“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!!!” she chanted as Mouse moved to the door and unlocked it for the men.
TJ launched herself at her father like a rocket. Good thing the man had great reflexes, or she would have taken a tumble. Once I knew she was secure in her daddy’s arms, I gave my attention to the other two sexy men in the room. I heard a gasp behind me and remembered Quella was still in the room. I had gotten so wrapped up in the dance party that I did not have a chance to ask why she was still there. She quickly leaned in and whispered to me.
“Those are some good-looking men, Miss Sharon. Which one is your boyfriend?”
I smiled down at the sweet child who was just about salivating over my men. She was just like I was at her age. Already checking out the fellas. With the Three Stooges, it was hard not to. They were gorgeous, had tattoos for days and exuded that big dick energy Lizzo is always singing about.
“Girl, boffum!” I cackled at the shocked look on her face as Matrix kissed me hello and then Baby. Miss Lady was shook.
“Miss Sharon, isn’t that cheating?”
I pinned her with the most serious stare I could muster and then tapped my index finger at my temple. “It’s not cheating if they’re both your boyfriends.”
Laughter rang throughout the room as Quella looked at me with confusion marring her pretty face. I left it at that because I wasn’t sure how her parents would feel about their daughter learning about such a racy relationship. It wasn’t my place to do that. However, it was my responsibility to find out why she was still at the studio when rehearsal was finished.
“Quella, you know rehearsal is over. You get to leave when the other girls do. Just because you’re the captain doesn’t mean you have to stay late all the time.”
“I know, but I don’t have a ride, and there was a weird man at the bus stop. He kept trying to talk to me, so I came back here where I felt safe.”
The entire room stopped to listen to what she was saying. The scowl on Ace’s face said it all. He flashed a look at Baby and Matrix, and they moved into position near the door. I watched as they looked around the street before nodding at Ace. He cautiously stepped to Quella and stooped down to her eye level.
“What did the man look like?”
“He was kinda cute, but he gave off this weird vibe. My mom taught me how to listen to my inner voice and when I first saw him, I was uncomfortable. Something was off with him. He was dressed normally, a ,black t-shirt and jeans. Nothing about him stood out; it was just a feeling I got.
“Was he wearing a black baseball hat turned to the back?”
“How did you know?”
“Because I saw him. He must have followed you back to the studio. He was outside staring at you when we were dancing with TJ. Mouse, that’s what I was going to talk with you about.”
“He followed her? This might be more serious than I first thought. Young lady, did you know this man?” Ace was clearly upset with this news.
“No, Sir. I had never seen him before today. I just felt like he was up to no good.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you listened to your intuition. It may have saved your life. Always listen to that feeling. It will help keep you safe from danger. Obsession, how long ago was it that you saw him?”
“Not long ago. He was right outside the window when I heard your pipes coming. It must have spooked him because he took off down the sidewalk headed down towards the pharmacy.”
“Alright then. Matrix, you should be able to pull his image from the video surveillance. Do that thing you do and find out who this man is, and we’ll pay him a visit. There have been way too many women disappearing around here for this to sit right with me. Mouse, Obsession, I am going to assign a security detail for the studio. I can’t have anything happening to either of you. Plus, we need to keep your dance girls safe. I don’t want you all going anywhere without your detail. Do I make myself clear?”
He was looking more at his wife than he was at me. I already knew the drill and never fought Ace on things like this. Mouse, on the other hand, was usually stubborn. That’s why I almost fell on my ass when she cooed at Ace talking about “Okay, Honey. I promise not to go anywhere without my security.”
What in the actual hell? “Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?” I asked somewhat jokingly.
Mouse grinned and cut her eye at me. “Girl, I know you expected me to fight him on this, but I’ve got a little girl to think about. There is no way I would put her in harm’s way. Even if I think her father is being overbearing, it is his right to do so. I will not fight him on this.”
“Yo, I think hell just froze ove,” I chimed, causing everyone to laugh.
We wrapped things up and closed down the studio. Since Mouse was driving her Jeep, she offered to give Quella a ride home. Of course, she was escorted by Ace. Baby and Matrix made it their business to accompany me back to the clubhouse where we spent the night getting to know each other even better than the night before.