Dare to Dance

by S. B. Alexander

  Her smooth forehead wrinkled. “Ruby? Guy?”

  I huffed out air. “Pen, I don’t have time to play games.” Granted, it had been over two weeks since she’d been high as a kite. “Ruby is the girl with auburn hair who works at Firefly.”

  “Oh, that girl. Yeah, well. I overheard Trent, you know that guy who made my dad’s life hell when he tried to take his company. Anyway, Trent was at Firefly that night I was there listening to the band. I’d gone to the restroom before you even showed up, and there was an office not far from the restrooms. I couldn’t help but overhear him telling someone he had a client that was interested in Ruby.”

  I let go of Penelope and fisted my hands at my sides as I tempered my anger. Twice now, Ruby had fought. Maybe Trent had a client who wanted Ruby to fight again. But all I could think about was Trent talking about pimps.

  “Did you hear anything else?”

  “No.” She checked her phone. “I just remembered. The gym is closed for your fight.”

  “Yeah. I’ve got to get back.” I wasn’t sure what to make of Trent and his client, or how Ruby played into that conversation. If it had anything to do with pimps…

  My nostrils flared at the image of the short, squat businessman who’d stood out at Ruby’s fight against Vickie. He’d been dressed as though he was in a courtroom—tailored suit, silk tie, and crisp white shirt. Maybe Vickie worked for him. After Raven left, I would give Vickie a call. She’d given me her number after the fight with Ruby. “Glad to see you’re okay.” Then I headed to the daycare room.

  “Kross, wait,” Penelope said.

  I turned. The men were wrapping the ropes with the cushioned covers.

  She swung her hips toward me. “I just remembered one other thing. I did overhear Trent asking if Ruby had a pimp. Are you dating a prostitute?”

  My anger had been building since Penelope mentioned Trent. Now, my face had to be redder than blood.

  “Kross,” Ms. Waters called.

  Motherfucker!

  Penelope’s phone rang. She answered as she took off. Good thing. I had the urge to scream at her. I would have bet she’d seen Ms. Waters behind me and wanted to throw me under the bus. Penelope doesn’t know that Ms. Waters is a social worker. True, but the rich girl had a knack for fucking things up. Breathe, man.

  I relaxed my shoulders as I faced Ms. Waters, cussing under my breath and praying she hadn’t heard Penelope. She’d heard. Penelope’s voice carried in the gym, even above the noise of the workers.

  I couldn’t make out what was going through Ms. Waters’s mind because her expression was completely blank. In her line of work, I guessed she’d seen and heard all kinds of things.

  Ms. Waters touched the corner of her glasses. “Prostitute? Is Ruby selling her body?”

  “Absolutely not.” She worked as a waitress and fought in underground fights.

  However, she had physically transformed from dirty and grungy to clean and normal overnight. Not to mention, she worked for that scumbag, Tommy. Who knew what else he was into other than stealing cars and holding illegal fights? Plus, Trent had been at Firefly each time I’d been there. He had dropped the word “pimp” into a conversation he’d had with a friend the night I’d first found Ruby. Stop doubting. Ruby is not selling her body. Maybe not, but she had been uneasy all week, and she had been acting odd earlier. No. I refused to believe Ruby would sell her body.

  “Then why does your expression say you’re not sure?” Ms. Waters asked. “Is there something you want to share?”

  “Firefly isn’t the best place to waitress, but Ruby works hard there. I can assure you that she isn’t selling her body.” Absolutely not. When we’d had sex the first time in the hotel, she had been shy and nervous. That alone gave me proof she wasn’t selling her body.

  Ms. Waters pressed her lips together. “I’ll determine that. It’s time for Raven and me to go.”

  No amount of pleading or begging would have erased the disappointment slashed across her face. Man, things had just gone south. I had to get my ass over to Firefly and convince Ruby to take Kade’s job offer.

  23

  Ruby

  Chomping on a fingernail, I was alone as I paced around a penthouse in some building in downtown Boston. The one-bedroom suite overlooked the city skyline and screamed expensive with leather furnishings, stainless steel appliances, artwork that probably came from a museum, and fresh flowers in every room. The sweet fragrance of orchids tickled my nose as I drifted past the dresser in the bedroom. I hugged myself as I took in the panoramic view. The lights from buildings near and far twinkled around me. I wished I was stargazing rather than standing there with my heart sputtering, thinking how stupid I’d been to get myself into this predicament or to show up at the gym to tell Kross I loved him. He knew something was awry. Regardless, he had to know how I felt about him before I gave myself to a complete stranger. My decision and actions tonight were strictly to protect us and keep the wheels moving so we could get Raven back. Hopefully, in the end, the three of us could be a family.

  “Who are you kidding?” I asked out loud as I tossed a look over my shoulder at the skimpy black dress that was laid out on the bed with black pumps beneath it. “Kross won’t want you if he finds out what you’ve done.”

  Making my way to the bed, I huffed then laughed, sounding like a maniac. I’d torn out of the gym in a heap of tears. I couldn’t face Kross any longer. I was afraid if I spilled my guts to him, then Trent would make things much worse for my case. So, for the last two hours, I’d been trying to figure a way out of my mess. I sat on the edge of the bed, and a shiver crawled down my spine as I thought of Trent’s final words before I’d gone to see Kross. “If you do anything to screw this up, not only will I make sure your case is buried, but I’ll send pictures of you fighting to your social worker with a note that you’re a bad mother.”

  A sob burst out of me. I was a bad mother. I’d let my daughter be taken from me. I’d let myself be lured into fighting. I’d all but begged Tommy for a job. No sense in pitying yourself. It isn’t going to get you out of the task at hand.

  I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. I had under an hour to get ready. Trent’s instructions were specific—be dressed by the time his client arrived. I had no idea who his client was. I’d asked, but Trent had said that I didn’t need to know.

  I ran a hand over the silky dress on my left that reminded me of a piece of lingerie. It was short with a scooped neck and spaghetti straps. Another sob erupted. I balled up the garment then threw it at the window. I wasn’t changing into that.

  Buck up!

  With tears stinging my eyes, I studied the phone as though it was my lifeline. Maybe it was. Maybe Norma could help talk me out of this mess. I pulled her parents’ number out of my pocket. Pete had given me Norma’s number after she had called the bar last weekend to let us know that she wouldn’t be back in town for a while. Since then, I’d spoken to her on two occasions from the bar phone. I’d kept the conversation light because Pete had been lurking nearby, but all I’d wanted to do was tell her about Trent. I’d planned to tell her the night I’d made the deal with him, but she’d been excited about me coming clean with Kross and had been babbling about making arrangements to visit her parents. I hadn’t wanted to depress her. Honestly, I’d thought of backing out of the deal at the time, but if Trent could convince a judge to bury my paperwork, then he could do the same for Kross and his paternity test.

  I dialed her number. The line rang once.

  “Hello.” Norma’s voice was light and relaxed. A pang of envy gripped me for the briefest of seconds. I was more than happy for her, but I longed for the day when I could be with family and not have a care in the world.

  “Norma,” I said.

  “Ruby? I was about to call you at Firefly. I’m taking the train in tomorrow for Kross’s fight.”

  “Really?” I tried to infuse happiness into my voice.

  “Why do you sound like you’ve been cryin
g? What’s going on? What did Tommy do to you?”

  I sniffled. “It’s not Tommy.” Well, it kind of was. “I need some advice.”

  “Did something happen between you and Kross?”

  I laughed through another sniffle. “Please don’t judge me or hate me, but I’m working for Trent.”

  “No!” she shouted as though she knew what I was doing.

  We’d both agreed he was the scum of the earth, but we’d never discussed what we thought he did.

  “Don’t do it, Ruby.” She didn’t sound mad, but remorseful.

  I bounced my knee. “You don’t even know what I’m doing.”

  “Oh, yes I do.”

  I rubbed a hand on my leg. “How do you know?”

  She lowered her voice. “Remember when we met Trent in Tommy’s office, and Tommy asked Trent if he had an opening for us? Then Alex shouted no. I asked her flat out that night after you fought Vickie if he was a pimp. Her face went white. Then she confirmed he was and that she worked for him. So, Ruby, don’t let some asshole take away your dignity. I’ve been there, and I regret what I’ve done.”

  I couldn’t help but think that Alex owed Trent too.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” It wasn’t as though her knowledge of Trent would have changed the situation since she’d learned all this after I made the deal with Trent. It wouldn’t even change my current decision to stay or leave. I was curious, though.

  “I promised Alex I wouldn’t tell anyone. She was scared and ashamed. Besides, you were fighting and not on Trent’s radar.”

  “Did he confront you?” I asked.

  “No. Every time he looked my way, I gave him the finger. I promised you I wouldn’t sell my body. I meant that.”

  I promised I wouldn’t fight. Look at me now. Silence filled the line as bile crept up my throat. “Trent says I owe him ten thousand dollars.”

  She choked. “For what? Diamonds?” A little sarcasm filtered through her tone.

  “Because I was late for the fight. He and Tommy lost money. I know even if they did lose money, I should tell them to fuck off. I did until Trent threatened me with Raven. He knows a judge that could bury my case. He told me before I came to the hotel that he would send pictures of me fighting to Ms. Waters with a note that I was a bad mother if I backed out of the deal. I can’t screw this up with Raven. Even if Kross gets custody of her sooner than me, the court could ban me from seeing her because of what I’ve done.” Or Kross could fight for full custody without visitation rights if he finds out I’m prostituting myself.

  “Ruby, where are you?”

  A tear dropped. “A penthouse in some apartment building called The Lexington.”

  “Don’t do this,” Norma said softly. “Please. Think of Raven.”

  “I’m doing this for Raven, to get her back.”

  “Losing your dignity isn’t the way. Take it from me, you’ll regret this.” She sounded as desperate as I felt.

  Nausea churned in my stomach.

  “I’m sure you haven’t told Kross,” she said. “But think about what will happen when he finds out what you’re doing? Do you want him to look at you differently? You two have had a great week rekindling things. Don’t mess that up, either.” She was good at laying the guilt trip on thick. It was actually the truth, which I’d needed to hear.

  “I miss you.” I flinched at the sound of the key in the door then the click of the handle. “I’ve got to go.”

  “Ruby, wait,” she pleaded. “Leave. Get out of there.”

  “It’s too late.” I hung up the phone. Then with all the courage I could muster, I swallowed my nerves before walking out of the bedroom.

  My jaw hit the floor. Trent Baker was standing at a table near the door.

  “You’re the client?” I couldn’t look past his bulbous nose that stuck out like a deformed appendage.

  “Disappointed?” he asked flatly.

  Trent wasn’t ugly. With the exception of his large nose, he was in good shape for a man I would have guessed was in his late thirties. What made him disgusting was the evil in his brown eyes.

  “I’m not doing this,” I said with a rigid posture.

  He locked the door. “I thought you would say that.” He dipped his hand inside his suit jacket and pulled out his phone. After a few swipes of the screen, he handed me his phone. “I think this will change your mind.”

  Not taking my eyes off him, I took the phone. “I don’t need to see pictures of me fighting.”

  He bowed his head. “They’re not of you.”

  Slowly, I lowered my gaze to the screen. When I did, my eyes bugged out of my head. Raven was playing in a park with a little girl I’d never seen before. I suspected the little girl was the one Raven had spoken about the other day.

  “Go to the next picture,” he said smugly.

  With a trembling finger, I flipped to the next picture. Raven was standing at the edge of what appeared to be the lagoon at the Boston Public Garden. I sucked on my tongue, trying to get some saliva to coat my throat. Keep it together, girl. You’re stronger than you realize. I had no strength to play his despicable game. If you give yourself to him tonight, then he’ll keep holding something over your head. You’ll become his slave like Alex. She was working at Firefly and for Trent. How long has she been his slave?

  “So you have pictures of my daughter,” I said in a small voice.

  “I’m sure you don’t want anything to happen to her.” Again, his voice was smug.

  My vision clouded. “You wouldn’t dare.” The words were strangled. I would’ve never pegged Trent Baker, scumbag extraordinaire, as the type to harm a child. Then again, I was dealing with a criminal.

  One thick brow lifted. “Try me.”

  The asshole knew he had me under his thumb. The game had changed. We weren’t talking about paying off judges, but about Raven’s life. Ninety percent of me knew he wouldn’t harm her. He was using her to get to me. That was all. But I couldn’t risk that ten percent. Even if I called the cops, it was his word against mine. Then again, if he had a judge in his back pocket, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had the head of the police department as well.

  “Why are you so hell-bent on me?” Much prettier and sexier women existed out there. Maybe he got off on desperate women.

  “You owe me money, and you’re beautiful.” His voice was even, and he’d lost the self-satisfied expression. In fact, his brown eyes had glazed over. “Get dressed. I want to see those sexy legs.”

  I clutched his phone so tightly that my muscles began to twitch as I glowered at the man, then past him to the door, the only door out of the penthouse.

  He gave me a wry smile. “Usually when I tell a woman she’s sexy, it breaks the ice.”

  The only thing I was breaking was his skull. I needed to regroup. More like, I needed to breathe in clean air rather than the acrid smell of him. I hauled his phone at him, narrowly missing his nose. Instead, his eye took the brunt of the impact.

  His face darkened.

  I stormed toward the door, the same one he was blocking.

  “You want to leave? You want to test my power with the judge or maybe a cop?” He picked up his phone, sifted through it, then handed me the phone again.

  Judge Carroll’s name was on the screen along with his mobile number.

  “Maybe I should call him now,” Trent said, snatching the phone from me.

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “Go ahead.” I shouldn’t have been cocky. Custody of Raven was in his hands.

  He shrugged. “If you don’t want your daughter back, then okay.” He dialed the number.

  I did want my daughter back more than anything, but I couldn’t sleep with Trent. I would never forgive myself. Norma was right. I would lose my dignity. I would never be able to face Kross again. “Put him on speaker.” Nausea crept up to settle in my throat.

  After two rings, a male voice answered. “Trent, what can I do for you?”

  “Sorry to bother you, Al. Rem
ember that child custody case we were talking about?”

  “Sure. Lewis right?” the judge asked.

  All the blood drained out of me. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but reality sank in.

  I yanked the phone out of his hand before hauling the piece of technology against the wall. Then I stalked into the bedroom, slammed the door, and slid down to sit on the floor with my knees to my chest. I took several breaths as I scrambled to think of my next move. I wasn’t changing into that dress or doing anything with him. That man wasn’t touching my body. You don’t exactly have a way out. You’re on the fortieth floor. The only way to freedom is the door you came in.

  My gaze darted to the large vase of flowers on the dresser. If I threw that at his head, it would give me a second or two to escape. Then what? He has men watching Raven’s foster family. He’ll go after Raven. Not if I get to her first.

  I pushed to my feet. In five strides, I had my hands on the vase. As soon as you walk out with a large vase of flowers, and you’re not dressed, he’ll stop you before you have a chance to throw it at him. Make him believe you’re doing what you were told.

  Reluctantly, I shed my clothes then piled them in a heap on top of my coat, which was in a plush chair by the window. When I bent down to pick up the lingerie, I caught my reflection in the window. I stood in my bra and panties with fear carved into my pale features. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath as the voices in my head argued with one another. Don’t do this. I have to go through with the deal. No, you don’t. Yes, I do. He wasn’t lying about the judge. I covered my ears and silently screamed, shut up!

  Inhaling the fragrant flowers, I opened my eyes then pulled out my pictures from my coat pocket. Looking at Raven’s pictures always calmed me. I found the one of her modeling her new outfit. I smiled as I ran a thumb over the picture. “I love you, baby girl.” I picked through the rest, stopping on the one of Kross lounging on the lawn under an oak tree at the academy. God, he was handsome as he grinned at me with his sparkling blue eyes.