Love or Money by Elizabeth Roderick Read Free Book Online

stepped in.
    It had been so long since she’d had a real shower, not the lukewarm drip that passed for one in prison. Other women had always harassed her into hurrying up or asked to borrow her conditioner.
    She took a long time lathering shampoo and conditioner through her thick hair, soaping every inch of herself, letting the water run over her body, which eased the tightness out of her muscles. By the time she got out and wrapped herself in a soft towel, the bathroom was so full of steam she could barely see the far wall.
    Isaias was waiting by the door tapping his foot by the time she was dressed and ready. He raised his eyebrows when he saw her. “That’s all the makeup you’re wearing? You look like a well-endowed fifteen-year-old.” He grinned. “Never mind. It could work.”
    Riel followed him out of the house through the misty rain, cursing under her breath.
    She climbed into the cab of his truck, hunching as close against the passenger door as she could. She stared at the water beading on the windows, ignoring Isaias as he climbed into the driver’s seat. He started the engine and turned off the radio. They pulled out of the driveway in complete silence, save for the sound of the heater blowing and the rain hissing on the truck’s roof.
    Riel could feel him glancing at her. Finally, he blew out a long breath through puffed cheeks. “Listen, Riel. I know you’re pissed off at me, but there’s no reason to be like this. I’m trying to take care of you.”
    She glanced over at him, crossing her arms.
    “Whatever, be that way then,” he said. “Listen, when you talk to your probation officer, tell him I have you working in the offices of Zuniga Enterprises doing filing and payroll, stuff like that.”
    She scowled. “If this dance club of yours is supposedly a legitimate business, why can’t I tell the truth?”
    He snickered. “You tell him you’re gyrating in some titty bar, I’m sure he’ll make some excuse to come check that out, just to make sure everything’s on the up-and-up, that you’re not getting drunk on the job or doing anything shady. But once he sees those hot, round breasteses jiggling around up there, he’s going to get ideas. Do you really want to end up giving your probation officer a lap dance or worse in exchange for staying out of jail?”
    He glanced between her and the road, raising an eyebrow, until she finally looked away. She crossed her arms. “Okay, fine. I’ll tell him I’m working in the office.”
    “ Bueno. Good girl.” He continued to glance at her with the smirk she always had the urge to burn off with a flamethrower. She tried not to look at him, but it was maddening, and she couldn’t keep her eyes from sliding over to his.
    “Come on, Rielita,” he said. “Don’t be this way. It won’t be so bad working with me in the bar. I’m a nice guy if you get to know me.”
    Riel bit back all the insults she wanted to hurl. It would just make life harder if she fought him, and it might even make it easier if she didn’t. He might let his guard down.
    She swallowed the sour taste in her mouth and tried to keep the contempt out of her voice. “I’m sorry, Isaias,” she said. “I just, you know, feel weird about all this. Getting out, being back in the real world again, it’s strange. And now having this job. I’ve never done anything like that. I don’t even know how to dance.”
    He grinned. “The dancing isn’t the important part.” He reached out and pinched her waist. She flinched but kept herself from jerking away. “Don’t worry about that stuff,” he said. “I’ll always take care of you, as long as you’re a good girl and do the right thing, okay?”
    “Okay.” She forced a smile. It felt more like a grimace, but he must have believed it because he pinched her waist again.
     
    ***
     
    He dropped her off on the fringes of downtown, in front of a squat, four-story building. “Text me when you get out of there, I’ll come get