“You look so pretty,” Natasha told her as they began walking towards the building. “Did you have your makeup done?”
“Girl, yeah. It’s gonna be a lot of money in the house tonight. Shit, we all can’t be as naturally pretty as you,” Tammy said, chuckling.
“Girl, please.” Natasha dismissed.
Natasha followed Tammy up the walkway, leading to an old Chicago mansion. She was amazed that a place so beautiful could house such dirty things. She found herself nervous as they walked up the steps. Tammy began to bang on the door. It was a wonder that anyone could hear anything over the loud rap music that was
blaring inside, but someone must have because the door flew open. The same gigantic man with the locs in his hair, from Natasha’s first lockdown, stood on the other side of the door. Recognizing them both, he stepped to the side and allowed them entry. They walked into the house and even though they were early, it was already filled with people. The men were ghetto chic in colorful, oversized, and flamboyant suits. And the women were stripper chic in... nothing. Looking at the naked women roaming the house, Natasha was grateful for her fishnet boy shorts and shelf bra.
Tammy asked the big man, “Where do we go?”
“Second floor, fifth door on your right,” he grunted, pointing to the stairs.
Tammy led Natasha up the stairs. She stared over the banister and spotted Deon. He was pimped out in a cream three piece suit. He was dropping cash on one of the dancers, as she bounced up and down on his lap. He was blending in perfectly. Natasha could only imagine how much of the city’s money that it took for Deon to buy his way into this exclusive party. Not that she cared, she was just happy to have back up.
Natasha and Tammy made their way up the stairs and into the room designated for the dancers. There had to be at least eight bedrooms in the massive house, and they only allotted one room for twenty women.
As they entered the room, Tammy asked, “Did you bring it?”
Natasha nodded and pulled a bottle of 1800 out of her bag.
By the time they were dressed and nicely liquored up, they decided to head downstairs. Tammy led the way in a silver thong, with matching pasties. She was so incredibly comfortable walking around naked. Natasha once asked her how she did it. She responded by telling Natasha that she would do anything for her son. Tammy was a loving mother who doted on her child. Whenever they talked on the phone, she would constantly gush about her little boy.
Now that Natasha was in the door, she had made a decision. She was going to spare Tammy. She knew that she couldn’t warn her verbally, because her entire team would hear her over the microphone that was hidden in her earring. So, as they were getting dress, Natasha decided to write her a note. She intended to hand it to Tammy right before the takedown.
They landed on the first floor, and Tammy went to work the crowd. Natasha went in search of Deon. When she spotted him across the room, she maneuvered her way through the crowd to get to him. But she didn’t get far before someone grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her in the other direction. She could only see the back of his head as he dragged her through the crowd. He pulled her into a corner and turned to face her. Natasha looked into the face of the man that was manhandling her. She gasped for breath and instantly reverted back to that terrified eighteen-year-old girl, as she stared into the hateful eyes of the man that took away a chance Natasha had of having a family of her own... Kevin Bailey.
CHAPTER 30
NATASHA
“I knew you’d end up shake’n that ass and turning tricks for a living.”
Natasha prayed that she was hallucinating. She hadn’t seen Kevin since he beat her unconscious.
He asked, “How you like my shit?”
As he boasted, Natasha noticed how Kevin hadn’t changed much. Still tall and muscular with a smooth dark complexion, hazel eyes, he was smiling, displaying perfect white teeth.
Surprised, she asked, “This is your party?”
“Yeah. I told you that I was headed for bigger and better things then Altgeld Gardens.”
“And this...,” Natasha gestured toward the room, built for the degradation of Women. “...is your version of bigger and better things?”
Kevin forcefully grabbed the back of Natasha’s neck.
“Hell yeah. I make more money from pimping these bitches than I ever did when we were together.”
For Natasha, he’d just confirmed that he was the monster that Natasha remembered. “Well, good for you,” she mumbled sarcastically.
She tried to turn away, but he tightened his grip on her neck. Natasha looked past Kevin to see Deon moving quickly through the crowd. She held her hand up to stop him from moving in. In order to charge Kevin with something that would stick, they needed more than his boastful admittance. Deon stood down but remained close.
“Still fine as hell, girl, and that ass done got plump.” He growled in her ear and palmed her ass. “You miss me?”
“Not even a little bit,” she hissed.
His hold on her neck was at the point of painful. Natasha wanted to attack, but she needed to stay in character.
“Hey, I did time because of you! I suggest you be a little nicer to me.”
“No. You did time because you were a lowlife crack dealer,” she corrected.
“And you’re a cheap ass prostitute.”
“No. I just dance.”
“Not tonight,” he said, releasing her neck, but grabbing her wrist.
He walked Natasha through the crowd, until he got to the big security guy. She listened as Kevin told his security to collect the money from the men and take the girls into a room. As soon as Deon put money into security guy’s hand, the deal would be down. Natasha would signal for reinforcements. She scanned the crowded room for Tammy. She found her in the corner of the room, giving some fat sweaty dude a lap dance.
With Kevin talking to security, Natasha tried to get Tammy’s attention. When Tammy finally made eye contact, Natasha waved frantically. A look of worry crossed Tammy’s face. She whispered something in the fat guy’s ear and quickly made her way over to Natasha.
Looking from Natasha to Kevin, she asked, “You okay?”
Kevin was too busy conducting business to even notice Tammy. Natasha fished the note from her bra and slipped into Tammy’s hand. Tammy’s brows furrowed in confusion.
“Read,” Natasha mouthed.
Tammy turned her back to Natasha and read the note. Natasha prayed that she was doing the right thing. Tammy could very well turn around and blow her cover.
When she turned back, Natasha attempted to gauge her reaction. Tammy only smiled, kissed Natasha on the lips, and walked away. Natasha watched as Tammy weaved through the crowd and casually walked up the stairs. Once Tammy was no longer in view, Natasha attempted to pull away from Kevin, but he yanked her closer. He narrowed his eyes, giving her a look of warning.
“Look, Kevin! I came here to get paid, not to be glued to you all night!”
“That’s too damn bad. I did two years in prison because of you, and I’mma take the two years that I lost out on your pussy.”
Natasha recoiled at his threat. She was having a hard time keeping her anger in check. She took a deep breath, did a quick whoosah, and searched for Deon. When she spotted him, he was handing money to a tall white man with tattoos that covered his entire face. He looked up at Natasha and nodded. The deal was done, but she didn’t want to call it until Tammy was safely out of the house. So she stalled.
She turned to Kevin once again, attempting to get more information out of him. “So this is what you do? Your great career move? All of these men pay you to fuck these girls?”
“Yeah. Pretty much,” he proudly admitted.
She thought, Fucking piece of shit!
“But what happens when they don’t wanna fuck? Like me, I just dance. I’m not a prostitute.”
“You walked yo’ ass in here, so you gone do what I tell you to do. Or you ain’t walking out.”
He had just convicted himself. Natasha looked up at the stairs, and thankfully Tammy was fully dressed and on her way down. She walked to the door, and after a brief conversation with the bouncer, he opened the door for her. Once Tammy was outside, Natasha called it.
“Lucky.”
“Yeah, I’m lucky,” Kevin stupidly chuckled.
Natasha snickered, thinking, Well, let’s just see how long you’re luck lasts. Asshole!
*******************
Four hours after an obscene amount of paperwork, an exhausted Natasha was quietly entering her condo. She dropped her bag on the floor and walked down the hall, to her bedroom. She crept into the bathroom, trying not to wake Gianni.
After a quick shower, Natasha tip–toed into the bedroom. She tossed her towel on a chair and slipped into bed. As soon as Natasha thought that she had successfully snuck into bed, Gianni pulled her against him. He placed her, in what Natasha assumed was his favorite sleeping position; her ass tucked snuggly against his dick.
“It’s four in the morning,” he moaned.
Natasha sensed his disappointment. “I know. I’m sorry. I had to work late.”
“I don’t like your job.”
“I know.”
“I have to fly to Paris in a few hours, but I’ll only be gone for the weekend. Maybe you can come with me?”
“I can’t. Victoria is throwing Tracy a surprise party for her birthday Saturday. I promised to help.”
“I see. Well, when I get back, we’re going to have a talk about your job.”
Natasha didn’t respond. She was too tired to get into a debate with him. Besides, if Gianni was going to be gone the whole weekend, she wasn’t about to let his hard–on go to waste. She rolled over and pushed his back to the bed. She climbed on top and ground her pussy into his erection.
“Okay. We’ll talk when you get back. But right now…” She interrupted her words with a seductive moan. “… I want to taste you.”
CHAPTER 31
VICTORIA
Tracy slammed the car door hard enough to make Victoria jump.
“Jeez! You’re in a mood,” Victoria huffed.
“I’m sorry. I just can’t believe that Steve forgot my birthday.”
“Your birthday ain’t over yet, and I am trying to make sure that you have a good time. Now, I fed you and took you to see X–Men. I’m a good friend, so show me some love.”
“Okay. You’re right. I’m sorry.” Then, with a fake smile, Tracy asked, “Where are we going now?”
“My house. We’re gonna get drunk.”
“Good. Let’s go,” Tracy grumbled.
She was pouting like a big baby. Victoria was tempted to laugh at her friend, but she just shook her head and started the car. She sent Natasha a text, letting her know that they were on their way. Victoria pulled out of the parking lot and set off for home. Since Tracy was still in a shitty mood, the twenty minute drive to her house was quiet.
Once arriving at Victoria’s home, Tracy got out the car and walked, sullenly, to the front door. Victoria unlocked the door and, she and Tracy entered the dark foyer. Suddenly, the lights were activated, and a room filled with Tracy’s friends and family were screaming, “Surprise!”
Tracy startled and jumped behind Victoria. The room erupted in laughter as Tracy peeked around Victoria’s shoulder. Realization came over Tracy, and she began to laugh along. She playfully slapped Victoria on the shoulder and ran directly into the arms of her mother and father. Steve had flown them in from
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Tracy happily greeted her guests, all the while scanning the room for Steve. The room became quiet as the guests began to move, making a path. Tracy became quiet as well, obviously confused and eager to see what was going to happen next. Through the path, Steve emerged. Victoria carefully watched her friend, noticing the pure joy in Tracy’s expression. She also noticed the way that Steve looked at Tracy. It was familiar. It was the same way that Jack looked at her. It was love.
As Steve approached Tracy, he didn’t look like the “take no shit, kick ass soldier.” He looked like a man in love. And when he dropped to one knee and held a ring box out to Tracy, Victoria, along with the other guests, gasped sharply.
“Tracy, I love you more than life. You have made me whole, and I need you to survive. You’ve tamed the beast within and given me peace. I want to have a life with you by my side. I need you to be my wife. Marry me?”
Steve’s speech provoked tears from every woman in the room, including Tracy. She dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around Steve’s neck. He held her close as she sobbed uncontrollably. After a few seconds, he slowly pulled away.
“Um, Tracy... You haven’t given me an answer,” Steve said, causing the on-lookers to burst into laughter.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Tracy repeated frantically. “I love you. Yes.”
Steve smiled, and they embraced one last time before he pulled the ring out of the box and placed it on Tracy’s finger. They kissed passionately. The guests began to clap and cheer as Steve stood, pulling Tracy up with him.
Watching, normally quiet Steve pour his heart out in front of a room full of people amazed Victoria. There were people at work that had never even heard his voice before. Steve was far from a social butterfly. She was proud and happy for him. He was like a brother to Victoria, and Tracy a sister. They were perfect for each other.
Steve’s proposal made Victoria look back to the day Jack proposed to her. It wasn’t an elaborate affair. He just walked up to her and said, “We need to get married.” She laughed, reminiscing about how he just kind of instructed her to marry him. As she clung to his arm that was wrapped tightly around her, she realized that Jack was, no doubt, a force.
“A honeymoon,” Jack’s voiced interrupted her memories.
“What’s that, baby?”
“We didn’t go on a honeymoon. I’m going to start planning.”
“Jack, I just started at Storm Enterprises and we have a new baby. We can’t go on a honeymoon right now.”
“Don’t worry about work. There will always be work. And we can take the baby with us. We’ll just bring Emma along.”
“Okay.” Victoria smiled, amazed at how Jack always got his way.
NATASHA
Natasha sat on the patio with Emily and Amy. They were gushing over Steve’s romantic proposal. She took a sip from her glass of wine, wondering what they would think of her if they knew that she practically begged Gianni to marry her. And that he actually said yes.
Natasha had to admit that no matter how crazy the idea of her “The Hangover” like nuptials were, she was enjoying the perks of being married to Gianni. He was bossy, but sweet and thoughtful. Gianni would have the best meals ready for her when she got home. And if she got off late, he always waited up for Natasha. Not to mention the earth shattering sex. Natasha smiled, thinking of her week as Mrs. Gianni Storm. She was missing him.
“You thinking about Gianni?” Amy asked, bumping Natasha’s shoulder.
“Yes.”
Amy’s eyes widened, shocked by Natasha’s admittance. “Thought you hated Gianni?”
“I disliked Gianni,” she corrected. “That is, until you set me up,” she added with narrowed eyes.
Amy shrugged. “I’m sorry. He blackmailed me.”
“What’s he got on you?”
“Something that’s none of his business,” she mumbled.
Natasha studied Amy closely. She didn’t seem like the type to allow someone to blackmail her. And, Natasha wished that she could say that she was surprised that Gianni would blackmail his own cousin, but she wasn’t.
“Amy, the best way to stop someone from blackmailing you is to come clean yourself.”
“Not ready.”
“Okay. If there’s anything that I can do to help, let me know.”
Amy nodded and knocked back the rest of her wine.
“Thanks,” Amy said while staring across the patio.
Natasha
followed Amy’s line of site. Her gaze was intent on her friend Mia.
Ah ha, Natasha thought to herself.
She believed that she had just discovered what Gianni had on her.
“Amy.”
Amy answered without, averting her gaze, “What’s up?”
“Gianni and I are married,” Natasha confessed quietly.
Amy’s head whipped around and her mouth dropped open. Apparently, this information was juicy enough for Amy to take her eyes off of her target.
“What?!”
“Yep. We got married in Vegas last week. We were... Well, I was really, really drunk.”
With a gaped mouth, Amy shouted, “Get out!”
“Shh!”
She whispered, “Oh, sorry.”
“Well, I asked him to hold off on telling anyone. He agreed, but he did say that Catarina would kill him if she found out from someone else. I have a feeling that he would do anything to keep from disappointing his mother.”
Amy began to, diabolically, rub her hands together.
“I don’t want this to get out until I’m ready. So, please keep it to yourself. I just wanted to give you some ammo against Gianni. Do you understand?” Then Natasha narrowed her eyes and waited for acknowledgement from Amy.
“Yes, I understand. Thank you,” she responded, giving Natasha a big hug.
“You’re welcome. So how long you and Mia been together?”
Amy released her and stepped back. “What the hell?! Do I have ‘I’m a lesbo’ written on my forehead?!”
“No. I just know that look.” Natasha chuckled. “You need to come out of the closet.”
Amy sighed. “In due time.”
Natasha didn’t push. After all, she wasn’t breaking her neck to tell her secret either.
“I’ll be back,” Amy told her.
She must’ve been tired of watching Mia from a distance. She sat her glass down and walked across the patio. Natasha noticed how pretty they both were and smiled. Because of Malik and Harper, she wasn’t new to same- sex relationships.
Beautiful Prey 2: The Storm Series (BWWM Romance) Page 19