I waited a heartbeat, then two, for her to answer. “How do you know my name?”
“Your roommate. Said you were in over your head.”
Tears crested in her eyes, but she said nothing.
“Lots of young girls come out to the big city expecting to wait tables or clean houses and end up in your situation. Want to tell me about it?”
She pulled at her dirty apron and wiped her nose, wincing. “No.”
“Here.” I pulled out a clean handkerchief and gave it to her. “Take that apron off. You won’t need it.”
Here she put up a small fight. “This is my job.”
“That fucker was going to rape you, Charlotte,” I said harshly. “Still want this job?”
Now a tear coasted down her unblemished cheek. She quickly took the apron off and tossed it onto a shelf. My handkerchief took care of smudges of dirt and some blood, but her nose still trickled.
I stepped forward and took the cloth. “Hold still.”
I threaded my hand through her silky hair and tilted her head back. Her big blue eyes wandered over my face as I squeezed the bridge of her nose lightly. One delicate hand held my wrist, giving her some semblance of power.
I met her eyes. “In too deep, baby-doll?”
More luscious tears formed. All I could see of her face was her eyes and they spoke volumes even though she didn’t answer.
Mick knocked on the door. “Big guy’s coming back this way.”
Charlotte jostled me, the handkerchief falling out of my hand, clinging tight to my chest. “Please don’t let him take me.”
“Ain’t gonna happen. Just trust me.”
She swallowed. She nodded once.
I wrapped an arm around her and swung the door open. Mick glanced back, then did a double take on the bird. “She all right?”
“Nope,” I answered. “Let’s go.”
I took the lead again, heading straight for the big guy. Charlotte clung to me, her nails digging into the material of my suit. As we approached the big guy, he stopped walking, his brows drawn together in anger.
“She’s mine,” he hissed when we reached him.
“Funny, that’s not what she said.”
“So you believe a whore over the man who paid for her?”
I narrowed my eyes but didn’t let my gaze wander from his. “Did he give you money, Charlotte?”
She moved closer, if at all possible. “No.”
I shrugged, then shoved past him.
“I know who you are!” he shouted.
I shrugged again, kept walking, and hoped Mick had my back. Which he did, of course. I didn’t deign to answer the meathead behind me.
“Look out, de Bacchio! Hope no one burns down your shit!”
I stopped. Mick almost collided with me. I turned my head slowly. “Mick, did I just hear that fucker threaten me?”
The smile spread through Mick’s voice. “Yeah, you did.”
I pulled out my matches and used my thumbnail to rub along the heads. “Thought so.” I raked harder and all the matches combusted. Neat trick. Learned it in Hell off a fire demon. I tossed the lit packet onto the nearest table and moved quicker to the door. Mick raced in front of us and opened the door while bouncers, patrons, and working girls all battled to put out the fire.
We moved out into the cool March air and I wrapped my arms around Charlotte. “Gotta move quick, baby-doll.” I heaved her over my shoulder and she let out a squeak, then we sprinted down the street where Mick and I left our car. Mick chased after me, his spats slapping along the pavement in a steady rhythm.
I wasn’t even winded when I made it to the car. I pulled Charlotte off my shoulder and set her on the ground. She almost fell to the sidewalk.
“No time for falling, baby-doll,” I told her. I wrenched open the car door and pushed her inside. I followed her in just as Mick made it to the car and started it up. I heard a bullet wing the side of the car and I pulled my piece. I didn’t even aim when I shot behind us. If that no-good meathead wanted to hit us, he would’ve. No, he was gonna take this to his boss.
Mick pulled out into the street and stepped on the gas. He grinned over Charlotte’s head at me. “That was fun.”
Fun, yeah.
I glanced down at Charlotte as she huddled on the seat between us. But what the hell had I gotten us into?