That’s what’s going to happen, and what should happen. That was the plan.
Unknown to her, over a hundred men booked her between last night and the night before. There would have been more but we have a cut of point so we can manage the selection. When I came up with the idea of getting her, I didn’t think she’d get so many men worked up over her. It was just an idea, but like most of my ideas I hit the jackpot. I just didn’t know I’d land myself in the trap too.
The starting bid was two grand and people could bid in increments of five hundred upward. I call the shots as an owner and if I want a woman, I’m having her. In the same breath I can’t upset people who are my loyal patrons by being a dick.
So, I outbid the whole bunch of fuckers winning my time with her fair and square.
My phone buzzes on the floor interrupting my thoughts. I’m almost grateful for the interruption because I don’t know what to do. Reaching down for the phone I pick it up and answer straightaway when I see it’s Kirk.
“Yes,” I say, feeling hopeful he has something for me.
“I got a number, Boss. From one of the dead guys. Found it in his apartment,” Kirk says.
I sigh with relief. “You sure it’s linked to Falcone?”
“Said his name on the piece of paper I found,” he answers. There’s a smile in his voice that makes me chuckle. “Those dumb fucks. Good for us though. it’s a lead.”
I nod even though he can’t see me. “Thanks man, message it to me.”
“On it.”
He hangs up and the number comes through seconds later. I get my ass off the bed, and get dressed. Today I’m upping my game and taking things up a fucking notch. There’s a lot I can do with a phone number. I just hope I can use it to find Falcone and sort this shit out today. I won’t rest until I do.
Chapter 12
Lilly
I hover my finger over the screen of my phone, reread the content of the email I’m about to send and press send.
The message goes along with the attachments I linked to it, straight to the admissions department at The Aurora.
That was it. My first real step toward getting my life back on track.
Yes… the whole financial aspect of it comes into play too. It absolutely does because I can’t do anything without money, but there’s no sense imagining getting myself back on stage and dancing with the Aurora Dance Company then not doing anything about it. Applications to join the company opened today and I just applied.
Last year I’d just missed the deadline for applications when Rosie and I got back to the states.
I was sad but not too sad because I wasn’t in the right frame of mind then to do anything. I wasn’t even practicing or thinking about dancing. As time went by, I slowly got back to that place in my mind where I knew I had to find my way back to the stage. The date was saved on every calendar in the places I stayed at since and my phone. And in my heart.
There was no way I’d miss it, and even if I don’t get in the fact that I tried is what will count. It was always my goal to dance with them, but they take the absolute best who already have a substantial amount of experience under their belt. Even with my four-year absence from the dance world I have that now.
I look up as the barista approaches me with a smile. It’s early but late enough for the morning crowd to have vacated the coffeehouse leaving the best booths free.
“Can I get you something while you wait?” she asks with a kind smile.
“No, my…friend will be here soon. I’ll wait until then,” I answer. Calling Mimi a friend feels weird since I haven’t known her that long and it feels strange to my ears to refer to anyone as a friend. Miguel didn’t allow me friends.
“Okay, I’m Helen. Just give me a shout when she gets here,” Helen says with a nod.
“Thank you,” I answer, and she saunters away.
It’s nice here. I’ve been here a few times, but it wouldn’t be my first pick because it comes with a heavy price tag. To me it’s more of a treat. I’ve come here with Rosie. She likes the muffins. I’ve tried to replicate them for her, but I suck at baking. I’m a better cook.
At least I’m good at something that will be of benefit to her in some way, something she can remember me for.
I pray she never knows I had to work at The Dark Odyssey and that she never finds out I failed in every way to keep her safe and happy in these early years.
The last few nights with Christian were… I don’t know what to call them. Last night was the most intense because we were in bed the whole time.
I left at the crack of dawn because I thought I should, and I didn’t want to feel any hope that he would book me again. I thought the worse thing would be expecting it and then him not saying anything, so I left.
I’m fairly sure he got his fill of me last night and I don’t want to feel hurt when the fascination fades.
The task now is to push him out of my mind. Even if I see him tonight.
It’s not fair to want him to save me night after night.
I know all too well that I shouldn’t allow myself to be drawn to him in anyway and I’m not his problem to deal with.
The door to the coffee house opens with a little jingle and in comes Mimi. Like me she’s short and even has the same hair color. The first thing I thought when I met her was that our similar appearances could make us related.
She’s wearing a little top and Levi’s and looks like a million dollars even though her baby is six months old. There’s no way I’d guess she’d given birth six months ago or that she has another child.
I stand to greet her as she approaches, and she gives me a hug. As we hug, she does feel like a friend.
“You’re smiling, that’s a good thing,” she bubbles and the ends of her ponytail bounce.
I smile wider. “Thank you. I’m glad.”
She sits and I sit opposite her. “Thanks for meeting me. I hope it was okay to meet.”
“Yes, I got a sitter for my little girl.” Mimi messaged me just before I got to Jenny’s so I asked Jenny if she could watch Rosie a little longer. It was no problem.
“Perfect. I won’t take up too much time, I just want to make sure you’re okay and meet you outside of work, somewhere you could talk to me without the pressure.”
As she looks at me, I get that feeling again like she can see I’m not really okay.
“Thank you, and it’s fine. I have a really nice person looking after my Rosie. I trust her and she does a good job.”
“Oh good. So, are you really okay?”
“I’m okay. It’s been an interesting couple of nights.”
“Lilly people are raving about you. I was there from the club opened and I know people go to the club for one thing. You seem to be another. I feel awful that I haven’t seen your performance. That man of mine is crazy. He’ll only allow me to go to the club if he’s there too, he’s just protective and thinks I should be wrapped in a bubble. His bubble.”
I chuckle. “But that’s nice, to have him take care of you like that.” I saw Salvatore a few times in my training and he’s exactly as she described. Protective.