Entangled Chaos (Entangled Duet Book 1)

by C. M. Radcliff

  I shrug. “Not much to tell there. I took too many shots on an empty stomach and felt sick as shit. So, I bounced.”

  “Okay...” She cocks her head to the side, not believing a single word I said. “So, why did homeboy have his hand wrapped around Vin’s throat?”

  My hand stills in mid-air as I white knuckle the curling iron. “What are you talking about?”

  “He’s the guy you were back there with. Andi saw him go back there and she saw him holding Vin against the fucking wall, Dali...” Her voice trails off as she stares at me. “Who the fuck is this guy?”

  Dropping my iron, I swallow hard as I try to maintain composure.

  What the fuck did Kai do?

  “He’s no one,” I lie.

  Tierney gives me a sour look. “Liar,” she retorts. “I know you don’t do relationships, but he’s more than no one.”

  I need to shut this shit down, right the fuck now. The last thing I need is Tierney sniffing up the wrong tree.

  “Look,” I tell her quietly as I lean closer to her. “He was my boyfriend in high school and he wanted to come get it out of his system before he gets married.”

  That’s not a lie, right? Or is it.

  “You dated in high school?” she questions, narrowing her eyes at me.

  Coating my hair in hair spray, I give her a small smile. “Just once,” I admit, leaving it at that.

  He was the only one there would ever be.

  Tierney stays quiet before giving me a curt nod. “Whatever you say.” She shrugs, standing up. She starts to walk over to her station when she stops and glances back at me over her shoulder. “For the record, I don’t believe a damn thing you just told me.”

  Quickly turning back toward my mirror, I shake off the lies and put on some makeup. I go heavy on the eyes with a smoky look and contour the fuck out of my face. I either go all out with my make up or wear none at all.

  Kai’s young, teenage face flashes in my mind as I line my lips with a dark shade of red.

  Put on the makeup and keep it light.

  My face falls, becoming a blank canvas as the color drains from my face. I quickly turn around, looking over my shoulder for him. It was all in my head, but I swear it was as if he was standing here talking to me.

  With a ragged breath, I turn back to the mirror and close my eyes. Breathing deeply, I shake off the unsettling feelings and clear my mind of him and his soft brown eyes.

  “Lacy,” Vincent calls from the door, startling me. My eyes open in a flash and meet his in the mirror. “You gonna stay in here all night or get out there?”

  Standing up, I quickly strip naked and slide my signature black lace thong on and lace pasties. Giving myself a quick look in the mirror, I fix my hair into place and turn around to face him.

  Vincent stares at me, his eyes dark and heated, like he would rather keep me back here to himself. He’s never been a threat to me, but as time has passed the way he looks at me has changed.

  He wants me, but he wants the money that I make him even more.

  At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

  “On my way out now, boss.” I wink, flashing him a smile.

  Sliding my heels on, I strut across the room toward the door that leads to the stage.

  The same doorway that he’s standing in.

  Stopping in front of him, I cock my head to the side and put my hands on my hips, waiting for him to move. A moment passes before he moves to the side, just barely giving me enough room to squeeze past him.

  Hugging the doorframe, I slide past him just as he grabs my arm. “We need to talk later,” he says quietly so that I’m the only one who hears him.

  Turning to look at him, I give him the fakest smile I can muster and nod understandingly. Vincent narrows his eyes at me, holding onto me for a few seconds longer before releasing my arm.

  My face falls instantly as he stays behind, watching me from the doorway. A panicked feeling passes through me before I block it all out.

  Putting on my game face, I ignore everything clouding my mind and stride out onto the stage as the music starts to bump through the speakers. Sashaying down the stage, I reach my pole, front and center, and lose myself in the music.

  The music flows throughout the club and through my body as I twist and turn, sliding up and down the pole. Money falls at my feet as I take over the men crowded around the stage.

  I’m in my element, under the lights, feeling their eyes on me. The sexual energy is thick in the air and my arousal has my body tingling from every nerve ending.

  My last song slowly comes to an end, with the final thirty seconds left. Knowing this is where I need to really draw them in for when I hit the floor, I slide down the pole with my legs spread wide open.

  As I reach the bottom of the pole, my pussy is already wet as my clit throbs against the thick metal. Throwing my head back, I close my eyes, feeling my arousal coursing through my body.

  My heels hit the stage as I squat before my ass hits the floor. Grinding against the pole once more, I look up at the men surrounding me, dragging my gaze across them seductively. Their money falls to the floor around me as I survey the crowd.

  Halfway through, directly in front of me, the eyes that haunt my mind stare me down. He’s standing behind a few men, so I don’t notice him right away, but I could feel his heated gaze on me.

  I had pushed him so far out of my mind that I never once considered the possibility of him showing up again.

  The crowd around me becomes fuzzy as the panic settles deep in my bones. My body trembles and I struggle to keep my shit together.

  Get off this stage and get the fuck out.

  My fight or flight instincts have become my enemy.

  Run until you’re six feet underground.

  I can’t do this with him. It’s been too long, but it’s still too much. My cool façade cracks under his gaze and I’m split wide open. He knows his way around my heart and my mind too well. He lurks in deepest, darkest corners because he knows that’s where I hide.

  He forces my hand, he rips the cards from my tight grip and throws them on the table.

  No matter how far I run, if he wants me, he’ll find me.

  Taking a deep breath, I collect myself, ignoring his eyes and give the men a sweet smile as I sweep the money from the ground. My body screams at me to run, but I disregard it as I deliberately stroll across the stage, shaking my hips with every step.

  Slipping into the dressing room, I quickly close the door and lean back against it. Letting out a ragged breath, I close my eyes as I struggle to hold it together.

  There’s no place for him in my world or my life.

  Detach.

  Avoid.

  Ignore.

  I was cold for a reason and I couldn’t go soft now. He has no hold on me, he is nothing to me.

  He is everything to me.

  I shove every thought of him and our past from my mind. The frost creeps into my body and I slowly open my eyes as I feel the cold sinking deep into my bones.

  Walking over to my station, I touch up my makeup, straighten my hair and give myself a once over. My hardened eyes are vacant as they sweep over my body.

  He isn’t Kai... not the one that I once knew.

  He’s just another nameless face throwing around money like it’s confetti.

  Fixing my thong, I throw on the fakest smile that I can muster and leave the room with my guard intact.

  Pulling the door behind me, I turn around, running directly into a hard, warm body. My balance is thrown off as rough hands grab my arms, steadying me on my feet.

  “Where the hell did you go?” Vincent demands, glaring down at me.

  “Jesus fucking Christ,” I mutter, shaking his hands from me. “I went to the dressing room to freshen up, like I do every night.”

  Vincent narrows his eyes as he takes a step back. “You sure you weren’t running again?”

  “That won’t happen again,” I assure him. “My personal
life is none of your business.”

  “It is when it interferes with my business and when it becomes a threat to me.”

  I cross my arms over my chest defensively. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “Your boy that came at me,” he scoffs. “Is he going to be a problem?”

  Rolling my eyes, I shake my head in annoyance. “No, Dad,” I mock. “Your prized pony is safe, and you have nothing to worry about.”

  Vincent narrows his eyes in suspicion for a moment before his face brightens. “Good.” He smiles. “Head over to the VIP room. You were requested.”

  “Already?” I whine, dropping my arms to my side. It was fucking early to go back there already, and I was going to have to be on my feet for the rest of the night.

  You don’t have to fuck all of them.

  Vincent shrugs, smiling unapologetically. “What can I say, they all want a taste... or two.”

  “Fuck you, Vin,” I scoff, turning away from him. I stomp down the hallway to the VIP rooms, already heated and not sexually.

  “Make us some money, baby!” Vincent calls from the end of the hall.

  Throwing up my hands, I flip him off and head into my room.

  It’s quiet and dark when I enter. I should be more prepared, but I don’t fucking care. Whoever walks through that door better have a nice cock who knows how to use it. I’m agitated and aggravated and I need a good, hard fuck.

  Turning around, I feel along the wall for the light switch. I find it and turn on the red ambient light that runs along the floor and the ceiling. Fiddling with the dial, I adjust the brightness as the door from across the room quietly opens and closes.

  “I’m so sorry,” I croon as I find the right setting for the light and turn around. “I wasn’t expecting you so soon—”

  My lungs deflate as my wide eyes meet his. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  “Dahlia.” His voice is rough as he walks closer to me. “We need to talk.”

  Shaking my head, I back away from him, closer to the door and to freedom. He walks with me until my hand reaches the doorknob behind me. Quickly turning it, I go to pull the door open as he slams both of his hands on either side of my head and cages me in.

  “Running again, bambolina?” he coos, tilting his head down toward mine. He leans into me, pressing his thick erection against my naked stomach.

  I inhale sharply as a fire builds inside me. The tingling spreads between my legs as he throbs against my skin.

  I lost my guard and I’m coming undone as he pulls on my strings like a spool of thread.

  This can’t be happening.

  No weaknesses.

  His head dips down to mine.

  “Kai,” I breathe, leaning into him instinctively as my body betrays me.

  “You can run, and you can hide,” he whispers against my lips. “But I will always find you, no matter the cost.”

  Kai

  SHE FLOODS MY SENSES and kicks my body into overdrive. I shouldn’t be here, let alone pressed up against her with my mouth on hers.

  This is what she does to me, the effect she has on me. She had always thought that it was the other way around.

  She was wrong.

  This isn’t what I came here for.

  What was I here for?

  That’s the power she has over me. I can’t stay away, even though I should. This was never part of the plan and if he finds out, she’ll never be safe.

  My hands find the side of her face and slowly trail down the side of her neck to her shoulders. She moans into my mouth as I drag my fingertips down her sides and settle on her hips.

  Her hands fist my hair as she kisses me with force. Instead of following my lead, she grabs the reins and takes over. She’s running this and I’m just along for the ride.

  I should stop this.

  Sliding my hands down, I cup her bare ass and lift her up. Her legs snake around my body as she clings to me.

  Everything I’ve done the past ten years is a total waste now.

  I carry her across the room, as we’re lost in a trance. My legs hit the couch and I gently lower her onto it. We both fell into this with no expectations, but with her on her back and me in between her legs, it becomes a chaotic race to the finish line.

  Her lips and her hands move in a frenzy as she tears at my clothing. I break away from her long enough to pull my shirt off and my mouth finds hers again.

  Taking her bottom lip in between my teeth, Dahlia yelps as I bite down hard. Releasing her lip, I draw it back into my mouth and run my tongue across it as I gently suck it.

  Dahlia moans into my mouth and arches her back as my hands cup her tits and twist her nipples. She quickly grabs for my pants and wastes no time as she unbuttons them and pulls down the zipper. My cock is throbbing in her hand in a matter of seconds before she’s pressing her wet pussy against the tip.

  Letting out a low moan, my hips fall forward as I drive my cock into her.

  She lifts her hips with every thrust and spreads her legs open farther, drawing me in deeper and deeper. I fuck her hard, like a fucking savage and she takes it all in stride.

  Reaching between us, I circle her clit with my fingers, driving her closer to the edge. We’re both lost in each other as our moans fill the room. It doesn’t take long before she melts in my hands. She clenches around me as her orgasm shatters her.

  I should stop this.

  The thought comes a second too late and her orgasm drives mine. I slam into her one last time before slowly pulling out.

  Just as fast as it happened, it’s over. She’s quickly sitting up, pushing away from me with her green eyes wide.

  What the fuck did I just do?

  “Who the fuck do you think you are?” she demands, cutting her eyes at me. There’s a bite in her tone, but she’s holding back.

  She’s vicious and I want her venom.

  “You know exactly who I am, bambolina,” I murmur as I trail my hand up her thigh. “The real question is, who the fuck do you think you are?”

  “Get your fucking hands off me,” she seethes, making no attempt to move.

  She always did like to play with fire.

  Leaning forward, I press my lips against the base of her neck and slowly work up to her ear. “How many men have you let fuck you, bambolina?” I breathe and lightly bite her earlobe. My hand reaches between her legs and I slip a finger inside her. “How many men have played with what’s mine?”

  Her breathing hitches and her body tenses as I slide another finger inside her. She moans quietly as I fuck her with my hand and tease her clit with my thumb. She moves against me as I pump my fingers in and out of her, feeling her orgasm building again.

  “How many men am I going to have to kill?” I growl into her ear. “Because I’ll fucking kill them all.”

  Dahlia closes her eyes, tipping her head back and moans as she comes undone in my hands. Drawing my fingers from her trembling body, I press them against her plump lips.

  She opens for me, parting her lips and I slip my fingers into her mouth.

  “Suck,” I command as she swirls her tongue around them, sucking them clean.

  Her green eyes are unreadable, and her gaze is penetrating as she watches me intently.

  She’s guarded as she moves to the side, putting distance between us.

  “Why are you here?” she whispers.

  Because I’m a fucking fool.

  “Because I can’t stay away,” I admit. “You shouldn’t be here.”

  Dahlia cuts her eyes at me and jumps to her feet. “What I do with my life is none of your business.”

  “It is now.”

  Everything that involves her is my business.

  Anthony assured me that she was safe, he just never mentioned how bad things actually were.

  She crosses her arms over her chest, covering her full breasts. “You need to leave,” she demands, glancing at the door.

  “One conversation,” I counter. “That’s all I’
m asking.”

  “Pretty sure we just had one, so I think we’re finished here.”

  Taking a deep breath, I stand up and reach into my back pocket, pulling out my wallet.

  Dahlia laughs harshly as I flip it open. “Save it,” she scoffs. “I don’t need your fucking money.”

  Ignoring her, I pull out one of my cards and hold it out to her. She eyes it suspiciously, but curiosity gets the best of her and she takes it from me.

  “My cell number is on there,” I tell her as she stares down at the card in her hand. “Call me when you’re ready to have that talk.”

  Her bright green eyes flash to mine. “Don’t hold your breath.”

  “Don’t need to,” I say as my lips curl upward. “I know where to find you.”

  Winking at her, her lips part slightly as her eyes widen.

  “One conversation,” I repeat as I turn away from her and slip out of the room, leaving her with her thoughts and my number.

  I should have stayed away.

  It was too late to turn back now.

  Dahlia

  HOLDING HIS CARD IN between my fingers, I flip it back and forth as I have every day for the past week. The card feels heavy in my hand and weighs down on my heart.

  I stare at the number that’s ingrained in my mind, but I don’t call.

  I never do.

  I should have ripped it up and thrown it out the instant he gave it to me, but I didn’t.

  I couldn’t.

  Tucking the card back in my wallet, I throw it into my purse and climb out of my car. I pulled into the parking lot about twenty minutes ago, so I needed to head inside before I was late.

  I was already skating on thin ice with Vincent, but I was beginning to not care. I had liked my life... the simplicity of it and the zero fucks that I gave.

  I was beginning to hate it and the club wasn’t just where I worked anymore.

  It was where Kai came barreling back into my life.

  Soon it would be time to move on to a new city and a new life. I knew one day it would come. The past was catching up to me, so it was time to go.

  The night passes quickly as I go through the motions in a daze. Friday nights are always busy and fast-paced. I dance on the stage, make my way around the floor and give a few lap dances.