I glance around, thinking about dashing from the room, but he snags my wrist in a tight grip.
“Don’t make a fucking sound. You do, I’ll kill that little brat of yours. Now climb up here like a good girl and give me a lap dance.”
Fear grips me like hands around my throat. I think of calling for Tiny, for anyone, but I’m terrified Snake will do exactly what he threatens.
I move over him and go through the motions; the entire time my stomach turns. He doesn’t give a damn about the rules and runs his palms up my thighs.
I tremble at his touch, and that puts a grin on his face.
“Nobody runs from Snake. You and me got a score to settle. But that’s the last time you’re going to disobey me, isn’t that right, baby doll?”
I nod, feeling trapped.
I’ve got to outsmart him. I have to slip away and save myself and my son. My mind turns over every potential option for me to sneak away. I finish the lap dance, and his hand tightens on my arm, pulling me close.
“Go get your shit and meet me outside,” he growls in my ear, then pushes me back.
I dash through the tables to the hallway and find Coco just preparing to go out on the floor. I grab her arm. “I need a favor. The guy in the back of the room with the beard. Take him to the VIP room for a free dance.”
“Free? Why would he believe that?”
“Tell him I’m paying for it as an apology.”
“For what?”
“Please. I just need you to stall him for a bit.”
“You’re paying?”
“Yes. I’ll give you five hundred.”
She whistles. “Sure. No problem.”
She sashays down the hall, and I fly past Marnie and into the dressing room. I’m quickly changing into my street clothes when she pokes her head inside the door.
“You okay? You look white as a sheet.”
“No. I’m not okay.”
She notices I’m dressing.
“Aren’t you going out to work the floor? What’s wrong?”
“There’s a man out there. He’s the reason I left Alabama. He came for me. I don’t know how he found me, but he told me to get my shit and meet him outside. I’ve got to get out of here, Marnie. I can’t let him get his hands on Tucker.”
“You want me to call the club?”
“No. I’m going there right after I get Tucker.” I grab my bag and phone and start dialing Cody.
“Wait. Let me have Tiny walk you outside.”
“No. Just make sure he doesn’t let the guy out the front door until I’m gone. Promise me. He’s the big man with the beard.”
“Okay, honey.”
She goes toward the front of the house, and I dash down the hall, out the back, and to my car. My eyes dart around the parking lot as I beep the locks. I don’t see anyone and jump in and lock my doors.
My call to Cody goes to voicemail, and I disconnect.
