"Do you think he'd do anything to me?" Susan asked anxiously. She wasn't certain whether she should tell her father about her amorous adventures with Joe or not. She wasn't certain he would approve of her being "one of the girls" around the pool hall.

Cat stretched languorously as she said, "I think it would be damn silly to tell him. What he doesn't know, won't hurt him. Besides, I think it's funny putting one over on him."

She chuckled to herself. She was Don's girl, as much as she was anyone's chick. But having his daughter out hustling along with the rest of the girls wouldn't please him. She knew Don as well as anyone could. And she obviously knew what he'd do better than his own daughter.

If he even suspected she was out with the paying customers, he'd beat the tar out of her. He'd beat her bottom until it was a cherry red, then really light into her.

No, Cat decided, it was better not to let the old man know. Let him worry about rent and bills and taxes. There were more important things for him to do than worry about his daughter who was obviously able to take care of herself.

Joe hadn't looked so satisfied since the time he'd beat Cat at pool.

That, in the raven-haired woman's mind, was a high recommendation for Susan. She was obviously a real man-pleaser – Joe was a real man.

"We'll let the other girls know that it shouldn't get out you're out there on the floor looking for some action. I think they'll go along with us. Why the hell not? It's nothing to them."