Lover Undercover by Samanthe Beck Read Free Book Online

man, as if memorizing for a test. Finally, she dropped it and shook her head. “No.”
    “His name is Alex Montenegro. Sound familiar?”
    Again, she shook her head.
    “Is that a no?”
    “Yes, that’s a no.” Her irritation came through loud and clear.
    “Vern indicates he was also one of your regulars, until about eight months ago. At that time, the LAPD discovered his body in an alley a block from Deuces. He’d been beaten to death, just like Mr. Long.” Trevor tossed out another picture of Mr. Montenegro, this one a lot less flattering.
    Her eyes darted to his. “I thought you said the similar crimes angle was a dead end?”
    “I said sometimes it’s a dead end.” Relaxing in his chair, he folded his hands behind his head and smiled. “Not this time, as it turns out. Speaking of similarities, Vern says Mr. Montenegro behaved improperly during one of your private dances and security escorted him out against his will. Do you remember the incident?”
    “I don’t know…vaguely?”
    “A disappointing answer from such an observant woman. Vern couldn’t remember exactly what went down, but he thinks the incident occurred during what ended up being Mr. Montenegro’s last visit to Deuces. Tell me, Stacy, do you have a boyfriend?”
    “No.”
    “A jealous ex? An overprotective man in your life who isn’t real happy with your career choice?”
    “No. No ,” she insisted when he continued to stare at her. “What are you getting at?”
    “I’m getting at two men, beaten to death in a manner so similar it’s practically a signature, whose only other connection appears to be their enthusiasm for Deuces…and you. That’s either an incredible coincidence—and I don’t believe in coincidence—or you’re involved. For several reasons, not the least of which is all the heat you walked into by finding and reporting Mr. Long’s body, I doubt you’re knowingly involved.”
    He waited a beat, to gauge her reaction to his statement, and caught the faintest flicker of relief cross her face. “Don’t take too much comfort from staying off the suspect list, because if I’m right, you’re in an even more precarious situation. You’ve caught a killer’s eye. So far he’s going after your poorly behaved clients, but I can’t help wondering what happens if he decides you’re the one behaving poorly.”
    His words rounded her huge, blue eyes, but she didn’t crack. Instead, she dropped her gaze to her watch. “I’ve answered your questions as best I can. Am I free to go?”
    “What’s your hurry? Somebody extremely dangerous is watching you closely, if my theory is correct. Maybe you’d like to consider the implications for a moment?”
    She didn’t respond, but her expression conveyed such apprehension, uncertainty, and plain old misery, he couldn’t stop himself from trying again.
    “Hey.” He softened his voice. “You’re in a risky situation. I need your help to get you out.”
    She glanced his way, but said nothing.
    “Is there anyone hanging around Deuces who makes you nervous—a client or a coworker you dated, or who wanted a date and didn’t get one? A guy who’s controlling, possessive, or just not quite right? Now’s not the time to protect someone you feel sorry for. Protect yourself.” He let concern lace his voice. Not hard. He was extremely concerned. Duty compelled him to keep her safe, but his desire to do so went well beyond a professional aim to protect and serve. He’d developed a soft spot for this resourceful little stripper with a core of old-fashioned decency.
    “There’s something you’re not saying. I can tell.” Knuckle under her chin, he tipped her face up and held her wary, frightened gaze. “Please, talk to me.”
    The signs of her indecision played across her face for several moments. Ultimately, though, she shook her head. “I can’t—”
    “God, you’re a tough one.” For the second time now he’d convinced himself she was about to trust