“I’m not a tattler. But I can’t promise you I won’t go over to that gym and check things out.” She giggled then waggled her eyebrows.
I snarled. “Don’t you dare.” Knowing Kross, he would give her his puppy dog eyes or his sad face like he used to do to me when he wanted to know what was bothering me.
“I was kidding. I promise.”
I jumped up. “Let’s go.” My butt was frozen from sitting on the cold concrete. I had twenty dollars in my pocket. Any hot meal would thaw me out and get rid of my hunger pangs.
“We should hang for another hour. We only have a couple of dollars in the cup.”
I pulled out the wadded-up ten-dollar bills.
She scowled. “You didn’t pickpocket some dude, did you?”
I was good at stealing, but it wasn’t something I was proud of, and I only stole when we were desperate. “That little girl’s mom gave it to me.”
She plastered on a hungry smile. “Where to?”
We started walking. “Tommy’s place.”
“Are you crazy?” she asked. “That place is a dive. Unless you have something else up your sleeve.”
“Hear me out. No one is going to hire us. But Tommy owns Firefly. Maybe he’ll give us a shot at a waitressing or let us work in the kitchen.” I knew my way around a kitchen. My mom had taught me to cook when I was twelve. Actually, I loved to bake. But I would clean the bathrooms if it meant a steady job and money in my pocket.
“Fine.” Norma eyed me. “As long as you don’t fight.”
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t mind another shot at Mel.” Even with all the pain that came from fighting, I did get a high out of the adrenaline rush. Not that I would sign up today, but a part of me still hungered for the big money.
She punched me lightly on the arm. “I’ll kill you myself if you fight again.”
I dipped my chin inside my new scarf as we walked the five blocks toward Firefly.
“So, aren’t you afraid that Kross will show up at Firefly?” Norma asked.
I shrugged. In the back of my mind, I always knew that one day Kross and I would run into each other. I just wanted that time to be on my terms when I was ready. “We need a job.” I didn’t know if Tommy would hire us, particularly since I had lost the fight and caused trouble the first night I met him. Still, I had to try. “If Kross does show up, then I’ll deal.”
“You said Kross had brothers. Triplets, huh?” Norma asked.
“Seriously? We’re trying to survive, and you’re thinking of men?” After I had bolted out of Firefly as if my life depended on it, Norma and I had found a secluded spot in an abandoned warehouse not far from Tommy’s place. I had spent the night in her arms, crying and telling her all about Kross and his brothers. I couldn’t blame her too much for asking about the triplets. After all, Kross times three would make any woman do crazy things to get their attention. I’d witnessed it firsthand at the academy when the girls would giggle and squeal every time the triplets were together in the halls. A couple of those same girls had snarled at me when they found out I was dating Kross, although most of them had doted on Kelton. He’d been the one brother who hadn’t seemed to brood or sneer at someone if they looked at him the wrong way.
Fast forward four years, and wow. I couldn’t shake the image of Kross. I hadn’t had a date, sex, or someone to hold me since him. I wasn’t sure I even knew how to kiss anymore.
Norma hooked her arm with mine as we crossed over streets and fought pedestrian traffic. “We’re human, Ruby. I’m sure you have sexual urges. Sometimes, I miss being a lady of the night. I had some badass men who were great in bed.”
With Raven and my pathetic life, sex was the last thing on my mind. But I had pleasured myself a time or two. “I’ll kill you if you start selling yourself.”
The large Firefly sign came into view, jutting out from the two-story brick building. As we approached, a patron walked out of the main entrance, bringing with him the smell of grease and a reminder of the fat, juicy hamburger Tommy had given me the night I’d met him. “Let’s eat before we talk to Tommy.”
The inside was somewhat dark, and a handful of people were scattered between the bar that stood directly in front of us and a table near the window. A stand-up sign said to seat yourself. Norma and I wound around the bar and headed to the back of the restaurant. We slid into a booth near what appeared to be a small stage carved into an alcove. Norma plucked a menu from behind the table’s jukebox. I knew I wanted another hamburger.
A round-faced waitress came over. She scrutinized Norma and me as she pulled a pencil from the bun on her head. “What’ll you have?”
“First, I want a hamburger with fries,” I said. “Then I’d like to put in an employment application.”
Her perfectly made-up face twisted, and a crease formed between her light-brown eyebrows. Then she relaxed and smiled. “We don’t get much business in here, and the owner is a prick.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I know.” Norma and I busted out laughing.
“Ah.” She snapped her gum. “You were in the fight last Saturday.” She twirled her forefinger around my healing eye. “I hate watching ladies get their faces ruined.”
“Is Tommy here?” I asked.
She glanced at the bald, bearded bartender then scooted in the booth and sat next to Norma. “Look, you don’t want anything to do with Tommy.” She kept her voice low. “And you shouldn’t be fighting.”
“I don’t want to fight.” I laced my fingers together on the table. “I told you I want to waitress.”
She cocked her head. A strand of light-brown hair fell from her bun. “No offense, but you two are in no shape to apply for a job. You both look like you live on the streets. When was the last time you showered?” Pity rolled off of her.
Normally, I would have smarted off, but I couldn’t argue when it came to our hygiene. Norma and I had to sneak into the YMCA on occasion to shower. Otherwise, bathroom gas stations were places where we could at least brush our teeth.
“Lady,” Norma said, “we want to eat. If you don’t want us to work here, just say so.”
“My name is Alex. I’m trying to help you.” Her tone was flat. “I had a sister who lived on the streets. Unfortunately, she didn’t survive. So before you get all snotty with me—”
“We’re sorry.” I glared daggers at Norma. “Look, we realize our hygiene isn’t spectacular, but we’re trying to remedy that. You see, once we have some money, we’ll be able to buy some decent clothes. I’m Ruby, by the way.”
Everything about Alex seemed genuine—her smile, the fact that she was giving us the time of day, and the motherly look in her brown eyes. I would have guessed her to be in her late twenties, and something told me she didn’t want to be in this place.
“We just need a break.” I wanted to spill my guts about how dire my need was for a job and a roof over my head so I could get my daughter back. But I barely knew her.
“Alex,” a deep voice from the bar said.
“Be right there,” she called. Then she looked at us and rolled her eyes. “This place doesn’t see much action, but Tommy has booked a band for the first time in a long time. So we’ll need the help on Saturday for sure. We also had a waitress leave, but Tommy’s not going to hire you until you clean up.” She climbed out of the booth, dipped her hand inside the pocket of her apron, and placed a key on the table. “My apartment is next door, above the bakery. Apartment three. Go shower. I have clothes in my closet that should fit both of you. I also have food in the fridge. Take your time then come see me.”
“Alex, why are you helping?” I asked. She’d said she had a sister who’d lived on the streets. Still, Norma and I could rob her of everything she had.
“Life is precious,” she said with a frown before she strode over to the bar.
Norma and I stared at each other for a mere second before we hurried out of there. The thought of a long hot shower, new clothes, and food had me rushing up two flights of stairs to a
partment three.
After we closed the door, I laughed out loud. The place was bare except for a dilapidated couch, a rickety coffee table made out of boxes and plywood, and a wicker basket full of wine bottle corks that sat next to the couch. “Not much to steal if we wanted to.”
“We wouldn’t do that.” Norma stuck her head in the fridge. “Right?”
Alex was giving us a break. I wasn’t about to ruin the opportunity to get squeaky clean and sated. As Norma rummaged around for food, I went in search of the bathroom.
After two hours of showering, eating, and raiding Alex’s closet, I felt like a human again. My hair had never been silkier, my skin was clean and smooth, and the shampoo I’d just used made my hair smell like coconuts. Not to mention, I was wearing new clothes. I borrowed a pair of jeans, boots, and a pullover sweater with sleeves that fell to my fingertips. The clothes were looser on me than on Norma. She’d found jeans, a pair of Chucks, and a tight-fitting cotton shirt that accentuated her large breasts. Her short blond hair was shinier than I’d ever seen it. We went as far as applying a little foundation. For me, the makeup was more to cover up my bruises. We found a plastic bag in the kitchen and stuffed our dirty clothes in it before we made our way back to Firefly.
The restaurant had more people in it now, at least around the bar. I wasn’t surprised, considering it was approaching happy hour. I glanced around for Alex but didn’t see her. We claimed the same booth in which we’d sat earlier.
My stomach cramped. “I need to use the restroom.” The ham I’d eaten wasn’t agreeing with me. I rushed down a long hallway, following the sign to the restrooms, and flew into the ladies’ room. When I was done, I headed back to Norma. I was just taking a left out of the restroom when Tommy’s voice reverberated from a room down the hall to my right.
“You will do as I say,” Tommy yelled.
“I’m not working for this jerk,” Alex retorted.
I only hesitated for a second. As I did, my stomach gurgled. I crept closer to the office door, which was slightly ajar, and smacked into Alex as she hurried out.
Her eyebrows went up. “Ruby?”
Tommy loomed behind Alex. “The girl from the fight?” He whistled as he shoved Alex out of the way. His dark eyes were dancing. “Are you here to fight again?”
“Not a chance.” Then again, it depended on the money. I shook off the thought. The social worker would definitely question me if I showed up to visit Raven with bruises and cuts all over my face. More importantly, I couldn’t scare my daughter.
Norma came up behind me. “What’s going on?”
Tommy smirked as he laid eyes on Norma. “What have you two done with yourselves? Did you find a sugar daddy? Or did Dillon and that dude, Kross, find you the other night and take you in? Dillon is like that. He finds girls and gives them a warm bed. Fucker is always on my ass.”
“If you didn’t try to screw Dillon out of money or stab him in the back with the cops, he might not want to chop off your head,” Alex spat.
“Shut the fuck up.” Tommy’s face turned red. “And stop drooling over the asshole.” He sounded jealous.
Alex threw him the finger.
Tommy ignored her and turned to us. “What are you ladies doing here?”
“They need a job,” Alex said. “Waitressing.”
Tommy waved his hand. “Come in, ladies.”
With Alex and Tommy arguing, it was probably best that Norma and I came back later. “It seems you’re in the middle of something,” I said.
“We were finished.” Tommy walked deeper into his office.
I followed with Norma and Alex on my heels.
Behind the door, a man lounged on a leather couch. He was dressed in an expensive business suit and had one leg crossed over the other. His large stature overpowered the piece of furniture he sat on, and the dim light from a table lamp enhanced his fat nose. The way he smirked, with one side of his mouth upturned as he scrutinized me from head to toe, reminded me of the men who stalked the street corners where the hookers worked.
“Norma and Ruby, I would like you to meet a business partner of mine, Trent.” Tommy raked his gaze over me. “You’re prettier than I remembered, and your face is healing nicely.” He sat on the edge of his desk.
“I told you once before that I’d kick you in the balls if you didn’t stick your tongue back in your mouth.” It didn’t matter if I wanted a job or not. I wasn’t about to be treated like a piece of meat.
Norma elbowed me.
“What should I do?” Tommy asked rhetorically. “I’m supposed to alert your boyfriend, Kross, if you show up here.”
I clenched my fists at my sides. “No!”
“Tommy,” Alex chimed in. “Hire them. We have that band this weekend. You’ve been looking to hire another waitress, anyway.” Alex kept glancing at Trent then Tommy, biting her lower lip.
Tommy scratched his neck. “I can’t.” Then he turned his attention to Trent. “What about you, man? You got an opening?”
“No!” Alex shouted.
Norma and I exchanged a what-the-hell-was-that-all-about look.
Tommy rubbed a hand down his nose and over his mouth. “Alex, leave us. You have customers to wait on.”
Alex didn’t move. She and Tommy glowered at one another as though they were speaking telepathically.
“If it’s experience you want, Norma’s held jobs waitressing,” I said. “As for me, I’m a quick learner, but I could work in the kitchen. I’m a good cook.”
“It’s not your experience,” Tommy said with an evil laugh. “I guess you don’t know Dillon Hart, the ponytail dude with your boyfriend.”
I barely remembered him. I’d been too riveted on Kross and his beautiful rendition of our nursery rhyme.
“He’ll fuck me up. Well, it’s not just Dillon, but his crazy brothers. And Kross is a beast. Have you seen him fight?” Tommy asked his business partner. “You should put money on the guy.”
Trent raised an eyebrow as he sat quietly.
Alex snapped her fingers at Tommy. “Focus.”
“I can hire Ruby,” Trent piped in as he looked at me and drooled.
My spidey sense was warning me to stay away from Trent. “Is it because of Kross you won’t hire me?” I asked Tommy. “If it is, you have nothing to worry about.” I had no idea what I was saying. I would have even said the sky was purple to get a job. “You don’t strike me as the type of guy who scares easily.”
“Until you know the Hart family, don’t judge me,” Tommy snapped. “You weren’t the one threatened by Kross either.”
I couldn’t catch a break. For four long years, I hadn’t heard a peep out of Kross. Now, I couldn’t get a job because of the man unless I considered whatever Trent’s job offer was.
“Come on,” Norma said. “We don’t need this shit.”
Normally, I would have walked away. But if I wanted to get my life back on track, I couldn’t give up. “Please, Tommy. We need this job,” I said sweetly.
“We beg all day long,” Norma bit out. “We don’t need to beg this asshole or anyone else.” She snarled at me.
“As much as I agree with you,” Alex said to Norma, “I really could use the help on Saturday.” She glared at Tommy. “Seriously, you’re not going to hire them because of Dillon and Kross? You’re not that much of a pansy ass.”
Tommy growled. “Watch your tongue.” The room fell silent for a second as Tommy scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “If I hire you, I’d have to alert your boyfriend.”
I shrugged. If it meant I would have a decent job, then I would suck up whatever consequences came my way.
He tapped a finger on his lips. “Okay. I’ll hire both of you on one condition.”
I rolled back my shoulders. “I’m listening.”
Tommy pressed the heels of his hands on his desk. “If Kross comes in here with his fists flying at me because of you, you’re fired.”
“I can’t control him or what he does. He’s not going
to kick your ass because of me, anyway.” I wasn’t sure about that. Kross might’ve been sweet when he was reciting a nursery rhyme, but the way his muscles had tensed the other night meant that he’d been holding his emotions in check.
“Then you have nothing to worry about,” Tommy said.
I looked at Norma for approval even though I was taking the job no matter what. She blinked, albeit reluctantly.
“Fine,” I said, jutting my chin out. I would face Kross if it meant I could work there.
“If things don’t work out here, then come talk to me,” Trent said.
In your dreams.
“I’m glad that’s settled,” Tommy said. “Alex will show you the ropes. Now, Trent and I have business to discuss.”
We headed to the door.
“One more thing,” Tommy said.
I held my breath. There was always some last detail that was left out of the deal.
“Where are you two living?” Tommy swung his gaze between Norma and me. “I can’t have you living on the streets with no means of keeping up your hygiene.”
There went that opportunity.
“They’re staying with me,” Alex said.
Norma and I gaped at her. I wasn’t about to question her reasons for being super nice, but I couldn’t help but wonder why. Then again, the streets were harsh. The nights were harsher, and food was scarce. Tommy was giving us an opportunity. Alex was giving us shelter. Those two things equaled survival, and that alone erased any curiosity I had about Alex’s intentions. For the moment, I would do the best job possible and start rehearsing what I was going to say to Kross.
Chapter Seven
Kross
A car sat up on cement blocks, askew and devoid of tires on the somewhat deserted Boston street. As I wheeled by, I noticed the driver’s door looked as if someone had rammed into it with a tanker. I’d spent one long and tortuous week searching homeless camps and shelters for Ruby. The past few nights, I’d roamed the streets alone. I hadn’t been able to sleep, so I’d ventured out into places Dillon had told me about. He’d offered to tag along, but he was meeting with a real estate investor about a potential investment property for a home for runaway girls. A place I wished he already had. Then we could’ve offered a room to Ruby and her friend, Norma. Aside from all that, I checked in with Jay’s receptionist to see if I’d gotten any calls from Norma or Ruby.
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