“Watch yourself,” Z warns.

“Yes. Officially they said it wasn’t allowed and like an idiot, I believed it.”

“That’s why Salvatore’s went out of business,” Z winks at me.

“These fuckers know what to expect in our place,” Dex growls.

“I meant, maybe the girls don’t know you’re serious. If she danced someplace before that told her one thing when they hired her but looked the other way…maybe she didn’t know.”

Dex tilts his head and studies me. “I had no idea you danced.”

“Long, long time ago.” I glance at Z, hoping he’s not annoyed I brought it up.

Dex runs his hand over his chin and flicks his gaze to Z then faces me. “We’ve kicked around the idea of a manager for the girls for a while now.”

Z slips a possessive arm around my shoulders. “Yeah, what’s your point?”

“You have experience, plus you’re a success story. Went to school and landed a job way outside the life. Be a good role model for them.”

My stomach churns. “I hardly think I’m a role model for anyone.”

“My old lady has plenty to keep her busy, bro.” Z’s statement comes out more like a threat.

A threat Dex seems to sense because he backs off and holds up his hands. “No offense. Just a suggestion.”

I narrow my eyes and glare at Z, not sure I like him speaking for me. What does he expect? That I’ll never work again? I’m not sure I could do that.

Z

Fucking Dex. I love that motherfucker, but I could throat-punch him right now.

The conversation goes on around us but eventually Lilly gets up and goes inside. I follow her to our room and shut the door behind us.

“You all right?”

She spins, long hair flying around her. “What do you expect from me, Z?”

She’s pissed. About what, I’m not sure. “What do you mean?”

“The way you shut Dex down when he suggested I work at Crystal Ball. Don’t you think that’s my decision? Or do you not want me working on your turf?”

Huh? My head’s throbbing trying to figure out what’s happening here. “No. I thought you…I don’t know, I thought you’d be insulted.”

She places her hands on her hips. “Why would I be insulted?”

Where did I go wrong? “Uh, because you left that behind to do something more important?” Not that I want to bring up bad stuff for her, but I’m not sure how else to explain my reasoning. “I thought now that the sick fucker was gone and…I don’t know…I assumed eventually you’d want to go back to working in government.”

“Oh.” Her shoulders drop and the anger melts off her face. “Really? You’d be okay with that?”

“If that’s what you want to do, yeah. Why?”