I’d forgotten Batty completely. At some point, I’d let it drop to the floor.
“I’ll ruin you, Amir.” I had no idea how, but I knew I meant it all the way to my bones. If Zadie didn’t walk away clean from this, none of us would be walking away.
His laugh was dry. “Get out of here. Shake that pretty ass and bring me my money. You don’t need to worry about anything else.”
“Zadie,” I started to go to her, but Amir tsked and shot his arm out to block Zadie from me. “Zadie, I’m so sorry. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I promise.”
She blinked at me with shiny eyes. “I know you will. I’ll be fine.”
“That’s right. Sweet little Zadie will be just fine with me. Maybe you’ll come back and we’ll be best friends.”
I narrowed my eyes on Amir, who was leaning toward Zadie like he was interested. “Don’t even think about it.”
His gaze was like a whip on me. “This discussion is over. Get the fuck out.”
“Zadie,” I rasped.
“Go, Helen. I’m okay.” She was holding herself straight, being brave, and it made me want to destroy the furniture. But her bravery gave mine a charge. If Zadie could do this, so could I.
“I’ll be back soon,” I swore.
Then I grabbed my stuff and ran.
It took me five hours of shaking my tits, grinding on laps, and giving away pieces of myself to earn what I owed Reno. Every time I wanted to go backstage and curl into a ball, I thought of Zadie’s brave little face, and it spurred me on.
Carina perched on my dressing table, crossing her long, shiny legs. “You did good tonight, babe.”
I looked up from unbuckling my Lucite platforms. “I hate it.”
“I know you do, but you’re damn good at it.” She squeezed my shoulder. “At least there weren’t any of those Savage U shits out there tonight. Boys think they’re big shots, then give me two dollars for a tip.”
I shuddered. “I don’t know how you do it every night.”
“Life, babe. This is where it took me. It’s not forever, but for now, it works. And I don’t hate it the same way you do. It’s a job for me, not a moral decision.”
“I’m not judging you.” I placed my borrowed heels on the table, scooting them close to Carina.
She palmed my crown. “Never thought you were. I’m just telling you how I can deal.” She let go of me to press her hands together. “Now, are you sure you don’t mind catching an Uber?”
Carina still had two more hours on her shift, but I was done. I’d covered my stripper gear with sweats and wiped off some of my lipstick, ready to run out the door. I assured Carina I was perfectly fine, then I booked it, my phone in hand, to order my Uber.
I made it to the other side of the parking lot, almost to the sidewalk, when a group of people started coming toward me. Assuming they were headed to the club, I stepped out of their way to put in the order for my ride.
“Helen.”
My head jerked up, and my stomach bottomed out. Reno, flanked by his goons and two women, had closed in on me while I hadn’t been paying attention.
“I have your money. I’m sorry it’s late, but something—”
Reno caught my hoodie in his fist, tugging me closer. “I’m not in the mood for your sad story. Payment is due at five p.m. When you don’t pay me on time, it tells me you do not respect me.”
I couldn’t bring myself to lie and say Ididrespect him, so I took the cash from my pocket and shoved it at him. A goon took it from me, opening the envelope to count the bills.
“It’s all there.”
Reno glanced at the cash, then me. “With added late fee?”
My fists clenched, but I kept myself calm. “Yes, I included that.”