“You saw visions of Skeeter’s men. Isn’t it obvious? Skeeter’s behind it.”

“No.” I shook my head. “He promised me if I helped him that he wouldn’t hurt Mason.”

“Rose, he lied to you. Why does that surprise you? He’s a hardened criminal.”

I pressed my back against the door and closed my eyes.

There was a knock on the door behind me, and I jumped.

“I gotta take a leak!” one of the dancers shouted.

“Just a minute!” I called out to her.

“Rose,” Neely Kate said. “I’m beggin’ you. Come out and let me take you home.”

Part of me said she was right. There was nothing I could do. This was what Mason had chosen. But I couldn’t wrap my head around the why of it. I knew him. Mason would never take bribes. There was something going on here I didn’t understand. What on earth would motivate Mason to throw everything away?

What if it somehow had to do with me?

“I’m not leavin’ yet.”

The phone vibrated almost immediately after I hung up. Skeeter. I declined the call and seconds later Skeeter sent a text.

You get your ass out of that building or Jed’s busting in to get you.

I texted back. I can’t!

Give me one good reason why not.

Mason’s here.

There was nearly a ten-second pause. You have fifteen minutes.

Shit.

The dancer pounded on the door again. “Come on!”

I shoved my phone in my pocket and opened the door. One of the dancers I hadn’t met yet was in the hallway, fuming.

“How long’s it take to pee?”

“Sorry.” I tried to sound sheepish.

She brushed my shoulder as she went into the bathroom.

I headed back to the bar, and McDonald watched my every move. When I got behind the counter, Kip looked pissed.

“Where the hell have you been?”

“I told you,” I said, trying not to sound defensive. “I had to go to the bathroom.”

“Well, you’ve been summoned, and now you’re late.”

“Summoned?” I squeaked out.

Kip pointed to McDonald. “He’s requested you.”

“Oh.”

He leered at me as I walked over to his table.

“There you are, baby.” He patted the chair next to him. “Why don’t you keep me company?”

I gave him a tight smile. “I thought I was supposed to wait for your friend.”

“He wants me to keep an eye on you, and I can’t think of a better way.”

“I can’t be gone too long from behind the bar.” I nodded my head to the side. “We’re short-staffed and all.”

His grin turned menacing. “Why don’t you ask the last bartender how disobeying worked out for him?”

I froze and grew light-headed. It was obvious he was talking about Nikko. I had to calm down and think this through carefully. I forced a sweet smile. “I’m not disobeying, sugar. It’s just that we’re so busy tonight, and I figure your friend is going to be gone awhile.”

He tilted his head to the side, putting a toothpick in the side of his mouth. “Maybe not so long.”

“Oh?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light. “I would think an important man like him would need lots of time for business.”

A smirk spread across his face as he half-shrugged. “Turns out things ain’t what we thought they would be.”

I sat down in the chair and leaned toward him, partially because my legs had begun to shake, and partially because I wanted to look way more friendly than I was feeling at the moment. Two people had disappeared only a week ago, probably for secrets they’d uncovered in this place. I didn’t want to end up like them, but I had a feeling Mason was in serious trouble, and I wasn’t about to leave him in a lurch. “You don’t say?”

His eyes narrowed. “You seem awful interested in Lowry’s business.”

“I love powerful men, and I knew the moment you and your friend walked into the joint that you fit the bill. I’m eager to get him into the VIP room.”

His eyes glittered. “Don’t you worry.” He reached over and trailed a finger down my cheek. “Rich needs to help his associate deal with some unpleasant baggage, then he’ll be back for you.”

Unpleasant baggage?

I stuffed down my panic. I had to find Mason, but first I had to think of some excuse to get away from the table. I noticed his beer was over half-empty. “Let me get you a refill, sugar,” I said as I stood.

“Sounds good.”

On the way back to the bar, I racked my brain for an excuse to head to the back area. As I grabbed a fresh mug and got McDonald’s beer, my gaze drifted to the stage. One of the girls from earlier in the night was dancing, and there was no sign of Diamond.

“I want to dance,” I blurted out to Kip.

“Really?” Kip asked in shock.

There was no way I was getting on that stage, but that was need-to-know information. And Kip didn’t need to know. The dressing room was through the door to the back, so this could be my only shot. I turned to him and nodded. “Yeah.”

“Do you even have any experience? It’s Friday night, and the best girls work the stage.”

My gaze drifted to McDonald. “I bet those two guys would love to see me dance.” I glanced up at Kip and waited. The company policy seemed to be to keep them happy. I hoped it would work in my favor.