Moreno’s hands became even tighter causing her to wince. These weren’t the first bruises she’d gotten from him. If she complained at all he could do far worse. He’d slapped a few of the waitresses around while he was mad. Like he was now. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea helping Chris out with his case. The Feds and cops were onto Moreno and she should have been happy with that, should have stayed out of it.
“You’re living with aguy?” Spittle dripped from the corner of Moreno’s mouth as he shook her. “I ask you all the time to be extra nice to my friends and associates and you refuse. I even offer to lower what you owe me but still you don’t do it. You now have some need to be fulfilled. I have many men who would pay dearly for someone who has the innocent look you do. Why all of a sudden this man?”
Because he’s an FBI agent who’s planning on putting you in jail and getting me out of this hell. She was losing feeling in her arms from his tight grasp. Now how to answer without having him beat her to a bloody pulp.
“Well, Mr. Moreno, this guy is young and good looking. And he’s been treating me awfully nice. I wanted to have some good things around me for a while.”
Her eyes opened wide when his face become even redder and she back pedaled. “Not that this place isn’t nice, it is. The club is gorgeous. But after working ten hours I’m so tired that walking home is tough. My room isn’t anywhere near as elegant as the resort. They have a pool, spa and gym, and living with Chris I can actually use them and not worry about the manager turning me over to the stinkin’ cops.”
Moreno actually smiled when she saidstinkin’ copsand his grip eased somewhat. Was she getting herself in more trouble with her runaway mouth?
“Chris? What is his full name? What does he do for a living?”
She shrugged. “His name is Christopher Martin and I’m not sure what business he’s in. He spent a lot of today on the phone but I didn’t pay any attention to what he was talking about. That stuff is all too boring and I don’t understand it anyway.”
She had to play dumb when it came to Moreno because she didn’t want anyone to figure out she had a brain in her head and completely understood all the backroom dealings. She’d be dead otherwise.
Moreno pulled her in close almost as if he was hugging her. This was no hug. His hands roamed down her back cupping her butt. “I am happy to see you loosening up, my little Katie, dear,” he whispered in her ear as his lips touched her cheek.
Bile rose in her throat. The dinner Chris had made threatened to come back up when Moreno’s hands squeezed her ass and pressed her to his obvious arousal. She closed her eyes gritting her teeth.Let this end soon.
He ground his hips into hers one last time then said, “Perhaps when your handsome gentleman is done playing with you, you would be willing to play with some of my friends who desire your company as well.”
The pig looked down at her or more specifically down into her top then skimmed his hands briefly over her hips. He took a step back waiting for her answer. What would he do if she refused? It wasn’t worth testing so she gave a tiny nod, softly repeating, “Perhaps.”
“Wonderful. Now go, get yourself set up with Dave. The customers will be here any time and you are one of their favorite waitresses. They all wish to sit in your service area. You have exactly what they want.” His hand stroked her ass one last time.
“Thank you, Mr. Moreno. I try.” She scurried out of the locker room to check in. Stacking glasses and filling the ice chests mechanically, she concentrated on what she had to do to find the right information for Chris and the rest of the Feds. It couldn’t be soon enough for her.
* * * *
Chris watched Meg move around the club for the third night in a row. He was amazed at her versatility. With the customers she was flirtatious and sweet though she still threw out attitude by the handful but not quite as much as she gave to him. They loved her wit and the way her long, slender legs moved and how she bent over their tables to deposit drinks on a napkin. Far too many eyes lingered on her chest when she did.
He couldn’t blame them, it was a damn fine chest. The tight top, low and bunched under her firm breasts, did a nice job of emphasizing her generous attributes. Not that he was checking her out or anything. Well, not as blatantly as some of these slobs were.
He’d taken his regular corner table near the bar nodding to a few of the people he’d met over the last couple days. Conversation was kept casual as he needed to concentrate on getting invited into that back room. He insisted he liked being by himself to absorb the atmosphere and listen to the music. No one questioned him. They had their own reasons for coming here every night.
Meg disappeared into the back room at least a half dozen times over the course of his five-hour stint. To avoid suspicion he couldn’t stay too long but he did want to be around when she got off duty.
He left a little before closing, waiting on the other side of the street for her to finish up cleaning and come out. A short while later she appeared with a few other waitresses. Waving to them, she caught sight of him standing against the telephone pole. She crossed right over, a tiny smile lighting up her face.
“Thanks, I wasn’t sure if you’d be here or not. You know you don’t have to stay this late if you don’t want to. I can make it back to the hotel by myself. I’m a big girl now. It’s far shorter than the trek I used to have before my white knight rode up rescuing me.”
He fell into step beside her to head back to the resort. “Now what kind of white knight would I be if I left the sweet damsel to walk back to the castle all by herself? What if there was some sort of dragon to slay or moat to cross?”
Her eyes twinkled impishly. She crossed her arms under her nicely endowed chest. “I’d slay the dragon with my sharp tongue and rapier wit and as for the moat, you forget that I was a champion swimmer and diver. Moats aren’t a problem.”
He chuckled. He didn’t doubt she could handle all sorts of dragons. “But what if there were fierce monsters in the moat?”
Her lips twitched. “I’d simply tell them if they waited a bit there’d be a tasty knight following along behind me. Moat monsters prefer knights in shining armor to damsels any day. Common knowledge.”
“Wow, good thing I met up with you. Apparently I’m severely lacking in my white knight training. I must have an old manual or something. Remind me to get my dues up to date and request a more revised edition.”
“Um, if you haven’t paid your dues,” her voice held humorous derision, “then you might not be qualified to be my knight. I may have to petition to get another knight, one with certified credentials, to replace you.”
“What if I promise to get them paid up and study the new manual diligently?” he asked enjoying the banter. “I could throw in a homemade meal every night with the deal. I don’t want to be thrown out of the union. I’ve been doing this type of job far too long to try something new. What do you say? Give me another chance?”
She rolled her eyes like she might possibly think about it. “Fine, but the right conditions have to be met. I need a soft bed at night, pool during the day, and a nice home-cooked meal before I head off to the old pub to do my duty as serving wench.”
