by Angera Allen
Legs? Do they call Izzy legs?
“Chilling like a villain, what about you? What brings the Wolfemen here to Spin?”
The second guy gives Izzy a head nod and moves to the other side of the first guy leaving room for Gus to stand next to Izzy. I watch all the men form a semi-circle around us.
“We’re here to get the lowdown for tonight. With most of Luc’s guys are out of town, so the MC is helping out with your security tonight.”
Security? I look to Izzy for answers.
Izzy folds her arms looking irritated. “Why all the security. I usually just have Gus with me.”
Gus grunts, “Iz, let it go.”
Izzy turns to him. “Let what go? We haven’t had a problem in a few months. Why all the security? Is something going on and you’re not telling me?”
Gus says something I think in Irish but can barely hear him.
Izzy’s about ready to flip out when dude says, “Iz, it's just for precaution. Club Zero isn’t a well-secured club, and fights happen there all the time. We just want to make sure you girls are secure.”
Izzy turns her irritation to the guy. “Mac, I get it but don’t you have a lounge to run? You don't need to be watching over us all the time.”
Mac stands at full height. “My cousin is my number one priority. We’ll always watch over her.”
Holyshitballs.
This is Ginger’s cousin, who co-owns White Wolf Lounge with Shy? Jesus, he’s gorgeous - scary as fuck but gorgeous.
Izzy backs down. “I get it. I just want to make sure you're not keeping anything from us.”
Mac leans back and turns his attention to me. “So, you must be the firecracker I’ve been hearing about all fucking day?”
Gus nods his head with a chuckle. The other dude smirks, looking at me.
I push my shoulders back and take a step toward Mac. “Are you talking about me? Who called me firecracker?” I snap.
Mac starts laughing. “Well damn, he was right about that but…” He moves back as he proceeds to check me out. “…but the marshmallow thing I don’t get. You're tiny as hell.” He looks to Gus. “Redman, what’s up with the marshmallow thing?”
Quick. The little fucker has been talking shit about me.
I feel my face heat up. Knowing he’s been talking about me, has every blood vessel in my body bursting.
“Mac, back the fuck off my girl. She had a parka on last night, and it was like three times her size. Quick was calling her a marshmallow.”
The other guy who hasn’t spoken starts to laugh.
Izzy turns toward him. “You’re awfully quiet over there Dallas.”
He puts his hands up. “Hey, I haven’t said shit. I’m just here.”
Dallas? Really?
“For fuck’s sake, who named all you guys?” I blurt out.
Everyone laughs and right at the same time the doors open.
Dallas exits first since he’s closest to the doorway but Mac and Gus motion for us to go ahead of them. They both have smirks on their faces while we both look irritated.
Gus grabs Izzy’s elbow, slowing her walk so they can talk while Mac moves up next to me. “So what’s your real name? Even though Firecracker will probably become your new name around us.”
I stop and turn, looking straight at him, placing my hands on my hips, I explain. “I don’t like those names. My name is Ruby.”
Mac widens his stance making him a bit shorter while crossing his arms over his chest.
Goddamn, these men giants.
Mac tilts his head to the side and states, “Ruby, like Ruby Tuesday?’
“What the fuck. You’re the second person to call me that today. No, it's just Ruby.” I copy him, crossing my arms over my chest, which in turn makes his eyes leave my face for a beat to check out my chest.
“Well Ruby, I think Firecracker is perfect for your spunky little ass. You’ve got fire in your spirit and that mouth of yours, well let's just say you pop off and I kind of like it.”
My body starts to tingle in all the right places. I shift my legs to release the pressure between my legs, letting the skinny jeans Izzy had me put on rub some relief.
“Well, I don’t.” I turn to walk out the doors but stop and turn back, catching Mac checking out my ass. “Tell Quick to quit talking shit about me.”
Mac smiles, taking only two strides to reach me before he’s towering over me again. “Ruby, I don’t think any of us will stop talking about your fine little ass for a while, but I guarantee you no one will be talking shit.” He lifts his pointer finger up, tapping my nose.
He moves to open the door for me to pass through it and when I do he murmurs. “You’re hot as fuck alright.”
Motherfucker.
I don’t look back but instead just walk straight to the driver who drove us here and climb into the car that’s waiting for us.
He quoted what Quick said in the truck yesterday. Jesus, was Quick really talking about me that much?. Once I’m in the car behind tinted windows, I turn to look back only to find Mac still staring at the car. He probably knows I am staring right back. He pulls out his cell phone and makes a call still staring like he can see me.
Izzy emerges from the building with Gus on her tail. Izzy doesn’t look happy. Gus stops following her when he comes up next to Mac, who’s still on the phone. Mac says something to Gus, and he nods his head with a smile but doesn’t move. Izzy jumps into the car, slamming the door.
“What’s wrong?” I ask still staring out at the boys, who are still staring back at the car.
“These fucking men are barbaric. Like fucking cavemen from back in the day. Like do what they say, or they will throw you over their fucking shoulder and just take you, kind of barbaric,” Izzy says in a rant.
Folding her arms, she turns to look outside toward the men, who are still standing there staring at the car. Mac says something else to Gus, and this time Gus moves toward us.
“Is he coming with us?” I ask.
“Fuck no. He’ll be by to pick us up later,” she states.
At that moment the car takes off leaving the guys standing and staring.
“Well, Mac can throw me anywhere he wants. Damn, he’s sexy as sin,” I state breathless.
We both bust up laughing.
Chapter Six
“Where’s Iz?” Eva yells into my ear.
“She had to go on stage to talk to the sound guy. She’ll be right back,” I answer while holding my vodka tonic up to my lips. We’re in the VIP area at Club Zero, and the place is packed. Eva just arrived bouncing around saying hello to everyone making her way to us.
“Goddamn, Ruby. You look gorgeous tonight,” Eva exclaims, turning me around so she can see my full outfit.
I look down and can’t believe I let Izzy talk me into wearing this out of the house. I’m in an itsy bitsy teeny weeny, little black dress. I have a small muscularly framed body. My boobs are a good handful but nothing to write home about and a perky butt, that’s it. I have on strappy black heels that wrap up my leg. Izzy did my hair down and makeup of course. I drank while she got me ready so I’m feeling pretty fucking good.
I smile. “Thank you. It’s all Iz’s doing. You look great too.”
I’ve never been good at girl talk. I never really had any real girlfriends. Don’t get me wrong, I can talk the talk and walk the walk, but in my real life, I don’t bullshit around. I think that is why Ginger and I hit it off so well yesterday because she started talking shit to someone right when we met. It was awesome. It reminded me of me. I’m not really into fashion or anything remotely girlie. Izzy and my aunt were always the girlie girls. I just played along with whatever they wanted me to do.
The VIP area is full of Spin It employees and performers. I mingle around with Eva who introduces me, and I find myself really liking the people and their attitude. It seems like a great company that takes care of their employees.
I don’t see any of the Wolfeman here tonight. Gus was the only on
e that came to pick us up, and he’s working security tonight. I felt overwhelmed being introduced to so many people and all the names and faces. I like how everyone knows everyone; it makes me feel a little envious, it was always just the band and me. Yes, I knew promoters and owners of clubs but nothing like this close-knit group.
I stop to watch Izzy on stage getting ready to start her set. Gus is always a few feet away watching. I look around for Eva but don’t see her, so I move toward the stage. I step down to leave the VIP area when a hand slides down my backless dress. I swivel around ready to punch whoever is touching me when Mac says, “Firecracker, your fine little ass needs to stay in the VIP area.”
Looking up, I freeze. He’s dressed in a button-up shirt, nothing like he wore today. He smiles down at me. “Cat got your tongue?”
I recover by looking over my shoulder, then back up at him, and I place my hand on my chest acting surprised. “Oh, I’m sorry, are you talking to me? My name is Ruby.”
He tilts his head back with a full belly laugh. “Goddamn, you’re a firecracker alright. Jesus, you make my dick hard, and I haven’t even touched you yet.”
Yet...Jesus.
I blush at this words. “Can you take me to the stage? I want to watch Izzy DJ.”
He just stares down at me, with his beard freshly trimmed, again not like earlier today when he was rough looking. Nope now he’s all cleaned up, looking fine as fuck, smiling, showing his pearly whites. I smile back. “Please.”
Mac shakes his head but moves to turn me in the direction of the stage. Putting one of his hands between my shoulder blades guiding me through the crowd. Once we’re on stage, he lowers his hand but still stays close by because there are a few other DJs and their friends hanging around. I see Izzy standing next to the DJ booth.
“Iz, you ready girl?” I yell.
She turns excited to see me “Oh, thank God. I’m sorry I didn't come back. They fucked up all the cords, and it took forever. I was going to have Gus go get you once I started.” She looks over at Gus and glares. “But, he won’t leave my side until I’m behind the booth.”
“Why then? Why not now?” I question.
“No one is allowed behind the booth except the DJ and one other person.” She nods her head in Gus’s direction. “So he feels, I’m safer back there, where no one can get to me.”
My heart swells knowing Gus cares so much about her. “Awe, how cute. He cares about you.”
“See, that’s what we fight about. Is he doing it because it is his job, or does he truly care that much? He’s like a fucking caveman when we’re in the clubs.” Izzy groans in frustration.
“Truly you have to know he likes you. He is always with you,” I say encouragingly.
“I don’t know, but I have to go on. Once I start and this dude gets off, they will escort them off the stage. Stay here, and we’ll have some fun.”
Nodding, I do as she says. Standing on stage, I watch all the people on the dance floor. I can see everything from up here. I see Eva in the VIP area working the group of people. Izzy drops her first song, and the crowd seems to know because they go crazy. The dance floor thickens with more people. Izzy is beautiful. You can just see her love for music when she plays. My heart swells with pride and love for this girl. She has her hair braided in funky braids all around her head pinning them up so when she has her headphones on it looks badass. Her mini skirt looks shorter than it is because of her long slender legs.
I feel someone behind me, so I twist to look around, finding Gus and Mac walking up. Gus has a bottle of vodka and Mac has the chasers with the glasses. I turn completely around smiling. “Aw, are you two my waiters for the night? I’m a good tipper I promise.” I wink, giggling.
Mac laughs. “Well I’m sure you will be tipping someone tonight. We’re just not sure who yet.”
Gus chuckles. “Ye are all playing with fire.”
Mac hands me a vodka tonic before raising his glass. “Nut up, bitches.”
Gus has a water, and I cheers him back.
Izzy motions for me to come stand next to her and when I do, she leans into me. “Seems you have quite a list of admirers already.” She looks over her shoulder at Mac.
“Shut up,” I say.
“Seriously, there’s a line, girl.”
I snap my head to Izzy. “What?”
“Well for one, Quick, my boy hasn’t stopped talking about you from what I hear. I think he’s scared of me though and keeping his distance. To be honest, I can’t believe he’s letting Mac fuck with him this long.”
I turn around to see Mac and Gus watching the crowd on the dance floor.
“So you’re saying Quick wants to get with me but won’t come near me. And Mac is egging him on by flirting with me?” I ask puzzled.
“Oh, Mac started out wanting to push Quick’s buttons, but now that he’s gotten to know you, he’s in line as well.” Izzy laughs, moving to switch songs, leaving me shocked as shit.
There’s no way these two gorgeous guys want me. Excitement erupts throughout my body, feeling wanted again is exhilarating.
“Speaking of our little lover boy. You want to see why I love Quick so much? Watch this,” Izzy states, lifting her headphones up to mix in a new song.
I turn to look out into the crowd in search of Quick.
I don’t see him. Izzy pauses for a second. “Okay, you have to understand this song’s our girl’s anthem anywhere we go. It’s a rule if any of us are DJing when the others arrive we have to play it. It gets us all crazy hyper, and well, Quick has become our ringleader. It’s just classic.”
I nod my head letting her know I understand, but I’m still looking out into the crowd. I see a big group walking in, mostly men and that’s when I see Ginger walking in with Shy.
I turn to Izzy who’s bouncing around getting the crowd hyped. Excitement swirls through me, and I start to move to the music, and then I hear, “You're going to love this.” I smile knowing the song and can just see Izzy singing this song. It totally is her song. “Bitch, I’m Madonna” by Madonna featuring Nicki Minaj, echoes through the club, and the crowd goes crazy.
Looking out, I see Ginger, who’s pointing her finger at Izzy, who’s pointing right back at her. Ginger makes her way to the dance floor with about five girls, including Eva in tow. The girls form a circle and start jumping up and down pointing at each other, singing the lyrics to one another.
Izzy bounces next to me singing. She points to me. “Bitch, you’re going to have fun tonight.”
I laugh, moving to the music watching the girls dance around. When a sick beat hits, the girls start smashing around, and I notice Izzy’s doing the same dance. I have to laugh they are so silly and watching the crowd do similar moves I smile, and that’s when I see him. Quick’s jumping up and down as a hype man does at concerts to get the crowd hyped up. He dances toward the girls who’re now clapping in sync with the song. A Nicki Minaj solo drops in, and Quick pounces into the middle of the circle of girls, acting out the words singing to each one of them. He’s bouncing around getting hyped, bobbing his head up and down. All the girls start to move in crowding him. They all have their arms up in the air pointing to each other for the last part of the song.
Quick turns, looking up to the stage at Izzy, but when he sees me, he smiles big and starts to mouth the words over and over again, “Who do you think you are?” pointing at me, he throws his head back laughing. My heart skips a beat.
He’s spellbinding with his beautiful smile and energy radiating off of him. God, I want to be near him.
My clutch vibrates under my arm, I break eye contact and turn away moving toward the back of the stage only to come face to face with Mac and Gus.
“I need to use the bathroom. Where is it at?” Gus moves first pointing to the bottom of the stairs.
“Use that one. It's for DJs and performers. I’ll wait for you.”
“It’s okay. I’ll be right back,” I reply.
Gus gives me a ‘not going t
o happen look’ so I just walk away, grabbing my phone out of my clutch I see three missed calls from Brody.
Shit. Fuck. Shit.
My first instinct is something happened to Isabella, but I know better. He got home today sometime, and he’s pissed off. Isabella should be in bed by now it’s almost ten o'clock back home. Which means it’s time for him to unleash his fury on me.
I start to panic, pacing around in the bathroom only making my anxiety rise. I start talking out loud to myself freaking out. “I don’t know what to do. I need to call him back but what do I say. Jesus Christ. I need to get it together.”
I move into a stall and sit down looking at my phone. I say to myself, “I can do this.”
He doesn’t have control over me. I can do this. He’s just a man. I can do this.
I take a deep breath and push call. Brody answers on the first ring. “Where the fuck are you?” he yells in the phone.
I close my eyes and take another deep breath before speaking, “Where’s Isabella? Is she okay?”
“Ruby, where the fuck are you? Don’t make me ask you again. Are you really in New York like Isabella said?” He is seething. I can feel his anger through the phone.
I push my shoulders back. “Yes, I’m in New York. Is Bella okay? Answer me that.”
“Yes, she’s okay. She’s with my parents. I didn’t want her to see me like this or hear us fighting.”
My heart relaxes knowing my baby is with his parents and not with him.
“Ruby, get your fucking ass home now. We have shit to discuss. We’re not getting a divorce.” His voice is softer but still stern.
Tears bubble up in my eyes only to fall once I close them. Stay strong.
“Brody, I’m not coming home. It's over. Sign the divorce papers.”
“Fuck you. I’m not signing those papers,” he screams into the phone. “I will fucking come get your ass if I have to. You’re not leaving me. We need to talk about this,” Brody growls through the phone.
A knock on the stall door startles me. I didn’t even hear anyone come in.
“Ruby, are you okay? It's Gin,” Ginger says calmly.