Wild Card Undercover

by Kari Lemor

  “Is that dry?” she asked pointing to the fabric in his hands.

  “Yeah, just needed a few minutes in the sun. Here’s a t-shirt for you. Hope that’s good enough.”

  “Thank you.”

  Her small voice was surprising considering her brazen actions earlier with both him and the manager. Was she suspicious of him? Helping her was hardly a big deal. His army buddies loved to kid him about his hero complex. He’d admit he had a weakness for the underdog. Unfortunately it sometimes got him in trouble. Would she be trouble?

  “I used one of the new hotel toothbrushes,” she confessed. “I hope you don’t mind.” She reached for the two garments and moved back inside the bathroom door.

  “Whatever you need.”

  As the door shut, he grabbed a pair of khaki pants, boxer briefs, and a button-down shirt to slide into while she was busy. It didn’t take her long, and she exited the bathroom, the skirt and knotted t-shirt looking like a regular outfit. Her golden-streaked, chestnut hair slid like silk down her back almost to her waist, even in its upswept position.

  “Thank you, again.” She nodded shyly at him, moving to the door to leave. He quickly followed, stopping her, curious about her ping pong attitude; cheeky one minute, sweet the next?

  “Wait. If we’re living together, the least you can do is tell me your name,” he teased.

  She paused, appearing nervous. Did she have a reason to hide her name? Like he did.

  Her answer took a moment. “Kate. Kate Harrington.”

  He stuck out his hand, enclosing hers inside. “Christopher Martin,” he said using his alias. “You can call me Chris.”

  He opened the door catching her surprised look as he followed her into the hallway. “Thought I’d walk you to work. Make sure you don’t get into any more trouble.”

  Her mouth opened and she shook her head. He cut her off before the words could come. “If we leave together, it’ll seem like we’re just going out for the night. The manager will buy it and you can get a few more free days in the pool.”

  “Okay.” Her words were slow and drawn out. She’d been happy to use him earlier for her own needs but now couldn’t wait to get rid of him. Really?

  They took the elevator down, and as the doors opened, he slid his arm around her waist. She stiffened, her eyes shooting daggers at him. “Showtime,” he whispered and her body relaxed.

  The manager, strolling through the expansive lobby, paused and stared as they walked by. They kept their heads together, as if they were only interested in each other. Once outside, Chris was reluctant to let go. Her soft body fit nicely next to his. It had been a while since he’d held something this sweet.

  He still wasn’t sure if she was sweet. Her behavior had been perplexing and controversial in the past hour. Good judgment about people was one of his better qualities. There was more to this one than the outer package showed. The scattering of freckles across her nose gave her an innocent look, but her flashing blue eyes contradicted that.

  They walked a few blocks then she stopped mid-stride. “I work across the street. You don’t have to walk me any farther. This damsel is fine.” Her sassy, confident tone returned. “You have done your knightly duties. You’re absolved of all obligations.”

  Standing on her toes, she touched her lips to his cheek with another whispered, “Thanks.”

  Her hips swayed as she walked away not looking back. Where did she work? She headed into a club and he smiled. Surf.

  Surf was one of the high-end clubs Moreno used as a front. The place was a hot spot and the crowds helped hide any shady activities that happened there. Supposedly Moreno set up deals with business men for his top dollar escorts from this club. Was Kate one of them? She’d actually blushed at one point but that didn’t necessarily mean she wasn’t. Her kiss had been more than nice, and she also had the innocent look Moreno was famous for providing. The idea made him queasy, though he wasn’t sure why.

  Surf was high on his list to check out. It had a small room in the back for gambling and there were rumors it was used by Moreno to set up deals. The fact his little damsel worked there moved it a bit higher.

  He walked back to his hotel room to get ready for the night. The first thing he’d do is run her fingerprints. She’d touched enough items in the suite there’d be no problem finding some. His curiosity was piqued at the thought of seeing her again. She could come in handy if she had knowledge of Moreno’s dealings, but how loyal was she to him? Could he take a chance with this wild card? Using her could be dangerous to the task at hand. He couldn’t allow that to happen.

  Chapter 2

  “If dough boy grabs my ass one more time, I swear I’ll dump his drink on him,” Meg threatened, picking up her newest order from the tall, dark-skinned bartender, Dave Johnston.

  “Katie.”

  Meg stopped herself from cringing at the name she’d adopted since she’d been living here. It had been over a year and a half. She should be used to it by now. And she was, but she still hated the reminder of why she’d given a fake name in the first place.

  “Take a deep breath, honey,” Dave continued, “and smile like you mean it. You can’t afford to be pissing off customers. Dough boy lays down a load of cash in that back room. The boss wouldn’t appreciate you throwing a drink at him.”

  She inhaled deeply, then let it out slowly, glancing at the pale, rotund man who’d been trying to pinch her butt for the past two hours. Heck, the past year or more. The man was a pig in every sense of the word. Bile rose in her throat just thinking of doing to him what he’d hinted at all night, every night.

  Shivers went through her remembering Mr. Moreno’s insinuations that she could pay off more of her tab by being really nice to his business associates. She was desperate to get out of this mess, but she wasn’t that desperate. Would she ever be? If she had nothing else, she had her pride.

  “Thanks, Dave. I can always count on you to bring me back to reality. My drink order? Maybe if I get dough boy soused enough he’ll start pinching Mr. Moreno’s behind instead of mine. Let’s see how he likes it.”

  Dave filled her tray with glasses and bottles. “Hopefully, you’ll get a big tip. He enjoys throwing money away.”

  She laughed. “That’s why the boss likes him so much. He loses big time. But he’ll only give me a good tip if he can shove it in my top. I can’t guarantee I won’t hurl on him if he does.”

  Balancing the overloaded tray, she maneuvered her way through the crowded tables. No easy task in three-inch wedge-heeled sandals. Stupidest footwear ever for a waitress. Mr. Moreno said they accentuated a woman’s legs, bringing in more customers. Yeah, walking around half dressed didn’t hurt either. This nightclub was one of the hottest on the strip yet the waitresses looked like strippers. Could be why so many people came here.

  Her working smile pasted on her face, she set the tray on the edge of the table. “Your drinks, gentlemen.”

  Her biggest smile went to dough boy as she leaned over to place napkins in front of the customers. His eyes flew straight to her chest. She better get a damn good tip for this.

  “Put this on your tab, Mr. Barone?”

  “I want to put you on my tab, sweet cheeks,” the man slurred, taking a last peek before she straightened up.

  “Sorry, I’m not on the menu tonight.” She might crack a tooth with how hard she was gritting her teeth.

  “I’d make it worth your while.” His eyebrows rose in his attempt at seduction. It looked like a facial tick.

  “Better save your money for the game later. You are planning on playing?”

  “Of course I am darlin’ and I want you to serve my drinks. You’re my good luck charm.”

  Meg giggled, the silly one he liked, trying not to gag. The man didn’t have any good luck at all whether she was there or not. If it got her off her feet for a while, she was more than happy to sit in the back room allowing the men to leer at her. It’s not like they would
n’t do it in the front room anyway.

  She wrinkled her nose, grinning. “Oh, Mr. Barone, you are too sweet.”

  “Don’t forget your tip, darlin’.” Barone leered, reaching out a pudgy hand to tuck a bill in her shirt. She leaned over waiting, then ripped the money from his hand before it met its mark. Another big smile before she sauntered away, making sure to swing her hips a bit more than usual. Like Dave said, she couldn’t afford to piss off the customers.

  She glanced around the glitzy nightclub, lights flashing, music from the dance floor echoing in her head, people gyrating to the staccato rhythm. Her tables were set for now but her feet already hurt. Yet she didn’t dare tell her toes they still had six hours to go before she could begin the long walk to her dingy rented room.

  Waves of despair swallowed her up like a drowning man and moisture filled her eyes. She’d been here what seemed forever, yet leaving this life never got any closer. She closed her eyes and allowed her head to drop for a second.

  Snap out of it! Standing here crying wasn’t going to get her anywhere. If she wanted good tips, she had to go and shake her groove thing for another few horny businessmen or vacation-goers.

  Placing her tray on the bar, she grinned at Dave. “I played nice and check this out.” She held up the twenty dollar bill Barone had tried to stuff down her shirt. The bartender gave her a thumbs-up, mixing a round of drinks for another waitress.

  The door swung open and Meg’s eyes were drawn to it. She hoped it wasn’t Mr. Moreno coming in early. He expected everyone to be here on time but often staggered in only after nine, once the crowd was hopping. Her heart raced as she caught sight of her rescuer from the hotel this afternoon. What was he doing here?

  * * * *

  It took a second for Chris’s eyes to adjust to the dim lighting in the club. Chrome and marble shimmered as people laughed and danced under the colored spotlights. Tonight was simply hanging out, becoming familiar. He wanted in on the back room poker games but those were only for regulars and friends of Moreno. Most people didn’t even know they were there. He meant to become one of those who knew the room intimately, whatever it took.

  He looked around, his eyes coming to rest on the beautiful enigma from this afternoon. She was merely serving drinks. What did he expect? That she’d be draped over some john? Moreno was never that obvious in his setups. His shoulders sagged in relief. Why did it matter to him what she did for Moreno? She stared at him, at first smiling, then her eyes grew distrustful and suspicious. He didn’t like the glare she aimed at him but viewing the drunken customers of the club, it wasn’t completely unexpected.

  He nodded, then headed for the bar. Focus on your goal, not the cute brunette. The bartender, Dave, had been working here undercover for close to two years. He was trusted by Moreno and was a great source of information. Chris had met him a few times before.

  He ordered a beer, noting his damsel was with a group of rowdy guys. He could barely hear them above the music.

  “Come on, baby, sit with us for a while. You can check out my lap right now and try it on for size. I’ll bet it’s the perfect fit.”

  Her gaze roamed to the jerk’s crotch and her face twisted comically. “Sorry, Papa Bear, I’m not Goldilocks and that looks much too soft.”

  Laughter exploded among the group. She set the drinks down then walked away, swinging her hips. The men ogled her as she left.

  A sad expression crossed her face. Resignation? Desolation? She shook it off moving toward the bar.

  “Why are you here? Are you following me?”

  “I thought I might need to rescue you again.”

  Her eyebrow rose. “You can put away your armor, Sir Galahad, I’m perfectly capable of dealing on my own.”

  “Apparently.” Her actions impressed him. “I heard this was the place for a drink and some night life.”

  A crooked grin lit up her face. “Well, we’ve got that. Most popular place on the strip.” She turned to the bartender. “Dave, give this guy a beer and put it on my tab. He saved me from the manager at the hotel today. Caught me using the pool again.”

  “Katie.” Dave glared at her. “I’ve told you before you’re gonna get tossed in jail.”

  “At least in jail I wouldn’t have to wear these stinkin’ shoes. Now give me my drinks.”

  Her tray filled, she smiled at Chris, swung her ponytail over her shoulder, and walked off. He stared at her feet, frowning. “Those can’t be comfortable.”

  Dave leaned on the bar. “Boss makes all the ladies wear ‘em. Makes ‘em dress like that, too.” Disdain rang in the bartender’s voice.

  Chris glanced around. All the waitresses wore the same thing--snug, white, hip-hugger shorts that barely covered their ass, cropped tops tied under their busts and low in the neckline, then the killer high heels.

  The sassy brunette delivered the drinks, along with a large dose of charm and playfulness, to a loud group of customers. She flirted, smiling mischievously, until several of the crew threw some bills on her tray, then she walked away to take orders from another table.

  This was more like the woman he’d originally run into, the one who’d knocked him into the pool after she’d kissed the stuffing out of him. Okay, the kiss hadn’t been that intense, but thinking back to when her lips first touched his, certain parts of his body had registered the chemical heat. The soft silkiness of her body hadn’t hurt either.

  The push in the pool with a casual ‘oops’ had been a downer as she hightailed it out of Dodge. He didn’t care for people who used others for their own purposes. So why had he helped her? The look in her eyes that screamed of despair? A touch of innocence and helplessness that called out to the hero inside? Trying to help people didn’t always work out to everyone’s advantage. He’d learned that the hard way while serving in Afghanistan

  “Katie don’t deserve this.”

  “Deserve what?” Chris took another sip from his bottle.

  “This kind of life.” Dave waved his hand at the crowded bar. “She came here a while ago with some guy who promised her the world. Naïve and innocent. Still is in some ways. Not so much since she’s had to work here.”

  “So, where’s Prince Charming?”

  “Who knows.” Dave filled drinks for another waitress. “This creep gets into a high-stakes poker game in the back room and loses fifty G’s to Moreno. Course he ain’t got the money. Moreno offers to let him work here to pay it off. Katie offers to help out by waiting tables. The boss jumps at the suggestion since he knows her cute little figure will attract customers. After a few days, the loser takes off leaving Katie holding the bag. She swears he’s gone off to try and get the money somehow and he’ll be back. It took a few months to realize he ain’t coming back.”

  “It’s not her debt. Why doesn’t she leave?”

  “She’s afraid of Moreno and what he’ll do to her if she tries. He has eyes everywhere. Could be he has something on her to make her stay. She won’t say though. Never says much about her life before coming here.”

  More curiosity about the pretty waitress simmered inside. He listened carefully as Dave continued.

  “Moreno thinks since she was with the loser, it’s her responsibility to pay off what he owes. She’s only allowed to keep part of her tips so she ain’t got any kind of money to even get bus fare out of town. And she’s real proud. She won’t take anything from anyone else that she hasn’t earned. Said she’d eventually work her way out of here. On her own.”

  Chris clenched his jaw. “How much has she paid back at this point?”

  Dave poured a few more drinks, scowling. “Boss tells her almost halfway, but the scumbag keeps tacking on interest. Or docks her pay if she’s even a tiny bit late or makes a mistake in any way. She ain’t never getting out of here. He owns her. She just don’t know it yet.”

  Chris nodded and moved to a corner table to keep his eye on things. That explained her little theatrics this afternoon. She was
afraid of Moreno. Understandable.

  Shortly after nine, Moreno showed up. He spent a half hour chatting with a few people, introducing them to some pretty ladies. Chris watched closely as he approached Katie, her eyes widening with alarm. Moreno stroked her arm, whispering something in her ear. She nodded deferentially, and tried to pull away. The man grabbed her arm, twisting it. Nothing overt, but then Chris was watching closely and noticed her expression.

  He stood, wanting to rip Moreno’s hand from his body. But he couldn’t if he expected to succeed with his mission. Forcing himself to sit back down, he curled his fingers into fists, watching. Moreno ran his other hand down Katie’s backside, lingering much too long, then he abruptly disappeared into the back room. Over the next few minutes several other patrons followed him.

  Katie often disappeared back there too with a tray of drinks. Sometimes she was gone for only a few minutes, other times she’d stay in there for twenty minutes or so. He needed to get in there too. Was she the key?

  She came out and placed her tray on the bar for Dave to fill. As she waited, she rested her enticing bottom on a stool, her head dropping into her folded arms, exhausted. He could see why. She’d been on her feet since he’d come in and she’d already been here for hours.

  When the tray was filled, she took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, hefted the tray into her arms, and moved to slide through the door into the back room again. What exactly was she doing in there all that time? He had to know because his imagination was working overtime.

  * * * *

  “Have a great day off tomorrow, Tina,” Meg called out to her departing friend as she changed into better footwear for the walk home. “Think of us here, slaving away, while you rest your weary bones.”

  Tina Washington laughed as she walked out the door. “The last thing I’ll be thinking of is this place, girl, believe me. I want to enjoy my day off.”

  A day off was only to recharge the batteries so they could do it all again for another week. She grimaced as she tied the laces on her still-damp canvas sneakers, then reached for her clammy bag. Please let me get out of here without Mr. Moreno seeing me.