“Sorry. I’m a little nervous. Tonight, you’re not my lover, you’re my bodyguard.” She crosses her heart. “Promise. I’ve learned my lesson.”
Somehow, I doubt it, but I kiss her nose, not wanting to mess up her lipstick any more than I already have.
“Surprise!!!!” When she walks in the room, about a hundred women jump up and down.
I step back into a corner where I have a better view of exits and entrances. It’s a bit too dark and crowded but I’ve had more difficult assignments. None, however, where my heart is so invested.
The ladies settle into their seats as a stripper dressed as a cowboy comes out on stage and begins to strut his stuff while they hoot and holler.
I ain’t never seen anything like it, and can’t keep my jaw from dropping. A country boy, I’m used to titty bars. It’s damn disturbing to see the roles reversed.
The guy takes off his clothes, real slow. Hell, if I was gay, I would definitely do him. However, being one hundred percent heterosexual, I can only wonder what it might be like to take it all off in public, except for a small sock.
The man gyrates in front of Sam and she sticks a bill into his belt. It’s way too close to his junk, in my opinion. I know it’s all in fun but no way is she coming back here once she’s married to me. Whatever happened to classy women sitting around in a living room, opening lingerie, wearing party hats, and sipping champagne?
The performer keeps most of his privates covered during the dance but there ain’t much left for the imagination. The lights go low, he shows it all for a brief moment, then exits as the ladies hoot and scream encore.
That’s when Sam slips away to speak with the bartender.
Chapter 14
Sam
I motion to a man on the other side of the bar. “Excuse me. Can I ask you a question?”
“Go for it.” The blond Adonis, not more than twenty-five, pulls down on a handle, tilts a glass, and stops as the foam drips over the top.
“My friend told me I could ask you if I needed a little companionship.”
He shakes his head. “Sorry, we don’t do that here.”
“Pretty sure you do. You ever seen this woman?” I slide a hundred dollar bill under my phone with an image of Anne Gallo on the screen.
He moves back and quickly pockets the money. “She owns the joint.”
“Does she have a favorite escort?”
“Luigi.” From his grim mouth, I get a sense there’s a personal connection and take a chance on telling the truth.
I reach into my pocket and show him my PI license. “Is there any chance Luigi has gone missing?”
“Why? Has something happened to him?”
On stage, the lights go bright, the dancer reappears and I wait for the loud music to start before I dare continue. “To be honest. I’m not sure. Does he have family? Someone you could call to see if he’s okay?”
The bartender laughs bitterly. “He always said if something happened to him, no one would bother to go looking for him. I guess he was right.”
The short encore almost at an end, I talk fast. “Did he ever mention Anne Gallo?”
“Yeah. He said she was his bank roll, his way out. But I told him to be careful. There’s no such thing as a free ride.”
He hands me his card. “Will you call me if you find him?”
“I will but one more thing. Do you have his address?”
“I do but don’t tell anyone. We’re not supposed to give it out.” He reaches for the pen behind his ear and jots an address on the back of my card.
The set over, Mia plops down onto the stool next to me and spins. “You missed the best part.”
