Save Me

by Imani L Hawkins

  "Storm," I responded accepting her hand in mine and gasping at the strength of her grasp as she squeezed my hand. Where I'd expected soft, dainty hands, hers were hands that have seen battle, evidenced by the bruises on her knuckles.

  She withdrew her hand and my wolf whined at the loss of contact. "That's an interesting name. Your parents must have been creative spirits."

  "They were certainly different," I laughed, despite myself.

  She flashed me another smile that warmed me before tossing a quick glance back toward the door. "I wonder," she began, sliding her finger along the rim of her glass. "Why would a wolf sit among monsters in a place like this?"

  A gasp left my lips before I could even consider what she'd just said. While vampires could sense what we were, using their enhanced sight and smell, to humans we often appeared normal, especially in human form.

  This time she laughed. "I'm more observant than you think. I've heard from a few regulars a pack have moved close by, and judging by the way the vampires here seem to be reacting to your presence, I could only guess you aren't as normal as you appear. Was I wrong?"

  She wasn't but I wasn't sure I wanted to tell her the truth. Not that it mattered. She seemed convinced she was right and I doubted anything I said would change her mind.

  She gave me a knowing stare, confirming my suspicion, before pushing herself from her seat. "No worries. Your secret is safe with me," she said, grabbing her drink and finishing it before placing the glass back on that table. "See you later, big guy," she tossed over her shoulder as she made her way to the back door.

  Chapter Two

  Joslyn

  Walking into that bar may have been the dumbest thing I'd ever done in my life, but with the Clobber Twins following me about that night, I knew I'd had no choice. It was the only place I could ensure some semblance of safety until I figured out a plan, thanks to the vampires that frequented the place and their rules against outside interference.

  I'd met the owners of that club a few days before, when they'd finally accepted a meeting with me, wishing to know why I found myself in a bar full of vampires almost every night since I'd stumbled into the town. The answer to that had been simple, I hadn't known it hosted vampires when I'd first visited the place, looking a dark place where I could drink my worries away for the remainder of the night. Even the name of the club hadn't clued me in and I grimaced at just how blind I had been. Were they true renegades as their name stated, I may have disappeared the first night, never to be seen again.

  No one would look for me, not after my father had done all he could to turn the family against me. No wanted posters would adorn the walls of local grocery stores or even grace the packages of milk cartons. I'd simply be gone, with no in the world who'd care enough to wonder what happened to me. Either that or they'd think my father had something to do with it. I had no doubt he'd take advantage of the situation, taking responsibility for something he had nothing to do with. If it would keep everyone in line to believe he'd go after his own daughter, all the better for him.

  The twins had followed me for blocks, not exactly hiding the fact they were tailing me, and not exactly making it known either. Had I not kept to heavily populated streets, they would have had me by now, but I was smart. Far smarter than any of them had given me credit for. I'd ducked into the bar the moment I could, just as they were testing their boldness and closing the distance between us.

  Smoke had told me they didn't tolerate anything bringing unneeded attention on the bar, especially drama from humans. It had sounded like a warning at first, but I knew it for what it was. It was his way of offering me a safe place to hang out if I felt I was in danger, and at that moment, I knew I was.

  I knew that even more so now as I ducked out of the back door and headed toward the steps that lead to a small suite above the club. The place belonged to Davina, but she was rarely there. Her time was split between Devon and Smoke who kept her plenty busy lately, leaving the place to me whenever I needed it.

  I scurried up the steps and punched in the lock code for the door, thankful I didn't need a key. I wasn't sure how long it would take the twins to rush around the building in search of me, and didn't need to waste time fumbling around with keys. The door locked clicked open and I shoved myself into the room, closing the door as quietly as I could. Once inside, I clicked the lock in place and felt my way around the darkened place toward the bed. I was tired, overly so, after having walked the entire way to the club and the drink Jon made me didn't make it any better. My knees bumped up against the edge of the bed and flopped myself down on the bed, dragging the covers over me.

  I spent hours trying to sleep, trying to do anything but think about the man at the bar. The wolf who I'd dumped all of my problems on before I'd even gotten his name. Shame slid through me at that action but what could I do? Considering the cool reception he'd gotten from the vampires there, I was certain I'd never see him there again, which was a relief and disappointment at the same time.

  I thought about those brown eyes beneath dark waves he had to constantly push from his face as he spoke to Davina at the bar. Where everyone there carried themselves with an air of elegance of sophistication, even in the seedy club, he was more normal. Rugged and handsome with a scruff of a beard cut short along a chiseled jaw. And when he smiled at me, my core clenched with need, reminding me of just how long it's been since I've been with a man. A year? Two? It was far longer than I'd wished but the thought of falling for anyone while on the run terrified me. I couldn't put anyone in danger like that, no matter how lonely I got and I couldn't let anyone slow me down either.

  I'd considered on occasion taking on one of the vamps in the bar, but the thought of them biting me terrified me. That, mixed with their use of glamour made for a dangerous combination. No. I was better off alone, without the distractions of a man keeping me from my main goal. Clearing my name.

  With that thought, I drifted off into a deep slumber with thoughts of revenge on my mind.

  My phone buzzed in my jeans, the vibration of it making me jerk out of my sleep and onto the floor. With a curse, I fell to the floor, my ass hitting the unforgiving wood and sending jolts of pain through me. Pushing myself to my feet, I reached into my pocket and dug out the phone. As usual it was Davina, calling to make sure everything was okay.

  "I'm fine. They didn't find me here." I said, rubbing my ass.

  "Ok, you know you could always..."

  "Nope," I cut her off before she could finish what she was saying. As usual, she'd offer me a place on their land with her, where I'd be completely surrounded by vampires. Not that it was a bad idea. I'd be safe from the reach of my father but the idea of being surrounded by vampires day and night didn't appeal to me. Besides, I wanted to be my own person and take care of myself. That's what I needed more than anything. "I'll be fine. I promise."

  "Well the offer still stands should you need it," Davina said before ending the call.

  I smiled at that. The girl knew never to push me into something and I appreciated that about her.

  Tossing the phone onto the bed, I walked over to the closet and picked out my clothes for the day. If everything went well, I'd have a gig and would be able to care for myself properly.

  I waltzed into the oversized bathroom and turned on the shower. Peeling off my clothes, I stepped under the heated spray, enjoying the feeling of hot water on my skin. Jon had set up a meeting for me with a human friend of his that owned a massage parlor and, if I got hired, I'd make more money in a week than most in Alamogordo made in a month. It was just what I needed to save up enough money to set my plans in motion and return home in a few months and I couldn't help the excitement that thrummed through me at the thought. I'd see my brother for the first time in years and I'll finally have the opportunity to tell him everything I knew.

  I thought of the file tucked away in the dufflebag I kept in the closet. A few months ago, I'd managed to hire a private detective to investigate my mother and grand
father's deaths. It had taken every penny I had but it was well worth it. Those folders held everything I needed to clear my name but I had to do this right. I couldn't just waltz in with evidence against my father, not if I intended to walk out of there alive. I needed leverage, something that would keep me alive long enough to destroy my father and see my brother freed from his influence.

  I showered and changed into a pair of blue jeans and a nice shirt. It wasn't exactly business casual but it would have to do, at least until I had enough money to buy more clothes.

  I rushed through the glass doors of the massage parlor on Whitesands Blvd, ten minutes later than I'd intended. Walking up to the receptionist, I fumbled around my dufflebag, trying to find the card I was given by Jon.

  "You're late," a red head peeked from between the blinds directly behind the receptionist. "I'm sure Jon told you I don't tolerate tardiness."

  She scrunched her small nose as her eyes raked over me and shook her head before waving me back.

  I tossed the receptionist a fleeting smile as I rushed behind the counter and through the blinds. On the opposite side was a long hallway with walls painted a sterile white and sunlight pouring in through the glass doors at the end. Rich hardwood stretched across the floors and framed the ceiling, not exactly warming the place up but giving it a nice contrast to all the white.

  I followed the small woman past a few doors to a small room beside the exit. She pushed open the door and slid inside, not bothering to hold it open for me. It swung back faster than I'd anticipated and smacked the side of my head.

  "I hope you weren't expecting me to hold the door open for you," she said, taking a seat behind a desk so large it nearly filled the small space in the room.

  "I'm sorry," I said, giving the door and shove and walking into the room.

  The door slammed behind me and she gave me a look that was filled with frustration. Her green eyes rolled as she waited for me to take a seat.

  I claimed the seat in front of the desk, dropped my dufflebag to the floor and folded my hands in my lap.

  "Jon is a dear friend of mine," she began with a huff. "If it weren't for his glowing recommendation, you would never have gotten past the lobby. I really need you to be on time every shift."

  "I will," I said automatically.

  She pursed her lips, letting me know she hadn't wanted a response. The woman was intense, even as small as she was. She wore her red locks in a severe bun on top of her head and enough makeup to hide the spatter of brown freckles that barely peaked through several layers of foundation. Her thin lips were pressed into a flat line as she regarded me with an expression that let me know we wouldn't be friends any time soon, and it really didn't bother me. I didn't need friends. I needed money. Friends were a distraction I couldn't afford.

  She reached into a drawer and pulled out a stack of papers, tossing them on the desk in front of me.

  "Here are the rules. Read them, memories them, and abide by them. We run a very professional parlor and I can't afford to lose good paying clients behind your inexperience. In there are some training materials for the different type of massages we offer. You need to learn them all. I'm sure you can look up videos on the internet or search through Youtube for some tutorials. I expect you to take this job seriously. Be on time, be in uniform, and be professional at all times. If any of our clients ask for anything you aren't comfortable with, you need to bring that to my attention immediately. This is a massage parlor, not a whore house. While most of our clients understand this, we do get a few random walk ins who like to test that boundary."

  She shook her head and let out a long breath. I was actually surprised she had any breath left given how much she'd just said.

  "While we offer a range of services, most of our clients rarely bother requesting any of it. To them, this is their time to relax. Keep the small talk to a minimum. Create a safe space for them to relax and you may see yourself tipped very well. Do you have any questions for me?"

  I shook my head.

  "Good." She reached behind her and produced a uniform, tossing it over to me. "Put that on and go into room three. I have a client coming in ten minutes. Think of this as an audition."

  With that, she stood from her seat, walked over to the door, and left the office, closing the door behind her.

  I changed quickly, not wanting to chance her returning with me half naked standing in her office. The woman rubbed me the wrong way and I didn't want to give her anymore ammunition. After changing, I folded my clothes and placed them in my duffle bag, before heading over to room three. Opening the door, I was met with a scene that was far different from the sterility of the hall. Light poured in from the lonely window at the far side of the room, directly above a black leather massage bed. The walls were painted a deep tan with wooden trim above wood paneled floors. Beside the massage bed was a large wooden display filled with different oils in glass decanters, all labeled with various scents and attributes. There were at least thirty of them, and I couldn't imagine a use for so many.

  I scanned over each bottle, trying to commit their positions to memory. Most were infusions of various herbs and florals, with a small few of them being medicated with different sorts of pain relievers. Looking them over, I knew I was out of my element. I'd only ever been in a massage parlor three times before that day, and each time I was a customer. Jon assured me I'd be fine but that did nothing to quell the anxiety that raced through me when the door swung open and Calista stalked in, followed by the last person on Earth I thought I'd see.

  His brown eyes brightened as he looked me over, a smile curling his lips. Dressed in a black t-shirt the hugged every dip and plain of a strong chest and rippling abs, he was even hotter than I'd remembered. A pair of blue jeans hung deliciously on his waist, tight enough I could see the strong muscles of his legs bulging against the thick material. Almost immediately I felt that attraction that had for him the night before washing over me as my eyes trailed down a body built of muscle and strength before landing on an equally appealing face. He had a rugged handsomeness to him that made my stomach clench as I regarded him.

  "Didn't think I'd see you here," he said in a warm baritone that made me feel at ease with him around.

  "Small town," I responded.

  Calista looked between us with a wary expression before saying, "This should be interesting. I'll leave you to it."

  With that, she left the room.

  Chapter Three

  Joslyn

  "So, you're the new girl Calista has been telling me about," Storm asked, glancing about the room. He leaned in toward me and whispered. "She's not as bad as she makes herself out to be."

  I doubted that but didn't respond. For all I knew she had cameras with audio somewhere within the room and the last thing I needed was her hearing anything negative from me. So, instead, I gestured toward the privacy screen in the far corner.

  "You can change over there."

  He flashed me an awkward smile before gathering up his bag and stepping behind the privacy screen.

  I turned my back to him to give him some privacy, but I couldn't help glancing back now and then. He stepped from behind the screen moments later in nothing but a towel he held wrapped low around his waist and a pair of shower slippers. My breath caught at the sight of him. The man had a perfectly sculpted body with smooth tan skin that stretched over bulky muscle. His chest was covered with a tattoo I could only describe as tribal, with thick black lines and swirls that ran in intricate patterns across his chest, his upper arm and his shoulder.

  He cleared his throat in that incessant way that let me know I'd been staring and my eyes flitted up to his. His expression was dark, almost brooding as he approached me. I wasn't sure what he was thinking at that moment, but whatever it was fled from his mind the moment he reached me. That look was replaced almost instantly by a blank stare as he passed me and stretched himself on the massage table. He flipped onto his stomach as I gathered a sheet and covered his lower half, s
lightly disappointed I'd had to cover him at all.

  "What kind of oil would you like?" I asked, trying to keep my voice professional.

  "Whatever you think is best."

  I huffed and looked over at the bottles. Anything floral was out, but as I looked at all the different variations of herbs and scents, I found myself at a loss. I had no clue what any of it did, or really how anything smelled. I picked up a random bottle, twisted off the cap and put it to my nose, jerking the bottle away as the scent assaulted my nose. Patchouli. That wouldn't do. I did the same with a few more bottles before settling on Sandalwood, a rich earthy fragrance with delicate wood notes.

  Pouring a good amount into my hand, I place the bottle back on the cabinet and rub my hands together to warm it. Once I feel the oil is warm enough, I get to work, slathering the slippery substance over the hard muscles of his back that twitches and bunches beneath my touch, and I'm immediately blown away by how reactive he is to my touch.

  A huff of air and a groan escapes his lips as I slide my hands down the center of his back and fuck if that sound didn't have heat curling in my belly. I sucked in a deep breath to calm my nerves as I continued running my hands over his back, kneading the tight muscles there, trying to keep my mind on the task at hand. It wasn't easy, especially when I was having a difficult time keeping the indecent thoughts from fluttering my head - thoughts of what it would feel like to be swept away in those strong arms of his, thoughts of what his body would feel like up against mine.

  Heat pooled between my thighs and before I could think anything of it, I felt him tense beneath my touch. With a speed I hadn't expected, he pushed himself up, slid from the table.

  "Did I do something wrong?" I asked, stunned by the sudden movement.

  He shook his head slowly but I could see and feel how tense he was. He shifted his weight so he was standing behind the highest part of the table but that did little to hide the visible bulge of his hardness pressed up against the towel.