She smiled. “Yes, Spence and I broke up last night.”

“I’m sorry. That’s rough.”

“Nothing you have to worry about, though. It must be nice to be able to take care of your wife and work with her, too.”

His smile died. “Uh-huh.”

Hmm, maybe Lance and Cheri’s marriage wasn’t all paradise. Shadoe could play on that. “So are you offering your services as bodyguard?”

“Well I’m here, I’ve got the time, and I’d be happy to look out for you. You’re pretty popular so you need someone to watch over you.”

“Thanks.” She directed him over to a table. They went over hours and money and they came to a quick agreement. Cheri darted scathing looks in their direction every few seconds, but Brandon had walked to the front of the stage to talk to her when her dance ended, which prevented her from storming over and causing a scene. Good, since Shadoe didn’t want that. She needed to hook up with Lance as her bodyguard for tonight, then see what happened after that.

“Is this going to be a problem?” she asked when they stood.

“What?”

“You being my bodyguard. Cheri doesn’t look happy.”

He let out a short laugh. “You let me worry about Cheri.”

“Works for me.” They shook hands and Shadoe went to find Ariele. They grabbed something to eat before the crowd started to arrive, then came back so Ariele could get ready for her first show since she went on much earlier than Shadoe.

Which meant Shadoe could actually wander around for a while before she had to dance.

When the doors opened at four P.M., people came in. Kind of early, and it wasn’t a heavy crowd, but apparently men and women both were thirsty and happy to get out of the sweltering heat and have a seat to watch the dancers.

Shadoe sat at the bar and nursed a diet soda, visited with the bartender and Brandon, who remained back there to help since the second bartender wasn’t due to come in until seven.

“So you hired Lance?” Brandon motioned with his head toward Lance, who had already taken position nearby, discreet but close enough to come to her aid if she needed him.

“Yes. He offered and it’s convenient since he already works here. I hope that’s not a problem.”

“Not at all. If it keeps our star dancer safe, I’m for it.”

Brandon frowned when the door opened and sunshine spilled in along with a throng of new people. Shadoe swiveled in her seat and fought a smile.

Spence came in with the group. She turned away to face the bar.

“Why does he keep coming back in here if the two of you broke up?” Brandon asked.

She shrugged. “Probably to piss me off, though I think he’s taken with Spitfire, too.”

“Does that bother you? Because I’ll toss his ass out.”

She laughed. “No, really, don’t. I don’t care what he does. I don’t feel anything for him anymore, so he can do whatever, or whoever, he wants.”

“Okay, but if he causes trouble for you, he’s history.”

“Thanks, Brandon.” She turned back around in her chair and gave Spence her best smug smile when he walked by. He arched a brow, said nothing, and grinned when Spitfire threw herself at him and kissed him.

It was a good thing Shadoe figured Spitfire was a drug user and Spence was just trying to get information from her, or at least have a good reason to be here at the club. Otherwise she might care that the gorgeous redhead was rubbing her br**sts all over her man’s chest.

Her man. He wasn’t though, was he?

She refused to think about it. It made her head—and her heart—hurt.

Spence moved off to a table with Spitfire, and Shadoe forced her attention elsewhere. She studied some of the newer dancers’ acts since they went on early, then her gaze wandered to Lance, who nodded at her from his position against the pole near the bar. Cheri walked by, clearly irritated at her husband, since she lifted her chin as she strolled in front of him. Lance didn’t seem overly happy with his wife, either. Cheri stopped at the other end of the bar and crooked her finger at Brandon, who sighed and walked over to her, listening while she whispered in his ear. He frowned at whatever she said, shook his head, and started to walk away, but Cheri latched on to his wrist and held it, said something else. Apparently whatever she wanted was urgent—at least to Cheri—because there was fire and anger in her expression. But Brandon jerked his arm away, much to Cheri’s irritation. She pivoted and flounced away, this time not even glancing at Lance. Lance was looking at her, though, and he wasn’t happy, probably because she was causing shit with the club owner.

Whoa. What drama. And what a diva. Guess Cheri wasn’t going to be happy with anyone tonight, was she? She really wanted to get the scoop from Brandon on what all that was about, but didn’t want Brandon to think she was digging up gossip.

As the crowd thickened, she slid off the barstool and mingled, chatting up the guys at the tables. Lance did a good job following her around but maintaining a discreet distance. Shadoe couldn’t find Spence so didn’t know and tried not to care where he’d gone off to. AJ and Pax had slid in a few minutes earlier and taken a table in the corner with a good view of the entire club. She went over to say hello to them, but then Ariele came by and Shadoe moved off, so she didn’t get a chance to ask them if anything happened today. She’d have to do that later.

She tingled with anticipation, as if something major was going to happen tonight. She had no idea what, and maybe it was because the wheels had been set in motion and she was right in the middle of it all. The atmosphere felt charged with energy.

“I want to talk to you.”

She turned at the sound of Spence’s voice, tinged with anger. His gaze flitted to Lance, who had started to make a move toward her. She held up her hand. “It’s okay, Lance.”

She walked over to a corner, her arms crossed, her expression fierce. “What’s going on?”

Spence kept his own anger as he bent and whispered. “Wanted to give you a heads-up. We followed DeLaud to the docks today. The ship is in.”

She tried to keep the surprise off her face. “Did he meet with anyone?”

“No. He just walked by, but nodded at the two guys he had breakfast with the other day. I expect the deal to go down tonight.”

Instead of nodding, she shook her head as if they were arguing. “Do you think DeLaud will be in here?”

“This is allegedly the place where he brokers his deals.” He grabbed her arms and she pushed him away. “Be careful.”

“I will. You, too.” She turned and walked away. Lance came to her side.

“You all right?”

“Yeah. Just a little argument about money he thinks I owe him.”

Lance cast a glare at Spence over his shoulder. “Want me to take care of him?”

“No. He’s all talk.”

Lance stopped, turned to face her. “If you need my help, I’m here for you.”

“Thanks, Lance, I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine, really. I can handle Spence. We’ve fought on and off for years. I should have just broken it off before I came to the Wild Rose, but I didn’t want to come alone. Stupid, really. Now I’m embarrassed he’s causing this shit with me here at the club.”

She sniffled and Lance put his arm around her. “It’s okay. You’re not alone now.”

He caressed her back, then let his hand drift lower. She allowed it, mainly because Cheri came out right then, spotted them, and walked by as if she didn’t care.

Shadoe pulled away then. “I need to go get ready. Thanks, Lance.”

He looked at her like she was water and he was dying of thirst. “Anytime.”

She went through the doorway toward the dressing room and blew out a breath. Wow. For a couple supposedly married and in love, Lance and Cheri didn’t seem to be very happy together. Maybe Cheri’s ambitions were getting to be too much for Lance. And then again, maybe Lance’s attention was focused elsewhere.

By the time she came out to do her first show, Jerry DeLaud had arrived and was seated at one of the tables near the front of the stage, but he wasn’t alone. The two guys from the docks were there with him. As soon as she moved to the front of the stage, he nodded and the guys moved to the back of the club. As Shadoe did her routine, she noticed AJ got up from the table, bought a beer, then circled around so that he now covered the front door while simultaneously keeping watch over the two guys. Shadoe focused her attention on Jerry, gave him a smile and a wink as she did her show. When she finished, she changed into a miniskirt, body-hugging top, and heels, and went out to see Jerry. She slid onto a chair at DeLaud’s table and gave him a bright smile.

“I’m glad you came tonight.”

He took her hand and folded his over it. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”

“I never count on anything.”

He linked his fingers with hers. “I like your act. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Only a few more days and I’m done here. Time to move on.” He nodded. “Me, too. My business will be finished here tonight and I’ll be leaving.”

She affected a pout. “So soon? I thought you were going to be here longer.”

“So did I, but it turns out my . . . import deal will wrap up quicker than I thought.”

Just what she needed to know. Excitement shot through her and she found it hard to sit still and play the part. But she put on a disappointed pout. “And we were just getting to know each other.”

“I could maybe stay an extra day, if you convince me.”

Arching a brow, she said, “And how could I convince you of that?”

“Have dinner with me.”

“I’d love to.”

“How much time before your next show?”

“Two hours.”

He looked at his watch. “I have an . . . appointment in about an hour, so that would give us some time alone.”

She didn’t even ask why he would have an appointment after midnight, but she knew what for. And she wanted to wrangle time with him, possibly arrange to somehow be with him when it went down. “So what are we waiting for?” She leaned in, letting her breast brush his arm.

He stood and held out his hand for her. “Let’s go.”

Perfect. “Let me change clothes.”

“No need. You look beautiful as is.”

She laughed. “This is strip club attire, honey. Not really suitable for a restaurant.”

“We aren’t going to a restaurant. We’re going to my hotel room.”

She cocked a brow. “That sure of yourself, are you?”

He slid his thumb over her hand. “I think we both know what we want.”

Gag. “I need to grab my purse. It has my cell phone and I need to stay in touch with the club.”

He hesitated, then nodded. “Go ahead, then.”

“It’ll just take me a second.”

She hurried to the dressing room, grabbed her purse, and shot off a quick text message to Spence, then ran back out to Jerry. She linked her hand with his. “Let’s go.”

She was waylaid by Lance, who stepped in front of her. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to head out and have dinner with my friend Jerry here.”

Lance frowned. “Not a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“You . . . have a show to do.”

She glared back at him. “You’re my bodyguard, Lance. Not my keeper. You don’t get to tell me what to do. I’ll be back in plenty of time for my next show.”

He opened his mouth as if to say something, looked around her to stare at DeLaud, then closed it and stepped aside. She smiled at him. “Thanks for worrying about me, but I’ll be fine, really. And I’ll be back soon.”

“You be careful.” He turned and walked away.

Was he partners with DeLaud? Did he know what was going down tonight?

She hoped Spence would get her message, and that she’d somehow be in the middle of Jerry’s deal when it went down. Her skin prickled again with the anticipation that something big was about to happen.

Playtime was over. It was time to put on her agent hat.

They drove to Jerry’s hotel, and he led her up to his room. He laid his hand on the small of her back as he opened the door, then closed and locked it behind him. The sound of the click echoed like a prison lock in her ears. She remembered the gun in her purse. She’d be fine. She was trained for this and could take care of herself. She palmed the piercing at her belly, knew Spence would listen in.

If there was any trouble, he’d be here.

“Champagne?” he asked.

She turned to him and smiled. “I’d love some.”

He picked up the phone, ordered a couple bottles of champagne along with appetizers. Good. She could kill some time with eating, because no way in hell was she going to have sex with him.

It didn’t take long for room service to bring the cart. Jerry popped open a bottle of champagne and poured two glasses, then pulled the lid off a sampler of shrimp, crab, and other snacks. She wasn’t hungry at all, but she grabbed a plate and piled on food.

“I’m starving.” She kept stuffing food in her mouth, hoping she could stave off his advances.

“Sit beside me.” He patted the brocade sofa, giving her no choice but to grab her plate and glass and take a seat next to him. When he took her plate and set it on the table, she took a long swallow of champagne to lubricate her parched throat. Then he took her glass away and leaned in.

Blech. She was going to have to kiss him. She hoped he’d be turned off by her fish breath.