“Oh, hey, Ghost,” I said offhandedly as he plopped beside me. “Did you enjoy the show?”
“Yeah!” he said brightly. “I thought you looked great!”
Ghost’s cheeks were pink, and he fidgeted in his chair. His voice came out in a nervous stutter as he asked, “So w-would you like to d-dance?”
Did Ghost have a crush on me? It was kind of adorable.
He held out a hand. I was impressed by his bravery, so I took his hand and smiled. “Sure. Let’s go.”
I had definitely made his night. He wore a huge, bright smile as he sang the words to the music. I found myself growing more cheerful with each passing second. Ghost was gangly, nerdy, and he didn’t know how to dance, but I found his cutesy behavior very charming as we bounced up and down to the beat. Even better, he was respectful and kept his hands firmly on my hips as the beat thumped.
“Ilovethat song,” Ghost said as we left the dancefloor once it was over. “You’re an incredible dancer.”
“It was fun,” I said, brushing my hair back with a laugh. Ghost was nice. I’d go out on a date with him, just to give him a chance, though I didn’t think it’d go past that. I wanted to keep my options open, and my heart a little less broken, thank you very much.
“Would you like to— oops!” Ghost’s words cut off as he accidentally bumped into a waitress carrying a tray of drinks. The drinks dumped all over his shirt, and the waitress scowled, going back to the bar.
“You okay?” I asked, pressing a hand over my mouth.
Ghost held out the bottom of his shirt. “Yeah. Oh, fiddlesticks. Better go clean this up.”
I shook my head as Ghost ducked into the bathroom. I couldn’t imagine how Ghost had lasted this long in fight club. He was more innocent than a church choir.
Then again, hehadtried to break out of the prison, and almost achieved it, too. Kid had something in him.
“How was Ghost?” Ivy asked as I sauntered up to the bar. I was aware that multiple guys were staring at my ass as I ordered a cosmopolitan.
“He was okay,” I said with a shrug. “But I’m not looking to tie myself down.”
“Good girl!” Ivy praised. “You play the field. I’m gonna keep these drinks pouring, and the money flowing.”
I was more than happy to play hostess. As the night went on, I talked to a couple more guys, and even danced with a few. Nobody gross or intimidating came up to me all night, which was good… although, I was certain that was because Ivy had told the biggest bouncer in the club to be my personal bodyguard as I made the rounds. As crazy as The Devil’s Playground was, Ivy had made it safe, especially for women and his employees, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.
Though I was quickly getting bored. Ancestors, this was like being in high school again. None of these guys could hold my attention. Any attempt to communicate ended in one way, and one way only— with the guy mutteringuh huhwhile latching his eyes on my boobs. Couldn’tanyof them hold a proper conversation?
Didn’t have to worry about that with Charlie, I thought.
Shit, I wasn’t supposed to be thinking about him, and yet he’d crept in anyway.
Screw him. I hoped he was sulking in his cell with a bruised ego and blue balls.
Even if he hadn’t slept with Scarlet...
The club closed at nine thirty, because everyone had to be back for bed check by ten, and we couldn’t risk anyone finding out about The Devil’s Playground. As the club emptied out, Ivy and Chancey went behind the stage to count money.
“Hey, who threw this onstage?” Chancey chuckled. He held up a gigantic black phallic item that had to be bigger than my arm.
“Ancestors, it’s a dildo,” I choked out with a hiss.
“There’s always one,” Ivy said with a growl. “Some ass must’ve tossed it as a joke.”
“Here, Ava. A souvenir to remember the night by,” Chancey cracked as he slapped the dildo into my hand. “Use it well.”
“What for? It’s not gonna fit. It’d impale me if I tried,” I cracked.
“Give it to Charlie. He always acts like he’s got something up his ass,” Chancey offered.
That made me snort. We counted the money— Ivy had made a small fortune— paid the dancers and the bouncers, then cleaned up the club. We only had a couple of minutes to make it back to our cells before they were locked for the night, so we had to hustle. Chancey dipped into the angel cellblock once we passed it, leaving the two of us alone in the dark.
