Rock Chick Rescue (Rock Chick #2)(50)



“It’s important I find him. Do you know where he’d be?” he asked.

“I…” There was a frog in my throat so I cleared it and said, “I’m looking for him too. He’s not real good at sticking around when things get… difficult,” I finished.

His face tightened at that and the scary part of his eyes escalated to such a point where I was pretty certain I was going to pee my pants.

I’d never met anyone like him before, his menace vibrated off him like a physical touch.

I wanted to run but I felt rooted to the spot. I had the feeling that this man was going to hurt me, or he was going to let Vince hurt me, and I didn’t want either of those things to happen.

“Honey Bunch? What’re you doin’ up so… oh my, we have company.”

I turned at this new voice, a female voice with a deep country twang. My mouth dropped open at what I saw.

Dol y Parton, or a fair impersonation of her, was standing in the doorway, big blonde hair, tiny body, enormous knockers, wearing a pink negligee set, complete with marabou feathers, even on the high-heeled slippers she wore. I realized she wasn’t Dol y because she had to be my age or maybe a year or two older.

I don’t know what propel ed me out of the chair but I stood and turned toward her.

She peeked around Louie and her blue eyes got huge.

Then she looked at the man behind the desk and they narrowed.

“What’re you doin’ with a Smithie’s girl?” she asked, hand on hip, hip jutting out and attitude hitting the room like a body blow.

“Daisy, honey, this is business,” the man behind the desk said.

“With a Smithie’s girl? In the middle of the night? I don’t think so.” Her voice rose on the last two words.

“It’s not what you think,” the man said.

“Anything I think it better not be, Marcus, darlin’.” Louie, Vince and I were watching this discussion, our heads swinging back and forth between the participants.

Marcus looked at us and then said, “Get out.” I started to fol ow Louie and Vince but Marcus said, “Jet, you stay.”

I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad that I was left with Marcus and Daisy who were in the throes of a domestic situation. Though, I didn’t expect any time I spent with Vince would be a good time.

Daisy moved aside just enough to let them pass and then she closed the door and walked into the room.

Her eyes trained on me. “Jet, is it?”

I nodded, scared to death of her even though she had to be three inches shorter than me even wearing high heels.

She looked at Marcus. “What’s this about?” Marcus leaned back in his chair. “Her father owes me fifteen large. Poker.”

Some of the tension eased out of Daisy and she glanced at me again.

“You close with your Daddy, Sugar?” she asked.

As it seemed some of the attitude had seeped out of the room, I dug deep and found my voice. “He left us when I was fourteen but he comes back every once in awhile.

Some people wouldn’t cal that close but… he’s my Dad.” Daisy nodded as if she understood perfectly.

She turned back to Marcus. “Tel me again why Jet’s here?”

“Her Dad’s a hard man to find.”

The attitude came back.

“You see what she’s wearin’?” Daisy asked.

Marcus sighed, “I see it.”

“No one f**ks with a Smithie’s girl. Not even you.

Comprende?” Then she turned to me, “I worked at Smithie’s. I danced a pole. Marcus met me there so it’s kinda our special place. How is Smithie? I haven’t been back in ages.”

Her tone had gone from seriously pissed off to sweet girl-talk in a flash.

I tried to keep up.

“I drive him kind of nuts,” I told her, taking advantage of what I hoped would be a turn of luck for me.

She laughed, it sounded like pretty, tinkling bel s.

“Everyone drives Smithie nuts,” she replied, her voice nostalgic.

“He says I’m a pain in his ass,” I carried on.

“I used to be a pain in his ass, then I married Marcus.

Now, as you can see, I’m a pain in his ass.” She smiled at me, huge and dazzling, her teeth were so white, they could light up the dark.

I felt it safe to smile back at her. Anyway, she was kind of funny and seemed sweet when she wasn’t being scary.

“If you girls are finished reminiscing, maybe I can ask Jet a few more questions?” Marcus butted in.

Marcus was saved the edge of Daisy’s tongue when a knock came at the door and Louie stuck his head in.

“Nightingale’s here.”

Thank you, God.

I did a mental sigh of relief.

Marcus closed his eyes in frustration.

Daisy clapped her hands.

“Lee’s here! I haven’t seen him in ages.” The door opened al the way and Lee walked in.

His eyes hit me in a way that told me he was surveying both my physical and mental well -being. He seemed okay with what he saw which assured me I did not look nearly as freaked out as I real y was. Then he looked at Daisy.

“Daisy,” he said.

“Lee, Sugar Bunch, lookin’ good, as usual.” She winked at him.

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