Rock Chick Rescue (Rock Chick #2)(65)

I looked at the stage too, thinking that, in most cases, stripping wasn’t a long-term job prospect. JoJo and Mandy were the only ones who had been there since I started, most of the others were new and some had come and gone in the eight months I’d been around. In fact, not including Tanya, I was the most veteran cocktail waitress on staff.

Smithie had a huge employee turnaround.

“I don’t mean to be nasty, but these girls need to get some moves,” Daisy noted, “When I drove in, I didn’t see a Porsche or Corvette in the parking lot. That’s just sad.”

“Did you drive a Porsche when you worked here?” I asked.

“Sure, Sugar. I bought one the second month.” Wow.

Wow.

I looked at Indy’s table. They were al staring at Daisy with awestruck faces.

“Daisy, I want you to meet my friends.” Daisy turned and planted a megawatt smile on the table at large and the awe in Tod’s face turned to reverence, “This is Indy Savage, Al y Nightingale and um… Tod and Stevie,” I finished, not knowing their last names.

Now Daisy’s eyes were wide.

“Indy Savage and Al y Nightingale! I heard about you two.

I know Lee.”

Indy and Al y looked at each other.

“I’m married to Marcus,” Daisy explained.

Understanding hit them and they nodded. Marcus had been involved in Indy’s drama but obviously they hadn’t met Daisy.

Indy smiled, “Do you want to join us for a drink?”

“Best offer I’ve had al night, Sugar,” Daisy said and Stevie immediately got up and grabbed a chair for her. He held it while she planted her narrow ass in it. “Wel , aren’t you sweet?” she said to Stevie, with another dazzling smile and a little tinkly-bel giggle.

“I’l get you a drink,” Stevie said, and if he wasn’t g*y, I would have sworn he’d fal en in love.

“It’s my job to get drinks,” I said, putting my hand on his arm and giving him a grin, then I turned to Daisy, “What’l it be?”

I brought her a drink and Smithie caught me at the waitress station while I was putting in another table’s orders.

orders.

“You got Daisy at your friends’ table,” he said. “Treat her like a queen. She’s a f**kin’ VIP, she used to work here and once a Smithie’s Girl, always a Smithie’s Girl. Even more so now she’s married to the biggest, badass motherf*cker in Denver.”

“I know Daisy, I know Marcus too,” I said to him.

He stared at me. “How do you f**kin’ know Marcus?” I thought about lying and decided against it. Don’t ask me why, it was a stupid decision. “He kinda kidnapped me last night after work, that’s how I met Daisy. She kinda saved me.”

I realized immediately I should have lied Smithie stared at me some more, his eyes going a little wild. Then he shook his head and I didn’t know if it was to clear it or if it was because he knew my life was a complete mess.

“Of course she’d f**kin’ save you, you’re a Smithie’s Girl.”

“That’s what she said.”

Smithie gave me an unhappy look. “Steer clear of Marcus. He’s f**kin’ bad news with a capital Fuck.” I nodded. I had every intention of steering clear of Marcus.

I started to put my drinks on the tray but Smithie caught my wrist.

“Got a friend, a brother, owes me a favor. I ask, he’d keep you safe and outta sight until your trouble clears and he’s the kinda guy no one messes with. If Marcus is involved in this f**kin’ shit, I’m ready to pul that favor. I’m guessin’ your cop boyfriend has you covered. The minute I think he’s fal in’ down on the job, you’re takin’ a f**kin’

vacation.”

I felt that strange warmth again as I looked at Smithie.

“Thanks Smithie, but I can’t go away, I have Mom to worry about.”

“Your Mom wil go to LaTeesha’s.”

LaTeesha was one of Smithie’s women. I’d met her on a several occasions and liked her. She was a nurse’s aide at an old folks home. By al reports, she loved her job and the oldies loved her. This was proved with her regular wage enhancements when the oldies would die and put a little sum for her in their wil s.

“Smithie…”

His hand went up.

“No f**kin’ discussion. I’m keepin’ an eye on you.” Then he dropped my wrist and moved away.

Wonderful.

The night stayed busy and as peaceful as a night could be at a strip joint. Indy, Al y, Daisy, Tod and Stevie cal ed in a steady round of drinks, were nearing three sheets to the wind and frequent bursts of laughter could be heard from their table. They were more entertainment for the customers; even ful y clothed, Indy, Al y and Daisy weren’t hard to look at.

It was nearing closing when I dropped a round of drinks on a table at the farthest edge of the stage. I’d never liked that corner, even when my life wasn’t chaos. It was shadowy and always seemed somehow disconnected from the club.

I turned and nearly ran right into Vince Fratel i.

I froze, my heart stopped and I looked up at him.

“I been watchin’, know you have a bodyguard and I know you have Chavez’s protection,” he said, his eyes hard.