“Fuck.” Joker shakes his head.
“Then we grab his jeans still on the pier, rifle through hispockets and come up with most of it while he’s splashing around in the freezing cold water.”
“Shit, sounds like the time?—”
“Hey, baby, I’ve never seen you in here before.” The blonde who’d been humping the pole earlier leans over my shoulder, practically pushing her tits in my face.
“Back off, Gia; he’s taken,” Joker says.
“Let me hear it from him then.” She leans in close enough to smell her too-sweet perfume.
“Sorry, babe, he’s right. I’m taken,” I confirm.
“Won’t be the first man I’ve corrupted.” She runs her nails down the front of my shirt. “You own Club Wicked, right?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s so cool.” She sneaks her dangerously long nails between the buttons of my shirt. “I’ve been there a few times. Very sexy place. Those piranhas swimming in the floor are mad crazy.”
I remove her hand. “Not interested, babe.”
“Move on, Gia,” Cobra orders.
She gives me one more smile, straightens, turns and makes sure I get the full show as she leaves, twisting her hips with every step.
I smile at Cobra. “I’m sure she’s very popular.”
“Gia’s a headliner at Ecstasy with a large following. She just doesn’t know when to give up.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I swipe at it, stand and head for the back hall where it’s slightly quieter. “Hey.”
“Where are you?” Cheryl asks.
“Me and Samson are at the Gold Mine.” I’m hoping adding Samson lends credibility.
“The Gold Mine?”
“Joker wanted us to stop in for a drink.”
“I see. So you miss your daughter’s recital, then tell me you’re too busy to host a holiday party, but you have time to hang out at the Gold Mine with Joker.”
Cheryl never lets me slide. A characteristic I love and hate.
“I came here to find out some information I need for Wicked.”
“You know, Nick, I’d almost rather hear you were ogling the strippers, but of course you can make time for business.”
“I’m leaving soon.”
“Hey, baby, what are you doing back here all by yourself?” Gia drapes her arm over my shoulder.
“Who the hell is that?” Cheryl roars.
“Hang up that phone, and let’s have a party.” Gia unties her halter top, throws it to the floor and shakes her enormous tits. “C’mon, baby, I know you wanna fuck them.”
“Get the fuck outta here.” I turn my back to her.
“You know what? I was wrong. It is way worse that you’re ogling strippers,” Cheryl barks. “Stay as long as you want.”
