One Year Later
Some nights, Crystal decided as she flopped down in the leather chair across from Joe’s desk, it didn’t even pay to come into work. She chased down her heavy sigh with a quick swig of water, and looked expectantly across the desk until the club manager closed the file he’d been working on.
“What?” he teased, smiling at her. “What are you doing in my office? Why are you breathing my oxygen?”
She’d long-since learned that his bark was harmless, so she flipped him off, and stuck out her tongue. “Joe,” she complained, “it sucks out there. Please tell me Raven’s coming in tonight. There are no customers, and I have no one to talk to.”
Ruefully he shook his head. “Sorry, babe. She called to say she was going on a date or something…and she didn’t know when she’d be back to dance.”
“Shit.” Morosely Crystal fiddled with her water bottle again.
“What’s wrong? I thought you two were best friends,” he said cautiously.
“We are…or were, anyway,” she agreed, then looked sad. “It’s just that Shane and she are really getting serious, and she never has time to talk or do anything anymore. All she talks about is ‘Shane this’ or ‘Shane that.’ Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for her,” she quickly added, then stared down at her clenched hands. “But I miss my friend. It’s been months since she danced here regularly. Now it’s just a night here or there, and I never see her anymore.”
Sympathetically he lifted one shoulder in a faint shrug. “I don’t know what to tell you,” he murmured. “They were an item before he went to prison…and now that her ex-husband is dead, she really doesn’t have anyone else. Neither does he, so it’s no surprise that they’ve gotten together again.”
“She has me!” Crystal objected. “We were friends once. But it’s been almost a year since we hung out regularly, and I’m all alone.”
He didn’t bother reminding her that she wasn’t alone; she had an adoring husband waiting for her every night. “Raven wants a husband, a future that doesn’t involve stripping, and maybe kids,” he pointed out. “I hate to tell you this, but you can’t help with any of those things.”
She sniffed a little. “I know.”
He passed her a tissue, and watched as she wiped the corners of her eyes. She was careful not to smear her eye makeup since it took so long to apply. Then he leaned back and carefully studied her. She was using Meth regularly, which was strictly against club rules…but so far it hadn’t impacted her work. If anything, it gave her more energy, so she was doing surprisingly well on stage. Now that Raven had essentially stopped dancing, Crystal’s earnings had jumped significantly. So had his, because those envelopes still arrived like clockwork every single month.
He braced both elbows on the desk and leaned forward. “I think you should prepare yourself for Raven to quit stripping altogether,” he warned her. “It wouldn’t surprise me if she stopped soon. It’s been weeks since she danced here, and she even told me I could give away her locker.”
Crystal’s head snapped up. “What? I didn’t know that! When did she talk to you?”
“It was a few weeks ago. She doesn’t like stripping,” he admitted, “and she said she needed a break. Sure, she’s good at it, and she makes good money. But she’s been doing it for several years now, and she’s sick of it. Besides,” he added gently, “she’s with a guy who can provide for her now, so she doesn’t need it anymore.”
That was true enough, so Crystal changed the subject. “Hey, what do you know about that new club across town?”
“The one that switched from a dance club to a strip club almost a year ago?”
“That’s the one.”
“Not much, actually,” he confessed. “But what I’ve heard about the owners isn’t good.”
That made her lean forward. “What have you heard?”
Quickly he raised a hand to forestall her questions. “Just rumors. I don’t have any direct knowledge.”
He should have known that wouldn’t stop her. “Look, all I’ve heard is that the owners are ‘connected,’ and that the dancers are offered opportunities to make extra money doing parties here and in other cities.” He gave her a meaningful look, but she didn’t seem to catch it. “Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?”
“Duh,” she smirked, rolling her eyes. “I get asked to do bachelor parties all the time. “It’s just stripping, usually in a hotel room or someone’s home.”
How, he wondered in exasperation, could anyone be so dangerously naïve? “Crystal,” he said earnestly, “I’m almost certain that the extra money comes from being an escort—a hooker—and they’re expected to do plenty more than strip at the parties.”
She blinked in surprise, then laughed. “No way! That has to be wrong…like you said, it’s just rumors.”
A pit began to form in his stomach. “Why do you ask?”
“I met the club owner a while back,” she admitted with an airy shrug. “He’s been asking me to come dance there. He swears I can make at least double the money. I’ve been putting him off, but now that Raven doesn’t dance here anymore…” She shifted restlessly in her chair. “I was thinking of moving over there, at least one or two nights a week.”
Which meant he’d lose his star attraction, and the comfortably padded envelopes he’d come to enjoy.
“We’d miss you,” he said sincerely. “But if you think you can make more money, then I understand.” Still, he couldn’t resist adding, “If you do move over there, please be careful.”
“I will, but I don’t believe the rumors,” she smiled. “The owner is so nice, I can’t see him letting that kind of shit happen.”
Nothing he could say would convince her—and the more he pushed, the faster she’d pull in the new direction. So he shrugged and let it go. He really didn’t have anything more solid than those few rumors from bartenders and bouncers.
She considered his request another moment, then shook her head and laughed. “No way,” she repeated. “Well, I’d better get out there and see if a rich businessman has stopped in.” Grinning, she rose, finished her water bottle, and tossed it into his trashcan.
He watched her walk back down the hallway, and whistled under his breath. There was no denying she was gorgeous, and had a body to die for. But she was so incredibly naïve, and one of these days it was going to bite her in the ass. He’d made a special effort to protect her, and knew that Raven had done the same…but if she moved to another club, her safety net would disappear.
The adult club business had an extremely dark side, and he’d seen more than a few strippers get swallowed whole. The predators who hung around this business were lethal, and hadn’t a trace of remorse for the lives they ruined. A few particularly ugly situations still haunted him and kept him up nights, which was why he tried hard to run a clean club. Doing business with the Blades was fine, as long as it didn’t impact the strip club…and so far it hadn’t.
Hookers and escorts. Same thing, really…only one is in a hotel room, and the other is in a car.
From everything he’d heard, the new strip club was more interested in making money than being clean, and that usually turned out bad for the dancers. One of his bouncers knew the new club owners, and he’d refused their offer to work there. When Joe had asked him why, the man had refused to explain…but he’d admitted that he’d heard about dancers who got hooked on drugs, and were never seen or heard from again.
That hadn’t surprised him, because dancers dropped and out of the business all the time. But the look in his bouncer’s eyes, and the way he’d said it, had made him pay attention.
Lots of ways to disappear in this business. I’m dead certain he didn’t mean they met Mr. Right, and got married.
Maria needed Meth badly. She was wracked with cravings, and they were riding her hard. Nausea was washing over her in waves, and her hands shook almost constantly. It was hard to concentrate on anything else.
Focus, bitch! she thought savagely as she leaned on her sink for balance, and stared into her mirror. Just make it through this shift. Once it’s over, Rowdy will pick you up, and he’ll have more Meth.
Rowdy was her contact, her source for drugs, and her lover. She’d met him a few months ago, and he seemed to have an endless supply of money and high-quality drugs. She’d danced for him several times, and liked his relaxed, carefree attitude. He’d invited her out to the Lone Star Blades clubhouse for a party, where she’d tried cocaine. It had been awesome. She’d only tried marijuana a few times, but after several drinks, the offer to try cocaine had sounded fun.
Maria had slept with him the first time that night. She wasn’t in love with him, but she did like to party with him. The fact that he was amazing in bed was a bonus.
A few days later, he’d stopped by the club again, and given her some more cocaine. He’d quickly become her best customer, and he’d also become her part-time boyfriend. He’d always made sure to get a lot of dances, and he was extremely generous when he tipped her.
A month later, he’d introduced her to Crystal Meth.
Adios Mio. Meth is some good shit! she remembered thinking after the first time she’d tried it.
Before long, she’d been using it regularly. Rowdy was generous with the drug, and he always made sure she had some available. When the gorgeous blonde biker had suggested she start making deliveries, she’d agreed immediately. It was a chance to earn some money, and he’d offered to give her Meth for free.
Free money, free drugs, and a cute biker. Who wouldn’t agree to make a few deliveries?
So she made deliveries, and she used Meth. It quickly became a cycle that defined her life. She stopped dancing at the club so she could make deliveries. She made deliveries so she could get more Meth. It was logical in her mind.
Once her Meth habit had become a daily routine, he’d pulled her aside, and told her to cut back. She’d tried; she’d quit cold turkey, and made it an entire week before she’d given in and gone back to it.
After that, her addiction had grown stronger. Now she needed Meth to start the day, and several hours later, she needed another hit. Every time he tried to warn her about it, she quickly got naked and fucked him half-unconscious. Then he gave her more.
It was a fair tradeoff.
Tonight was special. She was dancing at the club, but she had plans with Rowdy later. He’d invited her to a party with some friends at an upscale dance club, and Maria couldn’t wait. He’d told her they’d have plenty of Meth, cocaine, weed, and ecstasy at the party. He’d also said he wanted to take their relationship to the next level, and he’d tell her more tonight. She’d only come in to dance so she could take her mind off her Meth cravings. They were horribly strong.
“You ready, baby?”
Rowdy’s voice cut through her introspection, and she beamed at him. “Yes! Holy shit, I thought I’d have to work my entire shift. Let me go change, and then we can leave.”
“Change?” His eyebrows rose in surprise. “You don’t have to change…you look fantastic! Besides, we’re running a little late. Just go grab your stuff, and we’ll get going.”
Maria kissed him passionately, then hurried toward the locker room. Then she turned back with a wide smile when he called her name. “Clean out your locker, too,” he told her. “You’re not dancing anymore. No girlfriend of mine is going to be a stripper.”
She squealed with delight, rushed back, and wrapped both arms around him. “Thank you, baby!”
“You’re welcome. Hurry up and let’s go,” he said, and lightly kissed her. “After tonight you’ll stay with me.”
Several minutes later they left the strip club. Rowdy led the way on his bike, and she followed in her car, until they reached an upscale nightclub on the outskirts of Austin. It had a separate VIP entrance, and they walked right upstairs to the VIP area. It was already crowded, and Rowdy moved them over to a large booth.
“Shane, Jingles!” he greeted the two men already there, and had to pitch his voice to carry over the loud music. “How’s it going?”
They both shook his hand; then he introduced Maria to them. Jingles stood up and offered his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Maria.” Shane quickly followed suit, and then everyone sat back down and talked for a while.
She was delighted when Jingles asked her to dance. She loved dancing, so after Rowdy nodded his approval, she followed him out on the dance floor. “Are you doing okay?” he murmured when the song ended.
She’d enjoyed the dance, but her cravings were starting to come back full-force again. “Rowdy said there were going to be some ‘party favors’ here tonight,” she said, smiling coyly up at Jingles. “I could sure use a little something!”
He flashed her a sly grin. “Rowdy was right. Why don’t we go get some? We’ll be back in a second.”
She glanced over at Rowdy, but he was talking to his friend, so she eagerly nodded. “Let’s go.”
Jingles curled his hand around hers, and led her downstairs. A Range Rover was parked near the back of the building. When he tapped lightly on the glass, a huge black man stepped out and smiled at them. “You ready, man? We got whatever you need. Got whatever you need, too,” he grinned down at Maria. “Let’s step back here, and I’ll show you what I got.”
He opened the back of the SUV, and motioned at an open briefcase. She leaned in to get a better look…and felt a sudden sharp, stinging pain. Baffled, she whirled around and glared up at Jingles. “What the fuck?”
He had an empty syringe in his hand. Smiling, he held a finger to his lips. “It’s okay, baby,” he said softly. “You’ll feel great in a second.”
An instant later she felt weak and drowsy, and her legs crumpled. Jingles caught her before she fell to the pavement. Distantly, as if it was happening to someone else, she felt him lay her in the back of the SUV. She could barely keep her eyes open.
The sound of duct tape being pulled off the roll echoed distantly in her ears. Then her hands and feet felt like they were being bound together.
“Rowdy,” she murmured. “My boyfriend.”
“Shhh,” a voice said softly. “Don’t worry. You’re going to have plenty of boyfriends soon.”
Rough, evil laughter rolled back and forth above her. Then her eyes fluttered shut, and she finally lost her grip on consciousness.
Jingles checked her pulse, nodded to himself, and glanced over at his lieutenant. “You got forty-five minutes to deliver her. That’s plenty of time. Don’t fucking speed, Sherrod. Call me after you’ve made the delivery. I received payment at the club earlier, so all you gotta do is drop her off. Then I want you back here.”
“Sure thing, Jingles. Piece of cake.”
“I’m going back in to pay our bikers,” he said…but lingered long enough to watch Sherrod drive the SUV out of the parking lot. The buyers were from Central America. They’d met Maria at the strip club earlier that week. After she’d danced for them, they’d agreed on a price. They’d arranged for a long stay in their country…a stay that would last the rest of her life.
The two bikers were still sitting at the table when Jingles returned to the VIP lounge. Shane glanced up at him. “Everything go okay?”
“Perfectly.” Satisfied, he waved to a waiter. The man nodded, and reached behind the bar. Then he approached their table, and offered Shane a tray holding a black leather pouch.
Shane’s eyebrows rose sharply when he opened it, and looked inside. “This is more than we agreed on!” he exclaimed, studying his friend in bemusement. “A lot more. We agreed on twenty-five thousand, Jingles. There’s more like fifty thousand in here.”
The black ex-con sipped his water, then smiled. “Remember when you gave away your first shipment of Meth for free? I’m doing the same thing here. This is a profitable part of my business, and I want to do more business with you.” Briskly he motioned at the pouch. “Bring me all your mules, Shane. I’ll handle them for you.”
A rare smile curved Shane’s lips. “Jingles,” he chuckled, “it’s good doing business with you.”
Rowdy lifted his beer. “Let’s raise a glass, gentleman. I’d like to propose a toast…” Then he hesitated until Shane and Jingles had raised their glasses. “…to the mules!”
They all laughed, and clinked their glasses together. None of them were bothered by the fact that they’d just sold a young woman, a human being, into a fate worse than slavery. Maria’s future was dark, filled with pain and anguish, and she’d be horribly alone when it finally ended.
The only difference between Crystal and her? Crystal was worth more.