He pulled her closer, then glanced down her bodice reflexively. “I have some business to attend to. I’ll be back in two hours. Don’t think of doing anything foolish—Jim is going to keep an eye on you. You are going to let Anderson drill you tonight, Candice. I don’t expect you to show enthusiasm—just spread your legs.” He released her.
Candice forced down her hysteria.
Kincaid stood as Anderson sat, pulling Candice back on his lap. “Dick, I have something to attend to, but I’ll be back later.”
“Fine.” Dick beamed, wrapping his arms around Candice’s waist. “We don’t need him, do we, honey?”
Kincaid walked out.
“Mmm, you smell good,” Anderson said, nuzzling her neck. Candice sat stiff and willed herself not to cry. His hand plunged into her bodice and lifted out a full, ripe breast. He squeezed and nibbled her neck. Candice closed her eyes.
When she opened them, she thought she was dreaming.
Standing in the doorway of the salon was Jack Savage.
And he was staring right at her.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Candice stared back, feeling as shocked as Jack seemed to be, and then her heart started pounding painfully in her chest. Jack’s gaze dropped, and suddenly she was ashamed. Ashamed he was seeing her like this. He stared at Anderson’s hand on her bare, exposed breast, kneading the lush flesh. His gaze went back to her face, and their eyes met. His were blazing with fury.
Anderson released her breast, standing and pulling her to her feet. He had one arm clamped around her waist. Candice frantically began to tuck herself into the snug bodice, and Anderson laughed. “What’s the bother, honey? I’m just gonna pull it down in another minute. You shy about showing your tits?”
It was a nightmare. She watched Jack stalking toward them, his face so tight and strained it looked like it might crack. Anderson followed her gaze, then stiffened when he saw Jack and his obvious anger. “Who’s that?” he hissed.
“Take your hands off her,pindah,”Jack said in a low, controlled voice.
Anderson scowled. “I paid for her, she’s mine. Find yourself another gal.”
Jack did not spare another glance at Candice. “Take your hands off her now,” he said, his tone softer but more ruthless.
“Oh, Christ!” Anderson cried, dropping his arm. “No two-bit whore is worth getting killed for.” He looked at Candice. “I’ll be back for you, honey.” He turned.
Jack grabbed him by the shirt and spun him around and backward. Anderson crashed into a table and landed on his back on it, spilling drinks and causing the occupants to cry out and leap to their feet. Jack leaned over him, a hand on each of Anderson’s arms, his face inches from his. “No you won’t,pindah, not if you know what’s good for you.”
He jerked upright.
Candice was trembling—with relief, elation, and anxiety all at once. She saw Lorna approaching, and she moved closer to Jack. He still didn’t look at her. His gaze was cold and controlled when he turned its full force on Lorna. “How much for the whore?” he asked.
Lorna opened her mouth and closed it. For a full minute she did not speak.
“Jack,” Candice croaked.
“Shut up. How much?”
“Five dollars.”
Jack stared at her. “She’s a little overpriced. Or does she have some special talents I haven’t tried yet?”
“Five dollars. She was otherwise engaged.”
“I saw how engaged she was,” Jack said. He removed one of his guns from his holster and handed it to her. “That should cover it and then some.”
Lorna looked as if she were about to protest, and then changed her mind. She gingerly took the gun and handed it to Jim. “Take this to my office, Jim.”
“But—”
“It’s all right.”
