Page 6 of Forbidden Wish
“I get that,” he said, resting his hand on her shoulder again. “You’re a good person, Immie. One who should stay away from the scum of this world. Rule of thumb?” An offer of advice, she raised her head like she planned to accept it. “If you need my help to get to a story, it’s not a story you should be anywhere near.”
She laughed. “Okay.”
Pulling her close, he kissed the top of her head. They’d come from the same place, yet he thought she was made of glass. She wasn’t. Whatever it took, she’d get the story. She’d get justice. One way or another.
THREE
SEXY WOULD DO IT.
In theory. Her choice of a circle miniskirt gave her plenty of room to move… though it barely covered her ass. If Ford had believed in her and come along, displaying so much skin wouldn’t have been necessary. A strip of midriff showed between waistline and the halter top held on her body by three thin straps across her back and one at her neck. Skin. Rack. Those were her only chance of getting inside.
The cab dropped her off at the front. Maybe. There was no sign. No lights. No glitz and glamour. In fact, it was dark and more than a little creepy. Super exclusive, just like Mila said. A few people hung outside, didn’t look like they were getting in.
A chain hung across the entrance, an actual chain. Not like red velvet or a rope line, nope, real chain. Behind that, two thugs, almost wider than the doors, had already noticed her. Probably because it was cold and her chest was saying hello in its own way.
Widening her smile, she was subtle about arching her spine and pushing back her shoulders. At least, she thought it was subtle. That’s right, fellas, nothing threatening here. Cute and harmless or femme fatale? Her ruby red lips matched her skirt. By the look of the club they were apparently protecting, white may not have been a good choice for her top.
“Evening, gentlemen,” she said, stopping at the chain. Those loitering to the side noticed her too, but men’s egos tended to have a specific bias toward boobs. “I’m meeting someone.”
“You’ve met him. I’m right here, beautiful,” one guy said. “Man, you’re a classy chick.”
With a sly half smile, she did an innocent little shoulder raise as her chin went toward it. “Am I?”
The guy laughed, drawn in, perfect. “Guess we could audition her.”
His partner came closer. “Know a few of the guys who would.”
“And you wouldn’t?”
“I fucking would. I will… Boss’s got rules though.”
Okay, they were talking about her as though she wasn’t there. A journalist’s dream. It was so much easier to gather information when people dismissed her as inconsequential.
“Yeah, we can’t let you in, baby,” the first guy said, touching the halter of her top, drawing his fingers down.
Was he just going to grope her right there? If she wanted to get in, she’d smile through it. Thank God her brother wasn’t there.
“We can take you round the side,” the second guy said. “Security guys hang there and at break—”
“Much as I’d love to, I really am meeting someone inside.”
The guys looked at each other. “What’s your name, darlin’?”
Did people bluff their way in all the time? She couldn’t see a physical list anywhere. Could it really be that exclusive? She had money in her clutch. Might be time to see if a little grease would help.
“My name?” she said, sliding her purse from under her arm to open the clasp.
“Yeah.”
A name? Did she want them checking her out? Her hand slipped into her clutch. How much was too much? She didn’t want to insult them either.
“Dunn.”
That word came from nowhere. Swinging around, she didn’t expect to see her brother’s best friend, Jagger Dunn, moseying toward them. Her mouth dropped open. Ridiculously tall. Ridiculously built. Mothers warned daughters about bad boys like Jagg. Dangerous. Brooding… Perfect for a place like Hustle and exactly the kind of guy who could get her in.
Hot was relative. No one could deny his appeal in those grubby jeans and heavy boots. In contrast to her extra effort, it didn’t appear he’d given any thought to his attire… or even changed out of his clothes from the day.
“Dunn,” the first guy said, and appealed to his colleague. “Did anyone—”
