Slade (The Protectors #6)(15)

“If she’s not, I’ll do it,” Steve jumped in, his eyes and tone eager. “I’m ready to go with this stuff.”

Sloan cocked an eyebrow at him. “You ready to strip in front of horny men?”

“What?” Steve’s eyes popped open, his excitement dimming.

“What?” Slade growled, eyes narrowed, his attitude turning dangerous.

“Excuse me?” Jill’s eyes found everyone looking at her; her dreams of becoming a Warrior vanished in front of her eyes.

Sloan ignored Steve and Slade, looking directly at Jill with no humor whatsoever in his gaze. “It seems the Mayor’s right-hand man has a thing for the ladies at the Master’s Gentlemen’s Club.”

“What does that have to do with me?” Jill frowned, breaking out in a cold sweat; she knew she had just asked a very stupid question, one she already knew the answer to.

“We need you on the inside,” Sloan replied, ignoring Slade shaking his head. “The informant has overheard this man on several occasions bragging to the women about things I’m sure the piece-of-shit Mayor would not be happy about. I want to know everything, and you’re the one who can find out.”

“What exactly will I be doing?” Jill asked after taking a deep, calming breath.

Sloan was quiet for a second before answering, never once breaking eye contact with her. “This is a gentlemen’s club, Jill.” He seemed to sense Slade’s barging in and pointed straight at him. “It is her choice,” he warned.

“She’s not even close to being ready for something like this,” Slade’s voice was loud and angry.

“Then she doesn’t belong here,” said Jax, who along with the rest of the Warriors, had been silent up until that point.

“You, shut the f*ck up before I shut you up.” Slade pointed at Jax, taking one step toward him.

“Both of you shut the f*ck up,” Sloan warned before pulling out his phone. “I have video of the club. You won’t be alone. A Warrior will have you in sight at all times.” He messed with his phone before handing it to her.

Well, there it was: her first big test. Holding the phone, she did everything in her power to stop her hands from shaking. She watched the video that was poorly done, but she could see enough to know she was in big trouble. The video scanned the club clumsily as if the person taking it was trying his best to hide the fact. Women were stationed throughout the dark club on round tables with stripper poles. Men sat around each pole staring up at the women, who surprisingly were in different modes of dress. Jill didn’t realize the breath she held until it eased out in a relieved hiss at seeing none of the women were completely naked. The video cut off abruptly. Raising her eyes from the phone, she noticed everyone was staring at her. Handing the phone back to Sloan, she could only nod.

“So does that mean yes?” Sloan took the phone, maintaining eye contact.

Before she could answer, she noticed Tessa had come up to their circle. “Have you ever used a stripper pole?”

Jill shook her head. “No.”

“As much as I hate to admit that Slade is right, but he is right.” Jax crossed his arms. “She’s not ready for this. I say find another way.”

“How do you know they have stripper poles?” Jared frowned at Tessa, everything else forgotten in his mind.

“Everybody knows about the Master’s Club.” Tessa frowned back.

Jill’s gaze shot to Jax, who stood staring at her with a cocky smirk. He expected her to back away from this mission and she’d be damned if she’d prove the * right. She looked back at Sloan. “When do I go?”

Slade hissed behind her, not happy with her choice. “Jill, these are professionals. You can’t just go in there and wing it.”

“I’ll help her,” Tessa replied, keeping her eyes averted from Jared.

Jared stepped into the middle of the group. “Excuse me.” He held out his hand before anyone else could speak. “What the f*ck do you know about strippers and poles?”

“We have a pole at the bar,” Tessa said without thinking; even Jill’s eyes popped open. Tessa laughed at all the shocked looks on everyone’s face. “What?”

“What?” Jared growled, stalking toward her. “I hope for everyone’s safety in that bar, you have not used that pole.”

“Of course I have.” Tessa tilted her head staring at him.

Before Jared could explode, Nicole walked up to stand next to Tessa. “So have I. What’s the big deal?”

“What’s the big deal?” Jared’s laugh was not humorous at all. He looked toward Damon. “You going to help me out here, bro, or just glare them to death.”

Jill watched the scene and smiled when Nicole winked at her. Her smile faded when she glanced up at Slade who frowned down at her with a sneer. Actually, all the Warriors were frowning and growling, even Sloan.

“Nicole, you better make that statement a little clearer before I go to that bar and beat the hell out of every male there,” Damon’s deep voice boomed throughout the room.

“What’s the big deal?” Pam joined the group.

Duncan, who rarely said anything, snapped his head toward his mate. “Don’t even say it.”

“Say what?” Pam’s head snapped toward him. “That I’ve used the stripper pole? Well, I hate to disappoint ya, but I’ve used a stripper pole, but not the one at Tessa’s work.”