Caleb: Lost Breed MC Series: Book 6

by Parker, Ali

  The music was so loud, I could feel the base in the soles of my heels. It traveled up the length of my legs and pounded through my body like little electric jolts. It was probably the Zandra that helped me feel every vibration and cadence, and I let my body move to the rhythm without having to think about it.

  My hips swayed from side to side as I turned in a slow circle on my platform. I dropped low and arched my spine as I crept back up, throwing my head back and sending my hair down my back.

  Nearly twenty men were gathered around my platform looking up at me with adoration in their eyes. I met their gazes and batted my eyelashes. I spun and twirled and touched my body, playing with all the places I knew they ached to see. I ran my hands up my thighs and let one rest between my legs on top of the thin fabric of my G-string as I ran my other hand through my hair, shaking it out. The strobe lights winked all around me, and I knew how good I looked.

  I had no sense of how long I’d been dancing. For all I knew, it had been hours. It only felt like minutes. Zandra had a funny way of doing that to me. When I was high, my shifts blew by because of how much fun I had. My glittery black money box was sitting on the ledge, and men were cramming bills inside it for me. A few women did, too, and I blew them all kisses every time.

  I wondered how much I’d pulled in so far. It was hard to keep track when my mind was all fuzzy like this, but I was guessing I was sitting around four hundred dollars or so. If I could get a couple hundred more before the end of the night, I would consider this shift a win, and I would have enough to at least get Jayden on the hockey team. I could worry about purchasing all his gear over the next couple weeks leading up to his first practice.

  A handsome guy in a gray suit stopped at the front of my platform and looked up at me. He had short blond hair and was clean-shaven. The way he was dressed suggested he was in business of some sort, and he looked like he was dripping in money. A snazzy watch flashed on his left wrist, and he had diamond earrings in both earlobes. His smile was pure sex as he pulled out his wallet and tucked a hundred-dollar bill in my box.

  I went down to my knees and moved toward him.

  I was a smart girl, and I wasn’t too proud to show my gratitude with my body. I couldn’t touch him, but I could give him a small personal show to say thank you for his generosity. When I was right in front of him, I flipped my hair over and lifted myself up. I used my knees to grind against the floor and arched my back, flexing my core muscles. I knew his eyes were on me—as were those of everyone else in the vicinity—and I laid it all out on the platform for him.

  When I was done, he flashed me a very wide smile and mouthed the words, “I’ll be back for you.”

  It was common that most men thought I was single. My job probably confused them. Why would a girl like me, who does what I do, ever go home to another man at night?

  Sometimes, I wondered the same thing. But Cliff paid half our rent, and he was a big, strong guy who helped keep the riffraff out. I didn’t live in the nicest part of the city, and I felt safer having him around for me and Jayden. Cliff knew how I felt, and he did protect us. He’d had to scare off some unsavory looking folks before, and it would have been an entirely different story if he hadn’t been there. It would have been just me and Jayden. I didn’t like to think about how badly it could have gone.

  When Kadia started winding down, I had collected at least another two hundred dollars. My muscles were sore, and I was tired when the house lights flickered on. I straightened and waved goodbye to the men who had still been hanging around my platform. They waved back, some of them looking stupid drunk, and I collected my cashbox and hurried down the stairs off the back of my platform. My knees felt a little wobbly from all the dancing and strain I’d put on them, and the Zandra had worn off over the last hour, making my whole body feel like lead.

  I pushed in through the saloon doors to the back room where the other girls were.

  Sadie was dragging a makeup wipe over her face, pulling pink lipstick and black mascara all down her cheek. She folded the sheet up and wiped again as she looked over at me. “Hey, girl. How’d you do? I was watching you whenever I had the chance. Looks like you killed it tonight.”

  I dropped down into my chair at my vanity station and set my cashbox in front of me. I was trembling with anticipation. This was the best part of the night: counting the cash. I flipped the lid open and stared down at all the bills.

  “Holy shit,” Cassidy breathed as she walked up behind me. “That’s a lot of cash.”

  I started counting it out. When I was done, I folded it all up and set aside a hundred dollars. That was the cost of renting a dance platform at Kadia. We were given the option to pay monthly, but I preferred to just do it after every night. It was easier this way. And it guaranteed my position. With the hundred dollars removed, I had still earned over seven hundred. A good night for sure. I bundled it up and tucked it in my purse.

  Milly was stripping out of her outfit and swapping it for a pair of jeans and a pullover. As she zipped up her fly, she said, “You should know, Lauryn, Cliff was calling for you tonight. I came back here on my smoke break, and he was on the line with Jack.”

  I groaned. “Did you hear what he was saying?”

  Milly shrugged. “Not really. But Jack didn’t sound too thrilled to be having the conversation. Sounded to me like he was checking in on you to make sure you weren’t, you know, getting too intimate with the clientele.”

  “I’m going to kill him,” I growled as I fished out a hair tie from my makeup bag and gathered my hair into a ponytail. “He’s such a fucking ass. He always does this. And I’ve never cheated on him. I don’t know where he gets off being such a jealous prick.”

  “Men,” Sadie shrugged.

  Cassidy frowned. “Not all men. My Leo doesn’t call to check in on me like Cliff does. He knows this is my job, and he treats it as such. He’s a restaurant manager. He works with super hot women all day, and I don’t check in on him either. You need to evaluate if he’s worth it, Lauryn. Everything I know about him doesn’t paint a pretty picture.”

  I opened my bag and got out my change of clothes, leggings, a knit blue sweater, and my sneakers. I started changing. “You don’t actually know him, though.”

  “No, I don’t,” Cassidy said.

  “So you can’t really judge me for being with him,” I said. I knew I was being defensive, but I couldn’t help it. I didn’t like people criticizing my decisions. They didn’t know what my life was like, and I didn’t need their approval.

  Cassidy blinked at me. “I wasn’t judging you. I’m sorry. I should never have said anything. It’s none of my business.”

  I sighed after tying up my sneakers. “It’s all right. You’re just trying to help.”

  Cassidy slung her bag over her shoulder and put her hand on my arm on her way out. “You know we only care about you. See you tomorrow night, girl. Text me when you get home to let me know you’re safe.”

  “I will.” I smiled.

  Then, I finished packing up my things. I chatted with Milly and Sadie as we all headed out of the back room and left the club. We stepped out into the chilly night air and all went our separate ways. I walked down the block to the bus stop and waited ten minutes for my bus. Then, I got on and sat in the back with my headphones on and rode home.

  Cliff would never let me take his truck to work because he didn’t want it parked downtown. He was worried someone might key it or something. But he wasn’t worried about me traveling at two in the morning on transit.

  The bus dropped me off, and I walked another five minutes to my apartment building. I went in and rode the elevator up to the sixth floor. My eyes were heavy as I unlocked the door and slipped inside.

  I could smell the chili Jayden would have warmed up for dinner. I inhaled deeply, and my stomach grumbled. I was too tired to eat.

  I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and took off my makeup. Then, I braided my hair so it wouldn’t get all tangled while
I slept and padded down the hall to Jayden’s bedroom. I pushed his door open and went to sit on the edge of his bed under the twinkling lamp that cast slowly turning stars on his ceiling.

  I ran my fingers through his hair and just sat with him for five minutes or so before leaning over to plant a kiss on his forehead. Then, I got up, the bed creaking softly as I left, and went back down the hall to my bedroom.

  Cliff was snoring in bed. He was lying right smack in the middle with his arms wrapped around my pillow. I sighed and stripped out of my leggings and sweater. I changed into an oversized T-shirt and some cotton shorts and climbed under the covers.

  The nights were definitely getting colder. I had to tug the blanket out from under Cliff and curled myself up in it. I claimed the corner of my pillow he wasn’t hogging and nuzzled my cheek into its softness.

  I lay there perfectly still until a sense of calm set in.

  This life was not the one I’d dreamed of having when I was a little girl. Hell, it wasn’t the one I dreamed of having now. I never saw myself as an erotic dancer and a mother at the same time. I thought one would follow the other and the child would have come after the dancing. I imagined being able to stay home with Jayden during his young years. I dreamed of being able to give him a sibling so he would always have someone to play with in the cul-de-sac of the house I could never afford.

  I bit down on my bottom lip as emotions started swirling within me.

  Cliff’s snoring only made me more frustrated and reminded me every ten seconds that I was with the wrong man. I was with someone I didn’t love, and I knew he didn’t love me either. We were together simply because it was easier than being alone. When we craved sex, we had each other. But for everything else we were distant. It was killing me. I needed tenderness and someone to hold me like they never wanted to let me go.

  I wanted someone to take care of me the way I took care of Cliff and Jayden.

  I’d been alone too long, and it was eating me up from the inside out.

  I fell asleep wishing I had Zandra in my nightstand. Maybe I could give Cliff some cash so he could pick some up for me tomorrow.

  Chapter 5

  Caleb

  Saturdays at Kadia were always a shit show. It was the one night of the week that all security staff was on shift, and we had two bouncers on each door. Since the nightmare in the alley with Isaac and Evelyn and her friend Penny last month, I’d even put a guy at that back door. Ryder wasn’t taking any risks, and neither was I. Not that I expected Isaac to show up at Kadia ever again, but he’d surprised me before.

  And I was done with surprises. The only surprise I wanted in my future was the gender of Ryder and Dani’s child. Even that was too much to wrap my head around right now.

  A couple of the dancers arrived and went straight toward the bar. I knew both of them. Their names were Sadie and Milly, and they did everything together. The bartender, Samuel, mixed them each a drink and passed it over the bar to them. They thanked him and sipped on their cocktails as they made their way to the back room to start getting ready for their show.

  Lauryn came in shortly after that. I was standing near the back door and watched as she walked from the front doors to the back room. She didn’t stop for a drink. She had a water bottle in one hand and her bag in the other. Her headphones were in, and she walked with purpose, never looking away from her destination.

  She had long legs and thick, voluminous auburn hair. Her hazel eyes were almost gold under the brightness of the house lights, and I could see her freckles decorating her skin. She was a total bombshell, and I’d always thought so. It was no wonder she made a killing dancing for us on weekends.

  When she disappeared through the saloon door to the back room, I sighed and started walking around to make sure everything was in order for the night. Saturdays were the most dreaded day of the week for me.

  It was a half hour to opening, and I was making my rounds to talk to my team about what to be on the lookout for when a couple of cops showed up. I walked over to them and introduced myself, trying to nip in the bud whatever the fuck was going on.

  “Hey, I’m Caleb, head of security here. Something I can help you with, officers?” I asked, extending my hand to the big, bald guy first.

  The guy shook it and looked me up and down. “We’re looking for Mr. Carrington. Can you grab him for us? We’re just following up on an investigation of private matters.”

  Fredrick Carrington was the previous owner of Kadia. After a long few weeks of losing his fucking mind, he decided he was finally done with the nightclub business. His daughter had been kidnapped, taken by the mafia in town.

  Damn Bertinelli’s. Someone should have put them in their place, but it wasn’t my fight. My MC getting wrapped up in the underbelly of New York was out. That was one thing we all agreed upon.

  I was sad to see Fredrick go. He was laid back and hands off. The new owner was a guy from Chicago. DeMarco something or other. We hadn’t met him or his lead man, Marcus Blaine, but we would be when the time was right.

  “He retired boys.” I shrugged and tried to relax. Cops always put me on edge.

  “Did he now.” The other cop glanced at his friend and back at me. “Who’s in management right now?”

  “I’m the highest you’re going to get on the totem pole at the moment. What can I do for you?” I slipped my hands into my pockets and kept my eyes locked on the guys.

  The cops glanced over at each other, both of them too damn young to be partners. What was the force thinking? That needed an older guy in one of the positions. Dumb asses.

  “Alright,” the first one murmured and pulled a pad out of his back pocket. “A while back, there was a death in the basement.”

  “Several.” I nodded. “It was a drug that was laced with something. Not much we can do about that, guys.” I pointed to the metal detector hidden in the top of the entrance door. “I can tell if you’re packing heat quietly, but that thing doesn’t scan for drugs. Most of the bad guys in this city don’t go to the library to do their business.”

  “What are you doing to stop this from happening again?” The other cop spoke up, his voice wavering a little.

  I would have given them an E for effort.

  “This is the most popular club in New York City, you can see why it’s a pain in the ass to eliminate it altogether. But we’re better now than we used to be. There’s not much we can do, honestly. We have upped our security in the club, and we watch the patrons pretty damn close, but Zandra is the latest rave, which I know you know. It keeps popping up. People love the shit.”

  The first cop chuckled, surprising me a little. “Can you blame them?”

  “No. I can see why the effects would be desirable.”

  “You’ve never tried it?” the other cop asked.

  I shook my head. “Not interested.”

  “Good,” the first cop said and nodded approvingly. “We’re just going to look around. We’ll be as conspicuous as possible.”

  “Those uniforms aren’t going to allow for that.” I smirked. Idiots. “But, do what you need to do.”

  “Hey. Who’s the new owner?” the first cop asked.

  “Some big wig up in Chicago. We’re supposed to have the final turn over later this month.”

  “You know his name?”

  “Nope, and until I have to? I don’t want to.” I smiled and turned, ready to move away from them and deeper into my night. No fucking way I was spilling anything to the boys in blue. They wanted information, they’d have to figure it out on their own.

  I turned and walked over to the bar once they’d left. Samuel was wiping everything down and prepping his pouring mats for the night. He had made sure all his liquor bottles were full and his limes were all prepped. He had his straws stocked, his glassware ready to go, and the rest of his garnishes looked to be filled to the brim as well.

  He grabbed me a glass of water and placed it in front of me. “What the hell are those cops doing in here?”
>
  I took a sip of water. “You know Fredrick had some trouble a few months back with Kadia, then the shit with Aria.”

  “Aria? His kid?”

  I snorted. “She’s not a kid anymore, but yeah. Everything is cool now, but I’m sure these guys are snooping around due to him getting caught up in a bit too much lately.” I shrugged. It wasn’t my business, and I was grateful for that shit.

  “Is that why he retired?” Samuel leaned against the bar and watched me.

  “No clue. Don’t know and I don’t care to know.”

  “Easy enough I guess.” He smiled. “How is the Zandra problem going?

  “Problem? There’s really not a problem. The drug is powerful and fun, a lot like ecstasy.” I crossed my arms over my chest and glanced around. “It’s always going to be part of the night club scene. Drugs that is. This one is just in the spotlight right now.”

  Samuel chuckled and shook his head. “Good luck with that, man. Those chicks pop half a capsule every night these days. They claim it makes it easier for them to get into their dance and not think about how many people are watching them.”

  “I believe that.”

  Samuel moved back and rolled his shoulders. “I suppose I do, too, but that shit will fuck you up. And every damn night? I don’t know. You might be coming up against a brick wall if you go back there, bro.”

  I scratched my jaw. Stubble whispered against my fingertips. I needed to shave. “Maybe. But the alternative is they go dance somewhere else, and they won’t make the sort of cash they do here. They’re smart girls. They’ll see reason. If they want to use, they can, just not while they’re here.”

  Samuel chuckled. “All right. You see how that goes.”

  I sipped more of my water, and Samuel wiped the bar down mindlessly again. Then, he glanced up at me. “How’s that Hillary chick doing that you were seeing? I haven’t seen her around lately, and she was popping by every weekend.”

  I sighed. I wished I’d never brought her around. Everyone was always asking about her, and I was sick and tired of having to tell people we were over. “That sort of fizzled out and died a couple weeks ago.”