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The bite of cold sinks its teeth into my skin the second I step out of a warm cab and into Chicago’s November chill.
When I’m not tending bar at the pub, I’m pouring fruity drinks and pushing top-shelf liquor at Maxine’s—a good place to get a drink and find a hookup Thursday through Sunday. It pays well and most nights there’s a huge crowd.
Our bouncer spots me walking up the steps and unhooks the red rope keeping the long line of people waiting to get in back. Boos and slurs come from glitzy women in expensive dresses and falsies. Just because they seem rich, doesn’t mean manners and class are a guarantee.
“Thanks, Kevin.”
“Nyx,” he says simply.
I pause halfway up the stairs. “Hey listen, there might be some guys coming by. If they ask for me or if you’ve seen me just tell them I don’t work tonight.”
“You got it.”
I am not stupid enough to think the Lords don’t have eyes and ears everywhere in this town. A few phone calls and they could probably find out anything they wanted. It won’t be long before they track me down and have me hauled back to their dungeon. It’s probably why they didn’t chase me. They’ll have someone else do their dirty work for them.
I cast about but no one is looking in my direction. I force my nerves to settle down. But there is one fact that makes me walk a little faster. If they catch me, there will be no escaping a second time.
I should be heading to the nearest precinct, but I need to gather my passport and other official documents from the employee locker room first. I’d been so damn hooked on the plan of getting proof of where my brother might be, I forget the finer details. Like what to do after I accomplished my mission.
I step into Maxine’s and immediately head downstairs. Unfortunately, I’m not Moses and can’t part the sea of dancers waiting at the bottom of the stairs. They will slow my progress, but that is okay. I glance over my shoulder. Kevin will keep anyone trying to follow me out.
Or at least slow them down.
Dudes rich with their daddy’s money and chicks my age looking to score a one-night stand or impress their current fling makeup tonight’s crowd.
The layout is simple enough and a bit reversed from the usual. There are two levels for the patrons. Upstairs is the entrance and where the quieter social area is located. The music isn’t as loud, and you can talk without having to yell. If you want to be seen, that is where you stay.
And why I hit the stairs and descend into the gyrating thickness. I don’t need anyone spotting me easily if they happen to get past Kevin. Down here, there’s an open bar area to the left, a massive dance floor in the middle with plush seating areas pushed up to the edge and extending all the way to the walls. If you want to blend in and get lost among lots of people, this is where you go.
I push my way past tens of happy patrons swaying to the bump and grind music. I spend all my time behind the open bar so it’s a little weird to be on this side. I duck and weave until I’m half past the bar unnoticed by my co-workers. I spot the entrance to the staff area and pick up the pace.
“Hey, babe!”
I lift my startled gaze to find a familiar set of green eyes homed in on me.
Flashy violet hair, the shade of crushed lavender, swings over a petite shoulder.
Shit. My steps falter and the second I misstep, I’m doomed. My co-worker pulls me from the shuffling crowd and swings me toward the bar.
Vera. Nosy, always wanting to chat, Vera. There’s practically a fucking glowing halo over her head. The good girl. Always do right and always tell the truth. Never do anything out of line.
“What the hell are you doing here? I thought tonight was your night off?”
Vera stacks her tray with various drinks and fresh slices of lime.
I grab a glass and down a shot of tequila to the sound of her clicking her tongue. Too bad. It’s not like they can’t pour another for whomever that drink was intended for.
“Sorry ’bout that. I needed to warm up.”
She passes me another and I down that too. “Thanks.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just wanted to see the place from this side, you know what I mean?”
Her purple head bounces up and down. “I’m working a double shift tonight, but maybe tomorrow you and I can hang out a little. You know, girl talk.”
