He didn't walk far. Brasov was waiting for him at the bar. The two men talked for a moment before Brasov glanced in our direction. Even across the room I could see the feral glint that came into his beady little eyes.
"Heads up," I whispered when Brasov began striding across the room.
I glanced to the side when I heard a small moan. For a brief moment, I thought Burke had done something a married man shouldn't, and then I realized the moan had come from Donny, whose head was lolling back and forth as the inebriated man tried to stay awake.
Maybe we'd be taking him with us when we went. I had no interest in Donny, not even a glimmer, but I couldn't leave him here on his own when he was this plowed. Not in this place. He was like an innocent lamb in a den full of hungry lions.
"Gentlemen," Brasov said when he reached us, "I'm afraid Didi isn't available for private dances tonight, but I have several other dancers who would be happy to—"
"Five hundred dollars," I said.
"Sir—"
"One thousand dollars for one hour."
"Done," Brasov said without hesitation.
I pulled the money clip off my wad of cash and carefully counted out ten one-hundred-dollar bills and then held them out to Brasov. The man snatched them out of my hand almost quicker than I could follow with my eyes.
I glanced at Crosby and then gestured to Donny. "Keep an eye on him. I'm pretty sure he doesn't know what time of day it is, let alone what day it is."
Crosby grimaced but nodded.
I stood and started for the private room.
Brasov grabbed Didi by the arm and yanked him close, whispering in his ear. I had no doubt he was warning Dalton not to say anything about being held captive. I also had no doubt that he'd be keeping an eye on us. I just didn't know how.
Dalton jerked his arm out of Brasov's grasp and walked to the small private lap dance room. He stood by the door and waited for me to walk past him before pulling the curtain closed.
"My name is Didi," he said. "What's yours?"
I frowned. "Lancaster."
"Here are the rules, Mr. Lancaster—"
"Just Lancaster."
Dalton nodded. "Here are the rules, Lancaster. You are to sit on the loveseat and not get up until your dance is over. You are not allowed to touch me. I will do all the touching. You keep your hands at your sides at all times unless I move them. If you move them, the dance ends. Understood?"
"Yes." I wasn't sure why he was explaining this to me.
"One moment." Dalton turned and parted the curtain. "Kirk, can you get Mr. Lancaster a drink?"
And that would be why. The big beefy dude—Kirk—was standing guard outside the room. We would need to be careful, but at least I'd have a chance to talk to Dalton, even if I had to whisper to him.
"Sit down."
I sat down on the loveseat and slid my hands behind my back. I figured if they were there, I wouldn't be tempted to touch.
Man, I so wanted to touch.
Chapter Ten
~ Dalton ~
I always knew Brasov was a money-grubbing bastard, but to make me give someone a lap dance while he was holding me captive in order to sell me to someone else was lower than low.
Granted, I'd wanted Lancaster to bring me in here so I could talk to him, but Brasov didn't know that. He just thought he was getting more money to line his pockets, money off of me. He didn't have to turn me over to my new owner until tomorrow. Why not make a little more money off of me until then?
