Free Gunning For Angels (Fallen Angels Book 1) by C. Mack Lewis Page A

anything…”
    “You don’t owe me any explanations.” Jack waved for the bartender. “You want something?”
    A bartender appeared, nodded at Jeni. “Ginger ale?” 
    She nodded, smiling her thanks. 
    At the end of the bar, the Russian was glaring at Jeni.
    Jeni’s face twitched. “Give me your wallet.”
    Jack pulled out his wallet. Jeni expertly plucked out a ten. She tucked it into her bikini strap and gave the Russian a “get-off-my-back” look. Appeased, his attention drifted.
    Jeni gazed at Jack earnestly. “I took this job for research – secret research. I’m writing my life story – it’s going to be funny and sad and, who knows, maybe they’ll turn it into a movie. My life could be a movie…”
    “Tell me about Eve,” Jack interrupted, hating to hear her lie.
    Jeni shot him a startled look. “What’s she got to do with anything?”
    “You’re here. Your sister Eve is in a Ferrari that could buy this place lock, stock and barrel. What’s the story?”
    Jeni eyed the stage, hungry to get back on.
    “You want me to find your mother?” Jack said. “You need to tell me what’s going on. Any reason why your sister wouldn’t want you to find your real mom?”
    “You find her? Or did she find you?” Jeni said suspiciously.
    “I found her,” Jack lied.
    “She’s got nothing to do with me finding my mother.”
    “Do you love your sister?”
    Jeni snorted. “Yeah, I love Eve – like a sparrow loves the hawk.”
    Jack watched the play of expressions on her face and he got the story – not the details but he got it.
    Jeni sighed. “Eve is working off a different rule book than the rest of the universe. In the end, she’ll win. She always wins.”
    “What’d she do to you?”
    Jeni stood up, gestured to the stage. “Look, I gotta…”
    Jack put his hand on her arm.
    She looked at him, startled.
    He pulled his hand away. 
    After a moment, she asked, “Can I still get my student discount?”
    Jack nodded.
    Jeni smiled, headed back to the stage. She extended her hands above her head, her shift slipping to the sides, exposing her beautiful breasts.
    Jack walked to the edge of the stage. “Who do you think killed your dad?”
    Several clients shot him startled looks.
    “ Step -dad,” Jeni flinched. “Don’t know. Don’t care.” She turned her back to him and continued dancing.
    Jack watched her for a moment. Turning his back on her, Jack left.
    Outside the club, when he was reaching for his car door, Jack heard Jeni’s voice.
    “Hey!”
    He turned. 
    Gripping a man’s jacket around her shoulders, Jeni ran to his side and grabbed his arm. “I was totally joking about the book! Don’t tell anybody – ‘K?”
    “Silent like the grave,” Jack said, puzzled at her intensity.
    “You have to promise me. Promise you won’t tell anyone! ”
    “Sure,” Jack shrugged.
    “No, I mean it . Promise me you’ll forget I ever mentioned it.” Her desperate eyes stared up at him.
    Jack nodded, irritated. He didn’t know what game she was playing , but she reminded him of Stella and all the times she had lied to him.
    Jeni smiled uncertainly and hurried back to the club.
    Jack watched her disappear behind the red door. Despite his irritation, he fought the almost overwhelming urge to run after her – get her the hell out of that place.
    It’s none of my damned business…

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
     
    It is only for the sake of elegance, I try to remain morally pure.
     
    –Marcel Proust
     
     
     
    As Bud rang Eve’s doorbell, he eyed the massive oak door with distaste. He reached out, touching the fangs of a ferocious wolf that glared at anyone daring to enter.
    He’d gotten out of the hospital that morning. Every test was negative. Bud got a clean bill of health and, after a particularly grueling “discussion” with Bunnie, he returned to work. The doctor warned him the episode was a warning shot across the bow and he needed to follow up with a cardiologist for further