Chapter 23

The task of getting into the actual place was a process. By the time we got to the door, I felt sick. Imagine how close I was to shitting my slut skirt when a man came up to us at the door and asked for ID. My heart was already racing and I wasn't even inside. My 'pimp' came prepared and didn't pause in pulling out his fake ID along with mine that Luke managed to get for me. The fact that Jackson already had one reminded me of that interesting hunch Luke expressed. I still didn't know what to think on that theory about Jackson.

For my heart and mind to be racing, I pulled off acting calm well. I didn't say much or break eye contact when the tall security guard had his gaze on me and all over me. I didn't flinch, did nothing but act cool. I smirked slightly and played my part as Jackson's bitch, looking down and away from 'Frank' if he tried looking at me. It helped making things clear about how he was in control and that I feared him.

He showed the man our IDs before we moved through the two red doors and walked inside. I wasn't sure if I was relieved or scared about the fact that they didn't search people who could have weapons. As we predicted, Jackson made it in with no issue. I didn't want to know how bad things could get if a fight broke out. That was the last thing I needed to think about.

It wasn't like any other bar I've been too. Glancing around the space, feeling paranoid, the first thing that I noticed was how loud it was. With how many people were crammed in here, and with how many were naturally obnoxious, I had a good idea about these folks already. Before I took them in, I paid attention to the layout.

From where we walked in, the most noticeable feature was the long bar along the far right wall. It took up the entire wall, housing everyone's preferred poison and the seats to keep them buying. The bright yellow and red light illuminating from behind the bar gave silhouettes to the people sitting at the bar and a few standing. Where the long bar ended, there was maybe a few yards until the back wall was there. On that back wall in the corner by the bar, was a door that caught my attention. It was painted bright red and kept to the color scheme of the interior. A man was standing in front of it, looking content as he scanned over the room. With how dim this place was, it was all I could see before a swarm of people invaded my vision.

Along the left side of the back wall were booths. There were long couches in the middle of an open area too. If they were occupied, I couldn't tell from all the dancing bodies that took up a majority of the space. Though this was a bar, Carter did say partying was a big part of it. It was more like a club for how much these customers and workers liked to let go. If there were workers among these people, I could not point them out. They would blend in for sure. As for those who are working right now tonight for the bar, it was somewhat obvious.

Like the man by the door in back, there were guards that stood by other doors. Some men looked similar but were talking by the pool table in the middle of it all. Were they relaxed workers or actual costumers? For all I knew, every person that wasn't me was a follower of Reid. That's why my guard needed to stay up at all times. If actual people were not watching me, cameras were with people watching those. That was my only motivation to act the way I did in the next moment.

We were inside for maybe 30 seconds tops before someone approached me. In that time, I was able to pick up how trashy some people were - some more than others. The women here mostly wore revealing clothing like me but they were dancing and having fun, usually sticking to some guy's side. There were not as many girls as men and even then, they probably were not prostitutes. It left a couple guys without something to hump on. So now, food for the flies walked in.

"Mmmm. Hey gorgeous. What brings you here tonight?" The rough voice complimented his eyes as they stared down at me with hunger. Appearing to be maybe Luke's age, the man was extremely skinny and had overgrown facial hair. He looked like a mess overall with his slightly torn clothes too.

Ugh. Here we go. Jackson and I didn't even make it to the bar yet. Good thing we had some time and prepared for stuff like this. Smirking up at him with my deep red lipstick, I ran my eyes over his gross self. To go the extra mile, I stepped closer and ran my hand along his arm. How I would just love to beat the shit out of him. "I'm looking for a little attention," I answered, grinning. "I don't know if you can deliver though," I added flirtatiously.

"Maybe we should find out," he whispered in a more raspy voice.

I knew it would probably happen but I still jumped when his hand reached around me and gripped my ass. He chuckled at my reaction and I forced myself to smile teasingly up at him. Fucking fucker. Get your hand off me now before I break it off and shove it up your dirty ass. At least I knew my savior pimp would step in at this point. We agreed that I could flirt and act interested to make it real but my pimp was here to keep me in line for our possible client.

Jackson already glued to my side, he gripped the guys arm and tore it away from me. "Unless you are our intended client, back off my bitch," he put sternly, eyes absolute fire.

My heart was racing big time. We were already in a dangerous place and people were armed. Add in them drinking, being reckless, and doing whatever they wanted. I was scared for Jackson despite knowing this was very likely to occur. Thankfully, almost immediately, the guy started chuckling and backed off like it was no big deal. Hopefully most other guys will do the same if they come up to me.

"Let's get a drink before we go up," Jackson said to me in a casual voice. I nodded and followed. Reaching the long bar that held the orders of those sitting there, I grabbed the last seat that was open on the left end and Jackson stood very close beside me.

He got himself a beer and ordered the same for me. A few men came up and tried talking to me despite Jackson clearly with me. They sure had balls and if it was up to me, I would have cut them off then and there. I was getting more and more pissed off at these guys than I was nervous. That's saying something when you look at where I am right now.

Though I flirted with them, I think I was letting my sarcasm slip too much and couldn't help it. Add in Jackson's possessiveness, the assholes eventually got the hint after we were about half way through our drinks. To deter any other guys from trying to move on me again, Jackson picked that moment to do what we talked about earlier as being an important part of our plan. It killed two horny birds with one stone.

"Cindy, how many times do I need to tell you we are here for only one person?" Jackson hissed with squinted eyes from where he was leaning against the bar. His left hand extended and rested on the edge of the bar while his other rested on the back of my seat, showing I was his as he moved closer.

I could only flinch and bite my lip. Turning my head and meeting his dominating eyes, I instantly dropped my gaze out of 'fear.' I answered with a sheepish grin. "I can't help it. I like the attention and my body can never get enough. And that's why I'm here. He likes girls with curves and a little edge."

I knew what was about to happen. This conversation would lead to him slipping me a weapon without any chance of being seen. And man was it going to be weird. Even when talking about it earlier, it made me laugh my ass off at the thought. You never get to see or hear Jackson do what he was about to.

"He's not the only one who likes that. Remember that. My payment is not just paper. I intend to be paid well through another means," Jackson said in a more seductive tone. Knowing what was coming, I was able to stop myself from tensing when his hand rested on my leg. I could feel his warm hand on my skin. With it was the cold metal of the pocket knife.

It was strange to say the least. I wanted to laugh at seeing him act seductive towards me, particularly because I knew it made him uncomfortable (and you don't see him uncomfortable often). I would be giving him so much shit for this later and he knew it. I gave him shit when we came up with this idea. For someone who always jokingly put me down and doesn't show yearning in any form, this would be interesting.

I stared up at him, showing more confidence. Shifting my body towards him a bit, angling myself correctly, I acted as I did earlier with those other men. It was weird and uncomfortable but at least I knew him. "I intend to pay you in any way possible. I enjoy being your personal whore," I said in a flirtatious whisper.

Jackson's hand slid up more towards my thigh. He gradually moved closer and managed to block the space between us. Shifting, moving my left hip towards him, he kept sliding the folded knife up until it was at my skirt.

It was amusing how he was so good at playing this part and yet, he couldn't meet my eyes when he spoke this next part. Close to my face, his eyes were on the bar. "I enjoy making you my little bitch. Such a nice body," he purred, justifying out loud his reason for touching me since we knew people were listening.

I understood why he couldn't say that while looking at me. I don't know if I was able to hide my disgust; I was very uncomfortable myself. I kept up the act. "I like you having it," I said, dragging on the conversation.

His possessive and flirtatious expression still on him, the blankness in his gaze showed he was focused elsewhere. "You are so dirty. Make sure to offer him anything he needs," he continued instinctively as I felt his fingers shift. Holding the knife against me, his index finger moved to the hem of my skirt, knowing I put the mic on my other side. "I know he will like you." Stretching out the tight hem from my skin, he managed to very swiftly tuck the knife there.

With that accomplished and the knife on me, he couldn't have moved away from me any faster. Jackson immediately finished his drink and I wanted to laugh at how much he hated what he did. Did I hate it? Oh yes, but knowing it bothered him too helped a lot. I felt a little more at ease with my surroundings as well. He gave a very public display to any guys that I was his. And bonus, I now have a knife! It shouldn't have made me feel any safer but it did.

It felt like we were there forever just trying to look natural. When Jackson checked his watch, it was anything but forever. It was a little past 10:50 and we needed to be up in Vic's office ideally by 11. Not knowing how long it would take to get up there, Jackson gestured for me to get up and follow him. We had no idea what to expect from the workers that guarded the doors but we were prepared for anything.

Having a good idea from Carter's description of the layout, Jackson led me to the bright red door on the back wall. I had eyes all over me as we approached the door and the man leaning against it was no exception. He stared down at me for a long moment before shifting his attention to Jackson, which was a relief. I did not like looking at someone straight on for more than a second. I was afraid that I would be recognized at any moment.

"Can I help you?" the man asked blankly.

Whether Jackson was his real name or not, I give the man credit. He knew what to do in situations like this and was very calm about it. He became Frank and sold it.

He bent back slightly with his hands braced on his back, answering through a strained voice from his casual stretch. "Yeah, we're here for Vic. I have a special..." he glanced to me and smiled with amusement. "A special proposal for him."

I smirked up at the man when he glanced between me and my pimp. He showed no reaction in any form. It was all words and I couldn't read if he was buying this or not. "Vic who?"

"Just know his name is Vic. Heard through a friend about the potential opportunities at this place. Apparently, the bar owners are willing to make long-term arrangements to meet their needs. What's your say? They know how to handle the girls well?" Resting his shoulder against the doorframe when he turned to the side more, he met the man's eyes with a welcomed and amused grin. His tone and words trying to lure the man into a friendly conversation... it was damn good.

Though no expression change, the man was drawn in and glanced over to Jackson. "From what I've heard, they sure do. Better than some of these shitheads," he said, gesturing out to the swarm of loudness. "Some of these deadbeats are broke, can't afford it. We have enough to keep them for a bit."

"I can imagine. This place is packed every night and making a killing sure pays off. I like giving a reason to spend it though," he said, nodding towards me, making the man scoff.

They continued with the small talk for a little bit. Though we were on a schedule, it was effective. He didn't ask for other information validating that we belonged here. We were prepared to give our backstory, explain our connections, and show proof that we could be trusted. We didn't need to do that. It could be because Jackson gave a lot of information in that small talk about his 'girls' and the fact that he heard rumors about what Vic liked. I believe that sold him that we were okay and could be trusted if we knew that.

However, he couldn't allow us up with any weapons. Jackson had to hand over his guns but at least the man didn't search me as thoroughly. From my clothing, you could assume I had nothing dangerous on me. At least we had the knife but I doubt that will do much.

I was convinced it would've been harder than that but it wasn't (that's what she said). He opened the door for us and gave us directions to get to Vic's office. The wooden steps squeaked loudly as we moved up the narrow stairway. I could feel myself getting more anxious and it influenced my uneven breathing.

When we got to the top, we turned to the left and started down the long hallway like the man said to. There were doors lining each side of the hall, which reminded me of a home. Wooden floors and dingy drywall the whole way down, each step made a noise. What happened to these people being rich?

I guess it figures. These were dirty people in many ways, even the bosses and workers. There was one man down this hallway that we passed. He looked clean and professional but that wasn't exactly a good thing.

When he passed us, he only offered an uninterested glance. It was blank and said nothing, unlike how the others downstairs looked at me. It validated that the workers in operation right now were in full business mode. These men were devoted to corrupted values but many of these higher ups were smart and somewhat stable to be able to conduct all this. It was a more intimidating and that only made me want to get this done faster.

Staring down the long hall as we continued moving, my eyes took in one other man. He appeared from around a corner on the left and reached my vision. Jackson and I passed the ghetto public bathrooms as we got closer to the man and the first thing I noticed, he looked like the last man who just passed us. Moving casually but with intent to get a job done. His lean figure sported professional dress pants and shirt. There was a gun strapped to his hip too.

Trying to come across as calm, I focused on his face as we were closer to each other. He met my eyes then Jackson's, but they stayed on him and it wasn't natural. The man's eyes grew wider and more curious, alarmed even. To take that in as we were walking, I didn't get much of a chance to take any more in or decode that. Just before we passed each other, his eyes were darting between us. I could have sworn he rested his hand slowly on the gun too.

If I wasn't nervous before, I was now. I was ready to call it a night with my stomach in knots and my eyes widening. My attention shot up to Jackson in panic, not knowing what to think. I wasn't the only one who recognized that man's alertness.

"Fuck," he whispered just barely under his breath.

What was happening? Were things about to fall apart? What happened literally two seconds ago? My stride started to lack the quickness it had before, but it didn't matter. He gripped my arm and stopped moving altogether.

"Wait for me," Jackson said, voice low. I didn't have much time to analyze his words because a moment later, he spun around and sprinted towards the retreating footsteps.

Spinning around with my shortage of breath, I saw it was a good thing Jackson didn't second guess himself. The man spun around just after we had and was ready to come at us. With how fast Jackson was and the fact that there wasn't much space between us in the man yet, he made it.

I watched my uncle and pimp ram into the man just as he pulled out that gun. Whether the man didn't have time to fire it or couldn't, I didn't know. The moment he slammed into him, he drove him a few more feet forward then over. Jackson pushed him right through the man's bathroom door, both of them leaving my sight immediately.

I was alone in the hallway now, everything around me silent. My head was a different story and I couldn't comprehend what was going on. What the fucking hell?! Oh Jesus! What do I do? What do I do?! He said wait, wait, wait! He doesn't have a gun, a weapon! That guy did! Go, go in the bathroom. Go now! Luke could hear everything! Would he do anything?! Better not! I need to stop this! Holy shit!

Anticipation and anxiousness tensing through me as I stood there, staring back towards the way we came, I only allowed myself a moment. I wouldn't wait and couldn't despite how awful I felt. Knowing that people were probably watching this through cameras, I had to do this right. It was hard not to run so I walked very quickly towards the bathroom door they went through. I needed to help and intended to. My hand resting on my hip, ready to grab the knife, I was forced to freeze at the voice that rung out through the hall.

"Someone lost?" I heard a voice reach me. My heart spiked again but I was adapting to that feeling unhealthily well. Spinning back around to where we were heading towards Vic's office before, I noticed a woman come out of one of the doors a few yards away. She had long brown hair hanging down her back as her dull eyes were on me. She turned and started towards me with a slow pace and lazy smile.

Recovering my voice from the several forms of fear and anxiousness I was experiencing, I managed to respond. "No, I'm waiting on someone," I said, grinning by the time she was standing across from me. The door was right there, men's room right fucking there! Leave!

So much was running through my head and I felt like I might truly need the bathroom. I can't count how many times I had this sick feeling from a risky or dangerous situation. This was different. I had to convince my body and my expression to look okay and calm when I was anything but that. Before when we had our drinks, I was nervous. Now, it was in overdrive. I was afraid of getting caught, that this girl would hold me up for too long, or that she would catch onto me. I was afraid that at any second, loud noises would erupt from the bathroom and blow our cover. I was afraid our cover was already blown if someone saw the cameras when Jackson tackled him through the door. I was afraid, above all, that I would not get in there in time. I wanted to go in there and help Jackson with my whole being, even when he strictly said to wait. I had to unnaturally force myself into rational thinking mode at the moment. I needed to act normal, needed to talk to this girl until she goes away. She could make this situation as bad as the one playing out in the bathroom if I was not careful.

As these worries and more ran in circles in my head, I took her in more while forcing myself to look calm. Only a foot away now, I saw her face wasn't covered in make-up like mine. Her eyes were the exception; eyeliner and mascara were applied heavily around her dark blue eyes. The rest of her face was smooth skin and no more. She looked maybe a few years older than me from her face and body. She was slightly taller than me and showed her matured body through a tight neon green shirt. A matching skirt was high on her hips with firm material that fluffed out. She was quite pretty despite her choice of clothes and make-up.

"I don't think I've seen you around here. You new?" she asked bluntly in a curious voice.

Jackson sold it before and now it was my turn. I gave her a casual smile and nodded, keeping my eyes on her. "Yeah you could say that. I'm about to talk to a potential client," I said, snickering and trying to act comfortable. Jesus hurry up, hurry up, hurry!

"You waiting for your... negotiator?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, a smile spreading across her face.

Knowing what she meant by 'negotiator' I scoffed and nodded, trying to think on my feet of how to get this over with. How to wrap up this conversation and what words would help it look nonchalant. It was disrupted when she stepped closer in response to my nod and ran a hand down my arm, her smile turning into a smirk. Oh boy. Now this would be one hell of a story to tell later. It might even top what Jackson had to do to get me the knife.

"Well, if everything goes well, maybe we could stick together. Have a little fun." The girl then gave me a suggestive look that couldn't be mistaken. If I wasn't ready to shit myself or flip the fuck out, I might have laughed.

"I would actually love that," I said, a little too quickly. "I'll have to find you after my little meeting." I didn't know if she could hear the rising anxiously in my voice but I hope not. The only thing that existed and mattered was the door behind me now. Was Jackson okay? Did he kill or knock that guy out? I didn't hear the gun go off; what did that mean? Anything could be happening in there. We needed to get back with the plan!

Acting as if I was interested by deliberately looking over her body and smiling, I found her eyes again and they were filled with heat. I guess I couldn't blame the lady. I was hot stuff, as you guys all know. Unfortunately, she saw past it and picked up on my tension.

"You alright?" she asked me blankly.

"Yeah, just nervous is all," I said quickly as I tried slowing my increased breathing. Go away, leave my sight! I need to get in there! I can't keep standing here!

She gave me a reassuring grin. "I'm sure you will do fine and whoever you are here for will like you. I like you," she said more seductively.

Before I could answer, I heard a loud thumping sound come from the bathroom and a few more sounds. It made my eyes widen and I was paralyzed for a second, no matter if I needed to act okay or not. I needed to get in there, needed to help him now!

The girl heard the same thing. Instead of reacting like me, she reacted to me. Once she took in my startled and fearful face along with a tense body, she narrowed her eyebrows slightly. "Are you sure you are just waiting? What's going on?"

She didn't ask in a threatening way or one that called me a traitor. Her voice only held suspicion and that was enough for me. I was done and couldn't take this. I needed to do something but I couldn't leave her yet; she would know somethings up. That's why my panic, my need to get in there, and some rational thought took over.

"I don't know. We should find out!" I grabbed her arm and turned around, guiding her with me the foot it took into the men's bathroom. She didn't have any time to protest or respond until the door swung closed behind us. Good idea or bad, I needed to get in here!

Dimness gone, my eyes were forced to adjust to the bright lights of the men's bathroom. Before that could happen and before I could assess what Jackson's position was, I did what I knew I would need to.

As she started to fight and try to break away from me, I dug my fingers into her arms and kept her still. "What t--" she began saying loudly in protest but I cut her off. I quickly pushed her back into the hard wall beside the door and took a hand away from her arm. I balled it up into a fist and swung forward hard, punching her in the jaw. I needed to get her unconscious. She couldn't leave this bathroom before we get out if we wanted this plan to work.

Ignoring the pain my fist felt, I didn't let the guilt get to me either. This was life and death and that was my focus. I needed to help Jackson as soon as she's knocked out. Thankfully, and surprisingly, it only took that one punch. Her eyes closed with a breathy grunt. I'm sure hitting her head against the drywall didn't help. Regardless, she slumped to the floor unconscious.

Eyes finally adapting after that second I took to punch her, I turned and took in the bathroom. It was small with only two stalls and a urinal. The one sink was dirty along with the rest of the area and the floor was different shades of brown tile. At the end of the bathroom and against the wall, I saw him. Jackson was laying on the ground and partially on his side. It looked almost like he was spooning the man that he tackled through this door. Except the fact that Jackson had his arms wrapped tightly around the man's neck, his hands roughly gripping his head. The man tried to shake himself loose but it didn't work. He bucked Jackson with him and it led me into action.

Moving past where the gun was dropped on the ground by the sink, I approached them swiftly. Jackson met my eyes and spoke hastily, pushing for me to do what I was already getting ready for.

"Kick him! Hard! Then look away."

The same second he spoke, I kicked the man in the gut. It was open for me to do and easy with how he was pinned. With my heal digging in, he let out a painful grunt. His eyes went wide and he had a hard time breathing. It stopped him from struggling as much and it gave Jackson the momentum he needed. Shifting his shoulders, his hands readjusted, he snapped the man's neck.

I didn't have time to think or look away. I took in the unnatural position that the man's head snapped in, skin stretching in a way that was never intended. A loud, almost cracking sound accompanied the action and it made me cringe roughly, looking away to the floor on instinct. Why couldn't I have remembered that last part he said and saved myself from the sight?

Taking a deep and hard breath, I looked back over to Jackson and the limp body he let go of. I quickly shifted my attention though back to my pimp. I didn't want to see the body; I would be seeing it a lot in my head from here on out. Add it to the list of all the other dead bodies I saw. Add it to the list of things I would have to process and deal with later.

Jackson's hair was ruffled and his breath was ridged from the amount of strength it took for him to pin the man down and snap his neck. Eyes finding mine with a glint of distress, he swallowed hard before sitting up. For how comfortable he's been killing people in the past, he actually appeared disturbed from this one. I could even see it through the material pasted on his face and those colored contacts, which that tells you something.

"I told you to wait," he said through the deep breaths he took and tried to get under control.

Shaking my hand from letting the pain enter, I nodded and glanced behind me to the limp girl as I explained. "This girl started talking to me when I wanted to help you. She noticed how nervous I was getting. Because I didn't want to waste time in case you needed help, I pulled her in here. From there, obviously I needed to knock her out." I truly did feel bad for her. It was bad enough she was dragged into this kind of shit with these people and now this happens. At least she wasn't dead.

Pursing my lips at that last thought, I could only shake my head slightly to myself. At least she wasn't dead. Christ, what kind of life was this turning into where I regarded not being dead as just luck to whoever got involved? Looking slowly back to Jackson, I sighed in a tired voice. I'll deal with this shit later when I could mentally tackle it. When maybe we will live, if we are fucking lucky I guess.

Forcing those depressing thoughts away, I took a deep breath myself and met Jackson's gaze. He got to his feet when he answered me. "You should have just stayed out there and not worry about me."

"You think that would have happened? Like I couldn't worry whether you were okay or not? Dead or alive?" I said slightly, making my point. No matter his opinion, I had a right to want to help him.

"I know," he nodded. "I do not need you getting hurt though." Watching Jackson carefully, I saw how shook up he appeared. He looked to the ground; not to me or even the body as he flopped the man onto his back. "What are you doing?" I asked him, running a hand through my hair. "We still need to hurry."

"Taking anything on him that we could maybe help. Like the gun," he said, straining himself and reaching to grab it. He tucked it into the same place he kept the other guns before the guard was forced to take his. "We are also going to need to hide these people. We don't need these two being found when we are still in the building."

I nodded to him and knew that was necessary. This was a public bathroom and someone could walk in at any moment. To reduce the risk of that happening and adding one more to the count we will need to hide, we rushed. I grabbed the girl I knocked out by the door and dragged her over to the furthest stall as Jackson searched the guy. By the time I had the girl between the toilet and the wall, I sighed. What if she wakes up too soon? What if people find her?

When I turned to observe Jackson, I saw he had the trick. Seeing I did what I needed to do with the unconscious girl, he ripped a strip of clothing from the dead man's shirt. "It would be easier if we just killed her," Jackson said with a sigh. He already knew that I would not want that even if it saved us a few minutes.

"I don't care," I hissed, taking the piece of clothing he ripped off from where he was kneeling in front of me, facing the man.

"Then I need you to shove this in her mouth. We don't have time to tie her down but we need something to tie around her mouth so she can't take the fabric out. We need her quiet if she wakes." Looking around the bathroom in reaction to his words, trying to think of what we could use, it clicked.

I grabbed the knife when the thought popped into my head. I pulled the blade out from where it was folded inwards and bent down, cutting off the fishnet material. It was the best thing we had and would be effective. To make it still look good on me, I only cut the tops of the fishnet pantyhose off so it wasn't too noticeable.

"That will work," Jackson nodded after I was done and tucked the knife back. When I went into the stall and carefully stuffed the fabric Jackson gave me in her slack mouth, I could feel that sick feeling come back. I hated this but knew it had to be done. I couldn't imagine myself doing this three years ago even with all that had happened. It was like what we were doing was at a new level.

Pushing that thought away that would continue haunting me, I sighed and picked up the fishnet I cut off from my upper thighs. I tore it, making it longer and thinner so it wouldn't cover more than her mouth. The longer it was also allowed for me to wrap it around her head and mouth several times. With the net I took from my other leg, I tied her hands together as tightly as I could. We couldn't do much else if she happened to wake up. That's why after I was done, I couldn't watch what Jackson suggested.

He continued looking through the man and his pockets. All he recovered from what I saw were a few papers, which he folded and stuffed in his pocket. He looked incredibly uncomfortable just looking at the man he killed. I guess being here and all this must be getting to him too. "I'm going to rest him on top of her. It will pin her down more if she wakes up and people most likely will not see it if they come in and this stall is shut."

"You can do that," I said in a slightly uneasy voice, shaking my head and moving towards the door. I could wait for him because I was done doing my job. I didn't want to think at this point. I wanted to get this shit over with but I could only imagine how far off we are from the planned time now.

I stared down to the floor and took a deep breath as I asked. "What time is it?" Please don't be too late. Luke was going to call the cops at 11:15 and I wouldn't be surprised if it was later than that by now.

Jackson didn't answer at first; I could hear him dragging the man into the same stall. After a minute, I heard him walk up behind me. Turning, seeing everything looked normal now, I zeroed in on his eyes after they checked his watch. "It's 11:08." Those words made my heart sink to the bottom of my stomach. Unlike before when he was busy with the man, he didn't look as disturbed. He was back to blank and for now, it did help calm me. His words did even more to reassure me. "You don't need to panic. There is a reason we have these mics on us. Luke knows. He will push the time back. To put us back on track," he started, lifting his shirt slightly as he bent his head to speak where he clipped the microphone. "To put us back on track, Luke needs to call the cops at 11:25," he stressed, knowing it was essential for Luke to hear him say that. "Call at 11:25."

I nodded, trying to get back into character and convincing myself everything is fine. Nothing destructive to our goal happened yet and we are still good to continue. "We talk to the man until 11:25 and while the cops are coming, we take him down and get out," I clarified, mainly to myself.

When Jackson nodded and we were ready, we left the bathroom and made our way back down the hall. This time, we reached the end of the hall without anyone passing us. In fact, nobody was in the hall yet. It was a relief from the anxiety flowing through me. We reached the last door on the right, which was his office. Oh god.

I was already having issues making eye contact from fear of being recognized, which was important to do. Now, I will also be worried this whole time about people finding our surprise in the bathroom. To accomplish a comfortable conversation we were about to start, I needed that out of my head. Taking deep breaths, willing myself to calm down, I nodded up to Jackson to knock on the door. Ready or not, here comes pimp and whore!