by K. D. Penn
The chorus slammed into me again and I quickly rose to swing around the pole once more.
“I can’t seeee—What will beee-come of me?”
The song came to an end soon after that with a few instrumental bars and low unintelligible growls from Epic. I finished up my first dance and as the music stopped I blinked into the bright lights and focused on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum for the first time since Chameleon’s song had started. Both of them were silently staring at me, mouths agape.
I swung my head back and forth between the two of them, waiting for some kind of instruction or comment.
“Ummm…” I cleared my throat. “Do you want me to do another song or—”
“You’re hired!” Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum said almost in perfect unison.
Pleased and yet surprised, I raised my eyebrows. “Okay.” I mean, I knew I was good, but I didn’t think that even I could win these two skeezes over with only one song.
Tweedle Dee hurried down from the DJ booth, his tight pants displaying just how much he had liked my dance. “We’re going to make you a star, baby. A star!”
I grinned. Having the distinction of being a top money-maker for guys like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum would keep them off my back for the time being. And that’s all I would need, because it wasn’t like I was sticking around for them to become emboldened enough to start propositioning me again.
I winked at Tweedle Dee, who was standing over by the bar looking a bit flustered as he tried to cover a wet spot on the front of his pants. “I’ll see you later, boys.” I waved and then turned to leave. Neither of them responded to me, but I heard the low murmurings of their voices as they no doubt discussed the money signs I had placed in their eyes.
My audition had taken less than twenty minutes, but I left the room with my head held high without any of my orifices having been violated.
Just before I pushed out the front door of the club, a large hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back into a rock-hard chest. “Careful, baby, there are cameras everywhere.”
The hand relaxed and I turned to look up into Epic’s pinched face.
“I was worried.”
“I can take care of myself.” Besides, Epic had definitely been there with me in spirit.
Epic’s nostrils flared and he ground his teeth together before relaxing. I knew he was having an internal struggle. Finally, he sighed. “I know. So did you get the job? You weren’t in there for very long.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t sound so happy about the prospect that I may not have been hired, because I was. My audition didn’t take long because I wasn’t going to give them any kind of sexual favors like they wanted.”
Epic’s eyes flashed red with his anger. He started to turn, but I snagged his hand. “Let it go. You can’t go around beating the shit out of everyone that propositions me, especially in a place like this.” I squeezed his hand and nodded to the door. “I know you only came early to watch out for me. Do you want to come with me for a bit before you actually have to work?”
Epic’s eyes flipped through an array of colors before finally settling back to normal. “What do you have in mind?”
“Probably exactly what you do.” I pushed through the door and ran at top speed for my aerial scooter, knowing that Epic wouldn’t be far behind. Sure enough, just as I was about to hop on my scooter, Epic’s arms wrapped around my middle and he swung me around while I tried to contain my laughter.
“Stop, the cameras,” I said breathily.
Epic set me down on the ground begrudgingly and I slipped onto my scooter triumphantly.
“Race you.” I turned the ignition and revved the engine.
“Nix, no! You’re going to get yourself killed!”
“Who wants to live forever?” I called over my shoulder as I sped off. I laughed into the wind, loving the way it felt rushing against my overheated skin.
“Nix, slow the fuck down!” Epic snarled as he pulled up beside me and grabbed my handle bar to force me.
I rolled my eyes but was secretly pleased that he cared. “You’re the one who bought the damn thing for me.”
“And I’m seriously regretting that decision right now.”
We paused at a stoplight.
“I bet I could change your mind.” I batted my eyelashes and bit my lower lip. I leaned forward so I could whisper in his ear. “I might have a problem. I think I’m an adrenaline junkie or something, because I’m seriously worked up right now.” I snaked my tongue out to run along the shell of his ear. “Now who can I get to help me out with my little issue? Surely not a stick in the mud like—”
Epic’s mouth came crashing down over mine, effectively stealing my words. His scent enveloped me with a sense of comfort and at the same time revved up my hormones even more. I rocked forward and cupped his hard length through his pants.
“Get a room!” someone yelled with annoyance, following their words with an angry honk.
Epic and I pulled away from each other and laughed. “We should probably take this somewhere else. For no other reason than someone from the club might see us, if they haven’t already.”
“Yeah. Even worse, we may kill ourselves on the aerial highway.” Epic pulled me back into him again.
“Epic—” I protested against his demanding lips.
Not until more horns began to honk did Epic finally disengage from our kiss.
“Come with me,” he growled while sliding me over to his scooter until I was in front of him. In seconds, he changed gear and sped off. My scooter hovered in the area where I’d left it. He’d purchased upgrades when he bought the bikes. The upgrades included automatic security locks that shifted on whenever the floor panels sensed the driver was gone. Lots of people fell from scooters these days and instead of others helping them, the people snatched the poor saps’ vehicles and fled.
My scooter should be safe from being stolen. People will just have to drive around it. Fuck them.
“Hold on, Nixie baby.”
There was barely enough room for his large frame, so I was pushed up flush against him. He tucked my head under his chin and sped off.
I’d been under the impression that he was either going to take me home to his bed, or maybe even stop into a shady hotel, but even that wasn’t fast enough for Epic’s liking. He abruptly pulled off into a dark alleyway and bent me over the front of the scooter. In no time flat, my bare ass was in the air and he was sliding into me from behind. There was no use in me protesting. My level of wetness would tell him I was up for exactly what he was giving me. His fingers bit into my hips as he moved my body along his rock-hard dick. I felt like a teenager again, trying to get it wherever and however I could with my boyfriend. Just then Epic’s palm slapped my ass and I moaned louder. None of my boyfriends ever worked me over this good.
“Nixie baby, fuck, you feel so good.”
My thighs began to shake and I gripped the front of the scooter for fear of falling off. I was about to lose control and Epic was already long gone. “Nix, I’m close, I want to feel you come all around me—please, baby.”
As if his words gave me permission, my orgasm ripped through my system and I screamed while I rocked back against him. I felt him climax mere moments later, accompanied with a strangled moan.
In the afterglow, while little aftershocks made my thighs quiver and Epic still held himself inside me—I wondered if maybe, possibly, Epic and I could make our relationship work and if I was falling for him. Am I? I wasn’t even sure if I’d know it if I was. Things were moving so fast between us—impossibly fast. It was either the biggest mistake of my life—bigger than Teddy—or the best thing to ever happen to me. I was praying it was the latter.
CHAPTER 17
Epic
Get your mind on the hit and off of Nix.
I rubbed my face. Her scent stuck to my finger
s. I had to force myself to not lick them or allow my mind to linger to the moment on the scooter. Fuck. She felt so good, so soft, and all mine. My dick throbbed with the thought that I’d be lying next to her again that night.
Concentrate.
I headed down the staircase. Red screens decorated the walls. Each held a pre-recorded image of a naked woman gyrating. I opened the door to the bottom level. Perfume mingled with smoke. I couldn’t figure out where the smoke was coming from—hash, tropic, or marijuana. Maybe cigarettes. People were reverting back to the old-time paper cigarettes stuffed with tobacco leaves instead of the electronic ones that heated the leaf with vapor. Music pounded, a hard-hitting guitar with a metaled bass.
Red light bathed the area. I was really starting to get tired of the color. It was all over this club and in the district. It was hard to see with so many shades of red. But what I knew for sure was that women crowded the room and wore almost nothing but sweat and their hustle. Cube disks stuck to some of the dancers’ breasts as if the guys sitting on the blood-red couches outlining the walls had slapped the money on those jiggling mounds. A DJ stood in the center inside a huge booth plastered with mirrors that reflected everything happening around him.
“Epic!” The blonde that Ain had brought over the night before ran up to me. A diamond bikini top strained to hold up her huge jugs. A diamond thong covered the area between her legs. She held an electronic cigarette between her fingers. Those candy-red lips widened into a huge smile. “Ain said you would start tonight. I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“Why?” I stepped around her and scanned the area. Nix either danced on this level or the ones above it. I hoped for the higher one, not wanting any trouble since things between us were going good. Besides, the plan for the evening was to check out the club, familiarize myself with the layout, as well as search for weak points and hidden exits. I had no time for whatever this chick desired.
I glanced up. Glass served as the ceiling. Men fucked women on top of it. It was an orgy fest up there. Palms of different sizes pressed against the see-through ceiling. Knees smeared the glass as they moved within their own rhythm. Breasts bobbed. Fog misted some areas. White liquid squirted near the spot I stared at. Nix better not be in that area. I formed my hands into tight fists.
“So how do you like it so far?” the blonde yelled into my ear.
“What girls work up there?” I pointed to the ceiling.
“The ones that Rodney owns.”
“Owns?”
She exposed the inner part of her wrist. Someone had embedded a barcode into her skin with digital ink. It gleamed in the red light. Earth had outlawed this form of slavery last year. Removing barcodes was big business.
“Trinity hasn’t banned the slave trade here?”
“Nope.” She placed her hand on my chest. “You’re huge. I’m Ice, by the way.”
“How many years do you owe?” I moved her hand away.
“Too many.”
I directed my attention back to the ceiling showing the group sex. “So only slaves are up there?”
“Yes. Why? Are you thinking about buying one tonight? It’s expensive and to even enter that level is half the mortgage on your average house.”
“No.” I forced myself not to curse as she returned her hands to my chest and slid them over the curves of my pecs. “I’m wondering if my cousin was placed up there.”
“The new girl with the bird tattoo on her back?”
I nodded.
“No. She’s over there.” Ice gestured to my left. I zoomed my eyes into the area, shifted the light setting to bright, and spotted Nix instantly. Nix’s gaze had already been focused on mine as she danced for the couple in front of her. A frown expanded across Nix’s face when she looked at Ice’s hands now fondling my abs. I shoved them away. Nix shifted her focus to the customers. The guy and girl pair appeared like the typical couple that would come to a club—fat, old-looking guy, sexy young lady. The guy stuffed a cube into the pocket garter on her thighs. His girlfriend giggled, raised her hands, and teased Nix’s rosy-pink nipples. My dick jerked within my pants as Nix climbed on top of the girl and began to rock into her.
“Just your cousin, huh?” Ice laughed.
“Yes. Just my cousin.” I battled with not licking my lips while the girl grabbed on to Nix’s ass and squeezed.
“Well, at least that’s what we want Rodney to think, right?”
I snapped my attention to Ice. “It’s not what I want him to think. It’s simply a fact.”
She leaned into me, so that her sugar-scented perfume enfolded around me. Her lips brushed against my ear. “Ain isn’t good at keeping secrets. Once his dick pushed into my mouth, he told me everything.”
“Everything?” I feigned a bored expression, but inside fear swelled in my chest. What the fuck did you say, Ain? I’m going to beat the shit out of you.
“He told me that you all are planning a robbery here. The more I sucked, the more he said.” Ice bit my earlobe. I tensed, mainly because I didn’t want her touching me, but also because Nix’s head turned my way and witnessed the nibble. Anger flickered in her eyes and she made no attempt to blink it away. Ice licked the side of my neck. “Ain promised me my freedom too.”
“Back up.” I shook her off me. “What do you mean ‘your freedom’?”
“There’s a safe near the exit that you all should escape from. Ain and I worked this change in the plan last night. While you are holding the place up, one of you, maybe your brother Shade or what-was-his-name—Toy, I think. Maybe one of them can go into the safe and cancel out all of the slave contracts.”
I scanned the area with my eyes. The music was loud. People focused on either getting money or being turned on, but still, I was uneasy about discussing this. “Is there somewhere private we can talk, a place without cameras?”
“All the way in the back of this level is an old changing area that isn’t used anymore.”
“Let’s go.” I motioned for her to show me the way.
She landed a peck on my cheek and sashayed off. Nix’s gaze remained on me as we left and I hated that I couldn’t explain. This chick Ice was dangerous. I had to get control of her. How, I didn’t know, but something needed to be done. There was no way she was joining our group. I didn’t trust her. I doubt Shade or Toy would be pleased, and with the way Nix scowled at Ice as I walked behind her, I didn’t think Nix would support the idea either. I’ll have to pay her off to keep her mouth closed and probably promise to take away Rodney’s claim of her. After that, I planned to stomp Ain’s dick into his center.
We arrived at a black door in no time at all. No bouncers lingered around. Ice opened the door for me and we slipped in undetected, at least I prayed no one saw. The music sounded faint from inside the closed room.
“I don’t want any money just to be released from my barcode.” Ice pushed a button. A white light came on above us. The room was huge. A few vanity tables were pushed up against each other on the side of the room. Racks of dresses rested on the other walls. Brown dust stuck to the pink carpet. Ice opened the front of her bikini top, snatched it off, and flung it my way. The diamonds clanked against each other when they fell to the carpet.
“And what do you want now?” I dug my hands into my pockets.
“I’d like to find out why they call you Epic.” She stepped forward, tweaking her nipples with her fingers.
“It’s short for my first name. Mystery solved.” I leaned back on the wall, knowing where this was going. Ice had Ain wrapped around her little finger just by sucking his dick. She must have figured I was equally easy, maybe assumed she would spread those legs and I would do anything she asked. I let my view travel down her body. Ice’s nipples perked up at the attention. Her body boasted decent-sized hips and a reasonably sexy pair of legs. Too bad Nix had destroyed me for any other woman. I doubted any other wo
man but Nix would be enough.
“Put your top back on. I’m not interested.”
“’Cause of your fake cousin?” She wiggled her shoulders. Those breasts jiggled with the movement.
“Yes. My cousin is quite a woman. No other could do.”
A muscle in her jaw twitched. “Why not have us both? I can keep a secret.”
“I don’t need another.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Definitely.”
She pinched both of her nipples. A deep moan escaped her parted lips. “I bet you have a huge cock.”
My dick hardened with a hint of interest. “Let’s get down to business before I start to get mad.”
She rolled her eyes. “I want my freedom.”
“Okay. I want you out of this hit. I’ll get you released and you leave the planet without a word about this hit. How do I get into the safe?”
“I have the code. All you have to do is—”
Nix burst through the door and slammed it behind her. One gun lay in each hand. One pointed at the center of my forehead. The other targeted Ice between her bare breasts. My dick went limp. My breath lodged in my throat. The only sounds that could be heard were the diamonds on Ice’s thong clinking against each other as she shivered in fear and the erratic thumping of my heart as I tried to figure out a way to stay alive long enough to explain to Nix why we were in there.
Nix pressed both buttons on the butt of the guns with her thumbs, triggering the siphons to charge and prepare to be fired. “This is quite disappointing. And I have a tendency to get an itchy trigger finger when I’m disappointed. Care to explain, Epic baaaby?”
CHAPTER 18
Phoenix
I ground my teeth together and tried to resist the very real urge to pull the triggers on both guns. I couldn’t decide who deserved my anger more—Epic or the dumb slut who seemed determined to get underneath him.