Fool's Gold by Jaye Wells Page B

with a beaten leather jacket I’d found at Goodwill. The confrontational look discouraged the roving hands and eyes of the club patrons.
    I continued past the stage and the interested stares of the men seated there. Fang, a male vamp with a mustache that would have made Burt Reynolds jealous, wiped the bar down with a dingy towel. He regarded Slade with mean, narrowed eyes as he approached. I hung back, as instructed, biding my time.
    â€œI need some information.” Slade slammed a twenty on the bar.
    The rag slowed its circling as Fang turned unfriendly eyes on him. “Ain’t got none for sale.”
    Slade sighed and slapped another twenty down, harder this time. “I’m looking for one of your employees.”
    Fang leaned forward. “Look, mister, you want to look at some titties, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re asking me to squeal on my people, you’d best turn your ass around and go.”
    I choked on a laugh at the look on Slade’s face. His jaw clenched, obviously a precursor to violence. I stepped out from behind the column I’d waited behind. The move drew Fang’s attention.
    His face transformed into a smile that flashed some fang. “Amateur night is on Tuesdays.”
    I grinned and strutted over the bar to run a finger down Fang’s leather vest. “How about a private dance, then, hot stuff?”
    Fang leaned his elbows on the bar. “You sure your boyfriend here won’t mind, Sabina? From the glare he’s sending me, his mama never taught him how to share.”
    â€œDon’t mind him,” I said, waving away Slade’s fierce frown. “Listen, Fang, I was hoping you could help me out with something.”
    Fang’s moustache twitched. “Anything for you, good-lookin’.”
    â€œWe’re looking for Zeke Calebow.”
    Fang frowned. “What you want with that lousy son of a bitch? I had to fire his ass.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBastard cut a peephole in the girls’ dressing area. Caught him jacking off in the utility room with his eye glued to the wall.” He shook his head. “Two of my best girls quit when they found out.”
    Slade spoke up. “Do you know where we can find him?”
    Fang sent Slade a contemptuous look. “Last I heard, he took a job at T&A Video over on Victory.”
    â€œYeah, I know the place.”
    â€œDid Zeke ever say anything antagonistic about the Dominae?” Slade asked.
    I froze and held my breath while I waited for Fang’s reaction.
    The bald vampire threw his head back and laughed. “Shit, son, do you think this is one of them sacred temples to the Great Mother? Everyone around here says shit about the Dominae.”
    Slade pressed his lips together. “This isn’t a joke,” he snapped. “Do you think the Dominae send out two Enforcers to hunt down people to deliver a warning?”
    Fang sobered quickly. “Look, if Zeke stepped in some shit, it’s not my business. Like I said, he doesn’t work here anymore.”
    â€œIf you think of anything else that might help, will you call me?” I asked.
    The vampire winked. “Sure thing, doll.”
    â€œThanks, Fang,” I said. “I appreciate it.”
    â€œI don’t suppose you’d prefer to show your appreciation topless,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
    I laughed and shook my head. “How about a rain check?” I slid an extra twenty across the bar. Fang pocketed the payment smoothly.
    Fangs chuckled. “Yeah. I’ll call you right after I beat his perverted ass.”
    Slade frowned at the vamp. “Just as long as you leave the killing to the professionals.”
    Â Â 
    Slade grabbed my arm and swung me around before I’d taken three steps out the door.
    â€œYou want to explain to me what the fuck you were thinking in there? I thought we’d agreed you’d let me do the talking.”
    I