Текст книги "Gutter Princess"

Автор книги: Kimmie Easley

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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 12 страниц)

“Sure thing. I’ll give it to her myself,” Ang said with a wink.

“Thanks, Ang. Have a good one!” Baby Jade hollered as she pushed open the heavy door.

She headed back to her apartment and threw her dirty clothes into a mesh laundry bag. In her line of work, she didn’t have as much as most people. Thongs, corsets, robes, her favorite boy shorts, and a couple of t-shirts.

With her bag in tow, thankful that the laundry mat was right around the corner, she set out to check the rest of her stuff off her to-do list. That was one of the only good things about her crappy apartment. It was nestled in the center of everything she needed, not that she needed much.

The afternoon was quiet, which was always a good thing. No Slade. No Mickey. Ma’Linn must have been up and about because her tomatoes were gone and the clean stoop now smelled like herbs. She must have been purging again.

Baby Jade had a small bowl of gumbo waiting for her on her own doorstep, along with a covered plate of beignets. She stifled a giggle, knowing what Ma’Linn had in mind. That woman’s determined to make me fat.

Baby Jade poured herself a glass of wine and made a tomato sandwich. The gumbo would have to wait until she got home from work. She never ate anything heavy before a performance. There wasn’t hiding any extra indulgence when wearing a thong as work attire. She downed the first glass and got ready to hop on the treadmill, something she sometimes did before work to limber up.

She snapped her iPod into the dock and slipped off her shoes. Korn blasted and she ran until the end of the playlist, leaving her primed for work. It was a good thing since Mickey had scheduled her to perform six sets. Not to mention Mr. Tats was starting tonight at Bottoms Up.

It was sure to be an interesting evening.

Baby Jade gathered up her shoulder bag and locked up the apartment tight. Her tummy clenched, still on edge after Slade’s brief appearance the night before. The light was on at Ma’Linn’s, and she could hear chanting coming from the apartment, more than likely for Phillipe.

Other than the excessive humidity, it was a beautiful night. Baby used the time during the walk to prepare for the night by running over her dance routine in her head. She slapped in her ear buds and listened to her set music.

A few cars lined the street in front of the club. She was relieved to see Slade’s Jeep was nowhere in sight. However, a certain Harley did catch her attention. It had been pulled up on the sidewalk right outside the entrance.

She opened the front door and her eyes tried to adjust to the dim light. She instantly noticed Mr. Tats standing directly to the left. He looked the same as the day before, clear down to another black t-shirt and a pair of worn-out Levi’s. She was flustered to find herself close to him. She didn’t like that he made her feel out of control.

Giving him a quick nod, she marched toward the stairs leading to the dressing room. Lolli danced on stage to her favorite song, Christina Aguilera’s “Candyman.” The bar was full for a weeknight. The thought of making a few dollars gave her mood a slight edge. She took a quick survey of the room before heading down to the basement.

Jewella sat a few feet from Mr. Tats getting her drool on and Mickey was in the DJ booth giving them both the evil eye. He jerked his head in Baby Jade’s direction, summoning her like an insignificant flunky. She turned from the stairwell and headed toward the booth.

“Look, I know it’s not your job, and blah … blah … blah. But I need you to hang out with the new guy.”

“What?” She looked back at Mr. Tats and, of course, he was boring a hole right through her, again.

“Don’t give me any shit, not tonight. You’re the only person I have to step up.”

“I thought you had this covered? And you’re right. It sure as hell isn’t my job. I have six sets tonight.” Baby settled her hands onto her hips.

Mickey stopped flipping through the music binder. “I’m not gonna feel sorry for you. I’m here day in and day out.”

“It’s your club. I work for tips. Why does he need a babysitter?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he asked, his finger wagging toward the opposite side of the room, suggesting Baby Jade was stupid. Jewella had now pulled her stool up next to Mr. Tats. She held his hand in hers, palm up, and pretended to do a reading. She rambled to anyone who would listen that she was a witch. It was also her way of getting her hands on the new guy.

“Oh, I see. It’s a babysitter for her, not for him.”

“Call it what you want, you’re doing it,” Mickey said with defiance. It was clear she had no choice in the matter.

“Fine, but I’m not giving up any of my sets. Not with this crowd. I’m not losing any money while keeping an eye on your skank of a girlfriend.”

He huffed. “Deal.”

Baby glanced around the room. “What’s with the crowd tonight anyway?”

“What’s the matter? You were hoping to give Big Mickey here a private show?” A vulgar smirk spread across his face as he grabbed his crotch.

“Don’t be such a dick.” She backed up a few inches. The man was repulsive.

“It’s a bachelor party.”

“On a Wednesday night?”

“Turns out some guy’s leaving for deployment on Friday. He was supposed to get married in a couple months, but they don’t think he’ll be back until next year. They’re getting married tomorrow. And there you have a bachelor party.”

“Wow, that sucks for the bride. Must be a bummer to have your husband leave the day after your wedding.”

“Don’t care. Glad he picked Bottoms Up to spend his last free night. And brought twenty of his best buds. By the way, there’s also a few dudes I’ve never seen before on the other side of the pool tables. I wouldn’t let him know this, but I’m kinda glad the new guy started tonight. There’s a weird vibe in the air.”

“Speaking of which, have you told the new guy about his ball and chain?” she asked.

“Yup, he’s waiting on you. Oh, and Baby, don’t leave his side unless you’re dancing.”

Baby Jade walked away after giving Mickey a sarcastic salute. She made her way to the dressing room and changed clothes. As the entertainment, Mickey made sure the girls knew they had to be entertaining on and off the stage.

She slipped out of her street clothes and into a black lace teddy. Tossing her clothes in the drawer, she wrapped herself in a black silk robe that barely covered her rear. Baby Jade loved the way the black color showed off her skin. She piled her massive waves on top of her head and used an ivory clip to hold them in place, sweeping a few loose curls behind her ear. She slipped on a pair of black leather stilettos and headed back upstairs.

Background music filled the room. The place was rowdy and packed. Everyone seemed to be in a celebratory mood while waiting for the next performance. Coral was downstairs getting ready for her set, excited by the big crowd. Lolli had gotten done and did a great job getting the crowd all worked up. The buzz was good for the place, maybe it was what the girls needed to turn around morale.

Baby Jade scanned the room for Mickey. She found him behind the bar getting out a tray of hot wings, his famous party platter. It must be for the bachelor party. She mingled and talked to a few of the men in the crowd, making sure they had everything they needed as she helped hype up the next set. She hoped Coral had a good performance. The girl needed a win.

Mickey found her in the crowd and shot her a glare, darting his gaze to Mr. Tats and his new sidekick, Jewella. She threw up her finger, giving him the one-minute signal. She didn’t want to piss off the large group of possible tippers. This could bring in a pretty penny for everyone, and unexpected penny was always appreciated.

After checking on the bachelor party, she made her way around the room.

“Hey honey, you gonna be on that pole tonight?” Baby Jade heard from a group of men surrounding a couple of pool tables, but she couldn’t make out where it was coming from.

“Absolutely, make sure you stay for the show.” She smiled although she didn’t know where to direct her attention.

“Oh with an ass like that, I wouldn’t miss it. Give us a little pre-show.”

At that moment, she saw one of the men move and in less than a second, he was standing so close she could smell the liquor dripping from his hot breath.

“Yeah, a little something on the side. Come on, give us a peek.” The man’s hand snaked up the front of Baby Jade’s robe. She tried to step back out of his reach but backed right into another guy from the belligerent crowd.

“Where ya goin’? No need to run off,” the one said from behind, reaching around the front, grasping at her breasts. Baby attempted to steady herself as fear crept in, making her legs shake. She tried to pull loose in case she needed to throw an elbow or a knee.

“Yeah, we wanna have a little fun,” another said from the fast growing circle. Before she had time to gather her bearings, they had her surrounded.

“Don’t touch …” She barely managed the words before hearing a crash come from behind her. Baby turned around, startled to see Mr. Tats. He had the grab happy man laid out on a table, his forearm across the man’s throat, the other arm drawn back ready to strike.

Before she knew it, Mickey was at Mr. Tat’s side with one hand tucked behind his back. She knew he was palming the butt of a Colt 45.

“What the hell’s going on here?” Mickey asked.

“Hey, man. Your guy’s crazy. We weren’t doin’ nothing and he went all psycho on us.” All the surrounding idiots nodded in agreement. Mickey looked to Mr. Tats for clarification. He got nothing because Mr. Tats refused to take his gaze off the brute he still had pinned to the table.

Mickey whipped his head back toward the group, “Baby?” he asked.

“The new guy was doing his job. He was protecting me from these assholes. They cornered me and got all handsy. He’s legit, Mickey.” She doubted he would believe her.

“Bitch, you need to shut the hell up! We were minding our own business and this dumbass went crazy. You need to do something about him or we’re callin’ the cops.”

The pensive look on Mickey’s face said he was weighing his options. No one needed to have the cops in the club, not cops who were on duty anyway. Bottoms Up was a big hangout for law enforcement. Not knowing if the men were bluffing or not, Baby Jade thought for sure Mickey would be his usual rat bastard self and side with the customers.

He took a step toward Mr. Tats and cautiously placed a hand on his shoulder. Baby could tell he was trying not to make any sudden movements. Mr. Tats looked like he would start swinging any second. The way his jaw flexed and the muscles in his arms tensed was a clear indication that he was waiting for the go ahead to pound on the man. It was also a major turn on.

“All right, Lucky. Let’s back off and let the gentleman up,” Mickey said using a calm voice.

Lucky? Seriously?

Mr. Tats, or Lucky, did not move. “Come on now, we don’t wanna have to replace the table now do we?” Mickey asked. Mr. Tats lowered his arm and slowly stood upright, allowing the man some oxygen, still scowling. Baby Jade noticed he didn’t blink, not once.

“There now. Mister, you might wanna get up off that table before he decides to have another go at you again. And let me tell ya, I won’t be stopping him next time.” Mickey turned to address the crowd. “And the rest of you piss poor sons of bitches can be on your way and don’t drag your sorry asses back in here,” he said, with his hand still tucked in his waistband.

“You’re gonna kick us out? Your guy attacked us. We didn’t do nothing to him. He’s crazy,” Loudmouth protested.

“Maybe, but you must have done something to our girl here and we don’t stand for that either. Read the rules on the wall. And if you can’t read, maybe you should bring a designated reader with you on your little kindergarten group field trips. Now get the hell outta my club.” Mickey stared the loudmouth down, daring him to make a move. The look said it all. Mickey might be fat and slow, but the gun he was now gripping at his side wasn’t.

“Ain’t that some shit. Fine, we’re going. Ain’t nothing but skanks and whores here anyway.” The men sulked toward the door. Mr. Tats didn’t move out of their way, making them walk around him to get out. He stared until the man he’d had pinned was gone and the door slammed closed behind him.

Baby Jade couldn’t believe that Mickey sided with Mr. Tats. That was a first.

“Look, Lucky. You can’t get physical every time some douchebag pisses you off. It doesn’t matter if he’s the one trying to get physical first. Get your shit under control. Got it?” Mickey waited for confirmation, and he got it through a quick nod. “Good. Now both of ya get back to work,” he said, leaving the two of them awkwardly standing together. Jewella had slithered off to Mickey’s office sometime during the confrontation. Baby Jade felt bad for Coral having to go on after the chaos.

Mickey made an announcement through the loud speaker. “Hey guys, the next round of drinks is on the house and we’re getting out some more food ASAP.”

The instant hooting and hollering from the bachelor party put Baby Jade at ease. Mickey had somehow managed to save the day. She looked over at Mr. Tats, who appeared to be un-phased like nothing had happened. He wasn’t fooling anyone. He was definitely no stranger to violence.

She placed her hands on her hips and sucked in a deep breath. “Well, Lucky. It looks like it’s you and me for the night. It is Lucky, right?”

Towering over her, he looked down and replied, “Yes ma’am.”

“Good. Now, first things first. I am in no way a ma’am. You can call me Baby Jade, or simply Baby. That’s my stage name. Well, that’s what everyone calls me anyway. Can you handle that?”

“I think I can. Now I have a question,” Lucky said nonchalantly.

“Shoot.”

“Do you talk to everyone like they’re idiots? Or am I special?” Lucky asked with a stone face before stomping away to stand guard at his designated post. He left her standing alone with a gaping mouth.

What the hell?

Baby wasn’t used to being talked to like that. Sure, Mickey talked down to her, and the other girls were always trashing one another. Slade was hot and cold. He either treated her like gold or like a slut. But Lucky wasn’t talking down to her. He was standing up for himself. She was the one doing the downing. She felt like a giant jackass.

Baby Jade did the walk of shame and planted herself next to Lucky, speechless. A few stragglers came and went. He stood his ground. It was no surprise that he fit the role of bouncer perfectly, never cracking a smile. Every now and then Mickey glanced over to make sure Baby was being a good little babysitter, but not too good.

After about fifteen minutes of silence, she couldn’t take it anymore.

She bit the bullet. “Look, I’d like to apologize. Truth is, yes. In this place, I do talk to most people like they’re idiots. That’s because either they are or they act like one. I shouldn’t have talked to you like that. I’m sorry.” Baby bit her lip, hoping to hide her humiliation.

Lucky turned toward her. He stood well over six feet tall. They were close enough that she felt the heat coming off his body. “Apology accepted. Why don’t we start over? I’m Lucky and you’re Baby Jade, or simply Baby.” Lucky’s full lips curved up into a lopsided smile.

Holy Hell!

Her heart skipped a beat. The left side of his mouth curved slightly upward, creating the perfect dimple. It took her breath, giving her stomach butterflies. Long, dark lashes set off his chocolate brown eyes. His chiseled jawline made her body flush. Tattoos peeked out from the neckline of his black tee arousing her curiosity. She fought the urge to ask about them.

“You’re new in town?” Baby tugged on her bottom lip. She had adopted the habit long ago when she became nervous or anxious.

“You were eavesdropping,” he said, making all the hair on her arms stand at attention.

“No, I wasn’t. Overhearing is not the same thing as eavesdropping.” She tried to protest but smiled when he chuckled.

“Ok, ok. Yeah, I got here a few weeks ago. I’ve lived here before. I guess it’s more like I’m back in town. You’ve asked a question. Now it’s my turn.”

“All right, lay it on me.”

“How old are you?”

Her eyes opened wide. “Damn, that’s a little personal. I was trying to make small talk. You’re digging. No fair.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Well, you should have set some parameters beforehand. Now answer the question.”

“I’m twenty-one.” She eyed him closely for a response waiting for his reaction. Nothing. She had known the man for less than twenty-four hours, and already he had her going crazy. “My turn. Why are you back in town?”

“That’s a long story.” His lips pursed together.

“Oh well, you should have set some parameters beforehand. ’Fess up.”

“Touché.” He grabbed his cock and adjusted himself, almost as if he had to prepare himself to answer the question. “I have some quick business stuff to take care of. I won’t be around long. How long have you worked here?”

Baby Jade stiffened. The question immediately threw up her guard. Too many people had tried to set up traps for underage workers.

“Too long but not long enough.”

“That’s cheating.” He crossed his arms. She smiled in satisfaction knowing she had him. He continued. “Yeah, I know. Parameters.”

Mickey busted into the end of Coral’s set alerting Baby it was her turn to take the stage.

“I have to go. I’m up,” she said and turned to walk away.

Lucky grabbed her hand before she was out of reach, catching her by surprise. “You are coming back to babysit me some more, right? I’d hate to have to tattle to Mickey.” There was that damn grin again. Those dimples. The way his smoldering eyes danced when he smiled. She sensed he was sincere. Also something that Baby Jade wasn’t used to.

His touch sent chills through her body, like an electrical current flipping on the switch to her pussy. It scared the hell out of her, and her legs trembled. Struggling to swallow back the lump in her throat, Baby didn’t trust herself to speak. She couldn’t muster up a simple head nod. Her feet were cemented in place, not wanting to move and chance Lucky dropping his hand.

When he didn’t let go on his own, she finally said in a soft whisper, “I can’t come back if you don’t let me go in the first place.”

His hand fell to his side and his face turned a deep shade of red. She stared at him for a moment before sashaying away.

As she waited backstage, Baby Jade did some stretches to limber up. Her body was buzzing. It was strange that the loud, grating sound of Mickey’s voice didn’t make her want to claw out her eyeballs. There’s a first for everything.

“Gents, let’s give a nice big round of applause for Coral! What a sweetheart. And for all you Lolli and Barbie fans, they’ll be back again in a little while. But now it’s time to step it up a notch. If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing our next dancer in person, you have been missing out. You, my friends, are in for a treat. She’s gorgeous, leggy, busty, and exclusively at Bottoms Up. Give it up for our one and only Baby Jade!” The crowd went wild with catcalls and applause.

Baby Jade glided one arm through the curtains, slowly extending it to the crowd. The anticipation only made them more excited. It was important to maintain control over the crowd in a setting like this. People could get hurt. The bachelor party had been drinking for hours. They were probably harmless, but accidents still happen.

With her arm through the drapes, she placed one finger up to her lips without revealing her face. She gave the crowd a sexy “Ssshhh” to help quiet them down. The shock factor must have worked because silence fell over the room.

Baby Jade slipped her leg through the curtain, which was Mickey’s cue to start her music. By the stillness of the crowd, she knew that all eyes would be on her. She wrapped her leg around the curtain and used it as a pole, sliding up and down with her back to the crowd.

As the song continued, Baby moved toward the pole in the middle of the stage. She coiled her body around the pole before spreading her legs and sliding to the floor in a perfect split. As soon as she hit her mark, the audience went wild. Her own body throbbing as the blood surged thinking about Lucky’s moist lips, creating an adrenaline rush.

A man sitting at the edge of the stage waved a handful of bills in the air. She twirled her hair, smacking the man in the face with her ebony tendrils. She imagined Lucky’s hands moving up and down her body, exploring as she shimmied out of her teddy right on point and strategically held it over her breasts for a few seconds, creating a frenzy before slipping out of her thong. Her body automatically cranked out the moves until she finished right on cue.

Perfection. All the way to the point of the crowd chanting for an encore, which was always a huge ego boost. Mickey didn’t let the girls give encores unless it was their final set of the night. It was one of the few things he and Baby agreed on. You always leave them begging for more.

“All right fellas, calm down. Yes, that was real. Yes, that actually happened, and yes, it will happen again. Baby Jade will be back to grace the stage soon. In the meantime, we’re going to take a few minutes to prepare for the Bottoms Up one and only original, Jewella!”

Baby snatched up her tips and slipped on her robe before heading back toward Lucky. Jewella squirmed on a stool next to him, trying to inch closer. Her hand rested on his shoulder. She reminded Baby of a dog in heat. And poor Lucky looked miserable.

As she approached, Lucky looked at her with pleading eyes. “I tried to get her to leave me alone, but she wouldn’t move. I think she needs to go sleep it off or something. She seems pretty messed up,” he explained.

“Does Mickey know?”

“Doubt it. He was in the DJ booth the whole time, and I didn’t want to leave the front door. Besides, I liked the view.”

Dammit, that grin!

She was smart enough to know he was definitely flirting with her. He liked her. A lot of guys liked her, but the butterflies in her gut told her this one was different. He was more intense and didn’t feed into the usual club drama.

Since she couldn’t think of a witty comeback, Baby Jade decided to ignore his last comment. “Well, she’s next on stage. Someone’s going to have to let Mickey know. There’s no way she can go on like that.”

Neither of them budged.

Finally, Baby Jade relented. “Fine, I’ll tell him.”

Lucky’s response? That panty-dropping grin.

Mickey was in the back room lighting a cigarette. She was surprised he didn’t already know about Jewella. He usually kept an eagle eye on her. Wasn’t that the whole point of her babysitting job?

Once she filled him in on his girlfriend, she stood back and waited for him to blow.

“Shit, Baby. I told you to keep an eye on her. This is exactly what I was talking about.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit, Mickey. She’s not my responsibility. I was on the damn stage. Remember, my job?”

“You and lover boy out there are trying to fuck with me.”

“Yeah. The guy I met yesterday and I are plotting on how to fuck with you. It’s how I spend my days.” Baby rolled her eyes.

“Well, Jewella can’t go out there on the stage. What the hell am I supposed to do now?”

Baby Jade knew what he was getting at and wanted to beat him to the punch. “Don’t look at me. I was the last one on stage.” She waved her hands in front of her chest.

Mickey rubbed his forehead. “We need to get some new blood in here.”

“Yeah, because I’d say your girl is about done.”

“Get the hell outta my way,” he said storming passed her and out of the office. He stomped across the bar to the front door.

“What’s wrong with her?” he asked Lucky.

“I don’t know, man. She won’t leave. I think she might be high or drunk.”

“Oh no, she’s sick. It happens every night after a fifth or an eight ball,” Baby Jade chided.

Mickey shot invisible darts in her direction with his beady eyes. “Dammit, Baby. Shut the fuck up.”

She remained quiet, but not for Mickey. It was because she saw the look in Lucky’s dark eyes. He was fuming and she didn’t want him getting into a fight with his boss, especially his first night.

“Go tell Coral to get her ass on the stage,” Mickey directed at Baby Jade.

“She was on right before me.”

He grunted. “I don’t give a shit. Find someone. And I need you in early this week to put in some daytime hours to help with interviews. This shit’s getting old.”

Baby made an executive decision to give Coral a break. She made her way through the crowd to let Lolli know she had to take Jewella’s set. The girl was pissed, and for good reason. All the dancers had been covering for Jewella for far too long. If Baby hadn’t been the last one on stage, it would be her up there and Mickey wouldn’t have taken no for an answer.

Mickey’s hoarse voice belted across the room. “Baby, get your ass back over there. You’re on stud duty!” He jerked his head toward Lucky. “Lolli get your shit together. We don’t have all night. Your set was supposed to start five minutes ago.”

Baby Jade shot Lolli a sympathetic look.

“Well, that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” Lucky said as she sidled up to him on the stool.

“That’s easy for you to say. I got a few more sets added to my night.”

“In the meantime, you get to hang out with me. Now is that really a bad thing?”

Those fucking dimples are going to be the death of me! He was dangerous. Far more dangerous than she had anticipated, and it was the last thing she needed. Baby didn’t know how she was going to get away from him, and the worst part, she didn’t know if she wanted to try.

“Hmm, I suppose it could be worse.” Her stomach somersaulted as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.