Part 32 (1/2)
”I did no such thing.”
”But you didn't stop his insinuations or decline his card.
Instead, you seemed flattered. I did not bring you here to score a new client. Your place is with me, and your body only for me.”
”My body is my own.”
”Not for the money I'm paying you. Furthermore, you are to act like my date and not a harlot.”
”My acting abilities only go so far,” she said calmly. ”I can't pretend you didn't pay me to be here.”
”Very well.” Dario threw his napkin on the table. ”If you insist on acting like a wh.o.r.e, then you shall be treated like one.”
”What's that supposed to mean?”
”Besides, you appear to be considerably more compliant and pleasant after you've...worked.”
”I don't know where you're going with-”
”I want you to pick someone up right now.” She gasped audibly. ”You can't be serious.”
”And then I want you to bring him to the suite, so you can please me. You've been nothing but recalcitrant. Maybe this will remind you who calls the shots.”
”I don't want to. We're staying here. I can't pick someone up in the same hotel.” She was desperate for an excuse to change his mind.”I frankly don't give a d.a.m.n about what you want,” he said with a smug expression. ”Courtesy apparently hasn't worked with you. Perhaps crudeness will.”
* 246 *
She tried to remain calm and think of a way out of this predicament. What complicated matters was the fact she was wired.
If Dario asked his men to force her back to the room to entertain, she'd be screwed.
She glanced over at Landis's booth. She and Jack seemed to be in a serious conversation, and Landis looked angry.
Heather had to do something before Dario picked someone for her and it was too late. ”I need to go to the ladies' room,” she said, setting her napkin on the table. She got up slowly and reached for her purse, hoping to catch Landis's attention.
The opulent restroom was empty. She went into a stall and prayed for Landis to show up, her mind working overtime on what to do. Take off the wire? She heard a soft knock on her door and jumped because she hadn't heard anyone come in.
”Heather, it's me,” Landis said.
”Thank G.o.d.” Heather opened the door. ”I suppose you heard what he wants me to do.”
Landis's jaw was tight. ”I did. I heard that and a lot more.”
”You mean the two calls.”
”Whoever was on the phone with him sounded a lot like Rozsa, and the second call sounded like someone was directing Dario about what to do. Dario's getting a call back from them tonight at eight for more instructions so we have to bug his room.”
”How?”
”I'm going to place them.”
”How are you getting in? He has men at the-”
”He wants you to pick someone out to entertain him.”
”I refuse to. I told you that before we ever left for China. You promised me I wouldn't have to. He can go to h.e.l.l.”
”Yes, I promised you wouldn't have to entertain him again, but this could work to our advantage.”
Did Landis really think she would have s.e.x with someone in order to help her mission? She didn't know what hurt more, the fact that Landis expected her to do that, or the fact that it didn't bother her.
But why should it bother her? Landis knew what she did.
She'd even listened in while she did it. Why did she think even for * 247 *
a moment that Landis might be upset if she had to sleep with yet another client? ”I'm not going to...to have s.e.x just to help you out.
I agreed to this crazy plan, but s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g someone wasn't part of it.” Landis met her eyes. ”I'm coming in as your...client.” Heather's face flushed hot. ”No way.”
”Listen to me. I need to get in the room, and you have to find someone. If we combine both, no one gets hurt.”
”I'm not going to have s.e.x with you. I can't.” Landis went silent and turned to wash her hands. She looked at Heather in the mirror above the sink. ”I promise you won't have to.
I'll be fast, so you won't have to suffer very long.” Her voice was serious, her expression indecipherable. ”Just pretend to go through the motions.”
”I always do.”
”Then it shouldn't be a problem. It's either me, or you run and this whole operation goes to h.e.l.l.”
She sighed. ”Fine.”
”Let me help you remove the wire,” Landis said.
”I can manage.” She ducked back into the stall, took off the bug and transmitter, and placed them in her purse. She went to the door.
”Wait for me at the bar.”
”Have you picked our man yet?” Dario asked as soon as she sat down.
”No. I can't say I want to.”
”I can't say I'm very interested in your disposition at the moment. Now pick someone, or I will.”
”Very well.” She looked around the restaurant. ”I'm in the mood for a woman. I hope you don't have any objections.” He looked surprised, but pleased. He licked his lips. ”Who do you have in mind?”