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“How can you hear in there? ” she asked. It was another strip club.
Justin gri
“How coincidental,” Fly
“The long arm of the law reaches far,” Justin said.
Izzy looked between all three men. “You can do that? Just shut down a business for investigative purposes?”
“They were in violation of several building and safety codes. The building has been ‘condemned’ until further notice,” Maddox said. “All of it legit.”
Izzy pursed her lips, amazed at what they were able to accomplish. It gave her the boost of confidence she needed. If she ran into trouble, the cavalry was next door, and two dozen more cops and agents would be inside.
Fly
Izzy appreciated that. Grabbing her bag from the backseat, she let herself out and didn’t look over her shoulder. Because Fly
Fly
He called in. “UC en route,” he said.
He made it across the bridge and into the parking lot adjacent to the Red Door in record time. Every minute that ticked by, Fly
Pink had just made her way onto the bus that would stop half a block from the club.
He put a set of ears on and wished he could talk to her. Tell her how proud of her he was and how much he loved her.
His heart stumbled when he realized she was humming “Earned It.”
The air brakes of the bus signaled its stop.
“Getting off the bus, boys, and headed to the club,” she said, and then resumed humming their song.
Her cell phone rang.
“What, Andre?” she answered, irritated.
Fly
Andre’s voice came through loud and clear. “Boris say you come meet at his house now.”
Fly
“That’s not going to work for me, Andre,” Izzy said.
“You want raise, you go,” the giant insisted.
“But if I don’t work tonight, I don’t get paid!”
“He pay for time and video.”
Fly
“We’ve got eyes and ears on her, Ryker!” Justin called, but Fly
His cell rang. “Ryker,” he answered, as he turned the corner and watched a big bald guy grab Pink and usher her into the back of a black town car. Fly
“Got it,” Justin said. “Our girl is keeping cool.”
Fly
“Fifteen miles as the crow flies.”
Fly
His gut wrenched when Pink’s voice came through loud and clear. “Hello, Mr. Bushnik,” she chirped. “I appreciate the ride to Mr. Sorlov’s house, but I really need to work tonight. A girl has bills to pay, ya know,” she said nonchalantly as she chomped on gum.
Fly
“We did not have a chance to get better acquainted last night, Wild Style,” Bushnik said suavely.
“Yeah, about that. That guy that coldcocked Andre? He’s a fed, so I wouldn’t mess with him.”
“An FBI agent?”
“Yeah.” She popped her gum. “A possessive one. If he knew I was in this car with you right now, he’d blow a gasket.”
“Is this FBI agent your boyfriend?”
“Heck no! He’s crazy. And rough. See what he did to my arms after he decked Andre?”
Fly
“He blamed me for what Andre did.”
“How did you meet this agent?”
Pink chuckled. “I gave him a lap dance. I guess he liked it, coz I can’t shake him.”
“I was disappointed last night that you left us so abruptly. I hope that you will allow me to show you how hospitable a Russian gentleman can be.”
Fly
“That will depend on how my meeting with Mr. Sorlov goes.”
“Perhaps I can ensure your success.”
“Oh. You can do that?”
“I can do many things.”
“I’m confused, I thought you were an out-of-town relative of Boris’s.”
The Russian laughed. “Often things are not as they appear. Take you, for example.”
“Me?”
“You are like a fresh breeze in a smoky bar. A fish, as you Americans like to say, out of water. I think you are far more intelligent than you let on. Why is that?”
“Most men don’t like a smart woman. It makes them feel insecure. Being the smart girl that I am, I dumb down when the occasion warrants.”
“I am among the minority, then. I have high regard for an intelligent woman. Equal regard for a beautiful one.”
“I appreciate that, Mr. Bushnik. I like a smart man in a nice wrapper myself.”
“Are you in a relationship?”
“I will be, with my professors.”
“A college girl?”
“Law school in the fall.”
“I am impressed, Wild Style.”
“You can call me Izzy.”
“You may call me Miro.”
Fly
“Ah, here we are,” Bushnik, said.
“Interesting that Mr. Sorlov would live next to the Russian consulate.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Um, Mr. Bushni—Miro, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but Boris is a crook.”
The Russian laughed. “You are quite charming, Izzy. Nicolai, wait here. Now come, Izzy, let’s go see this Boris the crook.”
“Did you get that, Justin? She’s next to the consulate on Green. Black town car out front.”
“We’re rolling, Ryker, fifteen minutes out.”
“Wow, this is really nice,” Pink said. “Are all Russian doormen as big as him? He makes Andre look like a boy.”
Good girl, keep giving me the lay of the land.
“Not all of them, but the people who ensure my safety are.”