“Still need your name,” I drawl lazily. “No one works here without a full background check. And if there are any skeletons in your closet we need to know about, we’ll need you to be clean up front.” Yeah, we might have learned our lesson when a jealous ex tried to smash up the club in his attempt to get his girlfriend back.
The girls exchange looks that can only be described as shifty, which makes my hackles rise. The number one rule is not to invite trouble. I reverse my earlier decision and stand. “Right,both of you can get out of here. Can’t take the risk of anything coming back on the club.”
Amethyst’s mouth drops open, but it’s Silky, or Satin, who gets to her feet and positions herself in front of me. She’s tall for a girl and is only a couple of inches shorter than me. For a moment, I muse that it’s a shame to let her go. Some customers have a kink for a taller girl.
“Please, hear me out?”
I don’t want to listen to a sob story. I’ve heard them all before. But I’ve nothing pressing to get to, so, unusually, this once, I decide to hear her out. And then I’ll reinforce my decision not to employ either of them. I jerk my head up and down.
She gives a glance toward the other girl, then clasps her hands together, in entreaty or prayer. Neither of which means the fuck to me. “Ames is my sister. I’m running from my ex, whom I left in Phoenix. He beat the fuck out of me when I left the first time, and beat the fuck out of Ames too, just to teach me a lesson. We waited until the bruises disappeared to try to escape again. This time, we made it, but our money’s almost gone. I, we, need this job. Please, I beg you. Give us both a chance.”
It’s a similar theme I’ve heard time and time again. It’s not that I’m unsympathetic. The Kings don’t lay hands on women, and have a low tolerance for those who do. But as she’s standing right in front of me, I can’t miss her assets. And the way she moved was spectacular, and that height of hers… While I’m not known for being a victim to a sorry tale, I surprise myself when the next words out of my mouth are, “A week’s trial for you as a dancer. Ames, how do you feel about being a server? Still means wearing a pretty revealing uniform, but at least you won’t have to get naked. Just one condition. I want the name and address of this ex of yours, and every detail you can tell me about him.”
“Are… are you going to kill him?” Amethyst’s eyes have gone wide.
“You got the money to pay me to?” When both girls shake their heads, I do the same. “You think the Kings are in the business of ending every lowlife around?” I wouldn’t seek him out, but with the info she’ll give me, I’ll make sure everyone’s on the lookout in case he follows her here. Then, if he brings trouble to our door, he’ll find himself warming Words’ cremator. Not that the girls would ever know that.
“Get out of here. Go ask for Stalker. He’ll get you all set up.”
Silky, or Satin, grimaces. “We had to flee, leaving everything behind. We’ve no ID, not even our driver’s licences. Will you give us some time to get replacements?”
Fuck, what is wrong with me? I find myself saying, “You’re only here on trial. If you pass that, I’ll expect your documents no more than two weeks later.” I’m the manager. I do have leeway. While it’s the dancer I really want, I have some sympathy for her wanting to protect her sister. Toni’s taught me how important family can be, and I admire them for sticking together.
“Thank you, er…”
I point to the patch on my cut. “Freak.”
I eye them both as they walk out. Amethyst, I wouldn’t touch, she’d certainly not be willing, but I wouldn’t have minded putting Silky/Satin through her paces. But, of course, now, while I’m still hoping that Toni might have a place in my future, strippers, like club girls, are out of bounds. If I could pat myself on the back, I would do so. Who would have thought I’d have this being faithful thing down pat?
Wednesday evening,while I’m drinking with Saint and Bullseye, I get a call from Toni. Excusing myself and asking her to hang ona minute, I take my phone to my room and settle myself on the bed.
“How you doing?” I ask when I’m comfortable.
“I’m sorry, did I interrupt something?”
I chuckle. “Only me shooting the shit with my brothers. You want anything in particular, or just want to chat?” I’m hoping it’s the latter, that she’s as crazy to hear my voice as I am hers.
“It’s about the suggestion that Ace should come here when he starts his summer break.”
Ah, yes. We’d agreed to thrash out the details. “You have further thoughts?” I’m hoping she’ll say she’ll be taking more leave and coming down to us. It would make things far easier.
“Well, yes and no. Freak, I’m sorry, I won’t be here the weekend after next. I’ve got to go away for a training course, and it’s going to last three weeks. I was only told today. But I’d really like to see Ace before I go, so could he come and stay this weekend?”
Is she saying she’d like to see me, too?I test the waters. “You so eager to see me again?”
“Of course,” she murmurs in a sultry tone.
To be sure, I ask, “You want both of us to visit?”
“I do,” she says breathily. “And Freak, I’ve been thinking. You were right. Ace is almost sixteen. He won’t give a damn if we sleep together.”
Fuck yeah!My fist pumps the air. “There’s no way I can fuckin’ resist what you’re offering, babe, and Ace will be over the moon to see you so soon. It’s a fuckin’ shame about your training course, but we’ll sort out something else for when you’re back. There’s no problem. I’ll bring Ace after he gets out of school on Friday.” And, of course, have to get Bullseye’s permission to miss church, or have him move it up again. Neither option will go down well with Prez, but consequences be damned. This is too good an opportunity to miss.
I realise she’s still talking. “And I’ll cook something for the three of us. I can’t wait to see you, Freak.”
“Me neither, darlin’.”
“Freak?” Her voice sounds hesitant.
