I give him a once over. He’s wearing a suit tonight. The realization is a gut punch. ‘Please don’t tell me—’
Jaxon grits his teeth, offers me a shrug. ‘Boss man’s in town.’
He’s referring to Kale McCoy, proprietor of Surly’s. ‘Just in town or heading this way?’
Jaxon looks at his watch. ‘As in heading this way any moment.’
My heart hammering, I quickly count the last of my dollar bills and hand them over to Jaxon so I can make myself scarce.
Jaxon takes my money, walks it over to the desk. ‘Got a tip off today, Ren. Heard we got a bunch of NFL players coming here tomorrow night to let loose for a pre-season party.’
This time, my eyes go wide. ‘NFL?’
‘Heard they all Mutineers players. Want me to switch your shift?’
I can’t even form a response. All I can do is nod my head. ‘Please,’ I manage in a whisper, turning and heading for the door.
‘Thought you might say that.’
My fingers go to the handle. I thrust it open, glancing back to acknowledge Jaxon before slamming straight into the hardest wall.
I don’t even have to look up to know who I’ve just walked into.
‘Woah, darlin’,’ a low tone echoes, and I’d know the voice anywhere, because it sends chills down my spine. Kale grabs one of my wrists and I flinch. ‘What’s the hurry?’
With his body, he eases me back inside the office and closes the door.
‘Evening, Mr McCoy,’ I hear Jaxon say, though Kale’s gaze hasn’t shifted away from mine. The more he leans forward, the further back I go. He’s chewing gum and I can smell the remains of cigarettes on his breath.
‘You staying on top of that logbook?’ Kale asks Jaxon.
‘You mean, for Serenity? Yes, sir.’
‘Good,’ Kale says, then looks me up and down. ‘Ren’s still my prettiest girl, wouldn’t you agree?’
Jaxon doesn’t answer straight away. ‘Yes, sir. Absolutely.’
Kale reaches out and cups my chin. When I try to turn my head, he grips me harder, forcing me to face him. He’s a heavy-set man, and his face is always moist with a layer of sweat. ‘I got a job for you, sweetheart. And he expects the best, so I’m gonna give him the best I have to offer. So, when I say, you’re to go give him some sugar.Surly’s rules.’
I gulp.Surly’s rulesrefers to a private dance for a client – usually one of Kale’s associates – where there is no security or chaperone present, and the dancer must strip down, fully naked. What makes it more unbearable is that the no-touching rule becomes ancient history. I’ve done it once before, and it was enough to know that I never wanted to do it again.
‘I don’t want to,’ I say, and I’m betrayed by the tremor in my voice, because he knows I’m afraid.
His mouth is set in a grim line. ‘It’s a gift, darlin’; it ain’t up to you. Don’t be shy now.’
I try to stand my ground. ‘Then I want Hurley present throughout.’
Kale clicks his tongue. He bears down on me, forcing me back. ‘You know better than to make demands of me, Serenity. I seem to remember I’m the one bailing you out here. So, pucker up. Get your pretty ass out there and show my buddy a good time.’
Inside, the lights are low. Lower than usual, a lot of neon blues and deep purples. In some way, I’m grateful, because my face won’t be so visible. I’m wearing a wavy, dark brown wig, with bangs. Hurley is nowhere to be seen either. Apart from the client, I’m on my own.
‘Remember,’ Kale had hissed at me before he’d slapped me on the behind and shoved me inside the room, ‘Surly’s rules.’
My mouth has gone dry. Us girls call this the Throne Room, because it contains a high-backed chair covered in red velvet with a gold trim. The man I’m dancing for is already sat down. Even seated, he appears tall. He wears jeans and a fitted cotton polo, brown shoes and a dark baseball cap.
I walk over to the sound system. I try to send my thoughts to the usual mundane places, but I can feel his gaze on my back.
‘What’s your name, sweetheart?’ he asks, and I’m struck by how deep his tone of voice is. He’s local too, a Texan, possibly from Canyon.
