Part Twelve - The Competition

Part Twelve
The Competition

Lara ushered the dishevelled blonde through the entrance to her apartment. She took Jo by the arm and led her to the comfortable couches.

“Sit down here, Jo. I’ll be right back, okay?” Lara said, softly. Jo simply nodded while staring at the floor. Lara turned and headed back towards her front door. Alan was still standing there, shifting from foot to foot awkwardly, as if he wasn’t sure what to do with himself. He talked first when Lara reached him.

“Jesus, Lara. Is she okay?” he asked, the concern on his face evident.

“Honestly, Alan, I’m not sure. Either way, I need to take care of her now. I hate to keep saying this to you, but I need to take a rain check on our night together,” she told him. Lara had been excited about their first night together and she felt awful to blue-ball the poor guy after weeks of build up, but Jo had to take precedence. She was hoping he’d get it.

“Of course, Lara. It goes without saying. I understand completely,” he responded. “Is she a friend of yours?” he added.

“Yes. She works at The Pearl with me. She was the only friend I had there for quite a while, in fact.”

“Can I do anything to help? Anything at all?” he asked. Lara closed the distance between them and leaned in to give him a quick kiss.

“Thanks for offering, Alan, but I think I’ve got it from here. You head home,” she told him, one hand on the door.

“Sure. Have a good night, Lara,” he said. His face changed quickly and then looked aghast at what he had suggested. “No, not like that.... obviously this.... whatever it is isn’t good. I meant....” he said stammering.

“I know what you meant. It’s okay, Alan. I’ll call you tomorrow,” she said as she started to close the door, slowly. Lara normally found his clumsiness with words endearing, but she needed him to leave so she could tend to Jo.

“Talk to you soon,” Alan said as she finally closed the door.

Lara walked at a brisk pace back into her living room and joined Jo on the couch. Lara noticed more about her appearance as she sat beside her. As she had noted before, her makeup was smeared and her bottom lip was bloodied and swollen. She had the beginnings of a black eye to go along with it. But she also noticed her broken fingernails and some ripping and loose threads of her hot pants styled shorts. Lara reached out and took Jo’s hand and held it between her own.

“Jo, what happened? Who did this?” Lara asked, trying to keep her tone gentle. Jo tore her eyes away from the floor and looked at Lara for the first time since she had sat down.

“It doesn’t matter,” Jo told her.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I just want to help,” Lara said giving the blonde’s hand a squeeze.

“I know,” Jo said while giving Lara a weak smile. “Can I take a shower? I really, really feel like I need one,” Jo asked. Lara hesitated. She wasn’t sure yet if her friend had been ****. If she had, a shower wasn’t the best idea. Going to the hospital was. Evidence would be washed away in a shower.

“I think maybe we should go to the hospital first, Jo. Get you taken care of,” Lara suggested. Jo shook her head.

“There is no point. I’m not reporting this, if that’s what you are thinking,” Jo said with a grim look on her face.

“Why not? Jo, this is serious. Who did this?” Lara asked. Jo sighed a deep sigh before finally answering.

“Price. Captain Price.”

“That slimy piece of shit?” Lara said, her nostrils flaring in anger. She calmed herself before asking the next question she knew she must.

“Did he....” Lara asked, letting her words linger as she struggled to complete the sentence. Jo simply nodded in affirmation at the unfinished, unspoken question.

That motherfucker. I’m going to kill him. Fuck Mike’s investigation, I’m going to stick a bullet in the fucker’s moustached face.

“Jo, I really think you should go to the hospital and then to the cops,” Lara said.

“Lara, he IS the cops,” Jo said matter of factly, still shaking her head. “What good would it do? You know how this would turn out.”

Lara knew Jo was right. The fuckers won’t take it seriously. “We investigated ourselves and found we did nothing wrong.” It would be business as usual she thought to herself. Still, she couldn’t just let this go. The man was a menace. Lara shifted off the couch and started to pace, thinking through her next idea as Jo sat there.

“Okay, so we go to Dave. United, as a group. All the girls. Demand Price be banned from the club. I don’t care what dealings Dave has with him, this shit stops now. We tell him we won’t entertain the cops any more,” Lara said, searching Jo’s face for any sign of agreement. For some indication that she was on board. She didn’t get it.

“Are you fucking insane? Dave will fire every last one of us on the spot!” Jo said, her voice rising now, frustrated at Lara’s insistence on action.

“He wouldn’t dare. The club would implode with nobody there to dance,” Lara said, confidently.

“Lara, let’s assume for a moment all the girls would agree to this.... union of yours. Not a fucking chance, by the way, but let’s assume they do. Dave would cull the lot of us,” Jo said.

“And who would be giving the dances? Dave himself?” Lara shot back.

“He’d be closed for a week. Tops. We would all be replaced in a heartbeat, Lara. The Pearl’s reputation is growing. He’d have dancers queueing up. They know how much we earn. They’d jump at the chance,” Jo retorted. “Besides, this didn’t happen at the club.”

“So you weren’t working? Dave didn’t ask you to go to the VIP with Price?” Lara said, somewhat confused at what she was being told. Lara could remember how Dave had asked her to take Price to the VIP on her very first night. She had mistakenly assumed something similar had happened with Jo.

“No. It.... happened in his office. At the police station,” Jo answered reluctantly.

This makes no sense. What was she doing there? What isn’t she telling me?

“Lara, I know you want to help, but this sort of thing isn’t what I need right now,” Jo said, wincing as she shifted on the couch.

Do what she needs. Be there for her.

“Right, sure. You said you wanted a shower? Absolutely. It’s just through here. I’ll go get you some towels,” Lara said as she guided Jo through Lara’s bedroom and into the en suite bathroom before fetching some fresh towels for her.

“Take as long as you need. I’ll be just outside if you need anything,” Lara said as Jo stood woodenly in front of the entrance to the large and luxurious shower. Lara closed the bathroom door and headed back into the living room to give the blonde some privacy.

Jo had been right. About everything. Going through official channels with Price was a waste of time. He’d never see the inside of a cell. It would be swept under a rug. And her ambitious “appeal to Dave’s morality” plan was doomed to failure too. Lara knew from Mike that Dave likely had some sort of illegal deal with Price. Even if he did give a shit about how the girls felt about Price, Dave wouldn’t just abandon that for their sake. He’d sooner replace them. Still, there had to be something. And that’s when she thought of somebody who might know how to help.

Mike. Mike will know.

She figured a cop would have a few decent ideas on what to do, even avoiding official channels. She picked up her phone. It was late. Extremely late, in fact. She’d text instead of calling.

Call me when you read this in the morning. I need to talk to you about something important. Lara typed the message and then paused before pressing send. She decided to wait until Jo was out of the shower and run it by her first. She’d explain who Mike was, and that they could trust him. Once Jo had agreed, then she would send it.

Lara moved over to the kitchen. She wanted to make Jo something to eat for when she was out of the shower. But what?

Chocolate. Go with chocolate. Nearly everyone likes it and it will make her feel better.

It had the added benefit of not requiring any preparation or skill, which Lara certainly lacked in the kitchen. She figured it was one of the flaws of her generation. Hardly anyone learned to cook. The abundance of on demand food delivery made it easy to forego learning what was once considered an essential skill.

Maybe I should really make an effort to learn. Take a class or something, Lara mused to herself as she piled an assortment of both dark and milk chocolate onto a plate. As Lara set the plate down on the small coffee table next to her couch, Jo entered the living room wrapped in a towel. Lara could see the steam exiting her bedroom from behind the blonde.

“Everything okay?” Lara asked her. Jo nodded.

“Your place is lovely, Lara,” she said as she gazed around at the living room, as if noticing it for the first time.

“Yeah, I love it here. Have a seat Jo, I got us some chocolate if you are hungry,” Lara said, sitting down.

“I am actually,” the blonde said as she walked over in her towel and perched on the edge of the sofa. She picked up a piece of chocolate and started to nibble on it, gingerly. She winced as the pain in her lower lip surfaced. Lara couldn’t help but notice.

“Did he punch you?” she asked.

“More of a backhand I think. He didn’t get away easy though. I think I broke his foot with my heel. I heard a crack when I stamped down.”

“Listen, Jo. I know you don’t want to go to the police. And you’re probably right that it would be a bad idea considering who Price is. But I have a friend who works for them. He’s discreet and a good guy. We could ask his advice. I have his number right here,” she said, holding up her phone. Jo looked slightly panicked at Lara’s words.

“No, Lara. Absolutely not,” she said, firmly.

“You can trust him. What could it hurt to listen to what he has to say? I’ll call him and set up a meeting to discuss....” Lara said as Jo suddenly started to shout across her.

“Lara do not call Mike! I’m deadly fucking serious!” she screamed at Lara, the very idea of Mike knowing making her start to hyperventilate. Lara stared at Jo in shock.

What?

“I never told you his name....” Lara said, leaving the statement hanging between them. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Jo. She noticed the blonde’s eyes darting around as if searching for something to say. She shifted on the sofa and her mouth opened and closed a couple of times.

“You must have. When I came in. Or maybe before at the club,” Jo said, desperately trying to cover for her slip up.

“No. I didn’t. I’ve been careful. Jo, I want the truth now. How did you know I was talking about Mike Hawthorne?” Lara asked. Lara had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something wasn’t right here. She hoped she was wrong but her intuition was leading her to an unpleasant truth. Either way, she needed to hear Jo say it.

“Let’s just forget about it, Lara. I’ll get dressed and go.”

“No. I want you to stay. But you need to be honest with me. Did Mike approach you before me? Are you helping him with his investigation into Price?” Lara asked, hoping that this was the case. The alternative didn’t bear thinking about.

“In a way, yes,” she responded, evading the question somewhat.

“Out with it, Jo,” Lara said, starting to get angry.

There was a pregnant pause in the room as they both stared at each other, Lara standing and Jo still seated on the couch. Finally, Jo broke the silence.

“Lara, I’m a cop. I’m Mike’s partner and yes, we are working together to bring Price down. I’ve been under cover at The Pearl since the beginning. Since before you started there,” Jo said, not meeting Lara’s eyes as she laid it all out for her.

Lara stood in disbelief. She hadn’t wanted to believe it, even when her gut had been screaming it at her from the moment Jo had slipped up. She had hoped there would be some other explanation. But there wasn’t. Jo had lied to her. From the very beginning. Her first, and for a long time only friend at The Pearl hadn’t been her friend. She’d been using her. They had both lied to her. Mike had kept it a secret too. Her fists balled at her sides in anger.

“I’m sorry, Lara. I was just doing my job,” Jo said, finally looking at her again.

“Your job required you to pretend to be my fucking friend?” Lara asked, angrily.

“It wasn’t like that. I mean, sure, at first but then we spent so much time together. We talked about everything.”

“Not quite everything,” Lara said, coolly. “I thought you were my friend.”

“I was! I am! I wasn’t pretending. I considered you my friend, too.”

“But you were lying to me! Why didn’t you tell me the truth once Mike had approached me?” she asked. Jo could see the hurt on Lara’s face. The betrayal. It hurt more than any physical injury she had sustained that night. Tears started to form again and she buried her face in her hands. Lara looked down at the crying woman.

Fuck, Lara. Now is not the time. Bury this. Deal with it later. This is not about you. She’s been through enough tonight.

Lara unclenched her fists and moved to sit beside Jo. She put her arm around her shoulder.

“I’m sorry. You really don’t need to explain yourself to me, not right now anyway. I’m a bitch,” Lara said, trying to comfort her.

“No, I’m sorry. You’re right. We should have trusted you and come clean once you agreed to help. It’s just, they drill into you about protocol regarding confidential informants. We are supposed to keep them in the dark as much as possible, for their own safety. That’s what they say anyway. Maybe they do it that way to discourage attachment. I’m not so sure any more,” Jo said, still sobbing.

“So we’re both sorry. Great. Anyway, this can wait. It’s not important right now. Let’s table it for another time, okay?” Lara said, leaning in to give her another hug. Jo hugged her back, tightly.

“Jo, you need to tell your partner,” Lara said, softly as they broke their hug.

“No.”

“But why?”

“Please, no. I couldn’t bear it. He can never know. He would never look at me the same way again,” Jo said, her faced pained. That’s when another truth hit Lara.

She’s in love with him. In love with Mike. And he clearly doesn’t have a clue.

“This is on Price, Jo. You shouldn’t feel shame for this. You did nothing wrong and Mike would know this. He’d want to know. To help,” Lara told her.

“If Mike knew, it would change things between us. I don’t want that. Lara, you can’t possibly know what it’s like. What I’m feeling right now....” Jo said.

“I do know, Jo. I know,” Lara said, pointedly. Flashes of Will and Rob’s faces and her own experience with them flew through her mind. She was almost thankful she couldn’t remember much of it. Jo’s face softened as the sudden realization hit her.

“Oh....” Jo said. “God, Lara. You never said. When? Who?” Jo asked. Lara smiled weakly at her.

“The details don’t matter right now. But I have a semblance of an idea what you are thinking. And if you want to keep this private, it’s up to you. I won’t tell Mike, or anyone else, if you don’t want me to. This is your choice on how to deal with this. I’ll follow your lead.”

“Thank you.”

“Does your lead involve getting a gun and shooting Price in his stupid face?” Lara asked.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. And as tempting as it might be, Mike wouldn’t let us,” Jo said.

“Yeah he has these things called “morals” that get in the way of all the fun stuff, ya know?” Lara said, trying perhaps unwisely to lighten the mood a little. Jo shifted her towel around her and stood.

“Lara, can I borrow some clothes?” Jo asked.

“Of course. Go through my closet. Pick out what you want,” Lara said. None of it would fit Jo well. Lara was a couple inches taller and much larger in the bust area but it didn’t matter. This wasn’t about fashion or a good fit, merely avoiding putting back on what Jo had been wearing when it had happened.

Lara waited in the living room while Jo raided her closet. Being honest with herself, she was still upset at being lied to. She would give Mike an earful the next time she sat down with him. Remind him that trust worked both ways. Still, she knew now. Maybe the three of them could meet together from now on. Jo rejoined her in the living room, now fully dressed.

“That’s the biggest closet I’ve ever seen. Seriously, you could wear a different outfit every day for a year and still have some left over,” Jo said as she walked in. She was wearing one of Lara's more casual tops, a simple white linen blouse. On Lara, it hugged her curves like a second skin but on Jo, the blouse was practically drowning her. The once form-fitting top now appeared baggy and shapeless, emphasizing Jo’s narrow shoulders and petite frame. The outfit was completed by some jeans with some woolly socks on her feet.

“I can’t help myself. It’s a sickness. The store clerks see me coming and know their commission is about to add a couple zeros,” she answered. “Nice choice, by the way.”

“I don’t quite fill this out like you do,” Jo said.

“Do you want me to wash your.... other clothes?” Lara asked. Jo shook her head vehemently.

“No. Throw them away. I don’t need the reminder,” she replied.

“Jo, what were you doing in Price’s office in the middle of the night?” Lara asked.

“Being an idiot, apparently.”

“Don’t do that. This is....” Lara started before Jo interrupted her.

“I know, I know. Not my fault. But Lara, I was a fucking moron. I didn’t even bring my gun. It never occurred to me he would be there at two in the morning,” Jo said, sighing. “I was there because of a tip. I received an anonymous text message to my phone. Whoever sent it told me that they knew about the investigation into Price. They told me to check one of his desk drawers. They intimated there was some sort of smoking gun in there.”

“An anonymous message? From who? Who else knows?” Lara asked.

“Nobody. Just us three. That’s it. We’ve used a few resources now and then but none of them know the full story,” Jo answered confidently.

“So you don’t find this message appearing out of the blue a little odd?” Lara asked, clearly suspicious at this new development.

“Of course I do. I mean, I did then too. But Lara, I just couldn’t help myself. Mike had just told me that Alderson Kalikow was a dead end, at least for the time being. That he might use the apartment you scouted out but he clearly doesn’t live there. That Lenny hasn’t even met the man. I needed to do something. So I went snooping when the precinct was empty. I used to work there before my transfer. The codes are the same. The place was deserted. Or so I thought. Price walked in on me. He recognised me from the club. He probably figured because I worked for Dave that he could take what he wanted. So... he did,” she said, grimly. “I couldn’t stop him.”

“He’s twice your size, Jo.”

“I’m trained, Lara. Even before I joined the **** my father made me take self defence classes. Krav Maga. I hit him. Several times. Hard. But it didn’t mean shit. I couldn’t stop him. I.... I should’ve been able to stop him.”

“He’ll live to regret it, Jo. For now, we need to tell Mike about the text message. There is probably more to it.”

“I know. I’ll keep the details light. Tell him I got the message but decided not to act on it. Like I fucking should have,” Jo said, still blaming herself for what had happened despite Lara’s protestations to the contrary.

“He’ll pay, Jo. We’ll get him. One way or another,” Lara said darkly. Lara noticed Jo’s body and face shift somewhat. She seemed driven now. More steely in her demeanour.

“Do you want me to drive you home? Or you can stay if you want,” Lara offered.

“I’d like to stay, if that’s okay. I’ll take the couch,” Jo said.

“Nonsense. My bed is absolutely massive. You can sleep with me. Get a good night sleep. As long as you don’t try anything,” Lara joked. She immediately regretted it. “Fuck, Jo. That wasn’t funny. It was thoughtless of me....” Jo simply laughed at her, the first laugh of the night.

“Lara, I’m not a delicate flower. You can still tell jokes,” she said, wanting her friend not to walk on egg shells. She decided the best way to prove it was to joke back. “I don’t swing that way but you’re hot stuff. What if I can’t resist?”

Lara returned her laugh. “I’ll make a wall of pillows. Help you to keep your hands to yourself.”

***

Lara woke up groggily by the sound of her front door buzzer. She rolled over and checked the time. It was early afternoon. Lara wasn’t due in to The Pearl until after 2 pm.

Who the fuck is calling around? Everyone I know would just text me.

Lara swung her legs over the side of the bed and pulled on her pink satin bedroom robe to cover herself. She walked out of her bedroom and through the living room, towards the front door as she tried to wake herself up.

Lara had woken up early and driven Jo home and then gone back to sleep. Jo had seemed better this morning but Lara knew that she could be putting on a front for Lara’s benefit. She knew only too well how deceiving appearances could be. Jo had been scheduled to work today. Lara was off but had offered to take Jo’s shift. Thankfully, Jo had accepted and said she would stay home. Lara heard the buzzer once more.

I’m coming, I’m coming. Hold your horses, she thought to herself as she reached the front door. She swung the door open and couldn’t hide the shock on her face as she stared at the surprise visitor. Standing on her doorstep was the tall and handsome figure of Will Kane.

“Lara! How good to see you again. It’s been too long,” Will said, a fake smile plastered on his face.

Not long enough, you fucker.

Lara stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her brow furrowed as she eyed Will warily. She was suddenly very aware that she was completely naked under her robe. It made her feel **** in front of him in a way that she hated.

Will took in the sight in front of him, his eyes roaming over her body. Will could see she had clearly been sleeping. Her hair was tousled and she was squinting at him, the sun from behind him perhaps in her eyes. The early afternoon sunlight filtered in through the open door, making her silk robe appear almost see through. The robe itself only came up to her upper thighs. He had a great view of her long, shapely legs.

She’s naked under that flimsy robe, he thought to himself as he eyed her up.

Lara finally spoke. “Will,” she acknowledged coolly, her voice still a bit rough from sleep. “What are you doing here?” Her tone made it clear she wasn't pleased with the unexpected intrusion, especially from him. He simply widened his fake smile.

“Oh, I was in the area. I thought I’d drop by and see how you were doing. Maybe have a quick chat,” he said. It suddenly occurred to Lara that he shouldn’t know where she lived. How did he know?

“How did you get my address?” she asked.

“I got it from Alan. He dropped you home the day after my awesome party, remember?” Will said, innocently with his hands in his pockets.

Fucking Liar.

Lara knew he was lying. Firstly, she trusted Alan. There was no chance that Alan had given Will her address. Secondly, Alan had dropped her home after that nightmare of a party to her old apartment. Even if Alan had said something to Will way back then, she had moved since. Will’s story was complete bullshit. It made Lara shiver at the thought that he had tracked her down somehow. She knew he was dangerous. She knew what he was capable of.

What does he want?

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Will asked, his face a picture of innocence as if butter wouldn’t melt. Lara knew better. She sure as shit wasn’t going to invite him in.

“Now is not a good time, Will,” she said frostily.

“Not to worry, I won’t stay long,” he said as he surged forward and moved past her quickly into the apartment. Lara stood frozen at his brazen manoeuvre. She stared in disbelief as he marched himself away from her and into her home.

She was unsure at what to do next. She didn’t want to be alone with him. She could just run. But the idea of Will forcing her to flee her own home didn’t sit well with her. She might be afraid of him but she didn’t want him to know that. Lara closed the door and followed behind Will as he walked into her living room, clearly eyeing the place up.

“Nice place! You have good taste. But Lara, how could you possibly afford something like this? Seeing as you are just a student and all....” Will remarked as he took a seat on one of her couches. Will had a sly grin on his face as he said it. She knew he was messing with her.

He knows what I do for a living. How does he know?

Lara had lied at the party when pretending to be Lenny’s girlfriend. She had said she was a college student studying journalism and dance. But they both clearly knew this wasn’t true. He was probing her. Lara decided to put him off balance by not playing his game.

“I’ve been working as a part-time dancer at The Pearl. Lenny got me the job,” she told him. She saw his eyes raise in surprise at the admission. Lara knew he had expected her to lie. No doubt he had concocted some way to trap her in the lie. Now, he couldn’t. Lara took the small victory as she headed over to the kitchen counter to pick up her phone. She wasn’t going to be with Will here, alone, without some protection. Some insurance.

“One moment, Will. I need to make a quick call,” Lara said as she dialled Britney’s number from her contacts list. She got her voicemail.

“Hi, Britney. Lara here. Just calling to make sure we are still on for lunch today. I’ll be leaving shortly, just finishing up a quick chat with an acquaintance of mine, Will Kane. He called round to say “hi.” But I won’t be long. Ciao!” she said as she hung up the phone.

Like that would stop me from doing anything, you cunt, Will thought to himself. He knew what she had just done. There was now a record of him being in her apartment, at this particular time. The idea being that if he tried anything, he couldn’t lie later about being there. He hadn’t planned on doing anything like that but her little move had pissed him off.

Lara smiled condescendingly at him as she put the phone down and walked over to sit opposite him. She sat down in the leather chair and crossed her legs. Her robe put them on full display.

“So what would you like to chat about, Will? Our boys chances this season? I have serious doubts about our defensive line,” Lara said, sweetly.

Will’s smile turned slightly strained at the edges. This wasn’t going like he thought it would. He had intended to scare her but she seemed entirely confident. They were both pretending, engaging in a charade for each other’s benefit. Lara was pretending that she didn’t know he had roofied and **** her. Will was pretending that he didn’t think she knew. And also pretending he didn’t know about something else too. Something even darker. And he was about to test that dark theory he had.

“Yeah, we need a new defensive tackle. Most definitely. But the main reason I’m here is to talk about Rob,” Will said.

Will watched as Lara's eyes narrowed at the mention of Rob's name. Will thought he saw a flicker of something in her features. He couldn’t quite decide if it was anger, disgust, or perhaps something else. It hadn’t lasted long, only flashed across her face before she schooled her features into a neutral expression.

“Rob? What about him?" Lara asked evenly, still putting on a smile despite the tension that had just crept into her voice.

“I’m sure Lenny told you that he was in the hospital for a while. He got really sick at my father’s annual charity auction,” Will said.

“Ah yes, poor thing. How is he?” Lara asked, the saccharine tone of her voice hiding her true feelings.

I hope his dick fell off, she thought.

“Well he’s out of hospital and doing better now, thank God. The thing is, they finally figured out what was wrong with him. He was poisoned,” Will said, leaning forward somewhat. He wanted to see her reaction to this.

What?

Lara’s sweet facade slipped for a moment and was replaced with genuine surprise. She hadn’t expected him to say that.

“Poisoned? By what?” she asked.

“Lily of the valley,” Will said. His gaze bore right into her eyes as he said it.

She frowned, her mind working through the information. It sounded familiar. “Where do I know that from?” Lara asked, showing signs of confusion.

“Breaking Bad. It’s the plant that Walt used to poison the kid. It was a fairly obscure plant before the show. But you know how half the world watched it? Well, I did some reading. Apparently instances of the public using it to poison people have increased by a factor of ten since the show aired. Isn’t that interesting?” Will said, still staring intently at Lara. She stared back, her eyes now wider.

“Well, there was a ton of it in Rob’s system. It nearly killed him. Somebody must have crushed some of it up and put it in his salad,” Will said. “Imagine that?”

“Yeah.... imagine,” Lara said. Lara's expression remained impassive, but there was a new stiffness in her posture, a subtle tightening of her jaw.

He thinks I did it. He thinks I poisoned Rob. As **** for the part he played in **** me. This fucker actually thinks I tried to kill his friend!

“Of course, whoever did it would likely have an alibi. They probably used somebody at the catering company to do the deed. That would make sense, wouldn’t you say?” Will said.

“I dunno, Will. Sounds pretty far-fetched to me,” Lara told him.

“And yet, it happened,” Will said, his smile faltering now. He had a dark look on his face as he stared her down. It made her nervous.

She wasn’t sure what to make of this. Clearly, Will was here to see how she responded to his not so subtle accusation. She was sure she looked guilty. But she knew she hadn’t done a thing. Yes, she wanted justice. Failing that, she’d settle for ****. But **** was not something that she could stomach. Obviously, if Will was telling the truth, Rob had more enemies out there than just Lara. A thought suddenly hit her.

Alan! Alan was at the charity event. Lara had asked Alan to keep an eye on the pair. Make sure they didn’t slip another girl a cocktail of **** and take advantage. Would Alan take matters into his own hands? Get **** on her behalf? Was Alan capable of trying to kill his former friend? For her? The very idea seemed preposterous. But still....

Lara realized she hadn’t spoken for a while, her mind busy whirring at the information he had laid at her feet. Her eyes flickered from Will’s face to his hands, which were now balled into fists at his sides.

“Whoever did it better hope I never find them. Because if I ever did, they’d regret it. Trash like that would deserve what they got. I figure it would be self defence, in a way,” Will said, his eyes never leaving hers. Lara felt uneasy but knew it was important not to look away. She had to stare right back at him. Not back down. She felt an undeniable impulse to avert her eyes but resisted the urge. Lara met his gaze steadily, unflinchingly. He stood up abruptly.

“Well, I won’t keep you from your.... lunch date. I just figured you’d want to know the good news that Rob was on the mend,” Will said. She joined him on her feet. She decided she wasn’t going to let his accusation go unanswered. He needed a reminder of who was the guilty party here.

“Oh, yes. Such splendid news. We should get together. The three of us. Maybe around your place again? You could make us some strong drinks to celebrate,” Lara said, the insinuation hanging in the air between them.

Yes, I know, fuckface.

“Sounds great! Let’s pencil something in for when he is fully recovered,” Will said, not taking the bait. They walked together towards her door. “Great to see you again, Lara. Let’s make sure it’s not such a long wait between visits next time, okay?” he said, as he leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. She immediately wanted to recoil away from him but fought against the visceral reaction. She let him kiss her cheek and plastered another fake smile on her face.

“Absolutely. But you know, I’m so busy. You’ll have to drag me away from work. Or would that be **** from work? I’m no good with grammar and tenses,” Lara asked him as she opened the door. She enjoyed seeing his smile falter at her inflection on the word “****.”

“Bye, Will. Stay safe!” Lara said as Will stepped through the door and walked away from her.

As the door clicked shut ending the conversation and the encounter, Lara couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her. Lara’s mind was full of jumbled thoughts.

Rob had been poisoned. Who was responsible? And she couldn’t ignore the unspoken accusation Will had levelled at her. He really thought she had done it. The knowledge that Will suspected her involvement in Rob's poisoning came with mixed feelings.

On one hand, it made her feel powerful that he genuinely thought she was capable of something like that. On the other, it made her a target. If Will thought she would strike again, he might strike first. And his family’s money and power gave him an advantage she couldn’t match. She needed to be careful.

Lara heard her phone buzz on the kitchen table and strode over to answer it. She glanced at the screen and saw it was Britney calling her.

“Hi, Brit,” she said as she answered the phone.

“Hey Lara. Um, I just got your message. Were we supposed to have lunch today? Am I having a blonde moment? Did I forget?” Britney asked.

“No, we didn’t have anything planned,” Lara answered. She now realized her earlier voicemail to Britney regarding Will had likely really confused her friend. She sighed.

This would take some explaining. How honest should I be?

“Sorry if my message seemed odd. Here’s what happened....”

***

Dave Miller looked up with surprise as Lara walked into his office at The Pearl. He stared as her hips moved seductively with each step. Dave marvelled at her body. She looked beautiful. He supposed, she always did. The black dress Lara was wearing did a fine job of hugging her curves tightly and also accentuated her hourglass figure. Her breasts were on full display. The dress was also cut short. Her legs looked great, shapely and unmistakeably feminine, just the way Dave liked it.

“Lara. What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you until later,” Dave said as she marched through the room.

Lara walked sexily towards him. The boss of the strip club allowed his eyes to roam over Lara’s body. The brunette could only be described as stunning. The way her hips swayed from side to side caught his attention as she approached him with a purpose. He found it somewhat hypnotic. Lara smiled a coy smile at him when she finally reached him. She perched on his desk and leaned forwards, offering him a generous view of her cleavage as she did so. Dave stared at her perfect tits as she did it.

“I thought you might want some.... company, Dave,” Lara suggested, her voice low and sultry. “I know I’m a bitch and a tease. I also know how hard you work, always looking out for the girls. And me, especially. I need to show you more gratitude. Let me start right now,” she told him.

“Gratitude, huh? There are many forms of gratitude, Lara. What specific form of gratitude did you have in mind today?” he asked her. With a herculean effort, he finally succeeded in ripping his gaze away from her chest and back to her face.

Lara licked her lips, suggestively. Dave could feel himself harden at her brazen move. She reached out and started to trace her hand up and down his chest, feeling him with her soft hands. She played with his shirt buttons as she teased him.

“Come now, Dave. You know exactly what I had in mind,” Lara said. She hopped off the edge of the desk and strolled around it to reach him. He stood up from his fancy leather chair and pushed it backwards so that he had some room as he watched the beautiful woman slowly drop to her knees. He could see down her dress from this angle. Dave tried to contain his excitement as he imagined what was to come.

This is going to feel good. So good.

Lara hurriedly reached out for his belt. She stared up at him, her eyelashes fluttering seductively. She didn’t waste any time in undoing his belt and her fingers pulled down his zipper with lust-filled eyes. Lara reached inside and delicately gripped him with her hand. She pulled his thick cock out of his slacks as she started to stroke it, slowly and teasingly.

“I want to make you feel good, Dave. You are the only man for me. No other man can compare to you,” Lara breathed, her voice a throaty purr. “Let me worship this big, beautiful cock.” She gazed up at him with hooded eyes.

Dave stared down at her and smiled as Lara leaned forward and kissed the swollen head of his cock with her soft lips. He could feel her tongue as it darted out and tasted the first salty drops he had created.

“Good girl. I’m due some fucking appreciation for how good I am to you girls. Do you know how lucky you are to have a boss like me? You know how shitty some of the girls at the other clubs get treated? Now, wrap those pretty lips around my cock and suck me like I know you want to. Like you mean it. Show me how grateful you are to have a boss like me,” Dave told her.

Lara did as he commanded. She parted her lips and took him into her mouth. Dave sighed at the feeling of the slick, wet heat that hit his dick. Lara swallowed his cock down slowly, teasingly. He marvelled as inch after inch disappeared until the head of his cock was nested firmly in the back of her willing throat. She started to bob her head up and down, slowly at first, as she sucked him.

“Yeah. Just like that,” Dave groaned as he felt her blow him with unmatched skill. Dave moved his hips and thrust forward in sync with her ministrations. He could feel his cock pulsing and throbbing against her talented tongue as she blew him. He reached one hand down to grip her hair and guide her movements. The other hand slid down to cup one of her overflowing breasts, the skimpy dress unable to fully contain them. He sighed in satisfaction as he squeezed the soft flesh and started to toy with the stiffening nipple through the thin fabric of her dress.

Lara moaned around his shaft, as he groped her tits. In response, she took him deeper again and swallowed fully around his length. He watched as he saw her nose pressed fully against his skin. He was all the way in.

What a pro.

“That's a good girl,” Dave praised, his voice strained with pleasure. “You have the best mouth I’ve ever felt. It feels amazing. You suck cock like nobody else, you know that Lara? You were born for this, built just for me. To be my own fuck toy.”

Dave heard Lara hum in agreement around his cock. He watched as she shut her eyes, now fully concentrated on how best to please him. Lara sped up, increasing her pace as she sucked him harder and faster. She added her hand to the mix and stroked him in conjunction with her mouth, her hand stroking what little of his shaft wasn't buried in her throat. Dave cried out in pleasure as he gripped her head a little tighter. He started to thrust firmly into her hot, wet mouth. The blowjob had turned into a face-fuck. And he was revelling in fucking her face. But he didn’t want to cum yet. He’d had her mouth before. He’d never had her pussy. And now was the time.

He stopped thrusting. He guided her head off of him and quickly pulled Lara to her feet. He pulled her against him and his large hands gripped her ass through her dress as he felt her entire body flush with his own.

“I have wanted this for so long. I know how much you want it, too. Don’t try to deny it. I know you're aching for my cock, **** to be split open on my thick shaft,” he told her.

He heard her whimper in response, her hips rocking instinctively into his touch. He noticed her panting now, her chest heaving with each shallow, needful breath. He could tell her nipples were hard and erect, enough to cut glass he reckoned.

Dave pulled Lara’s dress up clumsily and hastily. Once she was exposed, he spun her around and forcefully bent Lara over his desk. The contents of the desk went crashing to the floor as he shoved them out of the way with a sweeping motion of his arm.

Dave heard her gasp as he slammed her down on the desk. He couldn’t help smiling as he noticed her arch her back in instinctive invitation. Her hips wriggled, grinding back against him.

She really wants this. Fuck yes!

Dave didn't hesitate. He pushed her tiny panties to the side and with a single powerful thrust, he buried himself to the hilt inside her.

Lara screamed with wanton pleasure as he entered her. He watched as her fingers clawed at the desk, her hips bucking back to meet Dave's thrusts as he began to fuck her. He went hard and went deep. Her moans filled the room along with the loud sounds of sex, his skin slapping with hers as he fucked into her.

“Fuck, you feel amazing, Lara. So hot. So wet. So tight,” Dave grunted as his hips pistoned in and out of her in a fast and relentless rhythm. “I knew you'd feel amazing. I knew it. A perfect little pussy, all for me.”

Lara could only moan in response as he used her. She slammed her body back into him in time with each forceful thrust of Dave's hips. He could sense her shuddering as he did it.

“Fuck me, Dave. I need it. Dominate me. I only pretend to be strong. Really, I’m a submissive little slut. I need to be owned.”

Over and over, Dave fucked her, his cock plunging in and out of her. Lara met him thrust for thrust, her legs trembling as she took everything he gave her and begged for more.

“Oh, you’re so good, Dave. I can only fuck you from now on. No other man will do,” She groaned as he fucked her.

Damn fucking right. You’re mine now.

He wanted her dress out of the way completely so he could feel her naked tits as he fucked her. He unzipped her dress most of the way down and reached to unhook her bra. As he unclasped her bra, it fell away and her angel wings came into view, spreading dramatically out behind her.

Wait. Wings? This isn’t right, he thought to himself as the white and feathery wings unfolded completely and flowed out to the side.

“What’s wrong, baby? Don’t you like my wings?” Lara asked as she looked back over her shoulder towards him. Dave looked on in horror as her once beautiful face began to transform before him. Her eyes filled with blackness and her sexy smile was replaced with a vicious looking snarl, sharp and jagged teeth filling her mouth. With a demonic scream, she twisted and lunged towards him. He howled with terror as her teeth sunk into him.

Dave jolted awake in his office chair and blinked wearily around at his surroundings, attempting to gain his bearings. He was sweating through his shirt and his heart was racing.

It was a dream. It was just a dream.

More of a nightmare really, as his wet dream had taken an unexpected and unsettling turn. He was sure that some head shrink would make a meal of it but he wasn’t that willing to dissect it himself. He hoped his inevitable conquest of Lara wouldn’t end up anything like that. He tried to push it out of his mind as he took a long swig of bourbon from his half-empty glass. He noticed a flashing on his monitor in front of him.

Dave leaned forward towards his screen and moved his mouse to open the confirmation email sent from his bank. He couldn’t help but smile as he read it, instantly feeling better than he had a moment ago. The email confirmed the receipt of a payment totalling 220,000 dollars into his account. It was payment from “The Russian” for Dave’s part in delivering the shipment of guns. Price had thrown a massive curve ball by not waiting for the shipment like he was supposed to. The Captain’s stubbornness had been a disaster, but fortunately after Dave had confronted him at the police station, Price had followed through last night and escorted Dave’s moving trucks through the state checkpoint.

The trucks were loaded with crates. Crates full of firearms. Even a cursory inspection would find them. They were not well hidden, not that you could realistically hide that amount of hardware anyway. Which was why Dave needed Price’s contacts at the checkpoint to get the trucks through unmolested. They had arrived successfully at their destination at the second attempt. A day late, but successful nonetheless.

Dave regretted the move to get involved with the mysterious outfit that The Russian represented. He’d been pulled into the scheme by his friend, Ricky Garcia. Ricky, by all accounts, was now dead and Dave wasn’t sure how to extricate himself from the arrangement he had made. He’d been thinking on it and had yet to come up with a realistic solution. Dave was stuck in this position for the time being. Still, it didn’t hurt that he was being well compensated. He was only paying Price a fraction of the amount to facilitate the movement of the weapons. He was keeping the lions share. It was a good thing too because his accounts had been decidedly light of late; somebody had been stealing money from him.

Dave had tasked Lenny with finding out who had hacked their system but so far, the tech genius had come up empty. Dave bristled with the idea of some nerd punk out there getting the better of him and spending his hard earned money but there was nothing he could do about it. He figured that if Lenny couldn’t find the guy, he couldn’t be found. One bright side was that Lenny had assured him that after some alterations to both their physical and digital security, that nothing like this could happen again. Dave’s accounts were safe, for the moment at least.

He looked up from the screen in front of him as Lara entered his office. His heart skipped a beat in fear as memories of his nightmare flooded into him, but he quickly calmed himself. He was expecting her, after all. Dave had left word that he wanted to see her before she started her shift so her arrival was normal. Even so, she hadn’t knocked and combined with his recent unpleasant dream, she had scared the shit out of him.

She never knocks. One of these days, I’m going to stand at the door with my cock out or something. She might knock after that!

“You wanted to see me?” Lara asked. Dave stared at her as she strode towards him. He always enjoyed seeing what she would show up wearing and was somewhat thankful her outfit was nothing like the one from his dream.

His dick, deflated from the unpleasant nightmare, started to harden again as his eyes roamed over her body. Her top was a satin corset styled bustier that was crimson red in colour. The bustier pushed up and showcased her ample breasts to perfection. He couldn’t help but lick his lips as he eyed the swell of her breasts and the tantalizing cleavage that was on display.

Paired with the corset was a matching skirt in the same red satin fabric. The skirt was tight. It hugged her curves like a second skin. It did a great job of emphasizing the sway of her hips as she walked. Dave noticed she was wearing a choker around her neck today. This was unusual for her but he quite liked the look. Her long hair was loose and luscious, flowing down her back while a few strands in the front helped frame her face. She rounded the whole thing off with a pair of red, high heeled stilettos. He approved of the entire ensemble.

Perhaps not a real angel, but definitely hot enough to be a Victoria’s Secret angel.

“Yes, I did want to see you. A couple of things have come up suddenly and I need your cooperation,” he told her. Lara eyed him warily. She knew what Dave’s idea of “cooperation” usually entailed.

“I need you to cancel whatever you had planned for Friday night. You have a date with Captain Price,” he continued.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Lara said, staring at the man with obvious disdain at the idea of accompanying Price anywhere.

“I’m not kidding. Lara, everyone has to take their turn with Price. I can’t keep letting you skate on this. You know I play favourites but there are limits. People are starting to notice. I’ll appear soft if I keep letting you skip your turn,” Dave told her.

“Dave, the man is a complete pig. You have no idea what he is like,” Lara said, images of Jo’s face filling her mind as she said it.

“Oh, I have a fair idea. But this is the job. Price get’s special treatment. And this time that treatment involves a pretty lady on his arm. The bigwigs in the police department are having some fancy shindig where they get together and smell each others farts and pretend they don’t smell. Price wants you as his arm candy to impress the higher ups. He requested you personally. You’re going and that’s the end of it,” Dave said. He readied himself for the tirade he knew was coming. Lara would surely fight this. But the tirade never came.

Lara had been furious the moment Dave had mentioned Price. After what he did to Jo, she’d sooner cut off her own arm then let that man take it and parade her around like a trophy. But after the initial anger had subsided, a plan had begun to form. A way to get rid of the fucker once and for all. This might actually be a serendipitous opportunity. Perhaps she could use this. She’d go with Price. But she should get something in return. She should at least make Dave work for it.

“Dave, you say this is part of my job but let’s cut the bullshit. He isn’t coming into the club. You want me to go to him. Let’s call it what it is. This is a favour. And a big one. If you want me to do this, I expect to collect on it at some point in the future,” she said.

Dave couldn’t keep his surprise from showing. He’d expected a fight. He was ready to go ten rounds with Lara over this and hadn’t expected her to go straight to negotiations. Still, he wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

“What do you want?” he asked.

“A future favour I can call in, no questions asked. Agreed?” she responded.

“Okay. As long as it’s reasonable, I’ll grant it. You have your IOU. Now, this ball thing is swanky so dress.... I don’t know.... sexy sophisticated. Price is getting a limo so it’ll be at your place on Friday night to pick you up.”

“Not a fucking chance. He’s not coming to my apartment. I’ll come into the club. He can pick me up from here,” Lara told him. Will already knew where she lived. She didn’t want Price knowing too. Dave waved her concerns away but didn’t argue.

“Fine. Be here at eight on Friday night. With that settled, there is something else. I need you for another engagement. Today, in fact,” he told her.

“Another one? One ball isn’t enough? Who am I, all of a sudden? Cinda-fucking-rella?” Lara asked him, exasperated.

“Not a ball. A competition. “The Lappies” is happening today,” Dave told her.

Lara frowned at him. “The Lappies” was an informal nickname for the statewide lap dancing competition held every year. The Pearl was invited to participate and being the clubs first year in operation, Dave was eager to make a splash and win at the first time of asking. A dozen or so clubs would send two girls and perform for judges with the winning team taking home twenty grand in prize money, a trophy, and most importantly for Dave, the bragging rights. Lara knew all this but it had nothing to do with her.

“Dave, the girls already decided that Jessica and Sarah are representing us. I’m not the one going,” she told him. He shook his head at her.

“Not any more. Jessica can’t make it. It’s her kid again. I need you to fill in for her. I know it’s short notice but shit happens,” Dave said.

Lara wanted to say no. As far as she was concerned, two favours in one day was taking liberties. But she didn’t because of who was involved.

Lara knew Dave had questionable morals. He was selfish, chauvinistic, quick to anger and likely a criminal. He often viewed women as vehicles for his own pleasure. She knew this. But occasionally, he would behave in a manner that proved he had some semblance of decency to him. This was one of those times. Jessica had cancelled last minute. Most of the dancers would find themselves fired for pulling a stunt like that but Dave gave her more latitude than most due to the situation with her kid. Lara knew that Jessica’s son had cystic fibrosis which led to a more than normal absence rate for the raven haired dancer. It was also where most of her earnings at the club went. Treatment and therapy was expensive.

Nobody gave Jessica shit when she needed a favour and the girls tacitly agreed to always swap shifts when she asked. Dave was also uncharacteristically accommodating to her, which was one of the reasons Lara knew he wasn’t all bad. For this reason, and this one alone, Lara wouldn’t kick up a fuss. She’d do it.

“Yeah, fine. I’ll do it. It’s today? When and where?” Lara asked.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll get somebody to drive you. It’s in a few hours at the “Silver Inn” hotel. One of their convention halls. Sarah will meet you there. And Lara? I want to win this one. You two girls can keep the prize money. I want the trophy. Sal Gambini’s place won it last year and I want to rub our victory in that greasy fucker’s face,” Dave said.

His eyes had lit up with determination as he said it. Lara knew of the Italian American, only by name and reputation. He owned a strip joint called “Silk.” It was upmarket, like The Pearl and had been the premier club for lap dances in the state before Dave had created some competition. She also suspected the place was a money laundering operation for the mob. Salvatore Gambini had a reputation that even she knew about.

“Don’t poke the bear, Dave,” Lara warned him.

“Sal is no bear, believe me. He’s a jumped up Guido who fancies himself some sort of Don. Still living in the past thinking his family means something any more. The condescending little prick needs to be taken down a peg or two. You and Sarah take this victory home for me and I won’t forget it,” Dave said. She rolled her eyes at him.

Little boys and their dick measuring contests.

“We will do our best, Dave. You know that,” she told him.

“And that will be enough. You and Sarah will be the best ones there. I’m sure of it. The judges will be putty in your hands. Right. You better get going. I’ll call a car round to drop you to the hotel.”

“I wish I had more time to prepare....” Lara said. She would have dressed differently and prepared in a way she couldn’t now.

“Nonsense. Your outfit is perfect. You’ll knock em dead.”

***

Lara stepped into the grand foyer of the Silver Inn, her heels clicking softly against the fancy wooden floors. She spied a large sign directing contestants towards the main convention hall and walked through the large and open double doors.

Nice place, she thought to herself.

Plush armchairs and sofas were scattered throughout the space, providing comfortable seating for the dancers. Some of them anyway. There didn’t appear to be enough seating to go around so the staff had erected much cheaper, temporary seating to supplement the furniture already there. The lighting was professional and inviting, casting a warm glow over the room. There was a large screen with the names of each strip club listed in the order they would be performing.

The hall was busy. Everywhere she looked she could see scantily clad women of different shapes and sizes. Each club was sending two of their dancers and Lara eyed the different dancers and their entourages as she walked. There was a wide variety of girls taking part from different ethnicities. Lara couldn’t help but notice a heavy mix of perfume and what she thought was hairspray thick in the air. Lara also spotted a large and long chrome pole set up on the stage.

The competition was simple. One girl from each club would do a routine on the pole. The other, would dance privately for a judge. The combined score from both events would detail the winner. Sarah was the obvious choice for the pole routine. She was better than Lara at it. In fact, she was better than anyone Lara had seen in person, loathed as she was to admit it. Lara would take Jessica’s spot in the lap dancing portion. Between the two of them, she figured they had a decent shot at winning.

Lara’s eyes scanned the room searching for her red headed partner. She was impressed as she took in the wide range of costumes chosen by the women in the hall, their elaborate and provocative outfits leaving an onlooker in no doubt as to their professions. Lara almost laughed to herself as each outfit on show screamed “stripper.” There wasn’t a demure one there. They were all vying for attention, in some way or another.

Among the sea of sequins, lace, and leather, her gaze landed on a familiar face. She had finally spotted Sarah off to the side of the large screen. She was checking herself out in a large mirror as Lara reached her.

Sarah had chosen an office-themed costume. Lara approved of her choice to wear her red hair in a high ponytail. It gave Sarah an air of authority. It helped sell the look. She wore a white blouse with a couple of top buttons undone. It showed just barely enough. It was sexy but not too over the top. It was both professional and tantalizing. Sarah’s blouse was tucked neatly and tightly into a pencil skirt that came down just above the knee. It did wonders for her figure. The skirt was slit slightly up the side which showed off her legs quite nicely. Her legs were sheathed in sheer black stockings. To round out the outfit, she was wearing a pair of sleek high heels.

When put all together, the costume made Sarah look like a business woman. The sort of woman who you would find at a business meeting and not dancing around a pole. Lara figured that was the idea, anyway.

“It’s about time. I was beginning to worry you had gotten lost,” Sarah said as she noticed Lara walking up to her. “Is that what you’re wearing?” Sarah asked, clearly unimpressed by Lara’s outfit. Lara sighed at Sarah’s lack of tact.

“Yes, this is what I’m wearing. Sarah, I was only roped into this an hour ago. It’s a corset and a skirt. It’ll do,” Lara answered. She was annoyed at the comment but didn’t see the point in getting into it with Sarah. Today, they were a team. She figured at least one of them should act like it.

“I guess. It’s not like you’ll be wearing it long anyway,” she said dismissively.

“True enough,” Lara responded.

“I’m up next on the pole,” Sarah said, checking herself out in the mirror again. “I’ve been watching some of the other girls perform. They suck. None of them have scored over an 8.2. I’m going to crush them. You do your part with the lap dance and we are golden.” She finally turned to face Lara. “Dave said we can split the prize money. It’s not life changing or anything but twenty grand is twenty grand. Not bad for an afternoon’s work. Just don’t fuck this up.”

“Sarah, just worry about your routine and let me worry about my dance, alright? I can handle a simple lap dance like this in my sleep,” Lara answered, bristling at the suggestion that she was the weak link in their duo.

“Good. As long as we both perform, this is in the bag,” Sarah said. An easy confidence oozed from her.

A youthful man with a thin Ipad who was clearly a part of the organization approached them from behind. “You two from The Pearl?” he asked. They both nodded. “Red, you’re up. We already have your music ready to go. Good luck,” he said.

Sarah marched with confidence towards the stage and gracefully climbed up the stairs at their side. When she reached the pole, she steadied herself and then waited for the music to begin. Lara stood by the official with the Ipad, as she watched Sarah wait for her cue. The spotlight shifted, casting a low light over Sarah’s voluptuous figure.

Electric guitar began to boom through the speakers as Sarah started her performance. Lara watched her move, her movements fluid and deliberate. Sarah did a languid lap around the pole, her body swaying in a very seductive fashion as she grasped her hand along the pole’s shiny surface. Sarah locked eyes with the three judges in front of the stage and began to slide her hand down the pole sensually, almost as if stroking it. Lara’s eyes followed her every move, captivated by the way Sarah seemed to command the room. She had the judges attention immediately.

Sarah hooked one long leg around the bottom of the pole and launched herself into a spin. After a couple of smooth rotations, she eased herself out of the spin. Sarah followed this up by undoing a couple of buttons as she walked around the pole. The judges likely noticed the impressive cleavage on offer. The rest of the room certainly did. With one smooth motion she reached up and freed her hair from the band and rolled her head a few times, allowing her red hair to whip around her now that it was no longer constrained.

Showcasing an impressive burst of energy and athleticism, Sarah grabbed the pole with both hands and leaped into the air. The crowd watched as her legs extended gracefully as she spun around it. Her body twisted as the red head now hung upside down, her hair flowing wildly towards the floor as Sarah arched her back. She had an expression of pure confidence. She made it looks so easy, as if gravity didn’t apply unless she wanted it to.

The judges leaned forward in their seats, their eyes wide with admiration. Lara shared their sentiments. Lara watched as Sarah transitioned seamlessly into a variety of complex spins, her body wrapping around the pole like she belonged up there. She moved with a smooth grace that was difficult to deny or ignore. Sarah was enjoying herself, Lara could tell. She kept her eyes locked onto the judges as she gave them a sultry smile.

“She’s pretty good,” the young attendant beside Lara said.

“Yes. She is,” Lara responded as she watched. Lara felt a twinge of envy, but it was quickly overshadowed by genuine respect. Sarah was a master of the pole. Every movement was deliberate, every spin and twist executed with precision and flair.

“Anyway, your team’s lap dance section is now too. Your judge is behind that curtain in the corner. You know the rules, yes?” he asked Lara.

“Er.... remind me,” Lara told him.

“You’ve got six minutes. The pole girls get to pick their music but not here. The music is randomized, so you have to work with what you get. Underwear stays on, both yours and his. He’ll mark you out of ten and combine your score with your partner up on the stage. Got it?”

“Got it.”

Lara headed over to where the attendant pointed. There was a temporary curtain erected in front of a makeshift booth. She pulled it back and walked in where an elderly gentlemen was seated. He was dressed well in a suit and despite his clearly advancing years he had a full head of hair. It was greying but it suited him.

“You from The Pearl?” he asked, an iPad in his hand.

“Yes. I’m Lara. I’ll be dancing for you.”

“Right. Let’s get on with it,” he said as he put the tablet to the side and sat back with a sigh. His attitude didn’t inspire much confidence in her. Lara got the distinct impression that he was bored, as if he’d had a dozen dances already and he’d rather be doing something else.

Not a great start. I’ll have to wow him.

Lara started to dance as she heard the music kick in over the speakers to her right. She couldn’t really make it out that well due to their low quality. Lara ran her hands down her body, caressing her curves. She made a show of tracing the exquisite lines of her body as he stared at her. Her hips swayed side to side as she turned around, giving him a close up view of her ass as she bent at the waist. Her impressive rear was now only inches from the judge. Lara looked over her shoulder at him, her eyes smouldering with performative desire as she gyrated to the music. Lara noticed he didn’t seem impressed.

Okay. This guy needs contact obviously.

She stepped towards him and lifted her legs up to straddle his lap. She leaned up and forward to press her ample cleavage into his face as she started to grind on him.

As one song ended and another began, Lara found her thoughts drifting. She should have been concentrating on the dance. On impressing the judge with her skills but she couldn’t stop her mind from wandering away a little bit. She was thinking about Will. His sudden visit to her apartment, his accusation and what it meant for her going forward.

“Well, whoever did it better hope I never find them. Because if I do, well.... they’d regret it. Trash like that would deserve what they get. I figure it would be self defence, in a way.” That is what Will had said. It was a threat. No question. The comment about self defence scared her. Would he try to hurt her? And who was the one ultimately responsible for Rob ending up in hospital? Part of her wanted to thank the mysterious person but was somebody capable of **** a person she wanted to associate with?

All these thoughts flowed through her as she continued to grind her hips against the judge's lap. She was distracted, her usually sensual and sexy movements now becoming more mechanical as her mind moved on to the Price situation. Dave’s insistence on her accompanying Price to the police ball was an opportunity. The beginnings of a plan had formed instantly in her mind when he had told her.

She was going to set him up. Play on his crude desire for her. Tease him and when he was worked up beyond control, she would spring her trap. But it would require doing things that were unpleasant. Did she have to fortitude to follow through? Surely it was worth it. To get **** for Jo and remove Price from the club for good.

“Right, that’s our time. Thanks for the dance. Your score will be posted later today,” the judge announced as she sat in his lap. Lara stared at him in shock.

“Sorry, what?”

There was no way it had been six minutes, surely?

“Your time is up, sweetheart.”

Fuck. She had been on complete autopilot. She had barely been present. She’d been in her head the entire time. She was still fully clothed, her skirt and corset never shifting from her body. There was zero chance he had finished. It had been a lacklustre lap dance, for sure.

“Oh....um.... I can do better than that. Just give me another couple of minutes to show you what I can really do,” she said, now worried she had blown her chance.

“No can do. Rules are rules,” he said as he lifted Lara off him and stood up, now with his Ipad back in his hand.

Some teammate I am. Sarah is going to fucking kill me, she thought to herself as she reluctantly exited the booth. The curtain re-opened behind her as the judge exited the booth and walked away. She figured he was leaving along with their chances of winning.

Lara spotted Sarah sitting a few feet to her right on a temporary plastic chair, clearly finished with her own routine. She was sipping on a fruity drink through a straw and watching the stage as the next contestant strutted their stuff for the judges. To say Sarah looked unimpressed with the competition on offer would be an understatement. Lara figured she had better break the bad news. There was no point in putting it off.

Lara walked up to her, dreading the conversation. Her admission that she had done a shit job would not be welcomed. Sarah glanced in Lara’s direction as she approached.

“Well? How did it go?” she asked, expectantly.

“Okay, I guess,” Lara answered.

“Okay? What the fuck does that mean?” Sarah asked. She looked worried all of a sudden.

“It means I did it. I danced. He sat there,” Lara responded. She wasn’t being honest and Sarah could tell.

“Oh my god, you fucked it up, didn’t you?” Sarah said. Her voice had become raised. “Did he finish?” she asked. Lara shook her head.

“The guy clearly didn’t want to be here. He was bored!” Lara said, trying to rationalize her failure as best she could.

“Bored? So you entertain him! That’s our fucking job, Lara! Jesus....” Sarah said, staring at Lara as if she had two heads. Lara sighed. She knew she had to come clean.

“Look, you’re right. I messed up, okay? I got distracted. I’ve had a bit of a weird morning and I wasn’t as focused as I should have been. I asked him for a second chance but he turned me down. It’s my fault. Sorry.”

Sarah stared at her with an odd look on her face. Her bottom lip was curved upwards. She suddenly looked less angry and more disheartened. Lara could tell Sarah had been getting heated, pissed off even and ready for a fight. But Lara’s admission had thrown her. Maybe because Sarah would never have admitted fault herself, Lara surmised. Either way, Lara’s mea culpa had a surprising effect on Sarah’s disposition.

“There goes our chances, I guess,” she said, looking downbeat.

“It’s only a stupid competition. Dave will just have to get over it,” Lara offered.

“Screw Dave. I wanted to win this for me,” Sarah answered back. “Maybe.... maybe you did better than you thought?”

“It’s possible. But we wont know for a few hours when they post the results and announce the winner,” Lara said.

“Fuck that. I’m not waiting that long. Follow me,” Sarah said as she put her drink down and got to her feet, looking determined.

“Where are we going?” Lara asked, now walking in lockstep with her.

“To find that young attendant guy with the Ipad. He has the scores so far,” Sarah answered. Lara raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I noticed them when he talked to us before.”

They walked from one end of the hall to the other, both their eyes scanning for their target. Eventually, they found him. He was seated alone at the back of the hall, his electronic tablet propped up in front of him with a small smart keyboard now attached. He appeared focused on whatever it was he was typing.

“So, I’m going to distract him. You sneak a peak at the scores on the screen,” Sarah told her.

“How exactly are you planning on distracting him?” Lara asked.

“How else do you think? It’ll be easy. He’s a man. I have tits,” she answered, as if the answer to Lara’s question was obvious. Sarah undid an extra button on her blouse and sashayed up to the seated attendant.

“Hey there, cutie. You’re the guy from earlier, right?” Sarah asked as she stopped and stood before him, beaming a full smile at him.

“Girls, I don’t have any influence on the scores so you can save it,” he said abruptly as he looked up at the pair of them. Lara almost laughed out loud at how quickly he had shut Sarah down. The guy obviously got a lot of attention once the dancers realized he had access to the scores and he had clearly learned to nip any flirtation in the bud early. In fairness to Sarah, she reacted swiftly.

“Oh, I didn’t even know you knew the scores. No, I was wondering if you knew any details about the after-party I heard some of the girls talking about,” Sarah asked, leaning forward and playfully swatting his shoulder. His eyes darted to her cleavage and then back to her face.

“Um, no. I don’t know anything about any party,” he said, looking confused.

“Well, you should, like, totally come,” Sarah said, ramping up the bimbo valley girl attitude. She was twirling a strand of her hair around her finger as she gave the guy some bedroom eyes. “Shouldn’t he come, Lara?” Sarah asked as she eyed her accomplice. Lara moved to his other shoulder and joined in.

“Absolutely. The more hot guys we can round up, the better!” Lara said, winking at him as she leaned closer. She could almost make out the list and numbers on the screen. She just needed a slightly better angle.

“Well, maybe I can make the time. Is it here in the hotel?” he asked. Despite his earlier protestations he was clearly enjoying the attention from the pair of buxom beauties. Lara leaned down further and brushed the top of her corset against his shoulder.

“We were hoping you knew!” Lara said as she stole a quick glance at the screen now that she was bent lower.

“I can maybe go find out for you?” he asked, turning slightly red at the close contact. His head was swivelling from side to side, clearly not sure which woman to focus his attention on.

“So he’s handsome and resourceful! Sounds good. Go find out where the party is and then come find us, sweetie,” Sarah told him. He nodded and packed up his tablet and marched away like a man on a mission. The two girls watched him go and then turned towards each other.

“I got a good look. Not good news, I’m afraid,” Lara said. Sarah’s face dropped.

“Out with it. Don’t spare me,” Sarah told her.

“Fourth.”

“Fourth? That’s the worst place to get! It’s like first loser. You don’t even medal with fourth!” Sarah said, her face one of frustration and disappointment.

“If it makes you feel better, you rocked your end of the bargain. They gave you a 9.2 which is the highest pole score so far. Nobody else got near you. I brought down our average. So the fourth place is on me,” Lara told her, trying to make her feel better.

“It doesn’t. Dammit, I really wanted this.”

“Why does this matter so much to you?” Lara asked her. She really didn’t get it.

“It just.... does,” Sarah answered, not actually explaining anything.

Sarah looked downcast and defeated. Lara hated how it made her feel. She would almost have preferred Sarah blowing up at her. Shouting and screaming. But instead, she just looked sad. For whatever reason that Lara couldn’t fathom, Sarah was taking this defeat harder than Lara had expected. She’d always seen the red head as confident with an air of “I don’t give a shit about anything.” Clearly, there was more to her than Lara had realized. And Lara couldn’t escape the truth that this particular failure was her fault.

I’ve got to make this right. Lara began to move as she made her mind up about what she was going to do.

“Where are you going?” Sarah asked as Lara started to march away.

“I’m not giving up. I’m going to go find that judge,” Lara said. Sarah noticed Lara had a steely eyed look to her now.

“I thought you said he already told you he wouldn’t give you a second shot at it?” she called after Lara.

“Well, I’m going to convince him. I can be very convincing when I want to be,” Lara said, giving Sarah a knowing look over her shoulder as she walked. This put a small smile back on Sarah’s face as she realized what Lara meant.

“Count me in. I’ll add my powers of persuasion to your own and we’ll get it done.”

***

“I told you already. You had your six minutes. I can’t give you another. If I made an exception, everyone would want one and we would be here all day,” the elderly judge told Lara as she stood before him. She had tracked him down as he had exited the hotel restaurant, clearly getting some lunch before resuming his judging duties for the last few contestants.

“I’m not asking for another dance. Just a chance to finish my first one,” Lara told him as she moved closer to him, invading his space. He looked flustered at her advance.

“Didn’t you already finish it?”

“Not if you didn’t finish,” she said as she slowly fell to her knees in front of the judge. “And we can’t have that, can we Sarah?” Lara asked as she reached for his fly.

“Certainly not. What sort of lap dance doesn’t end with a big finish? Not the kind we give at The Pearl, at any rate. Let me help, Lara. Would you like that? You want me to help her, Mr Judge?” Sarah added as she joined Lara on her knees in front of the stunned man.

“Somebody will see!” he said as his eyes darted round, terrified of being caught in this compromising position.

“We’re near the fire exit. Nobody will see,” Lara said as she fished his cock out of his slacks and gripped him firmly. He was already decently hard.

“Are you pent up from all the teasing? Let’s see if we can do something about that,” Lara said softly and seductively as she brought her ruby red lips to his tip.

Her lips brushed against the judge's shaft as she placed a tender, open mouthed kiss on the swollen head of his cock. She traced the veins and ridges with her tongue and tasted the first drops of arousal that beaded at the tip. The judge groaned, his hips flexing slightly as Lara’s hot breath washed over his sensitive flesh. Sarah didn’t spend long spectating and quickly joined in.

Sarah’s tongue swirled along the underside of his shaft, while Lara focused on the sensitive head, her lips and tongue teasing it with expert precision. As Lara finally took him into her mouth and started to bob, Sarah moved under and massaged his balls with her tongue. She took one into her mouth and sucked gently as Lara worked him. They heard him gasp as she increased the pressure on his delicate balls. She grinned as she returned to his head, with her lips joining in and lavishing licks and kisses along his cock. Lara moved to one side and they both worked in tandem, their mouths sliding up and down his length together. The pair moved in harmony as if they had done this a hundred times together.

Lara’s lips slid up one side of his shaft, her tongue flicking along his length as she worked. Meanwhile, Sarah’s mouth worked the other side of his dick, her lips teasing lightly as she kissed and sucked him. Their mouths met at the centre of his shaft as they slid up and down. They started to move as if synchronized together. Their lips almost brushed against each other as they moved up and down his length. Each pass highlighting the erotic nature of what they were doing. The grey haired judge groaned loudly as he watched the incredible display. His cock pulsed with pleasure and need as he slid between their mouths.

Lara could feel the heat of Sarah’s breath against her cheek, the way their lips came agonizingly close as they moved together, almost in unison. They were nearly kissing around his cock. The sensation the judge was feeling was incredible but Lara felt the electricity too. The double blowjob was a forbidden thrill that sent a shiver of arousal down her spine.

This wasn’t a regular occurrence for her. She glanced at Sarah, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. Lara couldn’t deny the eroticism of the moment. She felt a slight tingle as she imagined inviting the red head into her bed. Maybe Alan would be into it? Who was she kidding. Of course he would.

Where did that thought come from?

She shoved the idea to one side and concentrated on pleasing the cock in front of her. Lara took over momentarily and took more than half of him into her mouth. She looked up at him as she sucked his sensitive head. He had his eyes closed. That wouldn’t do. She took her mouth off his cock and started to talk.

“Look at us. Two little sluts on their knees for you. Watch her as she takes you deep, Judge,” Lara said lasciviously. He opened his eyes and watched as Lara brought her hand to the back of Sarah’s head and pushed her head down, Sarah’s mouth now completely enveloping him. The red head took him to the hilt with ease.

“Fuck, that is incredible,” he gasped as he stared down at them. Lara started to guide Sarah’s head up and down his cock, her fingers with a firm grip of Sarah’s head. The red heads cheeks were hollowed, as she sucked him forcefully. Sarah’s lips stretched around him, her tongue rubbing and licking along his sensitive underside as Lara pushed her further, forcing her to take more of him into her mouth.

“You love this, don’t you? How could you not? Look at how slutty she is as she devours your cock. See how eager she is to suck you, to take every inch of you into her slutty little mouth. She’s such a good girl, isn’t she? So **** to please you,” Lara cooed as she ran through her dirty-talk repertoire.

“Mmmm.”

He felt a new jolt of pleasure shoot through him as Sarah moaned around his shaft. He couldn’t believe that these two girls were doing this. At the lengths they were willing to go to in order to win. His bosses had tasked him with judging the lap dancing section, assuming his advanced years would give him more resistance to the charms of the contestants. But with sluts like these two in front of him, resistance was futile.

He started to thrust forcefully down Sarah’s throat. Lara could hear him panting. She figured it wouldn’t take long. As for Sarah, she could feel him throbbing, could taste the salty tang of his arousal as it dripped from his slit. Sarah increased her pace, her lips and tongue working with a wicked determination to get him off. To claim her prize. His come and her trophy. Sarah’s mouth moved faster, her tongue swirling around the sensitive head as she sucked him greedily.

“How do you want to finish, sir?” Lara asked him. “In one of our mouths? Which one of us gets to swallow your load? Or would you rather have us both take it? Finish on our faces and our tits?”

“I’m going to blast both your faces,” he said as he reached down and forcefully pulled Sarah’s mouth off of his cock.

He started to rapidly stroke himself, his hand a blur as he pointed his cock right between them. Sarah and Lara shuffled close together on their knees in front of him on the plush hotel carpet. They both stared up at him with doe eyes, their mouths wide open and their tongues stuck out towards him. They moaned with exaggeration as he neared his release. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Two beauties anticipating his release with open and eager mouths. He focused on their tongues, glistening and ready. Their eyes never left the cock in his hand as he stroked himself rapidly. He seemed **** to finish.

“Come on,” Lara said, her voice now just a sultry whisper. “Let us have it. Paint our faces with your cum. Show us what we’ve earned.”

The pair watched as the cock inches from their faces pulsed and exploded. Suddenly, thick ropes of hot cum started to shoot out of it.

“FUCK!” he shouted as his cum rocketed out of him, splashing across Lara and Sarah’s faces.

The first spurt landed on Lara’s cheek. It was warm and slightly sticky against her skin. Lara kept her tongue sticking out and she caught the next shot right on her tongue. It splashed across her lips and on her chin. Sarah’s eyes fluttered closed as the judge’s cum shot across her eyes and nose. The judge continued to stroke himself, his cock throbbing with each pulse as he painted their faces. He pointed at each of them between spurts, determined to coat them completely.

Lara leaned forward and took his cock into her mouth as he shot the last few spurts. She rotated her tongue around his cock head and then sucked hard. She wanted to coax the last few drops of his load out of him. She kept a tight seal around him and slowly eased off his cock. She could feel the sticky strands clinging to her lips, the way it dripped down her chin as she turned to Sarah whose face was also streaked with cum, her lips glistening with the evidence of his release.

Lara hesitated for a moment with her mouth half full of cum, her heart beating faster in her chest as she leaned in closer to Sarah. Lara had never done this before, never shared a man’s cum with another woman. Not like this, anyway. This was pretty intimate. She couldn’t deny the thought thrilled her a little. It was a bit taboo. A bit forbidden. But a big part of her wanted to do it. Besides, it would provide a sexy view for the judge.

Sarah’s eyes met hers, a spark of understanding passing between them as they both leaned in, their lips brushing against each other in a soft, tentative kiss. Lara could taste the judge’s cum on Sarah as their lips met. The kiss deepened, their lips moving together in a slow yet sensual rhythm as they made out and shared the judge’s release. Their tongues filled with a sort of salty tang. It was an interesting contrast to the sweetness of their kiss. Sarah rested her hand on Lara’s hip and pulled the brunette closer as they both explored a little. Their bodies were pressed together as Sarah swallowed around Lara’s tongue. The judge watched in stunned silence. He felt his cock twitch weakly as he took in the sight before him. His breathing was slow and laboured, his chest rising and falling as he stared at the two women sharing his cum.

Lara broke off the kiss and leaned back. She swallowed what was left as she watched Sarah do the same. She suddenly felt embarrassed at their slutty last act and averted her gaze from Sarah’s eyes. She looked up at the judge, his face red and blotchy from his exertions.

“Do we merit first place after that performance?” she asked him, wanting to be sure their efforts weren’t in vain.

“Yeah. Totally. Consider it done,” he said as he put himself away hastily. He was suddenly aware of his exposed nature in the semi-public surroundings. “I’ll.... uh.... go see to it now. Thank you,” he said awkwardly as he fled from the cum plastered women in front of him.

“Come on. Let’s go find a bathroom,” Lara suggested, turning to Sarah. She looked a mess. Lara figured she presented a similar image herself.

“Yeah. I think some got in my fucking eye,” Sarah said, with one eye blinking in irritation.

***

Lara dipped one of her fries in some ketchup and popped it into her mouth. She adjusted her winner’s sash across her chest as she watched Sarah sip on her milkshake, her red hair now adorned with a golden tiara.

They had decided to take a visit to the hotel’s fancy restaurant following their award ceremony where they had been awarded first place in the competition. The victorious pair had been presented with an oversized cheque for twenty thousand dollars, along with the aforementioned sash and tiara. The trophy itself was still in the possession of last year’s winner. She figured Dave would revel in the thought of collecting it from Gambini in person.

“Sarah, can I ask you a personal question?” Lara said.

“Fire away. What could be more personal than what we just did?” Sarah said, smirking as she licked the vanilla from her lips. The image and what it conjured up in Lara’s mind wasn’t lost on her.

“What was that all about?” Lara asked, legitimately curious.

“What?”

“That. Sarah, it was just a dumb competition. Dave only entered to rub his win in Sal Gambini’s smug face. That’s why he wanted it so bad. Why did you?”

“Oh, like you didn’t want to win?” Sarah answered back.

“I mean, sure? I guess? But you seemed to want it more than I expected, is all,” Lara said.

“Yes. I wanted it. Look, it’s not a big deal. You know by now that I’m competitive.”

“I know. I am too. This seemed deeper though,” Lara said gently. She didn’t want it to come off as an accusation. Lara was merely curious as to what made her tick. She saw Sarah take a deep breath as if considering how to answer.

“It’s all I have Lara. This. Being great at this. I’m not book smart. Never have been. I never went to college. Fuck, I barely finished high-school. I never had any academic ambitions like you did. I went into modelling as early as I could. Normal and mundane stuff when I was a kid and then more professional as I got older. I even joined an agency. But every agent and photographer kept telling me the same thing. Lose weight,” Sarah said, a hint of bitterness in her voice now. Lara scoffed at the idea.

“Sarah, you look stunning. There is barely an ounce of fat on you. Most women would kill for your figure. That shit they said was not about you. Those fashionista types want a stick thin model as flat as a board. Zero curves. They want a walking clothes rack to model their stuff,” Lara said, trying to reassure her.

“I know, but it still sucked to hear every time I went in for a job. I didn’t fit in with what they wanted and the ones that did say yes to me usually wanted me to do porn. So I went this route instead. And so If I’m going to do it, I’m going to be the best at it.”

“Sarah, you are the best at it,” Lara told her.

“Don’t patronize me, Lara,” Sarah said, scowling now.

“I’m not. I’m being honest here. Sarah, you are the best I’ve ever seen on the pole. Genuinely. There are some girls who just have it. They ooze sensuality on the stage. And then there are girls who have the athleticism and skill to perform whatever moves they want. You have both. You always look great up there,” Lara told her. It was the truth. Sarah’s face softened as she realized Lara wasn’t just blowing smoke.

“Well.... thank you for saying that. I work hard at it. I have a pole in my apartment. I practice a lot. More than I’d care to admit, actually,” Sarah said. It felt weird to her to be this honest. She didn’t normally share this much with people. Still, considering her current situation, Sarah figured she should make more of an effort with Lara. For his sake. He’d want them to get along.

“Well, it has paid off. You get the biggest crowds at work for a reason. And thanks for sharing that with me. It means a lot that we have moved past that phase and can talk a little more,” Lara said, smiling now. Her smile faltered a little as her brain tried to grab her attention. Something Sarah had just said stuck out as odd. What had she said?

“I never went to college. Fuck, I barely finished high-school. I never had any academic ambitions like you did.” Yes. That was what she had said. But when had Lara ever given Sarah that impression?

“Sarah, when did I ever tell you I had academic plans?” Lara asked, her eyes narrowing. Sarah grinned back at her.

“Is it not true?” Sarah asked.

“Well, it is. Or I guess it was. But I never told you that. How the fuck did you know?” Lara asked. Sarah stared at her for a long second before answering. She seemed to make up her mind.

“Well, seeing as we are now apparently bosom buddies and as long as we are being honest with each other and telling stuff.... I figure I may as well come out with it,” she said. They locked eyes with each other as Sarah dropped the bombshell.

“Lara, I’m dating your brother.”