Page 50 of Hitch

A dull ache swims inside of me. I’ve got a feeling his business has nothing to do with Todd. Is Michael still here with his new sugar baby? Would Duane hurt him for disrespecting me?

Would DuanekillMichael for me?

But Michael isn’t a threat, and besides, Todd owns the Double Take and runs drugs for Duane. Maybe Duane really does have something to discuss with Todd.

“All right,” I say. “As long as I get to repay the favor later.”

“Don’t worry,” Duane says, squeezing my shoulder as he guides me to the dressing room. “I’ll never be finished with you.”

Chapter17

Duane

Once Reggie drivesout of the parking lot, I stroll back into the Double Take. The little idiot sugar daddy and his new girl are nowhere to be seen; they must’ve finally gotten the hint when I shoved the sugar daddy’s ass into the wall.

Todd sits behind the DJ booth, eating a hamburger from a styrofoam box, his eyes glossing over the computer screen as he switches playlists. Strip club owner, trailer park investor, drug dealer, and now, DJ. The man does it all. But my mind is reeling, seeing him there, sitting like he doesn’t have a goddamn care in the world.

He touched my girl.

With my permission.

Why the fuck did I share her in the first place?

“She get home all right?” Todd asks.

Of course his mind is on Reggie. She works for him. Just like she works for me.

I clench my fists.

God fucking damn it. I know better than to let a woman like her mess with my head.

But Reggie had a fantasy. It’s whatshewanted.

Damn it.Why do I care whatshewants?

“Her ex was here,” I say, my voice fraught with the anger and frustration I’ve been keeping in for hours. “And you didn’t tell me a goddamn thing.”

“So?”

I grit my teeth. That’s all he’s got to say? It’s a blatant move of disrespect. As a kid, I was beaten until I understood what respect meant. And I’m not going to let anyone, especially not Todd, disrespect me.

“You ought to tell me everything about her,” I order.

“Didn’t know I had to report on her daily life.”

I scowl at him, the weight of my gun shifting in my holster. “If you can’t respect me and what’s mine, then our business is done.”

A grin twitches at the corner of Todd’s lips, and in response, an uneasiness settles on my shoulders. He doesn’t seem to give a damn that I’m threatening to take away our business dealings. It’s like he thinks he has one on me, just because he fucked my girl.

I’m going to kill him one day.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you have feelings for her,” he says.

Feelings?Why the hell is he talking about feelings?

“If you don’t respect me, thenthat’swhere we have a problem,” I say.

“And what about Reggie?”