The music started up again and finally there was no one at her bar. It looked like the main billing of the night was up. Whiskey had explained to her that the really hot girls didn’t perform until after ten. All the tables around the stage were full now.

Jazz strode up, the head bartender looking no more relaxed than she had when she’d walked away for her break. The woman was a good foot taller than Lisa and she was way better dressed for her job. Jazz wore a sexy sleeveless jumper with a plunging neckline that showed off her toned body. Her long hair was back in braids and even white teeth shone against her perfect skin. It probably wasn’t Jazz’s fault that the smile still looked a bit predatory. Jazz stared down at the cocktail in Lisa’s hand.

“We got some weird bridal party in tonight?”

She shook her head. “I think it’s a test.”

Jazz wrapped an apron around her lean waist. “It ain’t Jai. Jai doesn’t know what a daiquiri is. Well, then, go on. I can see that you’re curious, but if you aren’t back here soon, I’ll assume you don’t care about that tip jar.”

Mystikal’s “Shake It Fast” started rocking the building and Lisa knew she couldn’t pass up this chance. She wanted to know who was testing her. She still wasn’t sure it wasn’t Jai, or perhaps the actual owner was here. Jai called it his club, but he was merely the manager.

“I’ll follow you,” she told Whiskey. “This is too full. I don’t want you to spill it.”

Whiskey gave her a one-armed shrug and started back out into the fray. Lisa followed along, her feet aching. Maybe she should have given up the daiquiri. She wasn’t as sure on her stripper heels as Whiskey was. She’d made it halfway across the floor when she suddenly found herself blocked by a large man in a softball uniform that proclaimed he was one of the mighty Rebels of Caruth LTD. She wasn’t sure what he was rebelling against, but he was in her way.

“Excuse me,” she said politely as the strobes began to flash.

“Excuse you,” he slurred. “Teacher lady, I need a new drink. I wanna round of Fruit Loops shots for my buddies. Why are you dressed like a teacher lady? Reminds me of Mrs. Hoover. Third grade. She was a bitch.”

Okay. “I will get those to you in a few minutes.”

She started to go around him.

“Wait, teacher lady. I need a drink,” he said. “Do you know who I am?”

He was an asshole. “Nope, but I’m busy and I’ll get to you in a moment.”

She started moving again, walking around him and catching a glimpse of the table ahead. Was that…?