Daisy Mae watched the scene unfold from the other end of the bar, far enough away that she couldn’t hear what was being said, but close enough that she could intercede if necessary. Diamond’s mother had been a royal pain in the ass. She was a junkie and sex addict who cared more about her next score and her next fuck than her own child. But she belonged to this place and this place belonged to her. She was one of Daisy Mae’s people, for all her faults. And that was enough to give Daisy Mae reason to watch over Diamond to the extent that was possible with a nineteen-year-old girl who knew her own mind.

Daisy Mae began moving down toward Diamond and the suit when she saw his hand slip under the bar. She wasn’t sure whom she was more likely to have to protect, her or him, but she knew there was no good outcome. She heard Diamond’s voice.

“Take your hand off my leg.” It was a growl. Not loud, but deep and threatening, with just a touch of pity. The suit was clearly too drunk and too horny to catch the tone.

“C’mon, sweetheart,” he slurred, leaning in even closer to Diamond. “I got lotsa cash!”

Daisy Mae was hurrying down the bar, almost in front of them, but she feared she might be too late. “Is there a problem?” she asked loudly, hoping to distract them for long enough to defuse the situation. It was a foolish hope.

“What the fuck did you say to me?” Diamond hollered. The pity was now gone, and there was nothing but anger left.

“I said I got cash. We could be friends, you and me.” The suit still hadn’t caught on. He was pawing at her; the booze and testosterone had overpowered any good sense and judgment that might have ever existed in the man’s brain.

The good-looking young man appeared as though from nowhere, like a Canadian Mountie in the midst of the swill of the strip club. He was standing behind the suit, a firm hand on his shoulder. “I think the lady would like to be left alone,” he said. His tone was more amused than angry.

The suit turned to the young man, a confused look on his face. “I got cash,” he said. He reached into his pocket and a roll of twenties tumbled to the floor. “See,” he said as he bent down, fumbling to pick up the bills, “I got cash. I’m looking for a friend.” He looked up at the young man. “Do I talk to you? Are you her…”

“Pimp?” A full smile broke over the young man’s face. “How much you got?”

“Fuck you!” Diamond yelled at the young man. She stood up and grabbed her coat.

The suit held out the wad of cash to her, a pathetic, baffled look on his face. “How much?”