Page 30 of Desire

“Why not? If it’s as great as you say, there shouldn’t be a problem with me checking it out. Making sure it’s on the up-and-up.”

“It is,” Dante gritted out, irritation spiking through him. “I just told you—”

“And I heard you,” Joey cut in, his voice level but unyielding. “I want to make sure she’s safe and understand the environment she’s working in. It will be one less thing I have to worry about. Let me do this. Maybe it will give me some peace.”

Dante exhaled sharply through his nose, frustration and something like dread coiling in his gut. He knew that look on Joey’s face. That bullish set to his jaw that said he wasn’t going to budge. Not until he got what he wanted.

“Let me see what I can do.” Getting up from the table, Dante pulled out his phone and walked outside for some privacy. He scrolled through his contacts until he found Colleen’s number and hit the call button, putting the phone to his ear.

She picked up on the second ring. “What’s up?”

Dante grimaced, his free hand clenching into a fist at his side. He hated asking for anything. “Colleen. I need a favor.”

“This ought to be good.” Her voice was a purr, rich and indulgent.

“I need a day pass to Couture. For a friend.”

There was a brief pause. Then, “A friend, hmm? And would this friend happen to be interested in our other amenities as well?”

“No. Absolutely not. He’s strictly vanilla.” Dante slid a glance at Joey, who had finished his fries and was now starting in on Dante’s. If he wasn’t vanilla, Dante didn’t want to know about it. “It’s Emma’s brother, actually. He’s in the army, home on leave, and he wants to surprise her at work.”

“Emma’s brother?” Colleen sounded intrigued now. “Well, why didn’t you say so? Of course we’ll arrange a pass for him. Feel free to give him the grand tour.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“I’ll let Istvahn know. He’ll have the pass at the security station.”

After the call ended, Dante watched the seagulls fight over some crusts of bread. It would be fine. He just had to make sure Joey didn’t find out about Club Inferno or Dante’s role there. He came back in and sat down. “It’s set. We can head over whenever you’re ready.”

“Let’s go, then. No time like the present.”

Dante stared longingly at his half-eaten lobster dog, but he didn’t argue. “Follow me in your car.”

Chapter Nine

DANTE