Page 84 of Miss Belief

Whoosh went my emotions. God, I wanted to be with him too. “You can’t be in a relationship with a stripper—especially not in a country where taking your clothes off in public is illegal. Think about it, Reid. I could jeopardize your clearance, your promotions, your career. Hell, you being here right now has already put it all in jeopardy.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t understand. I assumed you took this job, with its associated risk, in order to help pay for your niece’s cancer treatment.”

“Yes.”

“But she’s now in remission.”

“Was in remission.” My voice cracked on the last word.

“Jesus. It’s back?”

I didn’t trust my voice, so I nodded instead.

“I’ll pay for whatever treatment she needs. Then she can get the necessary care, and you can quit this job.”

Of course he would offer to do so. It was the type of man he was. It broke my heart to turn him down. “Even if I wanted to take you up on your offer, my sister never would. She has a hard enough time taking money from me.”

“She’d rather you continue taking this risk? Maybe get some more bruises on your face for your trouble?”

Thankfully, the lights were dim enough to hide the tears springing to my eyes. Of course he’d figured out the lie I’d told him. “I’m sure she wouldn’t ask me to. But her daughter is battling cancer. And she’s trying to juggle numerous doctor and chemo appoints with a job to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads—a job that doesn’t give medical benefits. We’re already in a good deal of debt from the first round.”

My heart sank when Reid walked over to the door and opened it. He was leaving, and I couldn’t blame him. It was too much for him.

Chance stood at the open door. “We ready to go?” he asked, looking between us.

Reid shook his head and spoke in low tones until Chance focused his gaze on me.

“This problem is easily remedied,” Chance said. “I’ll simply give your sister a job with health benefits. Now, are we ready to go?”

“You can just give her a job?”

“Of course. I’ll fly out tomorrow and talk to her myself.”

A kernel of hope took hold. Tory was stubborn, but she was also practical and would do anything for her daughter. If she had a job with medical benefits, there’d be a lot less to pay out of pocket. I might still have to work a second job to help out, but I wouldn’t have to do it here at the club. “The job would need to be flexible about hours since she has to go to so many appointments for her daughter.”

“I’ll make sure it’s flexible.”

“She’ll be prideful, so you’ll have to make it a real job offer.”

Chance scoffed. “You sorely underestimate my ability to get what I want.”

Reid stared down his brother. “You owe Teagan something.”

Chance took a deep breath, looking deeply uneasy. “I owe you an apology. I was trying to protect Reid, and I went way too far. I’m sorry I questioned your intentions and judged you before knowing anything about you.”

His words rang sincere. “If you promise to never mention this place again and you’re serious about the job you’ll offer for my sister, then I accept your apology.”

He gave a curt nod. “Consider it done. Now, are we ready to go?”