asked if you wanted me to do your hair first, your makeup, or if you would rather put on the dress.”

“Dress,” Jinger responded.

Jordy rushed forward and helped her into it, stuffing her boobs inside the bodice before zipping her up. Instead of giving Jinger the option again, Indigo decided to do her makeup next. She opened her case and removed some supplies.

“You’d better apply more to me than you wear,” Jinger sneered. “You look like a walking zombie.”