As the weeks pass, there's no sign of the FBI guy. He doesn’t return to the club, and I've been at Savannah's apartment every night, staking the place to ensure that the feds aren't following her. And as a bonus, I get to be tangled with her in the sheets.
I considered going to Mikhail and requesting a low-level associate to tail her and ensure she isn't being harassed during the day, but that would imply that the feds are an issue. And I don't want to believe that they are. She told Agent James Lexington that she wasn't interested in working for them, and they left her alone.
At least, that's the story she's given me, and I've seen no proof otherwise.
But I'm leery and cautious.
Because if Savannah isn't working for the feds, then they'll just target another girl at the club. I head up the stairs for Nikita's office.
I knock promptly and then open the door when I hear a muffled, "Come in."
"You have a sec?" I ask. Whether he does or not, I'm interrupting him. I've debated whether I should let Nikita know about that weasel harassing one of our girls. But telling him might let it slip that Savannah and I have been hooking up just about every night for the past month, maybe longer.
I haven't been keeping count. I can't remember the exact date we met, only what transpired. I'm not a sentimental guy. I've never celebrated Valentine's Day or sent flowers as a grand romantic gesture.
"Good, I've wanted to have a word with you," Nikita says. "Take a seat." He gestures toward the chair opposite his desk.
I do as he instructs. Nikita clasps his hands together on the wood desk. "You and Savannah seem close."
We always are the last to leave, and Savannah comes in early to work. I've always assumed it was to spend a few minutes with me, but it isn't necessary. She could come in late, and I wouldn't give her a hard time.
But maybe I should.
Perhaps the others are growing suspicious. Is that what Nikita is saying?
"I'm close with all the dancers. I like to think that they can come to me if they have a problem."
Nikita's eyes tighten. He doesn't buy a line of my bullshit.
"Admit it. You're fucking the new hire."
"You're wrong." The lie falls so easily from my lips, I don't even believe it. It shouldn't matter, except that mixing business and pleasure is frowned upon. There are strict rules about the dancers not fraternizing with the staff.
Mikhail doesn't want a sexual harassment lawsuit and to spend countless dollars on litigation. But Savannah isn't after our money, or even my money, for that matter. She's different from any other girl I've slept with before.
And I've experienced my fair share of women.
"Would you prefer the term dating?" Nikita quips.
"You're mistaken." My jaw is tight. I don't want this to get back to Mikhail or anyone else.
He waves his hand dismissively. I'm not sure he's convinced we're just colleagues, but he doesn't continue the ambush. "All that aside, the girls are coming here tonight."
"What?" His remark has caught me off-guard. Not that it should matter, but I like to be kept informed when the boss comes to the club. It's like rolling out the red carpet for him.
"Madisyn, Hannah, and Lucy. They're celebrating Hannah's engagement."
"At a gentleman's club?"
"You know Mikhail keeps a tight leash on Madisyn. He wants to ensure the girls are safe, and since we don't own a male strip club, this was the next best thing. Anyways, make them feel welcome."
"I'm not stripping for them."
Nikita chuckles at my remark. "I wasn't asking. I don't want to see that, and neither do our clients."
"Good," I say and run a hand through my hair.
"Was there something that you wanted to discuss?" Nikita asks.
"Nothing I can't handle," I say.
Should I mention that the feds have been all over this place, trying to get to me through Savannah? He'll be pissed if he finds out another way, but then I'll have to come clean about sleeping with her.
Is that all we're doing, sleeping together?
It feels like more, but we've been cautious and kept it a secret at my request. And surprisingly, Savannah hasn't pushed for more. I'd have thought she'd have wanted to meet my friends, even suggest staying over at my place, but that conversation hasn't even come up.
And I'm eternally grateful. It's not like I can invite her into the compound. There are rules about that sort of thing. Not that anyone follows them. Nikita and Luka both seemed to break them, and as far as I know, there weren't any dire consequences with Mikhail. But they're closer to him than I am.