No words came. She stood there like an idiot.
Hank cleared his throat. “It’s like I told you earlier, she’s probably scared of retaliation. Those animals are ruthless when it comes to snitches. Her own mother beat her up yesterday when she came into the diner.”
Luther nodded. “Right. Of course.” He stared into her eyes, and at that moment, she swore he could read her mind. “Well, mingle, enjoy. There’s enough food to feed an army.”
Her heart started beating again as he walked away.
“Are you okay? You look pale,” said Hank.
“I’m fine. I just haven’t eaten all day. I didn’t want to ruin my appetite for our date.”
He smiled. “Let me get you some food. Take a look around. I’ll find you.”
Sable was glad to be on her own. There were a lot of people for a so-called intimate party. They all looked wealthy and she felt out of her league. She preferred the rough and tumble life at the club. She’d seen Grass enter one of the doors to the right, so she made her way in the general direction. Deep voices came from the open windows, so she sat on a lawn chair nearby where she could listen without being obvious.
“… once they’re gone, we’ll be able to control the gun and drug trade. All routes will have to go through us. Once I’m elected, we’ll have all the power we need. The only problem we’ll face is the Hell’s Slaves.”
“It’s a win-win. You get rid of the problem and make yourself look like a saint by cleaning up the city. You’re a fucking genius, Luther.”
Grass laughed. Then they all laughed.
She hadn’t breathed. This was supposed to be politics, but it went so much deeper. Grass was dirty, and Forge didn’t even realize it. He thought the politician was squeaky clean, which was why he needed to find skeletons in his closet or blackmail him.
“Would you like some?”
Sable looked up to see a man in a suit standing there with a tray of hors d’oeuvres.
She didn’t want to answer in case Grass heard her voice through the window. Instead, she shook her head and looked away, hoping he’d take the hint.
She was lucky, he walked off.
“What happened to your date?”
It was Luther Grass. Her entire body tensed up. Did he realize she’d heard incriminating parts of his conversation?
“He’s getting me a plate of food. I skipped lunch, so I’m starving.” She put on her best act, putting on the front of a relaxed, care-free woman. Inside, she was a fucking mess.
“I’m sure he won’t mind if I steal you away for a few minutes then.”
He smiled, an evil smile, and held out his hand to the side.
She had no choice but to stand up and follow his lead.
Chapter Six
Dog waited inside Sable’s bedroom.
He didn’t like this.
She’d never taken this long to come home. He was aware of her date. Not much went over the prez’s head. Forge had given him an update on her status and how she was supposed to meet with Grass himself as Hank’s woman. Dog wondered why Sable decided not to share such information. She was playing with fire.
Checking his watch for the fiftieth time, he gritted his teeth. This was fucked up.
As he paced in her bedroom, it was going near on two in the morning. No ponce would have a party going this late.
Something was wrong. He just knew it.