by Vivian Ward
“I can tell that you’re worried about your ex, so this is what I’m going to do, okay?” She nods her head. “While you’re here, I’ll keep both eyes on you and I’m also going to tell Zeke what’s going on. Do you have a picture of this guy so I can show Zeke who we’re looking for?”
Her bottom lip quivers and I want to kiss her so bad, but right now isn’t the time.
“Y-yes, I do. I’ll have to dig one out, but I have a picture of him at Cam’s first birthday party.”
I put my hand on her bare shoulder, and I swear, she’s the only woman I know who can pull off looking hot as hell in a pair of sweats with a loose, baggy shirt and a messy ponytail, but this is the real Mel that I love to see. Sure, she looks phenomenal on stage when she’s dancing, but those other guys don’t get to see the real her—not like I do. I don’t think anyone does.
“What in the hell is going on here?” a loud screech cracks my ears, making my eardrums nearly bleed.
It’s my sister. I thought she’d gone to the bank long ago, but, apparently, she’s still lurking. Maybe her broomstick broke so she couldn’t leave.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I mumble, taking my hand off of Mel who’s peeking around me before she rolls her eyes.
“Is that who I think it is? Is that Melanie Parker?” she chides.
“Hi,” Melanie says to my sister, Abby. “I work here now.”
Mel offers her hand to my sister, who—like an ass—refuses to shake hands.
“Really? How long have you been working here?” she narrows her eyes.
“About a month, give or take,” Melanie answers her.
“So, you’re the one! I knew my brother was trying to hide one of the girls from me, but I couldn’t figure out who it was. Now I know why. I swear, you two had better not—,”
“That’s enough, Abby. I’ve not been hiding anyone from you.”
“Right. Now I know who you were talking to that day in your office when you were on the phone. I suggest the two of you remember the policy. No dating or fucking each other, got it?”
“That’s enough, Abby,” I say, holding my hand up to silence her.
I won’t let her degrade Mel like that. Melanie starts to speak up, but I shake my head no and give her a stern look.
“Fine,” Abby huffs. “I’m leaving, I’ve got better things to do anyway.”
She snatches the bank bag off the counter, along with her purse, and marches out the front door.
“I’m really sorry, Chase. I’m just causing problems all over the place. Maybe I should quit and find something else.”
I grab her wrist. It feels so delicate and petite in my hand.
“No, you’ll do no such thing. I’m not letting you quit; not while that nut job is on the loose and you’re on his radar. You’re going to keep working here and if I need to, I’ll follow you home each night and walk you into your house to make sure you’re safe. I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you. Understand?”
She looks at my hand on her wrist, making me suddenly more aware that I’m touching her, before she slowly nods her head.
“Okay, Chase. I trust you. I just don’t want to be a problem.”
“Mel,” I take my hand off her wrist and place it beneath her chin, forcing her to look up at me. “You’re never a problem.”
We stare into each other’s eyes and there’s this connection that we’ve never had before. It’s not lust, there’s nothing sexy about it, but there’s a deep connection. Our eyes speak to one another and I know she can tell how much I care about her, and I think it scares the hell out of her. At the same time, I can see how much she needs me and trusts me.
My eyes lower to her soft, supple lips. I’ve never wanted to kiss her so badly, but I know my sister would kill me if she happened to walk back in, so I stop myself.
“Thank you,” she whispers. “Nobody has ever really cared before, and I appreciate it. It means a lot to me.”
I beam down at her. She has no idea what I wouldn’t do for her or give to be with her. If she continues staring at me with those doting eyes, both of us might regret it, so I break the silence.
“Go ahead and get out of here. Enjoy your day off.”
She blinks at me, almost snapping out of her little trance-like state. Her expression saddens a bit.
“Do you need me to follow you home? I can take off for a bit. Judas can handle making a drink if someone were to come in,” I offer.
She shakes her head no, throwing her bag over her shoulder. “I’ll be okay,” she says, turning to leave. “Chase?” she stops dead in her tracks.
“Hm?” I ask.
“I meant what I said a minute ago. I’ll never forget this.”
“Come here,” I say, taking a step toward her with my arms open for her.
Just like that, she falls right into them and nestles her head against my chest. Her hair smells like fresh flowers; the scent is intoxicating and I could get used to it.
After a moment, she breaks away, her eyes twinkling at me. “Go home, Mel. I’ll see you tomorrow. If you have any problems, I’m only a phone call away. Okay?”
“Okay. See you tomorrow.”
For the rest of the day, I can’t get her out of my mind. All I can think about is how scared she is and how safe I made her feel. I want to do that every day, sister or not. I’m about to break all the rules.
Chapter 19
Melanie
Chase told Zeke what was going on, and the two of them have been watching me like a hawk. I’ve never felt safer with them watching over me.
I know that I’m completely safe while I’m here at work, but Chase made a point that I might not be safe at home. I’m so glad that Cam is at Ann’s house when I go home at night.
I’d never be able to live with myself if Garrett attacked me while I was at home if Cam were there to witness any of it. Kids are supposed to feel safe, and if something like that ever happened, Cam would be mortified of our home. I can live with a lot of things, but I don’t know if that’s something that I could actually live with.
When I came back to work, I almost asked Chase if he wouldn’t mind following me home at night and walking me into the house, but I’m so worried that if he did, something between us might happen—not that I don’t want it to. I’d be proud to call someone like Chase my boyfriend, but I know it’s not professional and I don’t want to lose my job—at least not yet.
Maybe once I get the mortgage squared away and I have a little money in the bank, I can say the hell with dancing and hope that Chase is still interested, but right now I can’t put anything in jeopardy of mine and Cam’s future.
Last night when I came into work, I was nervous for the first few hours that I was here but as the night wore on, I slowly became at ease. Tonight has pretty much been the same thing, only I wasn’t on edge quite as long.
I don’t know why but I get the feeling like I’m being watched or something. Obviously, someone has seen me working here and went back to report to Garrett, but I have no clue who it would be. I haven’t seen any of our old friends here, and I don’t know anyone who currently talks to him. It must be someone who knew me from before that still talks to him because that’s the only thing that makes sense.
My song’s about to come on as soon as Amber’s song is over, so I go out and take a peek around the place to make sure there’s no signs of Garrett. The coast looks clear and Zeke catches my eye, giving me a nod that everything is safe. I’ve been meaning to bring in a picture of Garrett to show Chase and Zeke what he looks like, but I keep forgetting. By the time I go home, shower, do a bit of reading, fall asleep, go pick up Cam from Ann’s house and feed him dinner before work, I don’t have a lot of time to go digging around for pictures. My focus is solely on my baby.
I give him a curt smile and linger behind the bar as I wait for Amber’s song to finish and for the DJ to start my music. Right before it’s time, I go over to the stage and wait for my cue to get on.
&nb
sp; During my first couple of dances of the night, I’m the most paranoid because that’s when Garrett would most likely come in since it’s not too late after he would normally get off work, but by the last dance, I realize that it’s safe and begin to relax a bit.
Unfortunately, the club has a strict ‘no drinking while on the clock’ rule, so I can’t have a few drinks to relax, but knowing that Zeke and Chase are watching over me are enough to settle my nerves.
In between my performances, I help the other girls with their hair and makeup. Chase wasn’t lying when he said they’d designate me as their hair and makeup artist, but I love doing it. It’s much better than practicing at home on myself, and they seem to enjoy having it done.
I only have one more set to perform, and then I can call it a night. I’m so ready to get out of here because I just bought a new fashion magazine that’s calling my name. When I get home, I’ll pour myself a glass of wine, snuggle up in bed with my magazine and read until my eyes won’t stay open anymore.
“You’re up next,” Amber says, making her way into the dressing room.
“No, I’m not. The new girl goes on before me,” I say, applying a layer of lipgloss over my lipstick.
“No one told you? She said she had to go because she wasn’t feeling well so they bumped you up. You better hurry,” she says.
My eyes widen when I realize that she’s serious. “Shit! Thanks, babe.”
Reaching for my mascara, I apply a fresh black coat to my thick lashes and run a brush through my hair on my way out the door. I wish someone would’ve told me sooner. It would’ve been nice to apply a new layer of eyeshadow, but this will have to do. At least I’ll get to go home early, which means I can get up earlier so that I can spend more time with Cam after I pick him up from Ann’s house.
I’m barely to the stage when the DJ starts my music, so I rush over to the stage and hop on, eager to do my set and get out of here.
Taking my place, I wrap my leg around the pole and begin twirling around it until I reach the floor where I land in a split and arch my back, putting my breasts on display. The men love it when I do this, and I can see why Sapphire held onto the routine as long as she did. It’s simple, but it definitely gets the job done.
There are a few men gathered around the stage so I make my way over to them and lower my ass until it’s right in their faces. After they tuck a few bills into my bottoms, I dance my way back over to the pole and continue with my performance. I hear a loud whistle over the music, making me smile as the song goes on.
At the end of the first song, the lights dim and I begin my second song. The routine is similar to the first one, but it’s a bit faster, and the men are going crazy. I’m surprised how busy it is for a Thursday night, but I’m not complaining because I can use the money. I make my way around the edge of the stage a couple of more times before my last song begins.
Knowing that I’m almost out here, lights a fire under my ass, so I decide to kick up the heat a notch or two with my final dance, giving the men everything they want. Hopefully, I can get them to empty their wallets before I go home.
The neon lights begin flashing and the spotlight dims on me, and I give it everything I’ve got. Every move is dramatized, deliberate. I’m teasing the hell out of these guys, and they’re eating it right up. Turning over, I get on all fours and begin slowly crawling to the edge of the stage and that’s when I see him.
Garrett’s here.
I want to freak out, I want to yell, I want to run off the stage, but I know doing any of those things will be bad. Glancing at the bar, I see Chase is busy waiting on a couple that came in. They’re young, probably husband and wife, and by the way she’s avoiding looking at the stage, I’m going to guess it’s her first time coming to a strip club. The husband is watching my every move, and I wish Chase was too, but he’s not because he’s busy.
Turning my attention back to the door, I look for Zeke. He’s nowhere to be found. All I can think is, “Why isn’t he manning the door? Who’s working the door? Did Garrett do something to him? How does Chase not notice this?”
A million thoughts flood my mind and by the time my song is over, I couldn’t care less about how much money I’ve earned tonight. I want to get the hell out of here. Picking up parts of my costume, I grab them and run off stage, dashing by the bar where Chase is still busy waiting on people. I doubt he even saw me because he was bent over inside the fridge.
When I get to the dressing room, I’m all alone. There’s not a person in sight. Quickly, I grab my clothes and tennis shoes and change before attempting to slip out the back door. I figure I can sneak out the back and Garrett will never know I’ve left.
But I’m not that lucky.
As I’m digging through my bag for my keys, I get to my car a little too quickly, and he’s leaning against the front fender, smoking a cigarette.
“In a hurry tonight, Melanie?” his thick voice fills the air as a cloud of smoke lingers around us.
“I have to get home,” I say, and reach for the door handle.
He grabs my wrist and holds it so tightly that it hurts, but the real pain doesn’t set in until he twists my arm and bends my wrist. It feels like it’s going to snap.
“Let go of me, Garrett. You don’t have any right to be here or do any of this stuff!”
He laughs, taking another drag of his cigarette before increasing the tension he’s got on my arm. A burning sensation travels all the way from my finger tips to my shoulder, and I’m sure my entire arm might crack.
“I don’t? The funny thing is, that’s not how I see things. You’re the mother of my son, and he deserves better than a whore mom who shakes her ass and tits in front of men for a few bucks.”
He leans close to my face and I can smell his stale cigarette breath. It makes my nostrils flare as I attempt not to breathe it in. I used to be familiar with this smell and it never bothered me nearly as much as it is tonight, but maybe it’s amplified because of my hatred for him.
“You’re an asshole,” I sneer. “Let me go!”
I try to wriggle out of his death grip, but he’s no match for me. He’s 6’4” and is about 240 pounds of solid muscle. Towering over me, his strength and hold on me are too much so I stop trying before I end up breaking my wrist myself while he’s got my arm contorted.
“Tell me you’re going to quit. You can come back to me, and we can be a family again, Melanie. It’s all I ever wanted. I just want you,” he says through clenched teeth. “You can stop shaking your disgusting pussy for these men and be a stay-at-home mom again, like you should be.”
I open my mouth to tell him to go to hell, but I’m interrupted by Chase.
“Get your hands off of her!” he says, and he’s coming towards us with a vengeance, but Garrett doesn’t release his hold on me.
“Stay back,” Garrett yells at Chase. “This is between us and doesn’t concern you.”
Looking down, I see that Garrett’s clenching a fist with his free hand, but Chase is steadily coming at us.
“I said let her go,” Chase warns Garrett again.
Before Garrett can respond Chase punches Garrett right in the nose, making blood spray everywhere. It’s only then that Garrett let’s go of my wrist and I scramble back inside the building to get Zeke.
From inside the door, I watch the three of them fight. Garrett’s holding his own, but it doesn’t take long before Chase and Zeke overpower him and subdue him. From a distance, I see police lights and they’re headed straight for the parking lot.
Zeke is kneeling on top of Garrett’s back, holding him in place and when I realize it’s safe, I run out next to Chase’s side.
Chapter 20
Chase
“Who’s in charge here?” the police officer asks, speaking into the walkie talkie that’s mounted to his shoulder.
“I am, sir. I’m the owner,” I say, wiping the blood away from my face.
Garrett got a few good punches in, but he didn’t do any
damage. A bloody nose is nothing compared to what he got before Zeke came out. I meant it when I said that he was done terrorizing Mel.
The cops lift him off the ground, handcuffed. An ambulance pulls onto the parking lot to aid in medical assistance. I decline any help, but they confirm that his nose is broke and his jaw is fractured.
“Can you tell us what happened?” the cop asks, lacing his fingers through his belt loops.
Melanie speaks up for the first time since we’ve been outside, and even though she’s shaken, she begins telling what happened.
“He’s been harassing and threatening me ever since I started here. I tried to ignore him, but when he showed up tonight, I thought I could quietly slip out the back. He was waiting for me in the parking lot and tried to break my wrist.”
I look down at her tiny wrist, it looks okay.
“And that’s when you came out?” the officer asks me directly.
I nod, “Yes, officer. That’s correct. She’s an employee here, and when I saw someone manhandling her, I came out to offer her protection. It was clear that he was here to do her harm.”
The cop tells us that he’ll be right back and makes his way over to the other officer who’s accompanying her ex with the ambulance. We watch from a distance as they try to put liquid glue over his cuts to hold his face together.
“Are you okay?” I ask Mel as she stands by my side.
She beams up at me, her eyes twinkling. “I am now,” she burrows her head against my chest.
Putting my arm around her and holding her has never felt so right. I can’t help but smile, and plant a soft kiss on the top of her head.
“You need me to do anything else, Boss?” Zeke asks after the police are done questioning him.