AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ahh, you little idiot! What are you doing, girl?” Arturo smacks my head lightly.
“Sorry,” I reply just as Dee walks by. She looks at me and frowns.
“Arutro, give us a moment, please.”
He throws up his hands and begins to curse in what I think is Gaelic as he walks away. The corner of my mouth twitches and I turn to Dee.
“What’s up?” I ask. Her frown deepens and she walks over and closes the door, leaving us alone before sitting on the seat beside me.
“The day I see a woman like you saying sorry to a man like Arturo, I know something is wrong.” She takes my hand into hers. “So, why don’t you tell Lady Dee what’s going on?”
Nice try.
“I guess I’m just worried,” I lie easily, twisting my hands in my lap, “Neil seemed mad that I went out with Sergio, but I don’t know why. I’d hate to lose this job so quickly after I got it.”
Dee assesses me, and I feel a small shiver of fear. After all, if there is anyone I think that could sniff out a lie, it sure as hell would be her. After a moment, she sits down beside me, glancing around once before dropping her voice just above a whisper.
“They found Sergio dead this morning,” she says. I gasp, bringing my hand up. Thank fuck I’m a good actress or I’d have giggled.
“That’s terrible! What happened? He was fine when I left him!” I reply, hitting the point home.
Her brow knits into a frown. “Overdose, they think. Nasty business, drugs.”
She gives me a pointed look. “I’ve seen too many beautiful girls ruined by that shit. I don’t think Neil will fire you, but it’s not for me to say. Now, stop bothering Arturo and let him get you ready. Then get out there and put on a great show like every other night.”
Chapter Eight
Slippin’ Into Darkness
Echo
When I step off the stage, my chest is heaving from the exertion of some of the pole tricks I did. But based on the applause and the bills on the stage, I’d say I did well. A few of the girls give me tentative smiles and small congrats as I walk through the back and toward the cooler, pulling out a bottle of water. The coolness soothes my head, still not completely recovered from last night. Shrugging it off, I go through the motions and head to the floor.
My skin still feels grimy, even after I wash off all the makeup and my head is starting to pound. I only slept a few hours this afternoon and it's finally catching up to me. Rubbing my hands over my face, I grab my bag and head out of the bathroom.
"You look like shit," Savannah sneers as I walk by. I shoot her a glare, but before I can open my mouth, James steps into the back. All the girls freeze. It would be comical if not for the clear uncurrent of fear. I smile at him and keep walking.
"You," he says to me, "Neil wants you to stay."
Shit. I forgot about that.
"No problem," I reply with a wan smile, "I'll just go hang out by the bar."
The silence remains until he leaves. It's a few more beats before Savannah pipes up again.
"Why the fuck does he want you?" she says as she eyes me up and down. I resist the urge to roll my eyes at the cattiness. Apparently, I'm getting too old for this shit or something, because my patience for stripper nonsense is nil.
I pause and return the same up and down glance before letting out a small hum.
"Hmm, perhaps he just isn't into fake blonde bimbos. Go figure, right?"
A few of the other girls chuckle and Savannah's face heats up. I don't wait to see what she has to say before stepping back out onto the floor. Since it's after hours, most of the lights are on, though the smell of sweat and booze stays strong.
Thankfully, it's the other bartender, Laura, who's there when I take a seat. I don’t think I could deal with Killian’s judgement or assessing gaze right now.
"Shot and a beer," I tell her. She eyes me critically.
"You look like half-baked shit, honey," she tells me, "You sure you don't wanna just go home?"
