Tonight, I was just Noelle.
Undercover Noelle.
Noelle on a mission.
And part of that mission meant getting close to the men in charge.
“I must have been good this year, because you are one damn fine present.” Piercing blue eyes met mine, and the light smile that played at the man’s lips brought out a matching one.
“Santa dropped me off a few days ago.” I stuck out my hand. “I’m Noelle. New in town and looking for a fun place to hang out.”
“Bryce.” He shook my hand. “Your name really Noelle?”
“Guess you’ll have to find out.”
He barked out a laugh that put a twinkle in his eyes. “Looking forward to it.”
I propped my elbow on the bar and cupped my chin in my hand. “You really think you’re a good boy?”
“I know one way to find out.” He leaned in close and whispered into my ear. “There are rooms upstairs. I could show you how good I am.”
Any means necessary.
Captain Delaney’s words rattled in my head. Did he mean…
A nauseating whoosh of breath emptied my lungs and left me lightheaded.
My smile faltered, and I gave a tiny head shake to clear my vision.
When I refocused, another man had joined the blue-eyed one. “What’s up, man? You hogging all the good ones again?”
I stood and pushed both men with a firm hand on each of their chests.
“Excuse me, I need a minute.”
Surprisingly, they let me go.
I almost missed a step on my way toward the neon sign pointing out the bathrooms.
The disparity between these men and my coworkers clanged loudly in my ears.
How were biker men more polite than the detectives?
Talk about a world gone to shit.
I paused at the door and glanced over my shoulder.
Both men stood at the bar, talking to each other, laughing and slapping each other on the back in that curious way of men.
I ducked past the bathroom door and headed up the stairs tucked into the back corner.
No lights shone in the depths, which meant I wasn’t supposed to be here.
Good.
If they truly hadn’t wanted anyone coming this way, they should have posted a guard.
Maybe it was one of those unspoken rules of the club, one I could ignore and claim as ignorance if pressed.
