She’d been gone for three days. I sat in a chair and glared at the dancer

on the stage. It wasn’t Roxie, and she was terrible. I knew she wouldn’t last long. From the listless way she danced, it was obvious she had a drug problem. Miss Maples would pull the woman aside, have her treated, then offer her a job somewhere else. I’d heard a lot about how fantastic Miss Maples was from Roxie over the last few days as I waited for Stephanie to come home.

A family illness had cropped up, and she’d had to go home. That had put the damper on things, but I couldn’t complain. She had family. I had two adoptive parents and no siblings. I didn’t know what it was like to have to take care of nieces and nephews while your family member was sick.

It gave me time to come up with a new contract, and to think about whether I actually wanted to give it to her. I was alright, really, the first few days. I did the contract, I worked, unpacked my apartment, and settled into it. Roxie said it would be a couple of days, at least. When she wasn’t back on the third day, I started to wonder.

Had the sick family member been an excuse? Did she really just not want to

come back? Had she got what she wanted and decided to leave? No, she was too curious to walk away.

“When’s she coming back, Roxie?” I asked as the beautiful young woman came to sit beside me. “Why can’t I have her phone number?”

“You know that’s against the rules until you sign on as her protector. Until then, you contact her only through me.” There was an edge to Roxie’s voice that

I wasn’t about to argue with, especially when her eyebrow lifted, and she gave me the female version of the ‘don’t fuck with me’ look.

“Fine.” I sighed, and sank lower in my chair. Perhaps a little childish of me, but I was getting antsy. I wanted to feel her soft skin and smell her delicate scent.

And fuck, her taste, I wanted to taste her so much.

“I could offer you another girl, if you’d like?” Roxie asked with a twitch around her nose that meant something, but I wasn’t sure.

“No, I’ll wait for Stephanie.” I didn’t elaborate on why, and I wasn’t about to. That was my business, not hers.

When a grin spread over her face, I knew I’d passed some kind of test, but it didn’t matter. The only person who mattered was Stephanie; only, she wasn’t here.

“Do you think it will be much longer?” My fingers tapped time on the tabletop, the blunt tips manicured with short nails that barely made a sound.

“I don’t think so. The issue was sorted quickly and without too much of a problem. Stephanie should be back soon.” Roxie smirked, she actually smirked, and I wanted to be upset, but I couldn’t be. She was right to smirk at my antics.

I was acting like a lovesick idiot. Over a woman I barely knew. I inhaled deeply and went back to my conversation. “How’s Freddy then?”

“Fine. He had to go to San Diego this week, but he won’t be longer than that.”

“So it’s just us then?” I asked with a goofy leer meant to make her laugh.

“Very much so. And no, you aren’t getting in my pants! Even if you are a handsome devil.” She gave me a wink, and I laughed with her. “Buy me a drink, sailor?”

“Of course, my lady. What would you like?” The waitress was busy, so I went up to the bar to order two drinks, and we headed back to the table.

“Why are you here tonight if Freddy’s out of town?” I sipped at my scotch

and looked at her over the rim of the glass.

“It’s my job to be here, no matter what I’m doing while I’m here. I have to help make sure things run smoothly. Keep the men in line, and the ladies sometimes.” Roxie’s façade slipped for a second, and I caught a glimpse of a

tired woman who needed a break.

I’d have to suggest to Freddy that he needed to take his lady on a vacation.

She’d let her mask slip, for just a moment. Although, Roxie seemed to be one of a few who didn’t hide her face away, she did have a mask on, I realized, all the time. It was a peaceful expression that hid just how tired she really was.

Then it was back in place, and she slugged back the shot of vodka before she took a slug of ginger ale to wash it down.

“Another?” I asked, and she shook her head eagerly.

“Please, I think I’ll need it tonight. Big boy over there doesn’t quite know how to take no for an answer. I’ve told him twice already to keep his hands to himself. If he does it again, he’s leaving with broken fingers.” Roxie’s chin jerked in the direction of a man at a table alone.

He was a fairly hefty guy, with thinning hair and mean eyes. I didn’t like the look of him. “I’m here if you need help.”

I decided to stay the rest of the evening, or until the guy left, for Roxie. I didn’t have to, I knew that, but she was becoming a friend, and I’d wanted to protect her. It was the decent thing to do, I thought.

The man walked to the bar when the waitress ignored his snapping fingers and glared over at Roxie as he did so.

“Why doesn’t Miss Maples just kick him out, Roxie? He’s a nuisance, and he’s going to cause a problem. He’s got that vibe about him, you know?” I didn’t take my eyes off the man as he went to the bar, sat on a stool with a heavy sigh, and stared at the bartender as he made the man’s drink.

“He’s some bigwig and friends with one of our major clients. She doesn’t want to offend the other client, so she’s let him in. I don’t think he’ll last long.

Maybe another half hour before he does something stupid. It’ll cause problems for Miss Maples, but, what can you do?”

The man that I’d now dubbed Kid Dickhead in my mind smoothed back the

fluffy, poorly colored blond hair that draped over his head to hide his bald spot as he hefted his way off the seat and made straight for Roxie.

Her eyes narrowed, and I saw her tense. It was subtle, but if you knew her, you could see the way her shoulders went back and up and how her jaw firmed

up.

“I’ll give you three grand, Roxie. That’s my final offer.” His piggy lips were wet and made my stomach turn as he spoke.

“I told you no, Roger. Please, abide by the rules and leave me alone now.”

“Who do you think you are? You’re just a high-class hooker; who are you to

tell me no? I’m Roger Updike. I can have whoever, whenever I want. In fact, go to a room now. I’ll go talk to Miss Maples, and she’ll set you straight.” His eyes had lit up, and his fat tongue came out to wet already slick lips. “Go on, do what your master says, bitch.”

“First of all,” Roxie said as she rocketed out of her seat, “I told you to leave me alone. Second of all, that’s not how any of this works. You don’t demand anything, you fat fuck! Lastly, and most importantly, I already have a protector; I don’t have to fuck you or anyone else. I wouldn’t fuck you if you offered me a million dollars, much less your measly three grand. Now fuck off, Roger.”

Her voice had been calm as she spoke to him; there hadn’t been the slightest bit of quiver or fear in her tone at all. She was sure, confident, and calm, which worked to make her words even more cutting. Roger’s swollen eyes narrowed as he glared at her, his lips pursed even tighter. “What the fuck did you just say to me, whore?”

I stood then, unbuttoned my suit jacket, and intruded on the conversation.

“The lady said to take a hike, buddy.”

“I’m not your buddy, and she’s not a lady. I’ll bend her over this table and take what I want if she doesn’t start to act right.”

He was going to say more, but my fist connected with his jaw, and his head