by Carina Adams
“Yeah? You just happen to carry medicine around in your purse?”
“When you see her drink, you’ll understand.” Livie chuckled humorlessly. “Cady doesn’t work here,” she clarified. “I asked her to meet us.”
Normally I could hide my emotions well, a requirement for every member of families like mine because one never knew what kind of question a reporter would toss out. Yet, Liv’s statement completely threw me. “Why?”
Livie ignored my rude scoff and grinned like the Cheshire cat as her arm tightened around Cady’s shoulders and she ignored the other woman’s clear discomfort. “Cady’s the new niche you’ve been looking for.”
My empty fist dropped to my thigh as her words sunk in and I stared at Cady, seeing her for the first time. Dull copper-brown hair hung limply over her shoulders, some of it standing almost straight up as if she’d just rubbed her head with a balloon. Her round face held average features, no hint of the beauty my employees usually possessed. Dressed in a baggy man’s t-shirt and a pair of jeans that fit her all wrong, her clothes concealed most of her body. Yet it didn’t look like there was much to work with.
The most glaring problem with this scenario, however, was Cady’s demure behavior. She squirmed under my gaze, uncomfortable with my inspection, and refused to meet my eyes. This was not a woman comfortable in her own skin, let alone someone who would walk into a room and command the unwavering attention of fifteen men, never mind fifty. I'd been looking for a new act, but I didn’t want someone afraid of her own shadow. I needed someone with self-confidence who would giggle and flirt and break hearts with the bat of an eye.
Livie had to be out of her goddamn mind. Or it was one hell of a sick joke. I met her stare and realized this was payback. She was fucking with me.
“Reid put you up to this?”
Liv frowned, feigning ignorance. “What? No!” She glanced at Cady out of the corner of her eye as shame crept into her cheeks. Livie had always been a horrible liar. It’s what had screwed us over.
I disregarded the pounding ache in my temples and threw my head back and laughed. It was funny shit. I didn’t know what amused me more; the fact she’d thought I’d buy this crap, or the idea she’d believed she could pull it off.
She’d never do it alone. Livie was too nice. She never wanted to hurt anyone’s feelings, no matter what they’d done to her. “I’m being Punk’d, right?” I sat up, eyes scanning the café, waiting for one of my friends to jump out with a camera. “Fuck. You got me. Good job. You can come out now.”
People stopped their conversations and turned toward us, trying to see what the commotion was all about, and the entire restaurant seemed to quiet. Yet no one stepped out from their super-secret hiding spot.
I turned my attention back to Liv. Her eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared slightly, the only sign she'd reached her breaking point. “Nope. No prank.” The sing-song way she replied told me I was in trouble. “Just one friend helping another out.”
Before my mind found an appropriate response, Liv gave Cady a quick squeeze. “Will you grab me a drink?”
Cady gave a tight nod and hurried away, as desperate to flee from the conversation as I was.
Liv swung her hand backward through the air and smacked my arm. “What in the hell is wrong with you?”
“I hope that poor thing is some random girl you met on the street or she’s never going to forgive you.” I smirked as a new idea dawned. “Is she part of this? An actress from your group at school?”
Liv pulled out the chair next to me and dropped into it, leaning in too close for comfort as she braced a hand on my upper thigh near my own. “That girl,” she ground out the word, irritation clear, “is Acadia Knowlton.”
She said it as if I should recognize the name. It didn’t mean shit to me. I shrugged as I lifted the fizzy water to my lips.
Livie gave a little growl that was entirely hilarious coming from her. “Did you ever listen to me when I talked?” She snapped as her fingers dug into my flesh. “She’s Frankie’s best friend.”
A wave of shame washed over me at the mention of her girlfriend. Frankie hated me. Not that I blamed her. If some asshole had paid Brooke to take her clothes off in front of a bunch of horny drunks, I’d hate the son-of-a-bitch, too.
Although it was just the tip of the iceberg and we all knew it.
The reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks and my stomach tried to rebel the nasty liquid. “You were serious?”
“As a heart attack.”
Fuck.
“You’re looking for a new, niche act. She needs a job. It’s a win-win. Plus, you owe me.” Liv sat back, crossing her legs and settling into her chair, glaring. “I can’t believe you’re drinking again.”
“At least I’m not stoned,” I growled. “Leave it.”
“It’s a step in the right direction, but you need to stay busy. Start working again.”
I never had time off. A company the size of mine didn’t run itself. But that wasn’t what she meant. “It won’t work Liv. She doesn’t have what it takes and she sure as shit isn’t what I need.”
“You don’t know her,” Livie argued, fire in her eyes. “I wouldn’t have brought her to you if I didn’t think she was perfect.”
Over Livie’s shoulder I saw Cady move away from the counter, coffee in hand, and head back toward us slowly, as if afraid she’d spill the hot liquid. She wasn’t graceful. She didn’t have the fluid movements the rest of my entertainers all shared. She was awkward and clumsy.
“I don’t have time to train,” I paused, looking for the right word as I waved a hand in Cady’s direction, “all that.”
“You won’t have to. I will.”
“China’s never going to let you have a shadow. Especially one of my girls.” The words were like ash in my mouth.
China Dahl was more than my biggest competitor in the private party industry; he’d once been my boss. And at one point, my friend. Now I hated the asshole more than I’d ever imagined possible. Bitterness that Livie had left me to go back to him filled me.
“You think I’d allow her to get anywhere near China?” Livie shook her head angrily. “He’d eat her alive.” Her lips twisted in a disgust. “Let me take her to the studio.”
“He didn’t make you sign a non-compete?” I already knew he had. China was a paranoid prick, yeah, but even I had all my dancers agree in writing that they wouldn’t work for the competition.
“He did. But, it only covers a hundred-mile radius from his office. Anything else is fair game. We’re a hundred and thirty-six point six. What I do on my off time is none of his damn business.”
“Nothing about you should be any of his fucking business.”
The pained sound that came from her was like a kick in the nuts. “And you shouldn’t look homeless and smell like you bathed in whiskey, but here we are.” She winced, appalled at the insults she’d hurled. “I don’t want to fight. Please, Roman.”
I didn’t know if she was begging me to stop talking about her boss, the situation, or asking me to hire her friend. It didn’t matter. She was right. I owed her.
I didn’t say more because Cady had reached us. She gave Liv the coffee and I stared at her until she looked back.
“Sit.” I kicked the leg of the chair next to me and she obeyed. “Liv says you want a job.” It wasn’t a question. “You know what we do?” Cady’s chin bobbed. I lowered my voice, making sure no one around us heard what I said. “This isn’t easy work. You don’t just swing your hips and pull off your clothes.”
Cady’s eyes narrowed and her forehead wrinkled before she turned her attention from me to Liv, giving the other woman a look that clearly said she thought I was an idiot.
“You learn a routine, sometimes alone, sometimes with other entertainers. You practice until your toes bleed and your muscles ache. You work with my designer to create a costume that fits not just your style, but your songs. You tell your audience a story as you dance,
one you’ve weaved, one with its roots in seduction. You’re not selling a bunch of middle-aged lonely men a cheap fantasy. You have to keep every man in that room so entertained he never looks away, make every single one of them fall in love with you, one move at a time.”
“I can do that.”
Her body language told a different tale and I was almost positive she’d never be able to do any of it. I glanced at Liv, who widened her eyes as if to urge me to keep going.
“All of my employees have a signature song. One they become known for. It’s not the only song they use, but it’s theirs alone. If I hire you, what would yours be?”
Cady frowned at me but held my gaze.
“You can only pick one.” I'd be able to tell a lot about her by her music choices. As could the customers who hired my company. There was a wrong answer, and if she gave it, we were done. “Let me guess,” I mocked when she didn’t reply, “‘Pony’?” She cocked an eyebrow, the only indication my shitty tone had worn on her. “‘Closer’?” Still nothing. I nodded and leaned back. “Yeah, that’s it, isn’t it?”
I was about to tell Liv I was sorry, that this ridiculous idea would never work, when Cady’s eyes lit up fiercely, a smile tugged at her lips, and her entire face transformed. It was like watching another woman emerge from the shell she’d been hiding in. She pushed her shoulders back and leaned as close to me as she could.
“‘Tainted Love’.”
I was disappointed. The early eighties pop song wasn’t wouldn’t work in any of my shows. Then she continued.
“Manson’s version. It has a beat you feel in your soul, one that begs you to move in sinful ways. When I’m dancing to it, there isn’t anything I can’t do. I’m the sexiest woman alive. Plus, the lyrics are fantastic. Burlesque is about finding the humor in every situation, yet also empowering yourself, right? “Tainted Love” is perfect.”
Thick silence hung between us as she looked at me expectantly. I couldn’t look away. The lyrics played in my head and could almost see the routine. It could work. Maybe.
Liv guffawed beside me. “Damn it! I wish I’d picked that one.” She knew, without a shadow of doubt, that I was going to say yes. “I chose Queen.”
Cady pulled her eyes away from me, her attention focused on the other woman at our table. My gaze never strayed from her though. Little laugh lines appeared next to her eyes as she smirked. “‘Somebody to Love’?”
“Shit. No. “We Will Rock You”. But, that would have worked, too.”
Not caring it interrupted their banter, I leaned forward. Cady glanced at me, worry on her face. “I have a show Saturday night and need another body. You want it?”
Her dark-chocolate eyes grew wide, and she looked at Liv before she nodded vigorously. “Yes. Absolutely!”
I turned back to Livie. “You have a week to get her ready. Your code still works. You should probably start today.” I pushed myself out of the chair and left before I said anything else I’d regret.
Four
Cady
“Wait. What just happened? What code?” There was a tremor in my voice and I didn't know if it was from nerves or excitement.
Across the table Livie grinned like a fool. “We’ve got so much work to do.” She stood and motioned for me to follow her out of the cafe. “We can ride together and I’ll bring you back to your car after.” She glanced at my clothes as we hit the sidewalk. “Actually, we need to go back to your place first. I’ll meet you there.”
“Why?”
Before she answered my question, or offer any more insight, she jogged away.
“Livie!” I hollered, but she didn’t turn.
As I drove home, anxiety twisted my stomach into knots. I was in shock Roman had actually hired me. More than that, I had no idea what I’d signed up for.
Sure, I had a general idea. Frankie had lectured me about the work and how much dedication it would require. I’d googled burlesque dancers and been blown away by some of their routines.
I only knew the basics. Liv had promised I’d have answers after meeting with Roman. The man hadn’t said twenty words to me though, and most of those were to test me.
When I walked into my bedroom fifteen minutes later, I found Livie digging through my drawers. “What are you looking for?”
“Something acceptable for you to wear to the studio.”
“Studio?” She didn’t answer and I didn’t push. When Liv got on a mission, it was best to stay out of her way.
“How do you not have any workout gear?”
I almost snorted. It was a simple answer. I didn’t work out.
“Not even a pair of stretchy shorts?” She demanded as she turned to face me, hands propped on thin hips. “What about the ones you sleep in?”
I shook my head. “I have a pair of leggings somewhere I think. But, they’re dressy.” I chuckled lightly at the absurd statement. “I wear them under skirts in the winter.”
For a moment, Liv was distracted, her face showed surprise. “I’ve never seen you wear a skirt.”
“Really?” I waved my hand toward my closet. “I have a bunch.”
She lunged across the room and yanked the door open, practically burying herself inside the small space. There was a rustle of hangers and clothes as she searched frantically. “There are some really cute things in here! You should wear them more often.”
I had no idea what she considered cute. The only things I owned were old work clothes and coordinating outfits for interviews. Practically nothing I would actually wear without being forced.
“A-ha!” A pair of black leggings landed on the floor in front of me. “Put those on.”
“Under what?” I picked up the flimsy fabric, eyeing it suspiciously.
“Your shirt will work fine until we get you more gear.” Livie shut my closet door, ignoring the fact I hadn’t moved. “I’ll go change and meet you in five minutes. Chop, chop. We’re already late.”
“Late for what?” The door shut before she answered.
I swapped my jeans for the lightweight cotton that clung to every dimple on my thighs, making me even more self-conscious than normal. My tee shirt hung just low enough to cover my butt, but didn’t do a thing to hide anything else. I was tugging on the hem when Liv found me in the kitchen.
“Stop.” She demanded, batting at my hand. “You look fine.”
Easy for her to say. Dressed in a matching pair of leggings, and a loose tank, she looked like she was ready to be photographed for the cover of Fitness magazine. She smiled sweetly. “Ready?”
No. Not at all.
“Yep,” I lied. “Where are we’re going?”
“The studio.” She grinned over her shoulder as we bounced down the stairs. “We only have a few days to get you ready, so I think it’s safe to say we’re going to be spending the majority of our time there this week.”
“It’s here in town?” I pulled open the door and slid into the passenger seat of her Jeep.
She nodded as she started the car and backed out. She didn’t speak until we were on the road. “Water Street.”
I did a double-take, positive I’d misheard her. It was the only explanation. Water Street was the hub of government activity on one end and the home of multi-million-dollar high-rises on the other. In between the two, swanky boutiques catered to those who either worked or lived on the street. A dance studio didn't belong there.
She snuck a glance at me when we stopped at a red light. “It’s perfect. You’ll see.”
I let out a long, uneven breath as I rubbed my sweaty palms on my thighs. The entire day seemed like a dream, none of it real. It was still hard to believe the slightly inebriated Cady had agreed to follow through with this plan, even though sober me didn’t exactly hate it. I would've over thought it and turned Liv down if I hadn’t had alcohol in my system. Or, if I hadn’t been so desperate.
I needed this job and the money Livie swore it would provide. I’d do whatever it took to make it work. If I'd been able stand ac
ross from the intense presence that was my new boss and not run away when he turned his haunting arctic blues on me, I’d be able to handle anything else thrown my way.
Liv had told me he was intimidating on the outside, a giant gooey marshmallow inside, but I hadn’t prepared myself well enough. I definitely hadn’t seen any of the softness she’d described. That man was both bark and bite.
I’d clearly lost my mind when I agreed to work for him.
“Hey,” Liv reached over and covered one of my hands with hers. “There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
I nodded and tried to listen to her. It didn’t calm the butterflies though.
“Violet and Peach are going to meet us there. Every dancer in Roman’s company has a buddy, so you’ll rarely go to parties alone. It’s someone you train, choreograph, and perform with. Violet used to be mine.”
“Used to? Does that mean we’ll be partners?” For the first time since I’d left the diner, I had hope everything would be okay.
Liv pulled her hand back to the wheel and avoided my gaze. “I don’t work for Rome any more.”
The statement should have surprised me, yet it didn’t. Something had seemed off between them earlier. It might have been the way he’d checked her over, as if he hadn’t seen her in a while and wanted to make sure she was okay. Or it might have been the words he’d chosen when he told her that her code still worked. I hadn’t been able to put my finger on it right then, but it made sense now.
“I feel like I’m about to walk into the lion’s den and I’m not just completely unprepared, I’m the damn steak you’re serving up on a platter.” She opened her mouth, ready to interject, but I continued. “Where do you work now? And if Roman is such a great boss, why’d you leave?”
“Roman’s great. Really.” She twisted her lips as if there was more to it. “A few months ago, things got crazy here so I moved to another company. Belle Reve.”
“Belle Reve?” I snorted at her joke.
“You know it?” Her face scrunched in either worry or confusion and I realized she’d been serious.