“You okay?” She asks grabbing my hand as I sit back down.

“Yep.”

“Hey what do ya say we go out tonight and have some fun?”

“Like what?” Fun sounds good.

“We’ll go over to Studio X, have a few drinks, learn a few new tricks and the guys can come hang out when they get back.”

“Sounds good.”

We move from one noisy place to the next, but at least this one has booze and lots of it. I throw back my shot, slam my glass on the table and watch the woman slide up and down the pole.

“She new?” She is nothing like what was here before I left. This woman is timid and shy to show her body. If that’s the truth, she’s got the wrong job.

“Yeah. Only been here about a week. Still getting the hang of it.”

I nod and watch as the woman’s hands shake as she unclasps her bra. As soon as her song is finished, she gathers her clothes faster than I ever thought possible and exits out the back. I raise my eyebrow at Princess.

“Told one of the other girls I’d give her a chance. This is it.” She shrugs. “Blaze is next.”

I smile. I hadn’t seen her since before I left for school and it’s no one’s fault but my own. Just like everyone else, I didn’t call. I should have. Next to Harlow and Bella, she’s the closest thing I have to a friend. The thing I love about her is she’s so self-contained. She’s strong, independent and doesn’t take shit from anyone. And she doesn’t sleep with brothers. Shit, she probably goes a few towns over if she wants some just in case.

She’s a very savvy business woman and seriously smart. When I left she only had a small bit of college left, I’m sure by now she’s graduated. She told me once that if men wanted to pay for her school, let them. And she has. Music begins booming even louder through the speakers and out walks the famous Blaze, but in real life Taryn McKnight is only known by a few.

Her body is curved to perfection, boobs spilling out over her top. What gets me about Blaze is the confidence she radiates while she’s up on the stage. It amazes me that she has that same confidence when she walks off. Drives the men wild. Every single one of them right now would give every penny they have to spend one night with her. But she never has.

Blaze’s body sways to the music. Her hands move up and down her body from the tips of her toes to the top of her breasts and into her brunette hair that cascades down her back. She wraps her leg around the pole and does these twirls and slides, proving just how damn strong her legs and arms really are. She has to have the whole room panting because I’m right there with them. G.T. can’t get here soon enough.

Blaze’s clothes fall to the ground piece by piece. I look over to a very enthralled Tug, who is adjusting his jeans and smile. To me, those two would make an ideal couple, not that I plan on being matchmaker any time soon. Hell, I barely have my own shit together. Blaze finishes her dance and the lights on the stage go black. Cheers and whistles bring the house down and Harlow smiles.

“She’s something. I want to go say hi.” I yell over the noise. Harlow takes my hand and pulls me through the sea of men trying to get a piece of Blaze. Even I know that she’s already locked up backstage so none of them can get to her.

Harlow nods at the bouncers and pushes through the doors. She greets the girls and heads straight to the back door that is shut. She knocks.

“Who’s there?” Blaze calls.

“Your girlfriend!” I yell back and the door flies open.

“Casey!” She screeches and pulls me into a hug, the silk robe she wears clings to her sweaty skin.

“Hey girl. How the hell are ya?”

“Good, really good.” She pulls away and looks me up and down. “I heard about your baby. I’m sorry.”

“Thank you.” We enter the room and she locks the door behind her. One would think that she is paranoid, but with all the men that want a piece of her it is for her own safety. It’s something she has to do to protect herself, along with carrying a 9mm. I sit on her couch with Harlow by my side. Blaze sits in front of us in the chair; legs crossed appearing to be the perfect lady.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come. Princess told me about the service, but it was for family and it didn’t feel right.”

It is like déjà vu hearing those words come out of her mouth. Didn’t I just say them a few weeks ago? “You are family. Anything you can come to, I’d…” I stop and look at Harlow, who lifts her chin. “We’d love for you to be there. Did you finish school?” I ask.

Her face brightens. “Yes. The degree is mine.”

“You’re still gonna work here?”

“For a while. Money’s too good to give up and the more I save now, the better. But I’ll be figuring something out soon.”

“I’m sure you will.” It reminds me that I need to find out if I can get my job back at the shop. With everything going on, I haven’t had a chance. I need to make it my top priority.

“Hey Princess.” Blaze turns to her. “Some of the girls were saying that a woman’s been coming here every night looking for you. Shaina. You know anyone by that name?”

“Yeah. Diamond’s kid. She didn’t leave on such good terms with the club, probably wants to see if she can smooth it out on my side.”

“She’s been pretty adamant and drinking, a lot. Cali said that he had to escort her out one night.” She shrugs. “But this is all hearsay. I didn’t see any of it.”

“Because you’re locked up.” I laugh.

“Damn right. I can’t be too damn careful.” Blaze has had men follow her home from the club, write her letters, send her all kinds of gifts, some worth thousands of dollars. It’s quite nuts. But Blaze handles it with grace and saves all the gifts as a savings account. More power to her.

Banging at the door pulls our attention away from our conversation. “Yeah.”

“Cali.” He grunts and Blaze opens the door. Tug stands with his arms crossed next to him.

“Princess got a visitor. Someone named Shaina. Please do something with her or I’m gonna fucking make sure she never comes back here again.”

“Thanks Cali.” Harlow says standing up. “Wanna come?”

I look at Blaze. “I have another set I have to get ready for. Go ahead and we can talk after.” She smiles.

“Sure.” I hug Blaze and follow Harlow out to the main bar. Shaina is sitting with her legs crossed staring down at the bar. She jumps when Harlow touches her arm.

“What do ya need?” Harlow asks politely.

“I need the money from my dad.”

“I don’t know anything about money honey. You’ll either need to talk to Pops or your mom. I haven’t got a clue.”

“You have to get it for me. You have to.”

The fear in her eyes is evident and swarming. “What’s wrong? And who do you owe it to?” Harlow asks as if she inquisitions people every day.

Shaina looks away. “Come on.” Harlow says pulling Shaina’s arm and bringing her into her office. Shaina sits down in the seat across from Harlow, I sit in the other.

“Spill.” Harlow says lacing her fingers together in front of her, her body screaming power.

“Not a big deal. Just need the money my dad put aside for me, I’ll pay it and it’ll be done.”

“Not good enough. Who and how much?” Shaina looks to me.

“Hey. If you want her help, you gotta answer her questions.” I shrug and she sags slowly breathing in and out.

“About three months ago, I got involved with this guy. He’s part of a club outside of Sumner. We were dating for that time and then he disappeared. He owed the club twenty-five grand and they want their money or they’ll kill me.”

“What club?” Harlow asks sitting up in her chair.

“T-Darts.”

My heart rate picks up and I ask the next question. “What was his name?”

“Jace.” My heart plummets.

“Alright. Let me get this straight.” Harlow continues as if the ground didn’t just shatter underneath me. “You dated Jace, he disappeared, and he owed T-Darts money and now they are after you.”