The scent of tequila had filled my nose the second I stepped inside, mixed with the pungent smell of cigarette smoke and cheap perfume. The strippers were beautiful, each playing their role perfectly, but if I had one piece of advice? Stop buying fragrances from wherever the fuck they were getting them.
I crossed to the bar, the dim red and purple lights strobing all around me as eyes tracked my movements. Bodyguards were spread throughout the large room, most sticking to the perimeter. I wasn’t a threat here, but Ilooked like one to them. It wasn’t my all-black outfit, from the oversized leather jacket to the skirt that barely covered my ass, that made them wary. It was the knife sheath tucked into the waistband of my high-waisted fishnet tights. The jacket was layered over a bra, leaving my stomach exposed and the weapon a blaring target.
I shouldn’t have been surprised they’d even let me in here with the thing. It was normal for men to look at me and think I wasn’t a danger.
Men were stupid.
I’d kill every last one of them without a second thought.
“Club soda,” I told the bartender as I slid onto a stool. The person I came for would come to me when they felt it was necessary, which meant I had a lot of waiting to do.
It took the bartender less than a minute to slide the glass in front of me. I set down a ten, keeping my back to the crowd as I took small sips.
Thirty minutes later, a smooth, deep voice asked, “No alcohol tonight, Gracie?”
The red leather seat of the barstool beside mine disappeared as large thighs sat atop it. He definitely didn’t sound as scary as he looked, with his short, dark hair and wide shoulders that seemed about ready to tear through the material of his black T-shirt.
“It’s Grace,” I corrected. “And no. I’m here on business.”
I turned my head, staring at the side of his face for a few seconds. He didn’t seem to care to look my way, instead facing the shelves of alcohol straight ahead. He might be a stranger to me, but he was well aware of who I was. The man I worked for had a whole network of people whoworked for him. My faith in Henley finding the man at the top was slim, but if it kept me alive a little longer, I’d give him whatever hope he needed.
“You know that’s not how this works,” he said, sounding bored. I didn’t like the undertone of faux sweetness in his voice. It held a threat I wasn’t in the mood for.
I fought to keep my features composed. “I don’t care.”
The slight raise to his pierced brow told me he wasn’t surprised by my response.
A water appeared in front of him without him having to ask. He didn’t so much as glance at it, like this was a normal occurrence. “Do tell, then. What business are you here on?”
“I want to know who wants my latest target dead.”
His cooled features couldn’t hold against my request as his nostrils flared a bit. “That’s none of your concern.”
I took a sip of my drink to give myself time to think of a response. He was right, which made this more difficult. But I’d come prepared—sort of. “I’ve done everything your boss has asked.”
He shifted a little closer, his purpose to intimidate me. “You think that gives you the right to be nosy?”
My finger twirled around the lip of my glass. “It means I’m obedient.”
He stood off the stool, chest bumping my elbow. “So stay a good little pet and do as you’re told.”
I gritted my teeth as he crooked a finger under my chin and tilted my head up. I tried to keep my eyes downcast, but it was as if he silently demanded I look at him. I couldn’t fight it any longer, and my gaze lifted.
“Because if you don’t, you’redead, Gracie.”
He applied a bit of pressure under my chin, flicking it up an inch higher before he released me. Then he disappeared back into the club.
I stayed put, giving my heart a moment to return to its normal pace.
I was well-the-fuck-aware what was in my contract for this job; if I didn’t complete a task, I’d take the fall. Naturally, one of the cons of this job was death. And yet, being told that to my face when I didn’t have the upper hand made my skin crawl.
Henley wasn’t the only person I had to fear.
What did people say?
The enemy of my enemy is my friend?
It seemed I had some schmoozing to do.
