"He'll be here. He was very interested in your proposition." Ross's gaze was still on the girl across the room. "Those three jaspers don't seem to have your reluctance to indulge in young meat. Their hands are all over her. Hell, they may not make it upstairs before-" He broke off and gave a low whistle. "Well, I'll be damned. She's barefoot."

"What?" Gideon's gaze swung back to the girl, who was backed against the far wall. She was barefoot. One naked foot peeped out from beneath the hem of the satin gown and for some reason that nudity made her appear even more vulnerable and childlike. As he watched, one of the men reached out and slowly covered the girl's right breast with his large hand and squeezed it.

She didn't flinch. She didn't appear to even feel it. Why was he so damn worried about a hooker who'd probably been turning tricks since she was an adolescent? She clearly didn't mind being fondled by anything in pants, so why should it bother him? He tossed down the rest of the bourbon in one swallow. It felt hot and good going down, but it didn't banish the uneasiness he was beginning to feel.

Ross studied Gideon, shrewdly assessing his mood. "You're edgy," he said at last. "I told you, nothing will go wrong with the dead. Ramon has been looking for a man like you for a long time. Why should you be worried? You'll soon be on easy street."

Gideon's lips twisted. "There is no easy street on Castellano. Even after you've got it all, you have to fight like hell to keep it."

He knew very well that this island in the Caribbean was one of the most lawless spots in the Southern Hemisphere, its government rivaling its inhabitants in corruption. The lawlessness of this place suited Gideon's purpose at the moment, but he had no illusions about longevity in Mariba. He intended to make his fortune and get out before someone could corner him in a back alley and slit his throat.

Ross gave another whistle. "Now, isn't that pretty?" He lifted his glass to his lips, not taking his gaze off the girl across the room. "I might just take a trip upstairs myself and leave you to talk to Ramon on your own."