Steve 33.
“I just don’t see why I couldn’t do it too?” The entire table groans at Dru’s insistence.
“Because you are like 87 months pregnant?” Addy tries but all she gets for her effort is a scowl and double middle fingers from her bestie. “How motherly of you.” Rufio chuckles, drawing his ol’ partner to his side and kissing her temple.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Maneater. You’re more beautiful than any of the others up on stage,” Jupiter begins, and though his words are wonderfully sweet, even I can hear the “but” at the end of his statement.
“But…?” Dru grits out.
“But…it’s a drag show. And that usually involves men dressed as women without well-endowed mid-sections.” How diplomatic of our beloved President.
“You’re too fat.” Addy is less diplomatic. I guess that’s what a lifelong friendship will do. I hide my grin behind my hand, the long fake fingernails scratching my jaw.
“As soon as I deliver this angelic creature from my supremely tight and hospitable vajayjay, I will make you eat your words.”
“Slather a little hot sauce on them and you’ll eat them for me.”
“I hate—Steve Vajeen , is there any hot sauce around here?” I glance down at her dessert plate and decide I don’t want to know.
“Let me check on that for you.” Snickers all around as I make a hasty retreat. On my way to freedom, I high-five Lady Lexicon as he grinds against Neptune’s leg. Brooks sits next to Mercury, eyes riveted to the stage as a visiting Queen performs Cake ’s version of “I Will Survive”.
“Marlena, come with me!” She’s the only other single one here tonight, and just like me she’s probably missing her golem. Mine’s at work, hers is thousands of miles away. I lay my arm over her shoulder and bring her along through the club to the kitchen.
“What are we doing in here? We just ate.”
“Dru needs hot sauce.”
“Oh, I didn’t hear what you were talking about in there. Here.” She pulls open her purse and produces a small bottle of hot sauce.
“Why…why do you have that with you?”
She lifts her shoulder, “Never know when Dru will get a craving. I’m always packing heat. It’s for everyone’s safety.”
“You’re gonna make a wonderful mother.” She pauses in her steps, staring up at me with wide eyes.
“I’m not…it’s not mine…I mean—”
“You’re a surrogate for Mars and Etta, and you’re going to be the best aunt ever. But one day, you’ll have little ones of your own with that drop-dead gorgeous golem of yours. And when you do…Best. Mom. Ever.” Oh, shit, she’s crying. I dip into the bodice of my ballgown and pull out a few tissues. I shove them at her and watch as she wipes her leaking eyes while laughing.
“And you’re gonna be a fantastic uncle to all the club’s kids. Including mine.”
I snap my fingers, “Of course I am! I’m fabulous!”
“Yes, you are.” She slides her arm around my waist and pulls me into a hug.
“I know it sucks, Mar, but he’ll be home for good soon and the two of you are going to have such an incredible life this time apart will be nothing more than a blip in your timeline.”
“Piranha has left the building.” I glance up from my embrace with Marlena, smiling at Brooks’ announcement.
“Piranha? Maneater isn’t enough of a codename?”
“Both are appropriate,” he concedes. “She and Jupiter just left, said something about wanting to lick the hot sauce off of body parts not approved for public display.”
Marlena steps back from me, grinning at Brooks and me, “I know she’s insane, but I love her.”
Brooks waves off her emotional statement, “We all love her. And she’s not technically insane, she’s been tested.”
The kitchen staff move about as if we aren’t here. I pick a strawberry off a plate and shove it in my mouth with an apologetic closed-mouth smile at them, then skedaddle before I get my hand smacked again. In the main room of the club, I glance around surreptitiously once again, clocking several security members from The Krov.
I told Rowan that I won’t stop my life because someone else has a problem with it. I refuse to fold under any threat. But I am scared. I know hosting this drag show is a risk, but it’s a risk we’re all willing to take. I was honest and upfront with the queens, and they were adamant in their refusal to cancel. I trust the Golems to protect us. I trust that no matter what happens, they will find a way to keep me safe.
I just hate that this is even a concern. It doesn’t make sense that Norris would betray me. Chase and I both have treated him like a little brother. I know a lot of businesses claim a family environment and then treat their employees like an unwanted stepchild when family is needed most. But we really do get along here at the Rook . Not having any family but chosen, I’ve hosted holiday meals for years. Meals Chase and I cooked personally from scratch. I took Norris out when he turned 21 and got him rip-roaring drunk and then let him sleep it off in my guest room at my house.
I just don’t see him doing any of this. Shooting at innocent people? Compiling damaging files on people he’s worked side-by-side with for years? Yet, I watched him hand over the packages to the courier, Mercury showed me the money transfers from his own account.
“ Steve !” Benny whisper-shouts from the side of the stage. Marlena and Brooks rejoin the GGMC table while I detour to Benny. “Show is wrapping up, closing remarks in about 2 minutes.”
“Thank you, Benny, I forgot.”
“Got a lot on your mind?”
“A few things.” He puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes gently.
“Everything will sort itself out.”
“I just hope I’m able to minimize the damage before it does.”
“Boss, it’s not on you.”
“It’s hard not to feel responsible.”
“No man is an ocean.” A bark of laughter escapes.
“It’s ‘no man is an island’.”
Benny grins unrepentantly and shrugs, “Same difference.” He glances over my shoulder, then nudges me toward the stage. “Showtime.”
Carefully, I hike up my ballgown, the crowd laughing as my Adidas sneakers become visible. On stage, I remove the mic from the stand and stare out at the full house. “A girl will sacrifice a lot in the name of fashion, but never my arch support.” I wait for the laughter to stop. “Thank you for joining us this evening at the Queen’s Rook .” As I talk about the money raised from tonight going to a nationwide LGBTQIA+ charity, I notice smoke, thinking someone added a smoke machine, except it’s coming from under the front doors and there is alarm on the faces of tonight’s security. I stop speaking altogether when I watch three large men rush the front doors only to be bounced back when they refuse to budge open. My stomach drops as realization sets in. I turn to Benny at the side of the stage, but he isn’t there. He’s further behind the curtain and kicking the side entrance door. It’s not opening either.
“I’m afraid…” I swallow hard as the music is cut off and try again, “I’m afraid that we have an emergency. I need everyone to remain seated for the moment and stay calm.” The energy of the room shifts and the hair on my arms stands on end.
“Emergency services are on their way!” Archie shouts from near the front door. “Get low to the ground, smoke will rise, stay away from the walls and doors. Security personnel, I need every towel in this place, piece of fabric, whatever you can find, soaked in water and passed out to everyone!”
“FIRE!” Someone from the kitchen yells, before the swinging doors are pushed open and the kitchen staff are pouring through to the main room of the club. Chase is the last to leave, his frightened eyes finding mine in the crowd.
Archie pushes his way through the mob of people, yelling for Benny and others. “Lock the kitchen doors!” He looks up to a corner and the camera there. “Brad, where are my sprinklers?” Archie presses the piece in his ear and his frown dips further and so does my stomach.
“Steve! Get down here!” Neptune hops on stage, grabs my arm, and drags me down the steps. When my dress gets in the way, I reach behind me to unzip it but can’t reach the zipper. I’m spinning in a circle like a fucking dog chasing its tail and crying. Addy stops me. Cups my cheeks and smiles softly. She gently turns me around, unzips my dress, helps me out of it, then pulls me to the floor beside her. Chase plops down in front of me. Marlena is on my other side, I reach out and clutch their hands in mine, close my eyes and pray for help.