Chapter Three. #2
Instead of arguing, Blue hauled me in close and kissed the top of my head. “Don’t even think about that, Nun. You try to finish this, and there’ll be trouble.”
Was it perverse that I longed to see what he’d do?
Blue was usually so amenable and laid back.
Tonight he was showing a different side of himself, and I really wanted to push some buttons.
But some sane part of me hesitated. I didn’t want to lose Blue, not yet.
I’d have to give him up one day, and I wasn’t ready to at this point.
“Go to sleep,” I retorted.
Blue made a chuffing noise, and I guessed he thought he’d won. For now, he had.
Blue
“Hey Aunt Kiki,” I said, entering her small house. My aunt looked up from peeling potatoes and smiled.
“Blue! My favourite nephew!”
“Your only damn nephew,” I replied, placing the bags of groceries I’d brought her on the worktop. I snatched the potato peeler from her and took over. Kiki stood, turned on the kettle, and began putting the food away.
“That is true.”
“How are you today?” I questioned, searching her face. Kiki suffered from fibromyalgia. It kicked her ass every day.
“The usual. It’s life, darling.” Kiki shrugged off the pain I knew she was in. The kettle clicked, and Aunt Kiki made some coffee and placed a mug in front of me.
“Where’s Janice?” I asked.
“She quit,” Kiki replied mildly. My antenna twitched; Kiki was hiding something.
“Why?” I finished peeling the potatoes. “You want these chipped?”
“Please. And she stated that she had a better job offer.” Kiki didn’t meet my eyes.
“She heard where I work,” I said, and Kiki shrugged. “Judgemental cunt!” I spat.
“It’s okay, Blue. I can cope.”
“No, you can’t. That’s why we had Janice. When did she quit?”
“Last week.”
“You didn’t tell me?!” I exclaimed, shocked and wounded.
“I didn’t want you worrying. You do enough of that, Blue, darling; I can manage.”
“No, you can’t. Look at how your hands are shaking,” I argued and grasped them gently. Like anyone with fibromyalgia, it hurt Kiki when she was touched.
“I’ll put an ad in today, and stop trying to cook. Aunt Kiki…”
“Blue, if you’re about to apologise for what you do, don’t. You’re not a paid prostitute; you fulfil a role and need for the Harlots.”
“That’s what Janice called me?”
“Among other things. I threw her out. Who needs that negativity? Janice made it seem like all you do is sleep with women. When I tried to tell Janice that was a small part of it, she cussed me out. Nobody does that to me! And you can’t get the same income working in a grocery store!”
I laughed bitterly. Kiki would always find the positives. “I’m little better than a whore,” I responded, and to my shock, Kiki slapped me.
“No! You’re not. Anyway, in my eyes, there’s nothing criminal about sleeping with customers for money. Prostitution isn’t wrong. If legitimised properly, the entire profession could be made safer, and consider the taxes!” Kiki replied.
“Taxes?” I repeated, amused.
“Yes, millions would be raised! Legitimising it makes sense. It gets rid of those nasty pimps; it could enforce monthly health checks, which take away the stigma attached to it. Working women wouldn’t be beaten or raped as much, and I bet a lot of the drug use would also stop.
Yes, it needs legalising and regulating. ” Kiki nodded her head.
“You’ve put considerable thought into this,” I drawled, amused, as I cleaned up.
“Sure as hell have. You know I walked the streets for a year when you were little, Blue, to put food on the table,” Kiki said.
“Yeah,” I softened my voice.
Kiki had. I’d been four and too young to remember, but we went through a terrible time.
Kiki had lost her job and, desperate for cash, she’d taken to prostitution.
She only managed a year, but in a week she earned more than her previous employment ever paid.
That gave us stability until Kiki found a day job.
Money became tight again, but Kiki never returned to it.
She wasn’t ashamed of it, but those twelve months had soured her stomach.
“That doesn’t take away from you needing help,” I replied.
“Fine. There’s a place in town. A shelter for former whores and street people. Hire me one of them. I can offer room and board and save you some money. Just throw them a little cash on top,” Kiki said.
“I don’t know if I like you opening up your home. This is your safe space.” I shook my head.
“Stop worrying. Take me down there for a visit for a few days; someone may stand out,” Kiki ordered.
“Fine!” I gave in. If Kiki had decided, there was no arguing with her.
As I entered the clubhouse, I made my way to Sapphire’s office.
Nun was lounging on a sofa, but her eyes followed me. Concern flashed in them as I headed down the corridor and knocked on Sapphire’s door. She called for me to enter, and I walked in.
“Blue?” Sapphire looked surprised. “Is everything okay?”
“Not really,” I said, sitting down and leaning forward. “I need a few weeks off from my duties during the day.”
“What’s wrong?”
I quickly explained about Kiki. Sapphire already knew her, but she obviously didn’t know how bad things had gotten.
“Sure, take whatever time you need, but don’t be a stranger. A month should be enough. Sort Kiki out. Do you require anything else?”
“Thanks, Prez, it’s all under control apart from Kiki. She’s stubborn,” I replied.
“Tell Cass to revise the rota and remove you for four weeks.”
“Two should be plenty.”
“Blue, you rarely ask for a break. You work damn hard and will take the month off. Use the remaining two weeks to take Kiki on vacation if you want. Head to the ski resort we own for a fortnight. Kiki can’t do the outdoor things, but there’s the spa, etcetera.”
“That’s an idea,” I agreed. Kiki would enjoy being spoiled.
“Call Belladonna and tell her I said to give you a fortnight there. And have Belladonna book a room for the carer,” Sapphire ordered.
“I’m unsure if my finances can stretch…”
“Don’t insult me or the club. No, Blue,” Sapphire cut me off. “Don’t make me angry. Book the vacation.”
“Okay.” I held my hands up, grinning. “You win.”
“Good. I am the president. Go on, Blue. Tell me if you need anything.”
I got up and met her gaze. “You’re decent people,” I remarked, and she nodded. A slight smile crossed her lips.
“Don’t spread that around!” Sapphire warned, and I chuckled as I left.
Belladonna was in the rec room, and I headed for her. My skin tingled because Nun’s eyes were on me.
“Hey, Sapphire said to ask you to book me a room with two bedrooms and a smaller one bedroom at the resort,” I opened.
Out of the corner of my eye, Nun sat up. Belladonna shot her a look and focused back on me.
“What?”
“I’m taking my aunt away for a break. Sapphire offered rooms at the resort for us and a second one for my aunt’s carer.”
“Ah,” Belladonna’s shoulders relaxed. “I’ll sort that out. When do you want it for?”
I named the date, and Belladonna nodded and walked away on the phone.
“You’re going on vacation?” Nun questioned, sounding strangely hurt.
“Sapphire suggested it. Kiki hasn’t travelled much. My money goes on paying for her carer,” I answered, then turned back to Cass. “Oh, hey Cass. Sapphire said to take me off the rota for four weeks. I’ve got family business to sort out.”
“No probs, hope you get it sorted,” Cass replied, then headed to the small office where he organised everything.
“A month. You won’t be here that long?” Nun sounded appalled, and I grinned.
“I’ll be home at night,” I murmured, pulling her close.
“You can stay at your aunt’s; that’s fine,” Nun muttered. She was unhappy; I recognised the signs.
“Now imagine if that was permanent. Yeah, you don’t like that, do you, Mistress,” I whispered in her ear.
Nun scowled but licked her lips at the same time.
“Nun! Christ!” Belladonna yelled. “Block your thoughts!”
I chuckled. “Did you go somewhere dirty, babe? Are your panties wet? Do you need to fuck me?” I murmured,
“Get upstairs now,” Nun ordered gutturally. Yeah, I knew what made my woman tick!