Page 82 of Strip Search

“I told her it was brilliant, but she didn't believe me,” Parker said.

“You wouldn't like it, Jackie,” Lisa said. “It's sexy, flirty and a little dirty.” She blushed.

“Darcy liked it,” I said. He had texted me this morning. The bachelor party was already back in Vegas. We were going to meet at Dalton's later.

“How did you meet Darcy Ross?” Lisa leaned in eagerly.

“He paid me a hundred dollars to give him a lap dance.” I went back to my chicken salad and enjoyed Lisa's expression. “But that was just one night. I'm dating Miles Carvello.”

“Miles?” Lisa said with a numb expression.

“He's the owner of Dalton's,” I explained to Parker, who was looking between us in confusion.

“When did you two meet?” Lisa's confusion was the perfect payback.

“Monday.” Had it only been one week?

“You started dating him this week?” she screeched.

“And I auditioned for a stage show at the Odyssey casino. I went on my second callback yesterday. That's why I wasn't here on opening night, not that you invited me. Darcy was doing me a favor by taking my place and coming to talk to you.”

“Whoareyou?” Lisa gawked at me.

“I'm Las Vegas Jackie.” I reached across the table. “Nice to meet you.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Miles Carvello

Grier was pissed off at me. I suppose I could have handled it better.

“If he wants to file assault charges on you, you’re guilty as hell.”

I shrugged. “Let him. His rep will be in tatters for being a little snitch bitch who can’t take a punch.”

“That was more than a punch. You broke a few bones.”

“You heard what he said. And now you’ve got a line on a sex trafficking setup.”

“I’m working on it.”

We were sharing a bottle of Johnny Walker blue label in my office. My feet were on my desk and I raised my glass. “To Uncle Johnny.”

Grier, on the couch, saluted me with his glass. “Don’t you make a fucking move on Dieter and Konner next door. Those assholes are all mine.”

“When are you going to pick them up?”

“I’m going to pay a visit to that Brandy woman and get a statement. They’ll get taken in for questioning as soon as I can push the paperwork through.”

“Then what are you still doing here?”

“I need to let you know that Leonidas is going to retaliate once he’s out on bond.”

“How long is that going to take?” I asked.

“I’d be surprised if he’s not out by dinnertime. He knows where your girlfriend is. You need to warn her and don’t let hercome back to Dalton’s until we can lock down the Rivs. Leonidas is going to be out for your blood. I’ll put a tail on him, but he’s a slippery bastard. We’re trying to get a few warrants out on him to stall the process, but he’s lawyered up well. It’s going to be an uphill battle.”

“Damn it,” I said, slamming my glass on the table.