Blood Money (Bad Money #1) by Ali Parker Page A

giving him the chance to make a rebuttal. He was a good guy and reminded her a little too much of Adam, his age and playful spirit refreshing and depressing all in the same moment.
    Kate slipped through the crowd and made her way to the front of the club, walking out into the crowded street of New Orleans night life. The place was filled with different patrons of the party from the nefarious to the innocent, the rich to the poor. Kate pressed her back against the concrete front of her club, her eyes shifting to a college-aged boy looking rather ill next to her. Dancing girls stopped in front of him, pulling up their shirts and shaking their breasts at him as he smiled, his body swaying from side to side.
    Kate continued to lean against the wall beside him, enjoying the scene as she watched him. The tattoo on his forearm was slightly red and puffy, the man's other hand hovering over it as if to protect it.
    "That's beautiful. Done today?"
    He glanced over at her, his eyes moving down her body as he smiled. "Yeah... First time to New Orleans. I wanted it to leave its mark on me."
    "Yeah, well you better sober up a little bit boy, or it's going to do more than that. Don't stick your dick in anything down here." Jon's voice caught Kate's attention, a smile touching her mouth as she turned to watch him walk up.
    "Hey man... get your own girl. I'm taking this one with me." The guy pointed to Kate as he stumbled again. She laughed and reached out to steady him.
    "You're not taking me anywhere, buddy. Try to stay on your feet. The street is covered in things you don't even want to know about."
    Jon walked over and helped the guy toward a bench as Kate slipped back in the club. What was he doing there? She had been quite clear at his place that morning that having the two of them seen together or even near each other was insanely dangerous. She would have to motion for him to slip into her office because walking back there with him wasn't happening.
    Kate stopped at the counter and leaned over, the pretty punk-rock girl she hired last week jumping up and down to the music. Her pink hair sat high on her head in a Mohawk of sorts and her make-up left her looking like a piece of art.
    "There's a hot guy with short brown hair and a goatee coming in. His name is Jon. Send him to my office?"
    "You bet, boss lady!" The girl smiled and continued to dance.
    Kate chuckled and slipped through the crowds to her office. She left the main door cracked, but shut her office door should anyone think to come back that wasn't otherwise invited. It wasn't but a few minutes later that Jon's handsome face appeared in the small square of glass at her door.
    She moved from her file cabinet and walked to open the door, moving back to let him in. "I'm guessing you’re not the listening type. I'm pretty sure I made myself clear this morning about us not being seen together. These guys are everywhere and are watching me closely right now."
    "You did. I don't like the idea of bad guys watching you." He sat down in the lone chair in front of her desk, leaning back and clasping his hands over his stomach.
    "I am one of the bad guys."
    "I doubt that. I think you used to be, but something tells me not so much anymore."
    "Fuck... am I losing my touch?" She chuckled and moved to sit in front of him, her attire changed to match her staff. No showing excess skin and no color other than black.
    "I've yet to assess your touch, but don't worry. I know I'm not your type." He winked as she shook her head at him.
    "Why are you here?"
    "I needed to answer your question."
    "You realize that I own this place and it's the first day of Mardi Gras. I don't have time to sit in here and chat with you."
    "Marcus can handle the club. I want to clear a few things up with you that are bothering me."
    "Marcus is out for the next few days and you don't need to clear anything up with me. I'm the suspect in your brother's murder case. This conversation isn't happening tonight." She leaned