Free Out a Order by Evie Rhodes Page A

him?”
    Michael glanced nervously at the floor. “Nothing. I don’t know nothing. What could I say?”
    Rico nodded. “Do you know where I can find him?”
    Michael laughed. Temaine stopped sucking on his licorice. He watched Michael with interest.
    â€œYeah. The Dome.”
    Rico peeled off ten one-hundred-dollar bills. He shoved them into Michael’s hand. “You’re on my payroll as of now. Let’s go.”
    Michael visibly relaxed. He smiled.
    Rico looked at Temaine. “I said let’s go.”
    Â 
    Â 
    The Dome was in high gear. It was jumping. Shannon sat alone at the bar, sipping Jack Daniel’s. Shonda walked in, standing by the door, adjusting her eyes to the dark. Looking around she spotted Shannon Davenport alone at the bar.
    She was dressed in a short gold dress, with matching gold heels. Her legs were oiled and accented to perfection. An air of seduction clung to her like a second skin as she tossed long blond-weaved braids over her shoulder.
    She walked straight up to Shannon, tapping him on the shoulder. “Don’t I know you?” she said in a lilting, sensual, husky voice that dripped with an invitation to anywhere he wanted to go.
    Shannon showed no trace of memory. But appreciation leaped into his eyes. “Do you?”
    A slow caressing smile displayed itself across Shonda’s lips. “Yeah. We met at the office party last year in the bank. You’re Tawney’s husband, right?”
    Shannon glared at her. She’d ticked a nerve without meaning to.
    â€œI’m Shannon Davenport, if that’s what you mean.”
    Shonda traced a polished nail down his arm, quickly recovering, saying sweetly, “Shannon Davenport. That is exactly what I meant.”
    Shannon smiled, chiding himself for taking out his bad temper on this gorgeous, specimen of a female. Looking into her eyes, a glimmer of recognition nudged him. “Yeah, I remember you now. You look different without your bank clothes on.”
    Shonda returned his smile. “I have a life outside of the bank.”
    He gave her a once-over. “Is that so?”
    She returned his gaze. “It is.”
    Switching gears, Shonda laced her voice with just the right amount of sentiment. “I’m sorry about your daughter. That’s real messed up.”
    Shannon nodded as the familiar ache squeezed his chest.
    â€œMay I sit down?”
    â€œYeah.”
    She sat next to him, placing her hand warmly over his. He felt the warmth against his chilled hand, and decided he liked it. How long had it been since Tawney had reached for his hand?
    â€œIf there’s anything I can do for you and Tawney, please let me know.”
    â€œI will. What are you drinking?”
    â€œHennessey. Straight up.”
    Shannon signaled Smokey. “That’s a strong drink.”
    â€œI’m a strong lady.”
    Smokey arrived in front of them.
    â€œGive the lady a Hennessey. Straight up.”
    Smokey poured the drink. Before he could finish pouring, shattered glass came raining down through the roof of the club. A body hit the floor with a thud. People screamed and scrambled to get out of the club. The music came to an abrupt halt.
    A man’s body, bound and gagged, lay in the middle of the floor. Shannon shot out of his seat, making his way to the body. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared down at the blood-filled lifeless eyes of Michael Claybay.
    There was a piece of paper attached to the body. Chaos reigned supreme in the club. Shannon looked around to see if anyone was looking. Satisfied that there was enough confusion going on, he unpinned the paper. It had three thousand dollars in bills attached.
    The note read You’re next.
    Shannon broke out in a sweat. He balled the note up in his hand. Shonda tapped him on the shoulder. “Come on. We need to get out of here.”
    He didn’t move.
    Shonda took his hand. “Come on!”
    In the