by Cat Porter
“I’m sorry,” Butler murmured. He lit a cigarette.
I turned to face him. “You want to know about Heather?”
“That’s Heather?” Butler arched an eyebrow. He inhaled deeply on his smoke as he watched her dance over my shoulder.
I briefly glanced over at Boner, Lock, and Bear. They were all still extremely unhappy. Butler’s attention remained on Honeysuckle jiggling over Dawes next to me.
“Butler?”
His eyes slid back to me. He exhaled a thick stream of smoke, and his fingers stroked the edge of his mouth. “Tail tapped her ass last time we were in town,” he said. “I got to hear all about it. Now I get it. So, what’s up with the two of you?”
“She got her panties in a twist my first time back at the club last month,” I said. “There was a party, and she got pissy that my sudden return stole her thunder with the boys. Just one of those girl-competition things.”
“Were you dancing on the table putting your titties out there for everybody to take a lick like the other bitches, and the boys liked yours better? That kind of competition?” Butler grinned. “Shit, I missed it?”
I smirked and shook my head. He offered me a cigarette, but I waved it away. “She was all over Lock that night,” I said. “Lock being Wreck’s little brother, we had a lot of catching up to do. Heather was annoyed with me for taking up his time.”
“That so?” His eyes strayed back to Heather’s body swirling and surging over Dawes.
“She’s young, she’ll learn,” I said.
“She’s a brat,” he said. “Better snap out of that bullshit or else.”
“I guess she was under the impression it was a pissing contest,” I said. “Still is.”
“Sister, you need a dick for a pissing contest.”
“True,” I said. “Pissing contests are definitely a man-hobby.”
He exhaled another thick plume of smoke and bent over me and kissed the side of my face.
“Glad you don’t have a dick, baby.” Butler entwined our fingers. He fingered the silver skull ring on my index finger. His body stilled against mine.
“This Dig’s?”
“Yes,” I said. “Feels good to wear it, especially on days like this,” I said. “He and Ruby worked here. It’s strange being here without them in the world. Then again, this place looks totally different now. Looks good, though. Like a real gentlemen’s club.”
“Yeah right. Big City, South Dakota style.”
“Why not?” I asked and sipped on my glass of water. “There are more tourists nowadays, right?”
Butler took my hand in his large one and rubbed over Dig’s ring with his thumb.
“Another round, people!” Jump motioned to the new serving tray which had just been set on the table lined with tequila shots. He winked at me.
“Perfect!” I slipped my hand out of Butler’s grasp, reached over the table and plucked a shot glass. I raised it in the air.
“To good times, the old fashioned way!” I said. Everyone cheered and hollered. Mary Lynn giggled loudly.
“Mary Lynn honey, I think you reached your limit, girl.” Bear reached over and took the shot glass from her hand and swallowed down its fiery contents and put it back in her hand. Mary Lynn’ s eyes focused on the suddenly empty shot glass, and she let out a stream of laughter. Alicia got up from her chair and went over to her. Suzi climbed into Bear’s lap and pushed her empty chair at Alicia.
“Where’s Junk anyway?” Butler asked.
“My man is on his way!” Mary Lynn slurred, thumping her hand on the table.
“He’s on the road. He’ll be here,” Jump said. He popped some peanuts into his mouth, slunk back in his chair and admired Honeysuckle’s undulating hips at work over Dawes.
Dawes had melted into his chair. Heather’s tongue fluttered over the huge bulge in his jeans as her almost bare ass circled in the air.
“Aw, man!” Dawes groaned, his eyes huge. Everyone laughed.
Heather swooped up his body and brushed her breasts over his writhing torso as she went. Her mouth hovered over his. “Later, big man,” she said. She snapped up off of him and turned away. She strutted towards the group of men sitting at the bar along the stage who had thrown so many bills at her when she had danced earlier.
They clapped and hooted. “Here she comes!” one shouted.
“Hey, y’all!” Heather crowed, hands in the air.
“Why don’t you go find your man, Sister?” Jump leaned over me.
Over an hour had gone by since Butler had left the table allegedly heading for the little boys’ room. I had heaved a sigh of relief. After Heather had taken off, he had felt me up under the table, his lips at my neck. He whispered crude remarks about various dancers, the half of which weren’t even that funny. He had lost me, and he knew it.
A very tense Lock remained across the table from us. Jump stealthily checked on me with an assessing gaze over the remainder of the evening. I played happy-tipsy, and it kept everyone off my back. When Butler had left the table, I moved and sat with Alicia, Mary Lynn, Suzi, and Dee. We laughed and made silly toasts, and I finally relaxed and enjoyed myself. Dee and I settled into a more serious conversation over fresh beers.
“Why is the timing always off?”
I sipped on my drink. “What do you mean?”
“Sex, what else? Last year I was like Peg Bundy, I couldn’t get enough, wanted him all the time, and he was bitching, would you believe? I swear, I felt like a wild eighteen year old boy, but with a forty year old woman’s psycho moods to match.”
I laughed.
“It’s true! Get ready for it, Sister,” Dee said. “Judge couldn’t keep up with me. This year, he wants it all the time, and I’m totally off my game. I mean, what the hell are we supposed to do with that? Not to mention suddenly I have to watch what I eat all the freaking time. I hate this!”
“Are we talking about early menopause?” Alicia slid into a chair next to me.
Not surprisingly, Alicia had a solution to that predicament. She rattled off a list of vitamin supplements Dee should take and books she needed to read.
“Sister?”
I glanced up at Jump.
I hadn’t noticed that Butler hadn’t returned to our table until Jump just now pointed it out. I assumed he was busy rewarding himself with a mighty fine dose of blow. However, it was my job to keep him busy tonight. I checked my watch. I had a rendezvous with fate in exactly thirty minutes.
I smiled at Jump. “Why don’t you look for him, honey?”
His eyes flashed at me. “Why don’t we go together, sweetheart?”
“Okay,” I said and got up from the table. “Later, girlfriends.”
Dee and Alicia smiled at us and continued gabbing. With my arm through his, Jump and I went for a stroll in search of Butler.
“Junk called. He high jacked the truck and secured it in our safe house. He’s ten minutes out.”
“Good news.”
Jump snorted. “Now where’s that douchebag?” We walked through the hallway towards the bathrooms and stopped at the purple alcove lounge. Two lipstick lesbians were there alone kissing frantically on the couch.
Jump let out a growl. “Fuck me, that’s what I’m talking about!”
I pushed him towards the men’s room while I hit the ladies’, but there was no sign of Butler.
“Bet you he’s getting himself a private dance in a VIP room,” I said.
“You think?”
We pushed through the lingering crowd up the stairs. A few couples danced together on the second level, several lap dances were going on in big armchairs tucked in dark corners. Every VIP room door was closed.
“Who you looking for, boss?” A tall, African American woman in a tight long black dress flecked with gold and gold lipstick to match asked. She raised one elegantly groomed eyebrow at us.
“Hey Sandra. This is Sister.” Jump said. “Sandra’s our manager.”
“Hello,” I said.
She smiled at
me. “Hello there.” Her voice was smooth as silk.
“Looking for my boy, Butler. You seen him?” Jump asked.
Sandra nodded. “Number two with Heather.” She moved forward swiftly and unlocked the door with a key. Jump pushed it open.
Heather was on Butler’s lap facing away from him pumping up and down over him.
Giddy-up, cowgirl.
Butler leaned back on the sofa admiring her quivering ass as he jacked his pelvis up into her and grunted. A scowl was pasted on Heather’s face, her lips forming a tight circle.
“Fucking perfect,” Jump muttered, a grin breaking over his face. He clapped his large hands together. “Yo, party’s over!”
Heather’s head flipped up, her mass of red hair went flying and her eyes were wide. Very wide. She sniffled.
Someone’s been in the snowy powder.
“Get lost, Heather,” Jump said.
Butler’s jaw slackened. “What the hell?”
Heather pushed up off of Butler’s lap and stumbled forward. She yanked her black dress down her body, and skittered towards the doorway. She righted herself quickly and adjusted her thong. She made it to the door where I stood. She breathed heavily as she leaned over to adjust the strap on one of her platform sandals.
Her eyes flared at me. “Did you enjoy that?”
I smiled at her. “I did. Very much. I can’t thank you enough.”
She jerked her head back at me.
“I needed to scrape him off in a big way,” I said.
Heather’s arm shot out and gripped the door frame. She shuffled back a step.
“Worked out great for me,” I said. “Hell, you did all the dirty work.”
“What the…?”
“You better go,” I cut her off. “The grownups have to talk now.” Heather hustled out the door, and I closed it.
“Baby?” Butler said.
“Save it,” I said crossing my arms.
Jump laughed.
“Look, I get it, Butler,” I said, my voice mellow. “Your boys tried Heather, said she was a hot piece of ass, and you had to stick your dick in her too, right?”
His forehead rose and he blinked. “She came on to me, beautiful. Offered me a flippin’ dance thingy… oh come on! This is the Tingle for Christ sake!”
I bit on my lower lip to hold back the laughter bursting in my chest. It wasn’t funny though. A man like Butler at a loss over his self-indulgences. Some things don’t change.
“Sister,” He wiped at his nose with the back of his hand and gave a loud snuff. His fingers fumbled with his zipper.
“I’m done, Butler.”
“Nah, wait! Sister, wait!”
“I’m done with you, and I’m so done with your addiction, baby. I’ve had enough.” I frowned and looked up at Jump. “I’m out of here,” I said. Jump’s hand reached out and squeezed my shoulder.
“Have Lock take you home.” Jump’s lips twitched again.
“Lock?” Butler yelled. “What the fuck?”
Jump’s heavily ringed hand cupped my face. I turned and opened the door.
“Oh, man!” Butler let out a howl. “Babe… hang on, wait!”
“Shut the hell up and sit your sorry ass back down!” Jump said.
I shut the door behind me and checked my watch. I charged down the stairs darting in between the people who lingered. Lock stood at the bottom of the staircase. His heavy gaze stopped me in my tracks. I held my breath. That honeyed warmth slid through me again.
Boner perched in front of me and grabbed my arm. “Sister?”
“Room Two. Jump’s got him. He’s a mess.”
“You good?” he asked. I nodded at him. He squeezed my arm, and charged up the stairs behind me.
I landed on the bottom stair in front of Lock. My eyes soaked in his.
Miller.
“Fuck, I’ve got it bad for you,” he said.
You have no idea.
Her eyes burned right through me. One of her hands reached out and touched the side of my face. My hand covered hers, and I tilted my mouth and pressed a kiss into the edge of her palm. Her lips parted like an innocent schoolgirl’s.
“Is this shit done with?” I asked.
“Lock…”
“We’re out of here.” I took her hand in mine and turned, but she pulled out of my grip.
“Stop, wait—”
“What?”
“Not now. I can’t now.”
My pulse pounded in my skull. “What are you talking about?”
She twisted out of my grip and stepped back.
“I can’t. Not right now…”
A roar went up behind me. I swung around. Vig bulldozed through the club along with five other Demon Seeds and Creeper at his side. My arm shot around Grace, hooking her behind my back.
Vig jerked his chin at me. “Where’s Jump? I want my goddamn truck!”
“And Crank? He better be in one piece, man,” Creeper said.
“Vig…” said Grace.
Vig’s vicious eyes slid to hers. “I’m on my way to you, and I hear my truck’s gone missing. This all a set up from the start with you as the main event?”
Grace’s body stilled. A prickle shot down my spine.
Creeper scowled at her. “Where’s Butler? He came down to see you, bitch. What are you doing with Tonto?”
Grace shook her head and moved to my side. “He had to go fill his nose, and I just found him fucking some stripper. I’m over it.”
Vig threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, yeah? You keeping him entertained while you were getting me down here and my property was being jacked?”
The door to a VIP room blew open. Bear and Boner barreled down the stairs dragging a bloodied Butler between them. Jump strode behind them. Dancers and customers screeched, yelled and darted out of the way.
“What a joke,” Vig said. He grabbed Grace by the arm and pulled her close. She didn’t protest, and she didn’t look scared, either. In fact, she only looked annoyed.
“We agreed to do this outside,” she said to him through gritted teeth. “We’d be done by now.”
Before I could take another step Creeper got in my face, his hand on my chest. My eyes flared at him. “Nuh-uh,” he said.
“All bets are off now, bitch,” Vig’s voice was full of venom. “You fuck with me, I fuck with you.”
I’d heard enough.
I grabbed Creeper’s wrist and jerked it hard. He grunted and fell against me. My knee shot up and pummeled his chest. Grace let out a yelp. Scuffling and urgent yells zig zagged through us. Gunshots detonated. Butler stumbled out of Boner and Bear’s grip and tumbled down the stairs.
“Aw shit!” Boner took out his gun. I reached for mine, but a ripping burn gashed at my arm. I flinched, but didn’t let go of Creeper’s wrist. A knife plunged into me once more, the pain tore through my arm. I let go of Creeper and dropped to the floor clutching my bloody arm. Punches, cracks and curses exploded over me.
“No!” Grace shouted. “Vig—don’t hurt him!”
I twisted back. In an instant Dawes appeared out of nowhere and collapsed on the final stair behind me. He shuddered and choked out a groan. Blood dribbled from his side and down the stairs.
I swiveled around and was pushed forward. I slammed my leg into the head of the Demon Seed who hovered over me with the knife. My eyes shot up. Peg sneered at me. My leg jerked out again and landed in his chest sending him flying back with a wail. His bloodied knife dropped at my feet.
“Dawes! Goddammit—” Jump hollered as he pulled me back.
“Aw shit, we gotta call 911!” Boner said.
Bear’s hands wrapped around the bleeding gash on my arm and pressed in. “You okay?” he asked.
But all I could think of was Grace. Something was wrong, very wrong. My insides rattled and scraped against my skin. “Grace—?” I clawed at Bear’s jacket. “Where is she?” I pushed away from him and staggered forward.
“Grace!” My jagged voice boomed through
the empty club.
She was gone.
Vig and Creeper were gone too.
“Only one way this bitch is gonna give you what you want,” Creeper said. “I’ve had enough of this fucking bullshit!”
Creeper knocked me off his bike and kicked me to the ground.
This hallowed ground.
There was no marker, no sign that a thousand hopes and dreams had been destroyed at this bend on a small country road in the middle of nowhere. It was the same dirt-edged asphalt, rocks, dry, cold earth, tiny green shrubs breaking their way through to the surface. My personal ground zero. It was time for all the ghosts to rest and all of the living to live. Right here. Right now.
I lifted myself up on my hands. Tiny sharp rocks jabbed at my palms and knees. “Vig!” I shouted. “Call him off. This is between you and me.”
Creeper’s boot landed on my back. “Shut it, cunt!” My stomach rolled at the clang of his belt buckle and the slide of his zipper.
“Creeper, that ain’t the way right now,” Vig said. “That’s for later, if you’re a good boy. Now I need her. Afterwards, do want you want.”
“Fuck that!” Creeper said. He yanked my hips up. My limbs locked, my stomach hardened.
“Dig’s Old Lady deserves what she gets,” Creeper said. “Thought his shit didn’t stink.”
“Vig!” A cracked voice boomed.
It was my voice.
A wail ripped through the night air. Creeper went flying, blood splattered on my hands. Vig held back his bloodied palm.
Creeper writhed on the ground. “What the fuck? My nose! You broke my nose!”
“You don’t listen, asshole,” Vig said. “Now do as you’re fucking told.”
My eyes went to a shiny object on the road which gleamed just beyond Creeper’s right foot. It must have fallen out of his jeans when he went flying.
God gives you an opportunity, you take it.
I shot forward. My fingers wrapped around the gun, I released the safety, crunched up and took aim at Creeper’s thigh and squeezed.
Creeper howled and grabbed his leg. Blood seeped over his hands. I twisted up and turned the gun on Vig. He already had his gun aimed at me.
I tilted my head at Vig. “Insurance,” I said.