Chapter 6
Chapter Six
GYPSY
The tingle on my skin as I danced across the stage to Elle King’s “Shame” and took the pole was thanks to one man in the crowd and one man only.
This was my third night dancing at the club since Marco’s visit to my place, and every time I’d felt his presence before I even laid eyes on him.
I wasn’t sure how I knew he was always there, lingering at that back table, tucked into the shadows by the bar, but I just did.
He didn’t approach or request another private dance, but he’d be standing out in the parking lot, resting against his Cherokee when I left after every shift. We never spoke a word, but I knew he was there to make sure I made it safely to my car and started for home before he climbed into his own.
It was difficult, putting on my typical show when I knew he was in the crowd, when I could feel his gaze on my skin like a physical caress, but somehow I managed.
The thrum of the music grew louder as the song reached its crescendo.
I twirled my way down the pole, landing in a crouched position.
Sticking my ass out, I rolled my body to its full height, reached behind me, and whipped off my top two seconds before the lights blinked out.
I didn’t hesitate getting off that stage, whipped that tacky velvet curtain aside, and heading for the dressing room.
Grabbing the robe off the hook the instant I walked through the door, I slipped it over my shoulders and covered myself.
I rounded the corner and skittered to a stop at the sight of a man leaning against my vanity.
I’d never seen him before, but there was something about this guy that left me unsettled.
He was attractive—insanely attractive. However, the vibe radiating from him screamed that he didn’t just look like a bad boy, he actually was one.
He wore his blond hair overlong, flipping around the collar of his white T-shirt.
There was sin lurking beneath the surface of his blue eyes that was enough to make most women beg to take a walk on the wild side.
He looked like a man who belonged in magazines, but my gut was screaming at me that it was all an illusion.
He was dangerous. And not the fun, amazing-sex-in-a-public-place, wind-in-your-hair-on-the-back-of-his-Harley kind of danger.
My gut said this guy’s brand of danger was the kind that would get you locked up for the rest of your life.
And I had enough experience with men in my past to know this was the kind of guy I needed to steer way clear of.
“Gypsy Bradbury,” he stated in a deep, raspy voice.
“Yes,” I answered tentatively. The dressing room was usually bustling with women preparing to perform or having just finished, but right now it was eerily empty, only me and this man. “Look, I don’t know who you are, but men aren’t allowed in the dressing area. The owner has a rule against it.”
One blond brow arched toward his hairline. “I do? Didn’t realize I’d put that rule into effect.”
Oh shit. I knew who this guy was, and the menacing air surrounding him suddenly made complete sense.
Putting his feet to the ground, he stood and started slowly in my direction.
The material of his tee hugged his broad shoulders and chest. His faded jeans sat on a tapered waist and hugged large thighs.
It was clear he knew he looked good, and he used that to his advantage.
A man like him could make women stupid. But no way in hell was I going to be one of them.
“I’m Malachi Black, the new owner. But you can call me Kai. All my friends do.”
The unchecked interest in his gaze sent a niggling of fear throughout my body, and the need to flee grew strong. But it was determination not to be cowed that kept me in place as he came closer. “Wasn’t aware we were friends since this is the first time I’ve seen you.”
“Ah, but it’s not the first time I’ve seen you. And I have to admit, I like what I’ve seen so far. Very much so.” It felt like he could see beneath the robe, making me feel more exposed and vulnerable by the second.
“Oh, goodie. Now I can die happy,” I replied, my tone as flat as an opened three-day-old soda.
“Hmm.” His tongue peeked out and slid across his bottom lip, inducing a dreadful shiver up my back. “You’ve got fire. I like that.”
This was not good. I needed to get away from this guy as soon as possible. “Well, it was nice meeting you, but if you don’t mind, I should start getting ready for my next performance.”
The teasing smirk on his face might have had an effect on me had I not already known this man was the scum of the earth. “All right. I get it. I’ll let you get back to it, but I’ll be watching.”
A sense of dread drifted over me as he moved past me, his shoulder brushing against mine on the way out.
I didn’t pull in a full breath until I heard the click of the door closing, and it took everything in me to make it to the bench at my vanity and collapse onto it instead of falling to the floor.
“Hey, you good?” McKenna’s voice pulled me from my fog a minute later.
“Huh?”
“The new owner kicked us all out before you got in here. Now you look really tense. Is everything all right?”
“Oh. Yeah.” I gave my head a shake. “I’m good. Just tired. It’s been a long day.”
She looked to the door and back to me, unease evident in her expression. “What did he want? You weren’t getting into trouble, were you?”
“No, nothing like that. He just… wanted to introduce himself,” I lied.
Her pretty face scrunched up in disbelief. “Alone?”
“Guess so.” I shrugged, continuing to play up my cluelessness. “He seemed a little weird, if you ask me.”
“Really?” She looked back toward the door thoughtfully. “That’s a shame.” Her eyes came back to me, bright with excitement, as she lowered her voice to a giddy whisper. “He was so hot!”
A sense of disquiet swamped me, making my hands tremble.
“Stay away from him,” I snapped harsher than I intended.
McKenna rocked back at the acid in my voice, and I quickly began to backpedal.
“I felt a bad energy coming off that guy.” I wasn’t sure how much I should give away.
I worried that filling McKenna in on all I knew of Malachi Black would put a bull’s-eye on one or both of our backs, so I made up something on the fly to steer her away from him.
“I don’t know what his deal is, but I’d hate for you to get mixed up in something bad. ”
“Oh.”
“Plus, you know, you should never date your boss. It’s a rule. Especially if that boss is the owner of a strip club.”
“Yeah. I guess you’re right.” Her agreement was watered down thanks to the disappointed look on her face.
“I am, hon. Trust me. If you want to find a guy, find one outside of here.”
“Yeah. Okay. I’ll do that.”
I blew out a silent breath of relief. “You need to finish getting ready, girl. You’re up soon.”
“Ooh, right!” She immediately jumped into action, plopping down at the vanity next to me to put some finishing touches on her makeup, and all talk of Malachi Black was put to rest.
At least for now.
Marco
I’d clocked Black the moment he stepped into the main part of the club.
Staying in the shadows at what had become my regular table, I did my best to keep my cool as he watched Gypsy up on that stage with an unsettling interest. Just like every man in this room, he was enraptured by the gorgeous blonde.
I kept one eye on him the whole time while trying not to make it obvious, but it took everything in me not to follow him when he disappeared behind the stage.
My gut roiled with apprehension as the minutes ticked by and he didn’t reappear. And that feeling only grew worse when one of the dancers sallied up to the bar for a drink and started chatting with the bartender.
I sipped my water and listened closely to their conversation.
“Hey, McKenna. What are you doing out here? Don’t you need to be getting ready?” the tall, lithe woman behind the bar asked.
I’d noticed the girl before. She was an incredible dancer, but there was something about her that just screamed she didn’t belong in a place like this.
Where Gypsy was seductive and sexy, McKenna was all girl-next-door wholesome.
A place like Pink Palace would chew a woman like her up and spit her out.
“The new owner kicked us all out right before Gypsy’s dance ended,” McKenna replied, the worry evident in her tone.
My back went ramrod straight, and I had to clench my fists to keep myself in check. Getting up now and forcing my way back into the dressing area wouldn’t do anything but blow my cover and leave Gypsy unprotected.
“That’s weird. Any idea why?”
“No.” The dancer pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and began chewing nervously as her gaze darted to the backstage corridor. “But I really hope she’s not getting into any trouble.”
“I’m sure that’s not the case. She’s the best we got. I don’t know who this guy is, but he can’t be that stupid.”
The two of them started talking about something else, and a minute later, Black came sauntering out from backstage, a pleased grin on his face that made cold seep into my bones. McKenna hurried off, and all I could do was sit there and hope she made sure Gypsy was okay.
Because I still had three hours before I could see for myself. And I didn’t have a goddamn clue if I was going to be able to last that long.
Gypsy
By the time I pushed through the door of the club and stepped out into the parking lot, I was beyond ready for this night to be over.
After the conversation with my new boss, I was more than a little shaken.
I’d garnered the attention of a man I definitely didn’t want to notice me, and I felt like I’d just been set on a collision course with the guaranteed outcome that I’d be the one to suffer in the end.