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He nudged my back with his elbow.
    A bartender placed napkins in front of us. “How can I help you?”
    “By putting on some pants, man.” Troy twisted around and faced me. “I’ve seen enough butt naked men in jail. The last thing I want to see tonight is a naked man.”
    “Sorry, you have to excuse my brother,” I told the bartender. “I’ll have a pinot noir.”
    “I’ll have a rum and Coke.” Troy continued to keep his eyes on everything but the naked bartender in front of us.
    “Nothing for me. I have to go to the bathroom.” Vivian jumped off her seat and strolled to the back.
    Troy almost twisted his neck while he ogled Vivian’s behind. He whistled and then spotted my shocked expression. “What?”
    “Vivian has a boyfriend.”
    “Of course.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m just looking, no harm intended.”
    “Benny’s going to have a heart attack when he finds out you’re staying at our apartment. Don’t make things more complicated.”
    “Girl, that’s Viv we’re talking about.” He snorted. “I’m just amazed at how great both of you look. I remember before I went in how you had those scarecrow bodies and huge glasses. When you laughed you would snort.”
    “You’re quite the charmer.”
    The bartender set our drinks in front of us. I dug into my purse. The bartender raised his hand to stop me. “That’s not necessary. Mr. Stone asked your bill be sent to his account.”
    “Oh.” I glanced at Chase. He watched me from his side of the lounge. I mouthed thanks . He nodded and returned to talking to his fiancée.
    “So that’s your boss?” Troy checked where I’d been looking.
    “Yes.”
    “I don’t like what’s in his eyes. They were all over you when Vivian and I entered the lounge.”
    Ignoring Troy, I sipped the wine. The bitter liquid glided across my tongue with a smooth subtly. Good stuff . Amber light flashed across Troy’s face as a new song played. This time the electronic bass thumped at a steadier pace. A woman sung in a reggae tone about love and heartbreak. I drank some more of my wine.
    “He’s watching you now,” Troy announced. I choked and coughed a little.
    “His eyes are shifty,” Troy said.
    “What are you trying to imply?”
    “There are old guys who sit in jail for years knowing they won’t ever get released. When new men come in the old guys watch them just like your boss is staring at you.”
    “You’re insane.” I swallowed a gulp of wine.
    “As soon as the new men are alone the old guys hold them down and rape them.”
    Vivian returned. “What have I missed?”
    I pointed to my brother. “According to Troy, my boss is going to attack and sodomize me.”
    “Interesting.” She glanced Chase’s way. “He’s pretty hot.”
    “He’s engaged and my boss,” I countered.
    “Well, he’s staring at you like a guy does right before he walks over to a lady and asks her to dance,” she said.
    I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “You both are over-exaggerating.”
    “I’m serious.” Troy chugged his rum and Coke. “Just stay on guard with that guy and let me know if I need to take care of him.”
    Hell no. I’d like you to stay out of jail this time.
    “Okay.” I thought about what Chase said about my brother. “By the way, my boss offered you a guard job. He said you should go to human resources on Monday.”
    “Why would he give me a job?” Troy set the glass on the bar. “Does he know I have a record?”
    “Yes.”
    “This guy is shady,” Troy said.
    “Oh stop.” Vivian patted his back. “This is great news. Plus, my dad would have never recommended Jasmine if he thought Stone Industries was dangerous. Dad loves Jasmine like his own daughter.”
    It was true. Benny had done more things for me than my own mom. Things beyond the average person’s expectations. He’d even hidden a murder for me years ago. Troy had killed one of Mom’s boyfriends when we were twelve. While she was passed out on the couch, the