Текст книги "Gutter Princess"
Автор книги: Kimmie Easley
сообщить о нарушении
Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 12 страниц)
The breaking point came when one of the girls found Baby unconscious in the bathroom of the club, the needle still dangling between her toes, her chosen place to hide the marks. The cops that Mickey had in his back pocket quickly informed him the club was now on the narcotics department’s radar. They needed to ditch the drugs and clean up their act for a while, or they wouldn’t be able to keep Mickey out of trouble.
Mickey and Slade agreed to send Baby Jade away to detox, but they didn’t want to have any record of it. They locked her away in a seedy motel outside Lafayette. Slade sent one of his goons to act as bodyguard and one of his girls to play nursemaid. It was excruciating. Sure, the vomiting and shakes were horrible, but the worst part was being able to feel again. The pain of remembering the abortion was unbearable.
It took her a long time to begin to feel halfway normal again. She continued to have a void in her heart and an agonizing pain in the pit of her stomach, but life slowly resumed. The hurt still existed, but was only at its worst when Baby allowed her mind to wander. She tried to keep herself occupied by working, exercising, and reading, whatever it took. Picking up more shifts was better than being home alone with nothing but time to remember.
Now, lying on the floor, weeping, she couldn’t figure out if she was more upset that Lucky had found out, not to mention how he found out, or that it brought all the pain to the surface again. She lay on the floor sobbing for what must have been hours, before she finally dragged her limp body to the couch. She was too tired to lock the door or check the windows, which is why she missed the Jeep parked at the curb across from her apartment.
Chapter Sixteen
Lucky
Lucky’s stomach somersaulted. The taste of bile lingered in his throat. His narrowed eyes were unfocused and the room was blurry. Planting himself on his stool, with his arms folded across his chest, he managed to go through the motions for the remainder of his shift.
Mickey left him alone for the most part. He hated feeling as if everyone was tiptoeing around him. It was crazy to think anyone knew what he had shared with Baby Jade about Carrie, but it sure as hell felt like everyone did. He played Jewella’s words over in his head, hoping he had misunderstood.
She got rid of it.
Baby had an abortion.
How could she not have told him? When he was spilling his guts all over her fucking living room, why wouldn’t she have said something? When they finished making love and she poured her heart out to him, did she not think it might be an important detail to share?
Lucky tried to rationalize a reason. Obviously it was going to be a difficult process for a woman, but hell, she chose it. He didn’t have a choice when it came to his own child. He never had a say in the matter.
“Aww, why the pouty lip?” Barbie ran her hand down Lucky’s arm. He didn’t notice her come up from the side.
Lucky recoiled. “The smell of your perfume must have punched me in the face.” He didn’t try to turn down the cocky attitude. He wanted to get on his fucking bike and take off.
Barbie tossed her head back and tried to giggle. Instead, it came off like a strangled cat. Her mile-high blond hair didn’t move from where she had plastered it in place. She turned her matted eyelashes up and grinned, revealing the deep red lipstick stains on her teeth.
The miserable site of her failed attempt at getting his attention made Lucky’s gut slosh around in his rigid body. “What the hell do you want?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe to put a smile on that handsome face of yours.” Barbie reached her leathered fingers toward Lucky’s face. He grabbed her wrist before she reached his beard, clutching it tighter than he should have. The dead look in his eyes must have scared her, which was his intent, because Barbie stumbled backward like she couldn’t get away fast enough.
His emotions welled up in his chest, leaving him feeling suffocated. Part of Lucky wanted to find Baby and let her explain. She must have a logical reason for not telling him. But was that enough? Was there a reasonable explanation for having an abortion in the first place? Was it his place to judge her? Was there a father out there grieving like he did for his own child?
Lucky’s phone vibrated in his pocket. Something in him shifted, and the curiosity got the better of him. He pulled the phone from his pocket and checked the caller ID. He didn’t want to talk to her, but his heart fell to see it wasn’t Baby. It was his mother, for the third time that day.
He had nothing to say to his parents, and anything they had to say to him could wait until the board meeting.
Chapter Seventeen
Baby Jade
“Wakey, wakey, gorgeous.”
Baby Jade swiped at something tickling her cheek.
“Rise and shine, my girl.”
Baby twisted her body around. Realizing she wasn’t in her bed, she rubbed her eyes with the palm of her hands. Her vision was fuzzy, but she made out her surroundings and concluded she was on her couch.
She sighed with relief and stretched her arms above her head. Her body ached, heavy and weak like she’d had the flu. Her muscles were exhausted and the cry fest had left her emotionally drained.
“How’s my girl this morning?”
The words made Baby jump up and dart across the room. Crouched in the corner next to the bookshelf, she spotted Slade standing at the end of the couch, inches from where her head had been.
“What the hell are you doing here? How’d you get in?” She stayed in position, ready to turn over the bookshelf if she needed to run.
“I knocked and there was no answer. I checked the door and it was unlocked. I let myself in. Come on, is that necessary?” Slade took a step in her direction.
Baby’s body tensed, her eyes wide “What do you want?” She didn’t know why she bothered asking. She couldn’t trust a thing that came out of his chiseled face.
Slade propped his heavy boot on the rickety coffee table. “I heard about what happened last night. I know what a touchy subject that is for you. I wanted to see how my girl was doing.”
“I’m not your girl.” Touchy subject. The dumbass sure did have a way with words.
“Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard it all before. If you weren’t my girl, why would I be here offering to take care of you?” Slade dipped two fingers into his top jacket pocket and pulled out another familiar, small baggie.
Baby watched the baggie slip from Slade’s fingertips and land on the table, and her heartbeat pounded. She felt it in her head as the blood rocketed to her temples. Her skin crawled and her mouth watered at the thought of a tiny taste.
Slade’s licked his twisted lips. “Yeah, I’ll leave that for you to have later. When you’re ready for more, you know how to find me.” He crossed the room and knelt down in front of Baby, brushing his thumb over her lips before kissing her cheek.
She watched Slade walk out the door, closing it behind him.
After hearing his Jeep speed away, Baby counted to fifty before she clutched the bookcase, and pulled herself to a standing position, inching her way to the couch. Sitting across from the tiny baggie of coke, she stared at it, imagining what it would taste like. What it would feel like coursing through her veins.
Finally, she couldn’t fight the urge any longer. Baby plucked the baggie from the table and ran to the bedroom where she pulled out the tiny jewelry box mirror and the queen of hearts card she used for cutting. The setup had been tucked away for months, taunting her. She dumped the contents onto the mirror and used the card to chop the coke, making sure it was fine and clump-free, and then cut off a line. Baby withdrew a dollar bill from a shoebox she kept under her bed.
Her hands trembled as she rolled the bill up. She placed it to her nose and sniffed her way down the line. As the drug hit her nose, Baby’s entire body eased. Her tense muscles retracted. She did a second line using the other nostril. Both sides went numb, and her heart rate quickened. She ground her teeth as the rush hit her. The after drip down the back of her throat was bitter, causing her to shiver in distaste, mixed with the immediate goose bumps of her heart racing and her blood skyrocketing through her veins
***
Baby Jade spent the next few days in a drug-induced haze. The house was spotless due to her sporadic manic episodes. She felt strangely alive as she took turns taking out her energy bursts on the treadmill and the stationary bike. She toyed with the idea of joining a gym but decided it was best not to have to interact with actual people.
Ma’Linn had been by a couple of times, but never stayed long. She told Baby she still hadn’t heard from Phillipe. This is the longest time he has ever gone without showing up for a shower or food. She filled her in on her mother, telling her that things were the same. Rozalie still didn’t want to see Baby. She was doing well for the most part, but they had to sedate her more often.
Nothing held her attention for long, and she didn’t care about the things that she had once found important. She rambled off at the mouth about anything that came to mind.
Now that Baby stayed high, the manic episodes dissipated and she became sloppy, but work went on as usual. It helped that Rodney needed Lucky’s help at the shop. Mickey said they had a big job and were having to work all hours of the night. Lucky wouldn’t be in for a couple of weeks. She suspected Slade had something to do with his disappearance, but this time she was thankful for his interference. Not that she would dare tell him that.
Slade had become a regular at the club again. Mickey seemed happy to have things getting back to normal. The same could not be said for Lolli and the other girls. They were pissed to be put on the back burner again.
Baby stayed high, but still made it through her performances, and then topped off the night with a sedative to counteract the coke.
The pathetic routine was working right up until the night Lucky showed up for his shift. Baby was already halfway blitzed, and giving a lap dance when Lucky walked into the club. She didn’t notice him right away since she had gotten out of the habit of glancing over at his empty stool. Slade and all his goons sat at their usual table. He reached out and slapped Baby Jade on the ass as she walked around the group of men, flirting her way to bigger tips. Falling into routine, she laughed off his antics as he pulled her onto his lap.
When Baby’s gaze finally landed on Lucky across the room, she was shocked to find him glaring at her, one brow arched and his gorgeous lips drawn in a tight, thin line. In true Lucky fashion, he had folded his arms across his chest. He wore another dark t-shirt and a pair of Levi’s. His Dr. Martens crossed at the ankles. Anyone else might think he looked like he didn’t have a care in the world, but Baby knew better. He was fuming. She saw the rage in his clenched jaw and the way he pumped his fists opened and closed in an attempt to keep the blood flowing to his fingers. He leaned against the wall and scowled in her direction.
The coke surging through her body gave Baby an evil streak. It was her way of saying to hell with everyone else, including him. It was her life to fuck up. Being in the same room with Lucky pissed her off. He hadn’t called, or checked on her. She didn’t know why she thought he would, but her heart sank with every passing hour. And now, it was all coming to a head.
Baby Jade ran her hand over Slade’s back, weaving her fingers through his blond ponytail. Leaning over, she planted her lips on his neck before making eye contact with Lucky. Her lips curled in a devious smirk. Wanting to keep her high, Baby headed toward the bar to get another round of shots for the table. She put on her best sexy grin and played with her curls, flirting with everyone in her path. The display was successful, people focused on her rather than the stage. More ammunition for Lolli.
That poor girl had been a hot mess since Slade had turned his affections back toward Baby. She stayed strung out, but now had to work harder to get her hands on the drugs.
Baby tossed her hair from side to side and arched her back to push out her chest. Deep down, she knew it was pathetic, but she didn’t care anymore. Her gaze darted across the room to Lucky. For the first time, she saw the pain rather than anger. He wore the hurt on his face, with his mouth downturned and dead eyes. He was broken.
Chapter Eighteen
Lucky
This fucking week couldn’t go by fast enough. Lucky had already started making plans to leave town immediately after the board meeting. He had been working nights at Rodney’s and working on his own bike during his down time, getting it road ready.
He put in his notice at the garage and told Mickey this would be his last weekend at the club. He thought he had braced himself for everything. Tonight proved him wrong. Seeing Baby Jade sitting on that son of a bitch’s lap left him gasping for air. It was a sucker punch right to the gut.
Her vibrant skin was now dull, the glint in her eyes snuffed out. She was high as a fucking kite, and it pissed him off. What pissed him off more was the fact that he wanted to swoop in and rescue her. His blood boiled and the mixed emotions nauseated him. He couldn’t wait to hop on his bike and say good-bye to this toxic town.
Chapter Nineteen
Baby Jade
Baby downed her next two shots of Jack Daniels and somehow managed to make it to the bathroom in one piece. She finished her three sets for the night and wanted to party until the sun came up. Mickey not only cut back her performances, he also cut the length of her songs. Anything longer than four minutes and someone would need to peel her up off the catwalk.
Tucked away in the last stall, Baby dipped her fingers in between her breasts and slipped out the newest gift from Slade. She took a bump of coke and steadied herself against the stall door allowing the drug to work its magic. The bathroom door opened and she overheard Lolli and Coral gabbing.
“Right? Damn, he looks yummy,” Coral said. Baby didn’t know who they were talking about until she heard Lolli’s reply.
“Yeah, I should go jump on his cock and show him what a real woman can do. Baby’s too much of a fucking mess to be able to handle that much man.”
Lucky
They both cackled, and Coral finished with, “Please, bitch. He isn’t going to let anyone near him. Especially someone from Bottoms Up.”
Then the two spent the next couple of minutes talking about lipstick, cigarettes, and the best condoms for women’s pleasure. Baby thought it might literally kill her to have to stay still and listen to the screeching sound of their voices. Her skin was crawling by the time they left. Pulling out the baggie, she did another bump. She tried to forget where she was by closing her eyes, but instead she saw Lucky’s face. The hurt and anger. The pain in his eyes searing deep into her.
Baby did a third bump, and then a fourth. Her nose now numb, along with the back of her throat and her tongue. Her heart beat against her chest wall, ready to jump right through the skin. She heard her pulse thumping in her ears. Sweat beads formed on her brow.
Baby opened her eyes in time to see the tiles on the ceiling start move. The room began to spin right before she hit the bathroom floor.
***
“Baby, dammit. Can you hear me?”
Baby Jade’s head fell backwards as if it weighed five hundred pounds. She tried to pick it up to make out where she was, but her eyes only rolled. Something wet touched her face, and she heard the voice again.
“Shit, Baby. Talk to me!”
Her body shook and it took her a minute to realize someone was shaking her shoulders. She tried to speak, but it only came out as a mumbled grunt.
“Fuck!”
Air swept her face as her body bounced in midair. She couldn’t make out what was happening. She heard loud voices, but couldn’t make out who was talking. There was yelling and screaming. Should she be scared? Or maybe angry? It didn’t matter. She couldn’t feel anything anyway.
Something heavy draped over her body. She was already sweating and it was made worse when she was met with hot, thick moisture. Outside.
It’s finally happening. I’m dying.
Her body shifted a few times before coming to rest. She heard a slam, and then a quick rush of speed made her head spin. Her stomach churned and she tried to swallow before throwing up. Something touched her face. No, it was a someone. Fingertips stroked her face, smoothing back the matted hair stuck to her forehead. Her breathing was shallow, but with each small inhale, she caught the smallest hint of a memorable scent.
Musk.
Lucky.
Shifting again, her body was back in the air. Voices. Loud banging, more voices. Movement.
Baby let out a long garbled scream. The freezing water stung her hypersensitive skin, causing her body to thrash around against the bathtub.
“She be movin’ ’round. Dat a good t’ing.”
The voice was different but familiar.
“Yeah, help hold her down. She was out cold for a while. The water should help shock her body into fighting.”
“You sound like you know what you be talkin’ ’bout. Why’s dat?”
No answer.
The room went quiet, with the exception of the running water and the deep groans coming from Baby Jade.
Finally, she quit fighting and collapsed into the tub. After hearing cabinets slam, she felt arms slip under her body and scoop her up. She drew in a deep breath, smelling the scent she had come to crave. She buried her head, trying to inhale more. The arms cradling her body tightened, pulling her into a warm embrace before placing her onto a bed.
Baby pried open her eyes but only for a moment. It was all she needed. Lucky’s chocolate eyes were the last thing she saw before drifting off to sleep.
Chapter Twenty
Lucky
Lucky sat on the edge of the bed listening to Baby Jade’s shallow breathing. His own pulse slowing down for the first time since finding her unconscious on the bathroom floor of the club. As he tried to get her to come to, her body convulsed and her eyes rolled into the back of her head. His first thought was to get her to the hospital, but he quickly changed his mind.
Slade made it clear that if the police got involved, he would make sure Baby wouldn’t be able to talk. Lucky normally wouldn’t put up with that kind of shit, but, of course, the son of a bitch decided to flex his muscle while Baby’s limp body lay unconscious in his arms.
That bastard would get his in the end.
Right now, she was his top priority. He pressed his hand to her chest one more time to check her breathing, and then covered her with a sheet. Walking through the apartment, he noticed the way she had let it go over the last few weeks. It was a pigsty. Beer bottles and paper cups littered the tables. Ashtrays full of cigarette butts confirmed that she hadn’t been alone since Baby didn’t smoke. The exercise equipment was now being used as a clothes rack. Dirty laundry collected in corners and the trash bin was overflowing. The kitchen sink remained empty, but that was only because Baby probably hadn’t eaten since everything went down.
Ma’Linn walked around with a trash bag making a sweep through the living room. She stopped when Lucky came into the room and propped her hand on her plump hip, shaking her head. “Dis bad. I had no idea jus’ how bad, but she in deep.”
“Yeah, me either.”
“I can’t be goin’ t’rough dis ’gain. Not wit’ her. My boy keep me crazy enough. I can’t watch my baby girl end up da same way.” Tears formed in the corner of her sunken eyes.
Lucky hated to see the old woman going through such a hard time. It was clear she loved Baby as if she were her own. Apparently, she was easy to love. He wouldn’t be getting himself mixed up in this kind of shit if he hadn’t already fallen in love with her.
The two of them spent the next couple of hours cleaning the apartment. Ma’Linn gathered all the dirty clothes and offered to take them and bring them back with some breakfast since it was almost daylight.
Lucky carried the clothes next door and walked Ma’Linn home, making sure she locked up behind her. He checked his phone and found four missed calls from his mother and nothing from the club. That pissed him off. No one bothered to check on Baby to see if she was still alive.
After putting on a pot of coffee, Lucky settled onto the bed next to her as she slept. The peaceful look on her face was beyond deceiving. This girl was tortured. He wanted to whisk her away. He needed to show her what it looked like to have someone love her. To put her first. To have someone want the best for her, without expecting something in return. She deserved better.
He checked on Baby every hour. She was in and out of consciousness; only awake long enough to throw up. Lucky cleaned up after her, and carried her back and forth to the bathroom.
His feelings scared the hell out of him. It was all new for Lucky. There was a time when he thought he knew what love was, but it wasn’t until Baby came into his life that he figured out he was clueless. A part of him had loved Carrie, but he realized he had only been in the relationship to piss off his parents. Now, with Baby, everything was different. He would give up anything to be with her. The anger he had been harboring all these years seemed so insignificant when it came to being with Baby.
The hatred he had for Carrie and the pain of losing his child would never go away, but the love he had for Baby was more than enough to help him move forward. He wanted a life with her, a future he never saw coming. He didn’t know how, but Lucky was going to make it happen. He was going to save her from her demons.
