Work Like You Don't Need the Money (22 page)

“You enjoying this?”

Jack nodded. “It's good to get the guys together.” He tilted his bottle to where Nate and Ben were dancing with two blonde chicks. One was shimmying her large and barely covered bosom up and down Ben's chest, while her friend was dancing with her back to Nate, shaking her booty against his groin. “They sure look like they're having fun!”

Pete laughed, “Those two would find half-naked women in a monastery. We've got no worries there.” He looked past Jack. “Uh-oh, incoming at your nine o'clock.” He'd spotted a tall, leggy brunette making a bee line for Jack, her little redhead friend at her side.

The brunette put a hand on Jack's shoulder. “Dance with me?”

Pete smiled when Jack made a big show of lifting his bottle for a swig of beer with his left hand, showing off the heavy gold band he called his 'engagement ring.'

“I'm waiting for my wife.”

The brunette turned away. Pete shook his head at the redhead who lingered, looking hopefully at him.

Jack rolled his eyes as Pete's smile became a laugh once they'd gone. “Well! It's true. I'm waiting for her to become my wife.”

“Man, you've got it bad!”

Jack grinned. “Real bad. I've never been happier. Though I'd be happier still if you'd let me take her to Mario's tonight instead of coming here.”

“Man up!” laughed Pete. “It's one night with the guys. You've got the rest of your life to take her to Mario's. Come on, let's get another.”

As they headed to the bar, Pete knew how Jack felt. He'd much rather be spending this evening alone with Holly.

They found Smoke and Dan at the much quieter back bar, far away from the dance floor. The two of them were deep in conversation about the new satellite navigation system Smoke was having installed in Papa Charlie.

“Here's my brother!” Jack slapped Dan on the back.

“Hey, you having a good time?”

Jack nodded.

Pete turned his head at the sound of his name being called.

“Hey Hemming!” Oh, fuck! This was not good. He tried to position himself so he'd block Jack's view of the newcomer, who was pretty drunk by the looks of him.

“Hemming, how you doing, man? Have a drink with me!”

“Hey. We were just leaving,” Pete lied.

“Great, where we going?” The guy's eyes were glassy as he staggered into Pete and grasped his hand.

Pete caught him and heaved his huge frame onto a stool. “You've had enough.”

The man's eyes narrowed. “Never got why you don't like me, Hemming,” his raised voice drew the others' attention. Pete turned away from him. A heavy hand came down on his shoulder, and he took a deep breath. If Jack weren't here he'd tell the guy exactly why he despised him, but this was Jack's night. Pete needed to get him out of here before he realized who this asshole was.

Pete turned back to face the man. He could see how women would find him attractive, but right now he was drunk, his handsome features softened by too much alcohol.

“I said, you've had enough. Take it home.”

The guy banged on the bar, “Service!”

The bartender came over. “I'm sorry, Mr. Rivera, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave.”

Oh, shit! Pete sensed Jack tense behind him.

“I'm going nowhere! Bring me another shot, and for my friends here. Pete and,” he leaned around Pete and raised his eyebrows.

Jack's face was murderous. Pete tried to pull him to his feet. “Come on, we're out of here.”

Jack didn't move. Dan and Smoke were making 'what the fuck?' faces at Pete. He didn't have time to explain.

“Ah,” the man grinned. “You're the guy!”

Pete again tried to get Jack to his feet, but Jack threw his hand off. “I am?” His voice was low and menacing.

“Yeah, the guy she's got her claws into now. Sweet little Emma.”

Jack was on his feet now, Pete had never seen him so angry.

“Jack, leave it man, he's isn't worth it!”

Jack's eyes didn't leave the man's face, but he gave a slight nod. “Don't. You. Dare. Say another fucking word to me!” With that he turned on his heel to follow Pete. Dan and Smoke closed in behind.

“Hey, man! Just a piece of advice from someone who's been there?”

Pete spun around knowing he needed to stop Jack.

“She's great in bed if you like pain vanilla, but you'll get bored. I did.”

Pete couldn't get a hold of Jack. He moved like a big cat, covering the distance back to the bar and had the man by the throat against the wall before any of them could react. He was shaking the guy, ready to kill him.

“Jack!” It was Dan that spoke. “Jack, let him go. He's not worth it. Jack, please don't?”

At the word, 'please,' Jack dropped the guy and turned to Dan. “Sorry Danny, let's go.”

Pete understood the exchange between the brothers, sons of a vicious drunk who used to beat them.

He couldn't believe that Rivera was stupid enough to open his mouth again, “Enjoy my leftovers!”

Jack spun around. His fist connected with Rivera's face, knocking him out cold. Jack glowered around at them. “Tell me I was wrong?”

Pete shook his head, none of them could. Emma's ex was the biggest asshole he'd ever met.

The bartender came hurrying over. “I'll sort this out, you guys had better get out of here.”

“I'll stay and deal with it,” Jack's shoulders sagged. “He'll probably want to press charges.”

“He has no grounds,” said the barman.

“I think he does,” replied Jack.

Rob was coming to now. The barman had him sitting up against the wall, slapping his face none too gently to bring him around. “Mr. Rivera, you are not going to press charges, are you?”

Rob's eyes narrowed.

“Mr. Rivera, that wasn't a question.”

Pete exchanged a look with Jack, what was that about?

“Nothing happened here, did it, Mr. Rivera?”

Rob glowered at the barman, then turned a hateful look at Jack, then Pete. “No.”

The barman looked up at them. “He won't be pressing charges, I assure you. Though you guys may want to be leaving now?”

Pete took Jack's arm and steered him away before he could argue. “Dan, would you and Smoke let the others know we're leaving? If they want to stay we can send the car back for them.”

Pete guided Jack toward the club's entrance, he needed to get his partner out of here. Once they emerged into the cool night air, Jack started to look more like himself again and less like a man with murder on his mind. They found the limo and sat up on the trunk while they waited. Pete said nothing. He knew Jack would talk when, and if, he wanted to. They sat a long while in silence.

“I thought he'd be smaller,” Jack said eventually.

Pete raised an eyebrow.

“Everything I'd ever heard about the guy made me think of a little weasel-shit.”

Pete had to laugh. “What the hell is a weasel-shit?” He was relieved when Jack grinned.

“You know, the weedy little guy with a mean streak. A coward, not big enough or strong enough to face you, but you know you've got to watch your back ‘cause he's sneaky.”

Pete nodded. “No, Rivera's a lot of things, but he's no weasel shit.”

Jack sighed and cradled his fist, “What am I going to tell Em?”

Pete looked at his friend's hand, “Shit! Do you need to get that looked at?”

“Nah, it's fine, but Em's not going to like it.”

“She'll understand.”

Jack nodded. “Yeah, she will. She'll probably be surprised I didn't kill him. I know I am.”

Pete smiled. “I thought you were going to when you had him against the wall.”

Jack looked at him. “I might have if Danny hadn't been there. I've never been into violence. You know that. Not coming from where we do. But damn, Pete, I could've killed him. You have no idea. Maybe someday, when you meet a woman, you'll understand. With Em making her happy is what makes me happy. The thought of her with someone else makes me see red. Thinking of that someone hurting her. It's just… It's crazy making is what it is.. I always thought if I met him I'd kill him. Thank God Dan was here.”

Pete considered that. The thought of someone hurting Holly? Wasn't that what was driving him crazy? The thought of the loan sharks and what they might do to her? Making her happy made him happy. The thought of someone making her unhappy was weighing heavily on him. That someone was him. She was unhappy that their time together would end next week. He hated that. He was unhappy about it too, but that was just the way it was. There was nothing he could do.

“Hey, Bro, where'd you go?” Jack was looking at him.

“Sorry, nowhere. But, where are we going to go, that's the question? You want to call it a night? We could pick up a case and go back to yours. I wish we'd let the girls stay at Em's. We could've gone back to my house to play pool.

Jack gave him a funny look.

“Uh-oh, what are you scheming, Benson?”

“I want to see Em.”

Pete thought about it. “It's meant to be guys’ night out.”

“Yeah, and look how that turned out. I want to see her. Tell her what I did.”

Pete had to admit he like the idea himself, but still. “It's her hen night. She's supposed to be out with the girls.”

“Yeah, I know.” Jack grinned. “Team Slinky! I'd love to see what that looks like, and I know I'm not the only one.”

Pete grinned back. “Yeah, but crashing her hen night?”

“She didn't want to go any more than I did, and you know it.” His face fell. “Did Holly tell you where they were going?”

Pete shook his head, then grinned. “No, but I can call Albert!”

“Let's do it!”

Jack looked much happier now, who was Pete to stand in his way? He dug his phone out of his pocket to call Albert while Jack texted Dan to see if the rest of them wanted to come.

                                                          **********

Holly snatched Emma's phone out of her hands laughing. She handed her a drink instead.

“Sweetie, come dance again. Leave the poor man alone. You've done well so far, and you'll see him in the morning!”

Emma grinned sheepishly. “I just wanted to...”

“Well you can't! Now back to the dance floor.”

Emma downed the rest of her drink. “Yes, Ma'am!”

They elbowed their way back to Laura and Missy who were fending off two guys dancing around them.

“Team Slinky seems to be a hit!” laughed Laura as three more men crowded around them.

“Sure is,” said Missy, elbowing one of them as he grabbed her hips from behind and started moving with her.

Emma trod on a foot as another tried to get up against her. She looked at Holly. “Can't I go and sit down again? This isn't appropriate for an old, almost married lady!” She laughed.

Holly shook her head, “No chance, Sweetie.” She neatly dodged hands that were trying to grab her ass as one of the guys breathed down her neck. She twirled away and ended up with Emma in her arms. “We came to have fun and that we shall do!” She shimmied her shoulders. “Remember this?”

Emma laughed. “Course I do!” She shimmied back. The two of them held on to each other and danced together so no one could get near. Laura and Missy did the same.

“Damn!” Holly realized this was having the opposite effect to what they'd hoped. Instead of being shut out and moving on to hunt elsewhere, the guys were now dancing in a circle around them. Some of them openly drooling at their girl on girl double act. She scanned the club, looking for an escape. She wanted to dance, but not like this. Her eyes lit up as she spotted a very familiar face.

“What is it?” asked Emma.

“I spy the cavalry!” grinned Holly, waving madly. “Lots of very hot, very safe men to dance with.” When she finally caught his attention, he grinned and spoke to his friends. They made their way across the crowded dance floor.

She flung her arms around his neck. “Roberto!”

“Holly, Holls, darling! And little Miss Emster.” He kissed Emma's cheek. “Congratulations Little one.” He cast an eye over Missy and Laura. “Well, lookit this, it's Team Slinky!”

Roberto shouted introductions. Holly knew his partner John very well and recognized some of the others. She wondered how it worked that gay men always seemed to be so good looking. Most of Berto's friends could easily be models. Then again, knowing him, they probably were! They danced so well too. The girls danced happily with them as the grabby guys from earlier drifted away. This was much better.

She squealed as the next song came on and turned to Roberto. “Salsa! Dance with me!” she shouted and he grinned. They moved together perfectly. She and Em had taken a salsa class with Berto and John last year and they had all loved it. John danced with Emma. The four of them turned heads. As the song changed, Berto spun Holly away and John caught her.

“Trading partners!” shouted Berto as he moved in on Emma. Missy and Laura were swept up by two of his friends. Berto beckoned to another, he shouted in his ear and sent him over to the D.J. Holly watched the exchange and knew what was coming. When the song came to an end she clung to John. “Lambada with me, Sweetie!”

John laughed and pulled her close, pressing his thigh between her legs as they moved. He smiled down at her. “You know, someday, lovely, you really need to find a straight guy to do this with.”

She laughed as he spun her away then pulled her back, molding her body to him, as they moved with the music. “Not happening, Sweetie. We're too good together!”

She looked over at Berto and Emma who looked like they were having sex standing up, as did every couple dancing around them who knew the lambada, and most seemed to. Holly let her head drop back, hair swinging. John held onto her with his over-muscled arms and expertly moved her body with his own. How she loved to dance!

                                                            **********

Pete scanned the club. It wasn't a place he was too familiar with. He wasn't a big clubber and this one played a lot of Latin music. He danced well, but didn't like dance floors like this one. This, to him, seemed to be more about public foreplay than dancing.

Jack stood by his side. “They've got to be here somewhere.”

Dan and Smoke were scanning the crowd too. Dan's face lit up. “I see Missy!” Pete wasn't surprised that she was the one he'd been looking for.