I shake my head, waving her on. “No, it’s fine, just send me a text to let me know where you’re at. This shouldn’t take long.”
Prim pulls Amiyah with her down the street as I pound on the metal door. The same security guard opens the door. He peers down at me, less-than-stellar facial expression greeting me. I don’t take it personally, though. He probably always looks this way. I know I would if I had to deal with drunk men all the time. He doesn’t ask what I need, just stares at me.
I smile. “I need to speak with the manger.”
He huffs, radioing in on his walkie-talkie and taking a step back as the manager I met last time steps forward. “Oh.” She raises her eyebrows in surprise. “Brixley, is it? What can I do for you?”
I try to keep the distain from my voice, but the truth is, I’m pissed. “I would like some clarification as to why I’ve been fired.”
The manger purses her lips. “I personally would not have fired you, but I am not the one in charge of these things when the decision comes from above me.”
“But I don’t know the owner of this club, so that makes no sense.”
She tilts her head. “You gave him a private dance. Whatever you did, he didn’t approve.”
Everything in me freezes, my mind growing hazy with lust and anger at the memory. Chocolate brown hair, mossy green and caramel eyes darkening. The feel of him beneath me.Fucking Beckett.I turn on my heel.
“Brixley!” the woman calls, but I hear nothing but static.
I don’t care how much my body craves his. How he lights something in my chest I have never felt before. But when you fuck with my hustle, take my food, you’ve fucked up.
I hope you like orange jumpsuits, Beckett. Because when I’m through with you, that’s all you’ll know.
* * *
My fingers rubover the thick lace, the material so fine and rich I’m afraid my poor hands will make the fabric combust. The walls of the lingerie shop are striped in black and white with red and pink kisses strategically placed on it. The ceiling is a mirror, reflecting a distorted image of myself.
“So, we’re buying Halloween costumes, yes?” Amiyah asks, holding up a see-through black number.
I shrug. “Is it normal to wear lingerie as a costume?”
Her mouth parts. “Yeah, have you never gone to a Halloween party before?”
“No, I always had to work. Never had time for parties or friends, really.” My eyes break from the lace, locking on Prim as she holds up a pair of crotchless underwear, frowning.
My mouth twitches when she looks over to us, concerned. “Why?” she asks.
“Easy access.” Amiyah winks.
Prim’s brow furrows.
“Oh, honey,” Amiyah says, patting her on the arm. “When Vance comes for you, run. He’s going to eat you alive.”
“I don’t know.” I shrug, grabbing a light gray bodysuit that’s made of a sheer material on the bodice. “I think if he were to ever be gentle with someone, it will be with Prim.”
Amiyah nods, taking the black lace bodysuit she was looking at earlier, and grabbing a gold sequin bra and panties set. “You might be right.”
“Hello? You guys realize nothing is going on between Vance and I, right?” Primrose huffs, throwing the panties back, fingers locking onto a white full bodysuit and matching white spandex shorts.
Amiyah and I shake our heads. She has no clue that Vance looks at her as if she’s his next meal. “You going to try those on, Prim?” I ask.
She shakes her head, “No, I just need to grab some wings and my costume is complete.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Angel?Really?”
“As if you are not going as a rabbit.” She rolls her eyes, tiny hints of her sassy nature coming to the surface.
I smirk, and Amiyah huffs as if we are both children that should be scolded. “I’m going as a kitten,” Amiyah proclaims, taking mine and Prim’s things and throwing them on the counter.