Kallie went to the bar to start taking orders. She jerked her head meaningfully at Marcus, who gave a little groan and climbed onto a stage opposite Ivy. He twerked his butt very pathetically, drawing the attention of a couple of onlookers.
It would’ve been funny to watch if this wasn’t so dangerous. People were doing drugs right out in the open. I watched as vampires fed from the dancers until they were almost bled dry. The girls had passed out by the time their clients were done drinking from them, and had to be carried back-stage by security to recover. The vampires who’d fed off of them didn’t care, just acted like they’d finished a steak instead of sucked a person dry.
This wasn’t your typical strip club. It had no rules, and was full of some really bad people. We had to be very careful.
“You okay?” I whispered to Ivy as we passed a whole crowd of clients doing nightshade. This had to be triggering as hell for them.
“I’ll be fine,” Ivy whispered back. “Let’s just do what we have to and get out of here.”
Couldn’t agree more. Ivy sighed. They frowned for a moment, before something shifted in them and became plastic. Ivy pasted on a velvet smile and strode onto the stage, taking place at a pole. They were mesmerizing, and immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room as they began to twirl, becoming a precious diamond that every greedy bastard in this club wanted to have.
I lifted myself out of my chair and onto the stage. I had some exceptional upper-body strength now from pushing myself around all day, and I could hold myself up for long periods of time. I manually adjusted my legs so they were wrapped around the pole, and lifted myself onto it. I held on to the pole with one arm as it spun me around.
Marcus’ slow driving had given me one advantage. I’d done some quick research on my phone before we arrived, watching videos of wheelchair users who’d modified pole dancing to make it accessible for paraplegics. I couldn’t do anything half as complicated as what they could, but some of the moves were simple as well as sexy. I only had to adjust my body and hold on as the pole spun.
Besides… I just had to look hot until Vampire McWeirdo showed up. Which I hoped was soon, because I’d caught the attention of a couple of guys nearby, and I didn’t know how satisfied they’d be with looking at my ass before they wanted to touch.
I felt on edge until I saw Charlie stride through the door with Chancey. Once I recognized my husband’s frame in the low lighting, I immediately relaxed. Nobody was going to bother me with him around.
The security guard we’d talked to earlier blocked his way in. “Hold on. Do you have a pass?”
“Do I need one?” Charlie snapped back, playing all the part of the arrogant prick.
“This club’s heavily vetted,” Biff growled. “You don’t have a pass, you’re not getting in.”
“I’m sure we can find some sort of understanding.” Charlie was loaded with money we’d taken from the Elvish treasury before coming here. He plopped a massive stack of bills on the counter next to the guard. “I’m Cal Bently. Billionaire. Maybe you’ve heard of me.”
Darius heard the wordbillionaireand came running. “Right this way, sir,” he said, putting an arm around Charlie’s shoulders and leading him to a table. “We have a private VIP booth just for you.”
“It’s nicesomeoneknows how to treat people around here,” Charlie replied snidely, and he plopped another stack of cash inDarius’ hand as he sat down at the booth. The greaseball almost melted.
“I assure you, sir, we have the finest girls Vegas has to offer, and they’re willing to perform extra services,” Darius added. “Would you like us to set you up in a private room with Cashmere, or Misty? They are our most experienced ladies, and I assure you that you’ll be pleased.”
Chancey shook his head. “Nuh-uh. The boss has specific tastes. He likes girls likeher.”
He pointed to me, and Darius had to do a double take. “You want wheels?”
Charlie didn’t visibly react, but his reaction across our bond was absolutely livid. I prayed he didn’t reach out and strangle Darius for being such a moron. “Are you questioning my preferences?”
“N-no, sir, of course not,” Darius stammered. “This club has a wide variety of whatever you're accustomed to, and if you like Blaze?—”
“Good,” Charlie barked back. “Girl, get over here.”
I knew we were just playing a part, but I couldn’t help but get a thrill when he talked to me like that. I slid off the pole, got myself back into my chair offstage, and came over. Charlie yanked me out of my chair and onto his lap to straddle him. He pulled me in closer, yanking my hair. I gave a moan for show, though it wasn’t really fake.
“This one’s mine for the night,” Charlie said. He tossed another stack of money at Darius, which he fumbled to catch. “Now go get me a fucking beer.”
Charlie gave my breast a squeeze, and I let out an exaggerated giggle. Darius hurriedly nodded his head. “Right away, sir.”
When Darius hurried off, I leaned in to whisper, “You’re very good at being a playboy.”
I nipped at his ear, and he grinned. “And you’re lucky we’re in public.”
His finger toyed at the edge of my panties and dipped down. I nearly let out a low gasp.
Chancey was on the other side of the table and couldn’t see what Charlie was doing, but he still rolled his eyes. “Hey, I know you two get off on shit like this, but this ain’t the time. We got a job to do. Keep your head on your shoulders and not in your pants, pal.”
“Are you worried?” I asked, casting a glance back at him. I pressed my chest against Charlie’s. I felt the weight of his pistol tucked into the holster there, hidden underneath his suit jacket. I felt safe, but maybe I shouldn’t.
