Free Reckless (Bertoli Crime Family #2) by Lauren Landish Page A

already cleared that back on just the bar. The rest of the girls are getting in on the generosity too. We've got her booked for Saturday night as well. I'm expecting a full house then."
    I looked as on stage, a girl whose real name was Betty but whose stage name was Vicki Sinz worked on untying the knot on her schoolgirl outfit. The stage was surrounded by the vapid, horny faces of the men who'd never even get a chance with her. I gestured to her. "She's working out well. You guys missing Carmen?"
    "Girls like Carmen are special, but they always come and go," Terry said with a shrug. "Actually, most of the customers come, then go too."
    I laughed at the old joke and turned to Luisa. "What do you think?"
    "She can't dance for shit," Luisa said disapprovingly, looking at the stage. "Too fast, no tease, and she certainly doesn't know how to move."
    "You think you can do better?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow. "That ain't like your jiu-jitsu, you know. The flow isn’t the same."
    “I’ve danced for more years than I've done jiu-jitsu," she replied haughtily. "And I can out-dance any girl here."
    I looked over at Terry, who shrugged and handed me the envelope for the pickup. "I make no claims, sir. I just pour the drinks and hand out the paychecks."
    He didn't say it in his tone, but I could tell that he was a bit offended. Terry might have only been a strip club manager, but the man did his job well and took reasonable pride in his work. As for me, it was a little hypocritical since I often thought just as highly of myself as she obviously did, but I decided to teach Luisa a little lesson. I turned back. "Okay then. If you're so much better, prove it."
    "Excuse me?" she said, shocked. "You really expect me to dance for these half-drunk losers?"
    I shook my head. “That’s your choice, but I’d like to see you put your money where your mouth is."
    Luisa stammered, her eyes flaring with anger. I had her, and she knew it. Her pride was way too much to back away now. “Fine,” she said through clenched teeth. "But not in public."
    "No, of course not," I replied with a smirk, knowing I'd won. "Terry, get us a private room. I'll have a beer while I'm waiting since I'm driving, but let Luisa here use the back to prepare. She definitely needs to lose the suit."
    “You think you’re clever, don’t you? I’m not getting naked for you," Luisa said in a low voice, leaning in. "You’re not worthy of that."
    "We'll see." I grinned. “Go with Terry, and he'll make sure you don't have to do anything embarrassing. I'll wait in the VIP."

Chapter 8
Luisa
    " T hat arrogant bastard !" I muttered to myself in Portuguese as I thought how stupid I was. I should’ve just walked out and forgotten the stupid challenge, but my pride wouldn’t let me. I longed to make Tomasso eat his words.
    I looked at the costumes that were available in front of me. Unfortunately, most of the clothing was far too small, as it seemed every girl who danced for the Starlight Club was at least six inches shorter than me. Finally, I turned to Terry, who'd accompanied me. I’d normally have been offended, but he gave me the impression that he was into men, and I wasn’t too worried. Besides, I could handle myself if he tried anything. “Do you have anything not made for midgets?"
    "Nobody your height. We had a girl who worked here three years ago that was six one, but she bought all her own stuff and took it with her when she left. What are you, like six foot?"
    I shook my head. "Five eleven, if I remember the conversion right. One hundred and eighty-one centimeters."
    Terry nodded, then thought. "Well, no offense, but unless you’re wearing granny panties, why not just work with what you have on? Win your little bet and be on your way.”
    I thought about it and shrugged. Terry wouldn’t be my first choice on fashion advice, but he’d do. I unbuttoned my jacket and took it off, showing him my shirt. "Okay, now what's underneath?"
    I sighed and loosened my