“Didn’t I tell you not to push your luck with this woman?” Dorian barked from across the bar table. His beer was half empty, along with Riggs’. But only D wore a scowl that defied his non-combative nature.
“Sounds like that date went better than expected.” Riggs snickered behind his bottle.
“Best night of dancing I’ve ever had. Better than all the cruises we’ve ever been on, D. No joke.”
He placed his elbows on the table top. “I hope so. Since you’re risking your neck on this klepto.”
“Don’t call her that.”
“Easy, guys. We’re all on the same team.” Riggs motioned for another beer from the bartender.
“Who am I to judge her on a job with gray areas, when we’re essentially paid for sex?”
Dorian swore under his breath. “You know damn well that’s not what we’re paid for. We’re paid for our time. You better watch it. If any cop overhears you say that, we’re all pinched.” He took a long swig of his Guinness.
Not likely.
That charge would be easy to get out of with the friends he’d made along the way. Vaughn chose not to reveal that card.
“Same thing with her. It’s all about perspective.”
His old friend set down his beer a little too hard. “My perspective is this woman using you to steal shit. The second she gets what she wants, she’ll split. On the first flight out.”
He shrugged, trying to play that off as though he didn’t mind. Deep down the possibility made him want to throw up. “That’s her choice. At least I got another job out of it.” Not really the consolation prize he hoped for, but at least he’d proven to her the way he really felt.
Dorian eyed him.
Even Riggs paused mid-bite from the nachos they ordered.
“What job?” D asked.
“There’s a masquerade party Saturday. Portia Conway needs entertainers. To keep guests on the dance floor.”
“Portia Conway? The one who blamed you for this woman’s ploy?”
Yep.
“Do you want the cash, or not?”
“How much?” Riggs asked.
Vaughn told him.
The guy whistled. “Caviar and champagne tastes, that one.” He winked at the female bartender when she dropped off another beer. When she left, Riggs held his beer up in a toast. “Count me in.”
“What about you, D?”
Dorian spun the bottle in his fingers, gently peeling the label off the glass. His scowl looked like he just took a giant swallow of spoiled wine. “You’re taking a job, knowing this girl will be stealing while you’re there.”
“No, I don’t know that.”
He shook his head. “You’re fooling yourself.”
Vaughn leaned forward over the table, looking his friend in the eye. “I believe her. Do I think she gets a bigger kick out of the thrill of her role than she lets on, of course. But her heart is in the right place. That, and she stuck her neck out for me.”
“What d’you mean?”
“She apparently called in every favor she had to get me released.”
“Released for a crime she committed, and pinned on you.”
Vaughn rubbed his forehead.
“Does Duane know about any of this?” Dorian asked.
“About Cora? Absolutely not.”
“Good. I don’t want him catching a single breeze of this. He’s paranoid enough about protecting his business’s reputation.”
“He doesn’t have to know a thing. He’ll still get his commission.”
Dorian shook his head at him. “You’re putting yourself in a messy situation. I’m can’t clean up for you this time. Two years is enough.”
“I don’t need you to do cleanup.” He reclined in his chair. “Just dance with a few women at this party.”
“What do you say, D?” Riggs took another bite from the nachos.
Vaughn stared. Doubt crossed every pore on the man’s face.
Dorian finished off the last drops of his beer, and stood. “Gentlemen, I wish you the best of luck.” He fished in his wallet for a tip, and threw the cash on the table. “I’m out.”