Tara nodded at the new tenant and tipped her long neck. Glancing in the mirror, she stiffened then forced herself to relax. Reaching into her front jeans pocket, she pulled out a wad of bills and laid them on the counter. A blond square built young man sauntered up to the bar and smacked her on the ass.<br/><br/>"Go lightly, Danny O'Brien. My ass isn't part of protection price." she grated.<br/><br/>He flicked a finger to the bar tender for a beer.<br/><br/>"Don't be such a bitch, Tara."" he said, "I told you that I could get the boss to waive the protection money if you would put out once in a while."<br/><br/>She sipped her beer. "Problem is Danno, there aren't any girls in your mob that suit my fancy ."<br/>He sputtered and nearly choked on his swig.<br/><br/>"just take the money and go. I had to work really late tonight and I'm not in the mood for your foul games."<br/><br/>"Maybe I will just up your price. The boss would never know if I took an extra hundred from you. What you gonna do? Complain?"<br/><br/>Tara put the bottle down with a clatter. "Look, I have information. Maybe I will just call Mick myself. Who needs you?" She made to push past him. "Maybe I will put a little bug in his ear that you are horning in on his profits."<br/><br/>He grabbed her arm. "You want to end up in the Mississippi? What information?"<br/><br/>Yanking her arm free, she said,<br/>"I had to work late because some big city cop from Chicago checked in. He didn't appear to be a tourist."