And then he was gone.
I blew out a shaky breath, commanding myself not to cry. It was time to dig out Bitch Eva and get my attitude back on. Dropping the babies off with Reese, I gave her the excuse that I wanted to get my hair cut and styled. She bought the entire story, happy to help me watch my munchkins.
Mason wasn't so taken in, though. He caught my arm at the door before I left and leaned in close to whisper, "What're you really doing, E.?"
I patted his cheek with a grin. "Don't you worry about it. I'm going to take care of everything. All you need to concern yourself with is making my best friend insanely happy, remember."
But he shook his head, his eyes narrowing. "No, really. What're you doing? Do I need to come with you?"
I sighed in exasperation and finally got him to simmer down. "No, you do not need to come with me. Nothing bad is going to happen."
I was just going to sell my soul to the devil.
***
My hands shook as I entered Forbidden twenty minutes later. It wouldn't open for business for a good eight hours, but all the lights inside the empty club were on and one of my father's favorite melodies played from the jukebox, making my skin crawl.
Uncertainties rose as Pick's voice filled my head along with everything he'd say if he knew what I was doing: "What are you thinking, Tink? Turn around and walk out of there right now. This plan isn't going to work. Think about your babies. They need their mother. Think about me. I need you. I'll come after you wherever you go."
But I couldn't think of anything else I could do to save them. So I strode purposefully down the hall until I reached the door that said Manager on it. When I pushed it open without knocking, the first thing I saw was Quinn with his back pressed hard to the wall. He was tipping his head away from Mrs. Garrison as she leaned into him, reaching for his face.
I sniffed. "Bitch, you're pathetic."
She jumped and whirled around. Quinn immediately snaked out from between her and the wall. He hurried to my side, looking relieved that I'd saved him.
"Well, well, well," Mrs. Garrison murmured, glaring at me. "If it isn't daddy's special girl. Didn't he ever teach you to knock?"
I lifted my chin and crossed my arms over my chest. "Of course not. He taught me to do whatever the hell I wanted."
From the opened office door behind me, a familiar laugh haunted my ears and made my heart drum hard and fast against my chest. "That's my girl," Bradshaw murmured approvingly.
I turned and lifted an eyebrow, edging closer to Quinn without meaning to. "You wanted my attention," I said to the bastard. "You have it. Here I am."
"Yes, here you are." Eyeing me appreciatively, he moved into the office. His gaze flickered to Mrs. Garrison, and then Quinn. "Leave us."
Mrs. Garrison huffed in disapproval but started for the exit.
Quinn didn't budge. He glanced at me, his gaze apprehensive. "Pick warned all the waitresses to never get caught alone with him. He'd never forgive me if I left right now."
I wasn't sure which man I should be more proud of: Pick, for looking out for all the ladies he worked with, or Quinn for standing firmly by my side.
I touched his arm. "It's okay. He's my dad."
Quinn's eyes flared with horror. "W-w-well if Pick said that after actually knowing who he is, I'm definitely not leaving you alone with him. Just . . . just pretend I'm not here."
After reaching into his pocket, he unwound a cord of ear buds from a cell phone and plugged them in. Then he leaned against the wall, giving me as much privacy with Shaw as he would allow.
I smiled at him, actually grateful he wasn't going to let me face my greatest fear alone. "I guess he's staying," I said.
Mrs. Garrison huffed. "Well, if he's staying, then I'm staying."
"That's fine." I glanced at my father, snickering because this had probably spoiled half of his nefarious plans. "I don't mind an audience."
He growled out his displeasure and moved to sit at his desk, probably hoping the flawless leather throne gave him an air of superiority.
"I'm ready to deal," I told him, not waiting for him to take control of the conversation.
A slow, creepy smile spread over his face. "Is that so? I had a feeling you'd change your mind."
I nodded. "If you want me to go back with you, then sign the deed of this place over to Pick. Right now."
He lifted an eyebrow. "And you'll come back with me? Just like that?"
"I have a few more stipulations."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Like what?"