He had to be the easiest client I would ever get. I wanted to make sure he got his money worth. “Music on. ‘Bad Things’ by Jace Everett.”
“TheTrue Bloodtheme song. I loved that show.”
“The books were better,” I said as I started the routine.
“They always are.” He watched me for a while. “I’m guessing you’re a Broadway dancer too?”
My chest swelled with pride that he thought I was talented enough to be on Broadway. Darcy Ross was good for my ego. He was going to ruin me for all other clients. “Not yet. I’m Lisa’s manager.”
“You’re talented.”
“Lisa’s better,” I said, like I always did.
“Not anymore,” he said, and the bitterness in his voice threw me off my rhythm. But his face almost immediately cleared, and I wondered if I’d imagined it. I finished the song more out of breath than I thought I’d be. I was starting to feel a twinge in my calves. I wasn’t used to dancing like this.
“We’re here for the rest of the week too,” Darcy said, sipping his drink. “Why don’t I help you look for your sister?”
“You’d do that?” I gaped at him.
“We’re planning on hitting every bar and strip club in Nevada. Some places will be a bit unsavory. I might as well keep an eye out for her. Lisa is her name?”
“Lisa Mitchell. Her stripper name is Broadway. If you give me your phone, I’ll bring up her portfolio so you can see what she looks like.”
“What’s your name, my little bohemian?”
“Jackie,” I said. “Jackie Mitchell.” I brought up the Zimmerman website and clicked over to Lisa’s headshot and biography.
“It’s nice to meet you, Jackie.”
“Nice to meet you too.” I ducked my head, suddenly shy. I handed him back his phone. “That’s her.”
Darcy studied the picture. “I haven’t seen her so far.”
“How can you be sure?”
“I never forget a pretty face.”
He really was a charmer. If I hadn’t imprinted on Miles and the burly bouncer type I could see myself falling for Darcy’s smile and roguish good looks.
I took his phone back and typed my cell number into his address book. “Here’s my number. Call me day or night if you see her.”
“No worries. If she’s in Vegas and out in public, we’ll find her.”
“Why are you doing this?” He didn’t seem like he was working an angle.
“I’ve got a sister who runs a little wild too. Her name’s Amie. If she went missing in a town like this, I’d be going crazy.”
I bit my lip and looked away. “I’m going to hit all the hotels on the Strip and all the ones that give room and board to their employees.”
“That last is going to be a short list,” Darcy said gently.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” I needed to start another dance otherwise the thought of my sister prostituting herself would choke me. I would have helped her financially, but she wouldn’t have accepted it. I never thought she’d choose to sell her body though. Maybe she hadn’t. But I couldn’t think of another job that would provide room and board in Vegas.
“I could check out some of the chicken ranches,” Darcy offered.
“Oh, she doesn’t like farms.”
Darcy coughed to hide a laugh. “Chicken ranch is another name for brothel.”
