“Oh, stop it. I’ll use my escape signal before anything happens and we’ll have the footage we need to nail him to the wall.”
It was like I’d told him to go fuck himself. “Did you not hear me when I said no?”
“It’s not a big deal. I can handle this.”
“How the fuck are you going to handle it? You’ll be naked, blindfolded, and restrained!”
“Shane, calm down.” His voice had gotten so loud it had drawn the attention of a few agents near the glass doors. “I’m a big girl. It’s ten minutes of being naked in front of a guy, which . . . spoiler alert, I’ve done before. And I survived.”
He stared at the table, refusing to look at me, and his hand massaged the back of his neck.
“I know this is the mother of all bad ideas,” I added. “But it could be our only shot. I don’t want to miss the opportunity just because I have to flash some skin.”
“All of it,” he interjected. “All of your skin.”
“It’s not ideal, but it’s the fastest way. Come on. You want this assignment over just as much as I do.”
There’s no way it was true, because I wanted the operation done with every fiber of my being. I ached to tell Silas. I’d get my big fish. No matter what reaction it drew from him, even if he left, at least I could count on my work making a difference.
“What about him?” Shane didn’t name names, but there wasn’t a need. “You think he’s going to be okay with your ridiculous plan?”
“Not really, but it’ll be done before he knows about it.” Guilt roiled in my belly. This was it, th
e last, terrible thing I’d do to get free and come clean.
“Andrea.” It was the first time in more than a year he’d used my real name. Shane’s expression was one I’d seen before, only the worry in his eyes was amplified to scary proportions. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I need out,” I said, my voice flat. “I already told Julius I’d do it.” It was anything but convincing. “This is win-win.”
He raked a hand through his hair, turning away. “Yeah? Then why the hell do I feel like we’ve lost?”
Friday came much too soon. I didn’t get nervous, but everything was backward, like some sort of twisted mirror. I stood in the dressing room tugging off my clothes with the other working girls as Payton hooked her earpiece in.
Thank God Dominic’s work kept their honeymoon short. She’d only arrived back last night, and was able to fill the spot when I called and asked.
Tara wasn’t working tonight. She had an appointment with Mr. Gold tomorrow, and I was filled with relief when I saw her name wasn’t on the schedule. Otherwise I would have felt compelled to lie about why I was about to get on the table. I’d been lying to myself all week, saying it would be easy. That Silas would understand in the end.
I was appreciative that Payton didn’t ask about him, or my motives. A year ago I’d stood here and watched her undress as she actively tried to deceive me, and now our roles were reversed. She’d lose out on the sale when I used my signal, but she could deal. Payton didn’t need it. She liked the negotiations almost as much as the money, anyway.
“Do you have a target figure?” she asked as I cinched the silk robe closed.
My distracted mind had a difficult time focusing. She was asking about price. “No, not really. Nothing below a thousand.”
“Are you fucking with me? I just saw you naked, Regan. We both know that’s insanely low.”
“It is?”
Trepidation washed over Payton’s face and she grasped my elbow. “I don’t like this, how nervous you are.”
I tugged my elbow free from her grip, unable to contain my irritation. “I’m allowed to be nervous.”
She smiled softly, like she was glad I had returned to normal. “Of course you are. Hey, this is supposed to be enjoyable for both you and the client. You’re gonna have a great time.”
“Yeah. I’ll be better when I’m on the table,” I offered.
I highly doubted it, but I focused on the goal. I pictured Roland’s face when we arrived at his residence tomorrow morning and asked him to come with us downtown. Would he lose his shit when he saw me with my badge? I let my anticipation for that moment fuel me as I followed Payton down the hallway toward Room Five.
Marquis stood beside the door, a sick, twisted grin smeared on his face. How much did he know about my plan? At least after tonight, I wouldn’t have to see him anymore.