Vincent (Made Men, #2)(44)

When David handed her a tip, she quickly shimmied then put the bill in her corset.

“You know you don’t need to be shy with me, Lake.” He handed her another bill.

Lake stared down at the money, knowing he really wanted her to work for it. She reached to take it out of his hands but before she even touched the money, her arm was grabbed and she was being dragged away. She didn’t even need to look at her captor.

“Vincent! Stop it! What are you doing?”

Vincent continued to drag her behind the curtain and into the dressing room. “Go get changed. You’re done.”

Lake hit at his chest. “What the fuck don’t you understand, Vincent? They will kill him if I don’t work. Then they will have to kill me because they know I won’t keep quiet about it. Is that what you want?”

Sadie came through the curtain. “What the hell is the problem now?”

“Do you know what you just fucking did? You just practically told them she’s a virgin out there. You’re going to get her killed or worse,” he growled at Sadie.

Sadie started sniffing the air. “Do you smell that?”

What the…? Is she okay?

“I know you smell it, playboy. It’s Lake’s virginity. I smell it, you smell it, and every fucking man out there does, too. You’re acting like it was some big secret and no one could tell, but guess what, honey? If you put a little virgin kitten in a goddamn jungle filled with a bunch of whores, it don’t take them long to sniff out the difference.”

“That doesn’t mean you need to fucking advertise that her cherry isn’t popped!” Vincent yelled.

Jesus!

“I am literally right here and can hear everything you’re saying about me.”

“I’m trying to run a business here, playboy. If you get a winning lottery ticket, do you not cash it in? If I get a virgin when every other girl who walks through my doors is a slut who fucks men in the bathroom, you’re damn right I’m going to let my customers know I have a wide selection of girls. I didn’t tell them anything they didn’t already know. Plus, they can’t buy her; she’s on the ‘no touch’ list.”

Finally, Sadie looked at her. “I just assumed you didn’t want to be, but if you wanted the big bucks—”

Vincent cut in, “She’s not for sale.”

“She can speak for herself. Now listen, not one of my girls has been hurt or felt threatened in any way, because I have great fucking security. At least, I did before you. Are you her boyfriend? Because we do not allow the girls to have them in or near the casino. I have fired many girls over jealous assholes.”

Lake put her hand on his chest. “Nope, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s just a concerned friend is all.” She looked him in the eyes to plead with him. “He won’t cause any more trouble, because he knows I depend on this job, right, Vincent?”

It took him a moment before he nodded reluctantly.

Sadie went to exit the dressing room. “Good. Now I want you to take a break and clear your head, and don’t come back till you’re positive you won’t do that again. Keep your hands off her, playboy. I better not catch you dragging her away from a customer again. You’ll ruin their fantasies of being the one to pop her cherry.”

“Bitch—”

Lake struggled to hold a fighting Vincent back.





Chapter Twenty-Nine

The Good Kind is More Dangerous Than The Bad



When Lake went back to work after the changing room encounter, Vincent went upstairs to talk to his dad.

He sat in the oversized, leather chair in the dark surveillance room. I wish they would fucking hurry. I need to get back downstairs.

When the door finally opened, he quickly stood. His face showed he wasn’t happy to see the man in front of him.

“How’s the job?” Lucca smiled at him as he passed.

Fuck you.

“It’s great. Thanks,” he gritted out the words.

Vincent went through the office door and was met by Dante and his father, the two men he hated most at the moment.

“What do you want, son?” Vinny asked.

“I need to speak with you.” He made it clear it was a blood family discussion.

Dante stood. “You can talk in here. I have some business I need to take care of. I’ll be gone for an hour, so take as long as you need.”

“Thanks,” Vincent said before Dante walked out the door.

He continued to stand and stare at his father.

After a moment, his father raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to just fucking stand there?”

“Why the hell is Lake working down there?”

“How did you find out?” Vinny looked at him curiously.

“Lucca put us on security.” Vincent rubbed his eyes, on the verge of a headache.

“He did?”

“Yes. Now, why is she down there?” He didn’t have time for the bullshit.

“Because Lake was stupid enough to walk through that door.” Vinny pointed to the one he had just come through.

“Goddammit,” he mumbled to himself.

“I had just gotten here because Dante wanted to make sure whatever decision he made was fair. So Dante, Paul, and me are here and in fucking walks Lake. She literally walked up to Joe and asked to see the boss. That girl isn’t very bright.”