She spun her body under her arms and moved to the other side of the pole, unknotting the skirt’s tie at her hips when she looked up, her long brown hair bouncing around her shoulders.

I’d seen her somewhere before. Where?

Kip leaned into my ear, raising his voice to be heard over the music. “Diamond brings the boys to the yard. And a few girls too.”

Diamond? She looked nothing like the woman I’d seen on the stage that morning. While she hadn’t looked girl-next-door, she hadn’t looked like this siren currently entrancing a room full of men.

“That’s why the boss likes her.”

Then it hit me why I always experienced déjà vu in the office—Diamond was the woman from my vision in Billy Jack’s trailer. They’d been in the office at Gems.

“Ruby, we’re out of ice.” Kip handed me a bucket. “There’s an ice machine in the back. Go get some.”

I took the container and headed into the back room, thankful that I had a legitimate excuse to have a private place to text Skeeter. I pulled my cell phone out of my back pocket and cringed when I saw the time on my phone: 10:03. I hoped Skeeter hadn’t sent Jed, since Mason still hadn’t shown up, and I still hadn’t found out anything really useful. While I still wanted to find Dolly Parton, my top priority was Mason. I sent a quick text.

This is my first chance to text you. The owner will be here later. The bartender says lots of business takes place in VIP rooms between 11–2 on Friday nights.

I wasn’t sure what he’d make of it, but I knew it couldn’t be a coincidence that Dolly Parton and Nikko had disappeared on a Friday night. Had they seen or heard something in one of the private rooms? Maybe from the owner?

Skeeter texted back immediately. Let me know when he’s there. Jed’s close on standby.

“Where’s that ice, Ruby?” Kip shouted.

I jumped and looked toward the door, wondering if he’d seen me on my phone, but all I could see was the back of the bar. “Coming!” I scooped the ice with one hand while texting Skeeter Okay with the other.

I sent Neely Kate a text next. I’m okay. No need to worry.

I’d nearly filled the bucket, and she still hadn’t answered. She was parked in the dirt track lot behind the club. Had someone found her? But just as I was close to a full-blown panic, my phone vibrated with her response. Okay. I fell asleep.

I stuffed my phone in my front pocket and hefted the bucket up on my hip. When I carried it out front, Kip pointed to a bin where I could pour it. “Took you long enough.”

“Sorry.”

The cooler was already over half full, so when I finished pouring the ice in, it was overflowing.

“Why did we need more ice?” I asked. “We’ve mostly sold draft beer.”

Kip’s lips curled into a menacing grin, and he tapped my nose. “Remember what I said about smart girls asking questions. Are you a smart one or a stupid one?”

Fear slithered up my back and settled into the nape of my neck. “I’m not trying to be hard-headed, Kip. I just want to do a good job so Mud will be happy he hired me.”

“Honey, you could screw up every order you take tonight, and Mud would be happy.”

While that was probably supposed to be reassuring, it was anything but. I couldn’t think of a single reason for the man’s approval that didn’t give me the creeps.

Diamond was still dancing, and I found myself mesmerized again. I dragged my eyes from her and worked on filling more beer orders. When I glanced up at the door, I saw two men talking to the bouncer. He pointed to a table in a dark corner by the door. The room was full of men, so it took a second to figure out why they’d grabbed my attention. Then I came up with two reasons.

First, they were the only men in the room who weren’t paying attention to the woman on stage. And two, one of the guys was Rich Lowry, one of the men from Skeeter’s meeting.

I couldn’t think of a single reason why Skeeter would send Rich Lowry to check on me—from what Jed had told me, he was bad news on a silver platter. Which meant Rich was probably in cahoots with the owner of Gems. I had no idea if his being here had anything to do with Mason, but I planned to find out.

I hurried over to Kip. “I want to take those guys’ orders.” I pointed toward their table, but kept my hand below the counter.

His eyebrows rose. “Once you step around the counter, you become fair game, Ruby.”

I took a deep breath. Would I get information from them if I served them drinks? I was bound to get more than if I kept hiding back here.

I gave a nervous shrug, and he laughed, shaking his head. “Go ahead.”

One of the other girls was already working her way back to Rich’s table. She shot me a dirty look when she realized where I was headed and that I was going to beat her. I was breathless by the time I reached the edge of the small table.

Both of the men stared up at me, and a grin stretched Rich’s mouth. “You’re new.”

So he wasn’t new. I put my hand on my hip and tried to give him a suggestive smile. It felt more awkward than sexy, but hopefully they wouldn’t notice. “Tonight’s my first night.”

“You don’t say?” the other guy said, scooting back in his seat and spreading his legs slightly. “I’d love to show you the ropes.”

Disgusting. But I was scared to death. Jed had called Rich a sadistic bastard, and while I hoped the bouncers would keep him from hurting me, I couldn’t be sure. What in the world was I doing? But it was too late to tuck tail and run. I’d already committed to this. I was good and stuck. I forced a laugh and let my hand drop from my hip to my side. “Let’s get your drinks first.”