“So what, is he like your boyfriend or sugar daddy or something?” I asked.
“Hell no, I don’t need no sugar daddy. My mom married him long before I was born. Course she was killed during a raid a few years back, but I didn’t cry for her. She was stepping out with the gardener. No, my daddy has always taken good care of me.”
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Cherry.”
I hid my laughter. It was such a fitting name for her, with her long red nails and cherry-red lips. Before long, I would learn to bite and kiss those lips, but for that night, I was slowly getting sucked into the world that would be the death of me.
She leaned forward and let her large breasts partially spill out of the snug shirt she was wearing. Her eyes no longer mattered to me. All I saw was the potential for a score in more ways than one. How could I know that Big Joey would be the worst man I’d ever cross?
“So Cherry, what do you say we get out of here?” I asked seductively.
She smiled. “Just so happens I have a place out by the lake.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah, let’s head back there and see what happens.”
And so I followed her to the houseboat, and that night wouldn’t be the last. Even when she moved to the coast, I still pursued her with a fiery passion. Our love was one fit for playboy. It was all about the sex. Hot and wild with no inhibitions or bounds. The night it all ended, I’d come home to find her with another woman.
“Most men would find this hot,” she said with the pout that drove me wild. “I don’t understand what the big deal is. It’s not like I’m screwing another man.”
“It’s the same idea! You were running around on me, damn it. I thought we had something.”
She shrugged. “We did, and we still do! I just wanted to spice things up a bit. Why don’t you come and join us? Then, if you’re still mad later, we can talk about it.”
The offer was tempting. She’d picked out woman who looked like her, if not a little dumber. I glanced past her, at the woman barely covered by the bed sheet, her nipple piercing showing through, and all I could think about was getting between her tanned legs. Suddenly, my girlfriend’s infractions didn’t seem so bad. I swallowed hard and glanced back at Cherry standing naked in the hallway. I wasn’t sure it wasn’t a trap.
“I don’t know about this,” I stammered.
“Aw,” Cherry said softly as her fingers trailed down my chest. “You don’t want to stay mad at me, now do you? How many other fellas you know get an offer like this?”
“None,” I said hoarsely.
“That’s right, baby, you are the only one. What do you say? I’ll even set the mood for us.” She sauntered away, briefly leaving me with the woman on the bed.
It didn’t take long before I smelled burning candles. She loved her damn candles and lit them every time she was feeling a little wild. As she came back into the room, she took my hand and led me closer to the bed. I wasn’t ashamed to admit I was a little nervous. The only real experience I’d had was with the woman now trying to get me into bed with her and another.
“I don’t know about this,” I whispered a second time.
The woman I didn’t know grinned at me and pulled the sheet up a little, exposing a bit of her leg. It was tempting to take her right there, but something was holding me back.
“What’s your name?” I asked her.
She smiled. “Eva.”
Her voice was thick.
I swallowed hard. “Of course it is. Where are you from, Eva?”
Eva smiled and shook her head, pulling the sheet farther up her leg. I looked down briefly, and my blood ran cold. All desire I had drained out of me like blood from an open wound. Where a smooth mound should have been underneath her thin lace panties, there were three noticeable bulges. The fear must have shown on my face, as Eva started to laugh and cover herself up again.
I ran off the houseboat, knocking down candles as I went, and I didn’t stop to breathe until I was safely on the beach. It was then I saw the smoke rising. Man or woman, I wasn’t going to leave them there. I ran back toward the, boat but it wasn’t necessary. Cherry and Eva were already running onto the sandy beach, hand in hand. If I didn’t get enough of a look at the bulge before, I could see it now. I shuddered and turned away.
The boat went up in flames just as the beach patrol and worse, Big Joey, arrived. His face was so red it matched the shirt he was wearing. All it took was one look at the three of us, and his hatred was set in stone. My fate ceased being my own in that moment.
I didn’t know who her father was until the boat was burning and she was screaming about “Papa coming for his.” My first time conning someone had been a terrible experience, and it was that night that led me into the life of a trickster.
As if Big Joey’s reputation and upbringing weren’t enough to make me steer clear of him, I got to see just what he was capable of first hand. After his mother found out how he’d risen to the top, she came looking for him one night. Her worn body, faded clothing, and clown-like makeup reminded me of Vegas’s better days.
His reception of her had been warm at first, offering her all that he had. I had only been there by chance when she showed up. Like everyone who owed Big Joey money, I’d been begging for a way out of it. How was I going to come up with so much in such a small amount of time?
It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion as she walked into the door. He gave the crowed a scathing overview of the woman she was, the blush under her makeup showing through with embarrassment.
Cherry was sitting at his side, refusing to look in my direction. Big Joey must have made it clear to her that any more dalliances with the help, or any man for that matter, would not be tolerated.
“Take a good long look at your grandmother, Cherry,” he hissed. “Because this is what Vegas is like without my protection.”
“Daddy,” she whispered, trying to look away from the old woman. He took her face in his hand and forced her to stare at his mother.
“Please, son, I will take anything that you can give me. I gave you life, that must count for something,” she whispered.
“Ha!” His cold laughter filled the room and made my stomach turn. “You’re right. You gave me a life. Then you cast me out on the street to fend for myself, which is what I should do to you. I won’t be so cruel though. Death won’t come for you as you lie in an abandoned alley. I’ll give you a job. You work for me now, Mother. And you will until the day you die.”
She shook her head and tried to back away. “It was a mistake to come here, I’m going to go.”
Two large men blocked the exit as Joey addressed the one on the right. “Pablo, take my mother down to the French quarter and show her where she’s going to be working from now on.”
“That’s the red-light district! I’m no whore!” she stammered.
His dark sneer was one I would never forget. “You are now, mother. I own you.”
I let the memory slip away. I couldn’t do anything about the past or the bad decisions that I’d made, but I could make sure I was set up for the rest of my life. It had been hours, and I still hadn’t heard from my latest mark, Anna. She was the best chance I had at getting rid of my debt but only if she’d taken my advice and turned down Blake. He liked his girls to have a little bit of fight in them. He gave Vegas a bad name, and we were a lot of gamblers, drunks, and track junkies. It was hard to bring shame to that kind of lot.
She answered her phone, sounding out of breath. “Hello?”
“Hey, everything okay? I was just making sure you made it out in once piece.”
“Yeah,” Anna said with a laugh. “It was touch and go there for a minute though. Thanks for the advice on dealing with him. He really is a creeper.”
How could one woman be so stubbornly infuriating? She was carefree but somehow still an enchantress. I wanted to drag her back to my house like a crazed caveman and make her see how much I cared about her, but I
knew I had to take my time. I was playing a dangerous game. My heart and my mind were torn between the desire I felt for her and the need to settle my debt. Eventually, I would have to make a decision. I couldn’t have it both ways, and I didn’t know if I would be strong enough to make that call.
She was a princess, a spoiled little princess. I thought about Anna and realized that my mark might not be as easy a task to take on as I had once thought. Stubborn and wild, I would have to get inside of her head if I was going to have any shot at finishing my mission. The only thing I could do was put my feelings aside and hope that when the dust settled she would still be there. Shaking my head, I wondered why it should even matter. Anna wasn’t my type. I liked wild women, not sweet country girls.
“I was just thinking the same thing. So, do you have plans for tonight? I’m guessing since you aren’t crying that the meeting went well?”
“Better than I could have ever expected! I was about to call my dad when I realized I left my car keys inside, but the damn place is already locked up. I must have been the last one of the day.”
My heart started to race. There was an opening for me to be her knight in shining armor. “Do you need a ride? I’d be happy to pick you up.”
“No,” she huffed. “I already called an Uber. I see him pulling up now.”
“Oh, okay. Well, I’d like to see you again,” I said softly, and waited with bated breath for her response.
Chapter Five
Anna
“Oh,” I stammered.
My heart fluttered as I thought about what he wanted. I hadn’t been on a date since high school. In the small town I lived in, good men were few and far between, with most leaving the area as soon as school ended. I’d stayed behind to pursue my singing career, and while I did get hit on quite often, it was mostly older men or boys still in high school. So I kept to myself and focused on my demo tapes, dance numbers, and any upcoming auditions I could get my hands on.
“Hey, if I’m not your type or if you already have a boyfriend, that’s cool,” he stammered. “I just thought maybe you’d like to grab a drink sometime.”
“Right, I don’t drink. I’m only nineteen,” I whispered. “Well, I mean, that’s what I told Blake at least. I don’t really drink though. I’ve seen what it can do to people.”
“That’s right. Well, we don’t have to grab alcohol. Do you like coffee? I know a great diner on the outskirts of town. They serve the best brew around.”
My cheeks flushed. There was something about him that was dangerous and intriguing all at the same time. Plus, I wasn’t ready to go back to my hotel just yet. I was still riding the high from being named the leading number for the concert. It would be wonderful to celebrate with someone.
“You know what? That sounds wonderful. Why don’t you give me the address, and I will meet you there?”
“Perfect,” he said.
I could hear the relief in his voice and it made my heart flutter once again. He genuinely wanted to go out with me and his tone was evident of that fact. My phone vibrated and I saw an address pop up under his name.
“Got it, see you soon,” I said softly.
“Great, I can’t wait.”
I hung up just as my ride pulled into the parking lot and I gave the driver my address. It was nice to see that it was a female. I wasn’t comfortable riding around town with a strange man, even though I was going to meet someone who was still a stranger to me. Granted, his advice had probably saved me from becoming another one of Blake’s conquest.
As we pulled away from the venue, I looked down at my phone and realized it had been hours since I last talked to my father. He wouldn’t call and risk interrupting what he knew was a very important day for me, but I wanted to tell him everything that had happened. I quickly called his number and he answered right away.
“I was starting to get worried about you,” he said with a sigh of relief.
“I know, Dad. I’m sorry. I just got out of there. You were right about Blake. He is a total creep, but don’t worry. I handled him. And you won’t believe this. I got the lead vocals!”
“Really? That’s amazing, honey! I knew you could do it,” he said, his tone elated. “So, he was a creep about it? I wish I was more surprised. It sounds like you handled yourself pretty well though. So, what’s next? Are you going out to celebrate with some of the other girls?”
“No way. You know I don’t drink.”
He paused for a second. “Anna, you can’t live your entire life walking on eggshells because of my mistakes. Just because I can’t drink and have a good time doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t.”
“Alcoholism runs in families though, and it’s not just you. Mom liked her tequila too.”
“She isn’t part of your life though, and you know I haven’t touched a drop in over ten years. If you want to have a few glasses of champagne, you know I wouldn’t have a problem with that. Just be careful.”
“Nah, that’s okay. I haven’t really met many of the other girls yet. It was a long day.”
“So you’re heading back to the hotel then?” he asked.
I bit my lip, unsure what I should tell my dad. Going out with “the girls” was fine in his eyes, but going out with a man ten years my senior was a different game altogether. He was a loving and devoted father, but he still had a protective streak inside of him. My mind raced back and forth about what to do. I’d never really lied to him, I didn’t see the point. Honesty was the foundation of any good relationship, and I’d witnessed firsthand what lies could do to people, thanks to my mother.
“Anna, listen to me. You can’t live your life worried about making the same mistakes that we did, okay? You are your own person. You have a right to live your own life.”
“I know, Dad, I just really have no desire to drink. It’s been a long day. I’m sure I’ll make more friends tomorrow. So why don’t you tell me about your day instead?”
He started to tell me about the different jobs and clients he’d worked with and how the upstairs sink was still leaking. I felt terrible for being evasive about my plans for the night, but I didn’t want to worry him. In high school, all the boys I dated were ones he’d known their entire lives. They were guys from the community and friends I’d grown up with. This was different. Nate was a stranger in a town that had turned its back on my father many years ago. I tried to listen to him and offer insight into his daily troubles, but I knew I was distracted.
I couldn’t help but think back to being a young girl and witnessing my mother leaving us for the last time. It shook me to the core. I had idolized her with her wild, fiery red hair, heavy makeup, and unbridled inhibitions. She was everything I wanted to be as a young teen. The night she left, it was after another fight with my father. She’d disappeared for three days, only coming home when the money in her account dried up.
“What the hell is your problem? You have a daughter to take care of!” Dad had said.
I didn’t need to be downstairs to know there was a scowl of disgust on her face. “That’s all you want from me, isn’t it? You just want me to sit around here, take care of the kid and be your little housewife. Did you ever stop to think that maybe I don’t want this life?”
“I know you don’t! You made that clear when we left Vegas. And I told you that I didn’t need you around if you weren’t going to shape up. All you care about is the drugs and nightlife. What is it this time? You run out of money buying booze?”
“You’re one to talk,” she hissed. “How many drinks did you have at the Bern Station before you stumbled home, huh?”
“At least I came home! At least I try to make sure our daughter has food in her belly and a roof over her head! The only time she sees you is when you want something!”
I heard my mother slam her fist on the table. “I don’t want to do this again. I just need a little cash, okay? I have an interview for a backup dancer position in a few hours, then we can talk about this. Please don’t make a scene.”
> “I’m not giving you any more money, Christy. You’ve made your decision, now go.”
“So that’s it? You would cut off the mother of your child over a few lousy dollars?”
“The decision is yours. You can either stay and be the mother that you promised you would be, or you can go. But the door will not be open to you if you walk out of here again, do you understand me?”
“I’ll take her with me,” she said. “Don’t test me. No court is going to let you have a daughter when all you do is drink.”
“You can try to take her, but when they go to her school, her babysitter, the community, everyone will tell them the same thing. I may be a drunk, but at least I love her. How many programs have you missed? Do you even know when the last birthday party you attended was? You want to take her? Go right ahead and try because you are ten times the deadbeat parent I am.”
My mother said nothing, but that didn’t stop my father from continuing. “You know what? On second thought, I don’t want you to stay. Leave and don’t come back, and if you ever think about trying to take my baby away from me again, I will get your ass tossed in jail. Walk away now and don’t you dare look back. This is our home, it doesn’t belong to you anymore.”
“You don’t mean that. We are a family. You said that you would love me forever.”
He sighed. “I thought I would, but you made promises too, like respecting and caring for our family. Look at you now. You’re a washed-up artist who refuses to grow up.”
“Please baby, don’t say that. I will change, I know I can. Just let me do this audition, and I’ll come back. We can be a family again.”
Even at a young age, I knew right from wrong. I wanted to scream at my father not to trust her. Not to give her another chance to break his heart. The second I heard their lips meet though, I knew that he’d give her what she wanted yet again. The cycle would continue for another few weeks at least.
“All right, here,” he said. The sound of money changing hands reached me on the stairs. “Go to your audition. We’ll be here for you when you’re done. How long will you be gone?”
Triple Threat: A Dark Romance (Deadly Passion Series Book 3) Page 3
