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The night stayed busy and as peaceful as a night could be at a strip joint. Indy, Ally, Daisy, Tod and Stevie called in a steady round of drinks, were nearing three sheets to the wind and frequent bursts of laughter could be heard from their table. They were more entertainment for the customers. Even fully clothed, Indy, Ally and Daisy weren’t hard to look at.
It was nearing closing when I dropped a round of drinks on a table at the farthest edge of the stage.
I’d never liked that corner, even when my life wasn’t chaos. It was shadowy and always seemed somehow disconnected from the club.
I turned and nearly ran right into Vince Fratelli.
I froze, my heart stopped and I looked up at him.
“I been watchin’, know you have a bodyguard and I know you have Chavez’s protection,” he said, his eyes hard. “There’ll be a time when you aren’t protected and I want you to know, come that time, I’ll be there.”
My heart started pounding and my eyes flew beyond his shoulder. Richie was close but he wasn’t paying attention, he was watching Indy’s table.
“Look at me when I’m talkin’ to you, bitch.”
My eyes went back to Vince and fear closed my throat at his tone.
He kept going. “Been spendin’ my time thinkin’ about what to do to you. You think you’re safe. Chavez’s piece. You should know, Marcus and Chavez, they hate each other. Marcus’ll give me a bonus, I fuck with you, no matter what Daisy says. Anything to stick it to Chavez. Anything. Even war with Nightingale.”
I was rooted to the spot.
I wanted to run, to scream, but my body wasn’t functioning.
My mind had totally shut down.
“All fours,” he said, leaning into me. “I’m gonna do you doggie-style and you’re gonna beg for it, even if I have to put a gun to your head.”
I thought for a second I would faint, but then he was gone. Just as quickly as he came, he melted into the crowd and disappeared.
I leaned against the wall, hugged my tray to my chest and took deep breaths to try to calm down.
This was now officially out of hand.
I wanted to tell someone, I wanted someone to protect me, to make me safe.
I didn’t know Eddie that well, but I was getting to know him real quick. I had a feeling that if I told him that hot-blooded streak would come out and he’d lose his ever-lovin’ mind. If I told Smithie, I’d be going on “vacation,” and I couldn’t afford vacation. If I told Indy, she’d tell Lee and he’d tell Eddie and war would break out. I wasn’t sure I knew what war meant, but war was war and I didn’t want Eddie or Lee involved in any type of war, especially not because of me.
Even in a packed strip club I’d never felt so alone and scared. Never in my whole life.
My mind re-engaged when I saw Tanya, walking funny, with a man I’d never seen close to her back. She was heading toward the dancer’s hall where their dressing room was. The waitresses rarely went back there during shift and the customersneverwent back there.
I looked closely and saw he had a gun held to her back.
Oh…dear…Lord.
What now?
For some reason, I didn’t think. I just acted. I didn’t want to bring attention to Tanya and the guy and I didn’t want to waste any time. I had to admit I hoped Richie would follow me. It was his job, even though he’d never been really good at it.
As quickly as I could, I followed them straight to the dancer’s dressing room.
I heard the guy say, “Out,” and before I entered the room, the dancers were hustling out, faces pale, jostling me.
“Tell Smithie,” I whispered to JoJo as she passed.
She nodded.
I entered the room, trying to be calm and casual.
