Aubrielle
The report the guys brought back from the fight ring had detailed how lucrative that side was for my family and others. The decision to wait a couple of days before reviewing their books frustrated me, even though I saw the wisdom in it.
Knowing there was nothing I could do to speed up the process, I prepared to reveal my newest dance. I was eager on the one hand and anxious on the other. I hoped the customers liked it.
I was touched that when we got ready to go to Eden, I was told that several of the ladies and guys were coming to see it. Those who didn’t get the chance tonight would do it Sunday night.
I spent extra time on my makeup. It was done very boldly, in vibrant colors to match my costume. I pulled my hair back in a half-up style and let the rest fall in a cascade of curls.
When the other dancers saw me in all my finery, they appeared stunned. I was complimented heavily, though I did see some people casting disgruntled glances at me. They were the ones who didn’t put effort into their dances and therefore didn’t receive the tips as others did.
“Jesus Christ, Ellie, you’ll have them rioting out there in this. I didn’t know it would look like this,” Shadow growled.
“Like what? I showed it to you.”
“You did, but it’s way sexier on your body. Shit. I need to text the guys to be ready,” he muttered.
I laughed and tried to take his cell phone away, but he was too tall and sent something off to the guys. I told him he was crazy. He shrugged, gave me a careful kiss so he wouldn’t mess up my lipstick, and then it was time.
I made my way onto the stage. There was no spotlight until I hit the spot I told the lighting guy to spotlight.
When it came on at the same time the music started, I noticed that even over the music, the voices died down.
And just like that, I let myself go. The music was different from anything I’d ever heard danced to.
When I let the tall train spread wide, revealing the plumage of the peacock, the gasps and ahhs were loud.
I put everything I had into the number, and when the music died away, there were a few heartbeats of silence and then roaring.
People came toward the stage, where they were kept at a safe distance by the bouncers and Punishers.
It seemed to be raining money. It took me a while to pick it up, then I blew the audience a kiss and let Shadow take me back to the dressing area.
Most of the girls hugged me and told me how fabulous my new dance was. Others remained standoffish. I chose to ignore the last group. It consisted of those who would do anything to get ahead, except put in the work.
As Shadow and I made our way to the booths, numerous customers told us how wonderful the new routine was. I smiled and thanked them. When we joined the other Punishers and their old ladies, the women hugged me as they babbled about how amazing the dance was. The guys were all saying the same thing.
We’d been seated, talking, and I’d been drinking water to rehydrate for only a short while when we were approached by the last person I ever expected to be here.
It was Truce. What was he doing here? I’d never seen him at Eden before.
I glanced around to see if my dad, uncle, and brothers were with him.
The thought made my skin crawl. They were nowhere to be seen, thank God.
Our booth grew quiet. All eyes landed on him. Only some knew who he was.
“This is a surprise. What’re you doing here?” Shadow asked him. His tone wasn’t welcoming.
Truce stood there, his gaze shifting back and forth between Shadow and me. It was almost half a minute before he answered. While we waited, I felt the tension in Shadow’s thigh, where my hand rested, increase.
“I came to take in the show. I had to see how customers respond to Aubrielle,” he said in a disapproval-tinged tone.
“Why would that matter to you?” Shadow asked.
“The partnership between your club and her family involves her. They need to know what impact her job has on it,” Truce answered.
“The partnership, if it occurs, has nothing to do with Aubrielle or her job. The only connection is that she’s a blood relative of your boss. Her greatest tie is that she’s part of our family. She’s Shadow’s old lady,” Reaper started. He’d come tonight with Cheyenne.
Truce’s default scowling expression deepened. “She’s a Carter first and foremost. Her father is the one who says what she will and won’t do. You may think you do, but a claim by one of you doesn’t supersede Oliver’s. He’ll have her do what’s right.”
Without another word, he turned and walked off. Shadow tried to rise, but I grabbed his arm with my other hand.
“Don’t go after him. He wants to get a rise out of you. Let him go. We know the truth. Soon, my family and Truce will see the real truth and will cease to matter,” I told my man.
Shadow relaxed, but his voice was hard when he spoke.
“That fucker has irritated me since day one. He stands there like he has some say in what you’ll do.
He lets his status as your dad’s champion fighter go to his goddamn head.
I can’t wait to see that scowl of his and his attitude wiped away.
He can posture all he wants, but you’re mine. ”
“You’re right. I am yours, and my family and Truce have no say in my life. Forget him. Let’s enjoy our family until it’s time for my last performance,” I said.
And that’s exactly what we did. I pushed any niggling concern about my blood family and their pet fighter out of my mind.