Read Bare (Miss Demeanor Series Book 2) for Free Online

doesn’t always use his private elevator, sometimes he takes the stairs. You’re lucky he had a call to make first. Come on, let me help you.” Dante reached for Shay’s hand and helped her to her feet.
    “I’ll take the elevator down. These shoes and those stairs”—Shay snorted—“won’t work well together.” Dante’s sexy laugh unbalanced her and his hands grasped her waist to steady her. With only a couple of inches between them, she could feel his hot breath against her skin. The sexual tension she felt between them almost took over her senses. Somewhat relieved when he moved her away from the stairs, she chuckled through a sigh.
    He stood back to open the door. “Ladies first”
    The remainder of her shift flew by. Her feet throbbed. Shay wished she’d had the chance to soak them in the hot tub earlier. She also wished she had the chance to speak with Beth but only saw her once that evening with Dante at the bar. The evening crowd kept her busy. Shay remembered to bring a change of clothes with her. It felt good to put her running shoes on her feet. With no one looking, she reached inside her locker and quickly released her pistol from the compartment in her purse. Inconspicuously, she adjusted it to her belly strap under her sweatshirt. Shay tossed the shoes from hell into her backpack along with her work clothes and closed her locker. Dante wasn’t at the bar when she returned from the break room. She hadn’t had the chance to talk to him again since the staircase incident.
    “Looks like you’re ready to be beat again.”
    Shay laughed at Cassie’s comment when she entered the agency, too tired for a comeback, but happy to see her partners. She took a quick moment after the staircase incident to send River a message her cover might be jeopardized and to meet at the agency after her shift.
    “So what’s up Shay? Your urgent message had us all worried.”
    “I overheard a conversation between Rick and Dante—” Shay began.
    “The bartender,” Cassie interrupted her.
    Shay nodded. “There seems to be a secret meeting scheduled tomorrow at three-thirty in Rick’s office. He stressed that Dante keep the waitresses downstairs. Rick had Beth schedule elevator maintenance for that time and he had her arrange to have the overnight guests out of the club. I didn’t gather anymore. I snuck back to the staircase so I wouldn’t get caught eavesdropping, but Dante caught me there.”
    “You think Dante is suspicious now?” Maile handed Shay a coffee. “I think you need this.”
    Shay agreed as she took a gulp. “I came up with a lame excuse that my feet were killing me and had been looking for a place to hide for ten minutes on my break. I don’t think he bought it.”
    River spoke up, “I reprinted your reports and shared them with everyone, Shay. Your note seems accurate. No one involved has a criminal record. But it appears someone isn’t telling the truth—I mean, Renee or Beth. I think you’re right that one or both are hiding something. And this secret meeting makes me wonder if there is indeed an illegal drug operation happening at the club. Ladies, I think we need to be prepared for three-thirty tomorrow. It looks like Shay may need backup.”
    Everyone agreed to rearrange their schedules for that time the next day.
    “I plan to go in early before my shift and talk to Beth. I’d like to get her take on her relationship with her mother. I have an idea.”
    “Be careful, Shay. Text me if you need us. We’ll be on standby for you.”
    River hugged her and said goodnight. Maile agreed and wished Shay luck. Cassie mentioned they should skip their morning run and Shay go home and get some rest.
    “Not a chance. The run is exactly what I need before what seems is going to be a long day.”
    Cassie hugged her. “I might just let you win.”
    Shay laughed. “I can easily win without your charity.”
    Shay wanted to make one more call before she left for the rest she’d promised her