house.”
Axl ran his fingers through his hair in thought. “I can see how that could be a problem. Was Esteban there?”
“No, he wasn't. But Ed Sharp was quick to tell me if I didn't do as he said he'd leave some type of anonymous tip with my husband letting him know all of the sordid details of my past.”
“Wouldn't that also put him in danger? I mean if Esteban started researching your background there'd be a good chance he'd find out Ed Sharp had been your pimp, right?”
“Axl, have you ever met Ed Sharp? Let's just say he probably hasn't thought that far ahead.”
Axl nodded. Ed Sharp's name had always been humorous to him. If there was one thing Ed wasn't, it was sharp.
“So what, he's asking for money then?”
Trista looked down at the floor as if studying the carpet. “Money, and more. He made me do things with him. Things I haven't done in a very long time. Things I'd rather forget.” Trista flushed as she said the words, trying not to get so excited when she thought back. She still hated herself for enjoying the sex so much, but that type of sex was something she had always craved and didn't get much of lately.
“Jesus. What a bastard,” Axl said, either missing or misreading the thrill that had passed through Trista.
“He comes in and out of the neighborhood on business all the time so the guards won't stop him. I can't exactly ask them to, either, without some explanation. I need your help in dealing with him. What do you suggest? Can you make him go away?” Trista said, crossing her legs and making Axl's mind go blank for a second.
“I'm not sure what you're implying, but I don't take contracts,” Axl said.
“I didn't think you would, but something has to be done. If you can help me, I can pay you well,” Trista said. She knew she'd have to dip into her private fund in order to pay Axl, but that was a small cost considering the stakes.
Axl thought a second. “I can probably put enough of a scare into him he'll leave you alone. I'm sure he knows who I am, and my reputation—let's just say bad doesn't begin to cover it.”
“I know your reputation. It's why I came to you. Like I said, I remember you.”
Axl scrutinized her. He had seen many of Sharp's girls come and go over the years, but this one he didn't remember. And he was sure he'd remember her.
“You're trying to place me aren't you?” Trista said.
Axl cleared his throat. “I was seeing if I remembered you, yes.”
“I had short, brunette hair back then. I almost always wore short skirts with high heels. My name was Cindy.”
Axl tried to put all that together with the hot blonde facing him, but it was clicking. Then he looked into her eyes and remembered. The eyes always gave it away.
“I remember you. I was never sure if you were a prostitute or just Ed's girlfriend. He never seemed to let you get too far out of his sight.”
“That was me. I thought I'd finally gotten away from the bastard, but then he popped back up. Please, help me.”
Axl nodded. “I think I can help. Let's go over some details.”
The pair spent the next several minutes going over exact details of Ed's visit, leaving out the sexual parts.
“So you think he'll show up again when your husband goes on another of these business trips?” Axl asked.
“Yes, he said as
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