Chronic (Se7en Deadly SEALs Book 2) (7 page)

AS WE SPED AWAY FROM the jail, my body chilled. The world seemed to be spinning around me, like I was stuck on some lazy Susan and I couldn’t jump off.

Joaquín. I’d been inches away from my brother, close enough to breathe the same air. Yet he hadn’t had a clue who I was. His own flesh and blood. Even worse, I could swear he was checking me out!

In his defense, I didn’t resemble his beloved sister. Joke was on me, I fucking guess. He knew me only as Grant’s chick; scratch that, Grant’s
stripper
.

But I’d taken a chance, a risk. When Grant was signing in at the jail, I placed that bracelet on my wrist.
Our
bracelet. The one I’d found at the top of the mountain.

I flashed it at my brother the second I had an opportunity. Hoping Joaquín would see it. Hoping he would realize I was here for him, even though he’d tried to convince me to abandon him. A signal.

Joaquín had seen it—a treasure only Mia could possess. But I had no idea if he even understood what it meant—that I was either Mia transformed or, if that was too far-fetched, that I had sent someone to see him. Either way, I was sure he was sitting in his cell, wracking his brain trying to come up with an explanation.

Dammit. Now that I thought about my actions, I realized that I could’ve put my plan in danger. Not by Grant recognizing a bracelet he had never seen, but by Joaquín possibly contacting his lawyer, demanding an answer. Joaquín could even think that Grant was in on my deception.

Grant was smart. Could he have picked up on my exchange with Joaquin? He had never seen the bracelet before so I didn’t think he’d take notice of it. If Grant had noticed the bracelet, then at least he would have no way of connecting it to my true identity.

As long as this random visit hadn’t been some sort of test. I couldn’t push that thought away. Going to visit a friend in jail didn’t seem like a very normal outing choice for a fledgling relationship. And it was something that Grant could do anytime, on his own, with the jail being across the bridge from where he worked. Why did he want to take me with him? I hoped that the reason he had invited me had been more of an afterthought instead of a calculated plan.

I forced those thoughts out of my head as we cruised down the freeway. I clung on to Grant, needing to feel him closer to me, wanting so much to put an end to this farce. I shuddered and it wasn’t from the cold wind. Grant’s words had gutted me.

Marry him
. Grant had wanted me to marry him back then? Unbelievable. I mean, I’d always hoped we were headed in that direction, but Grant had always fed me some bullshit about how hard it was to be married to a Team Guy and that we were too young. This knowledge changed everything. If I’d only known, I would’ve told him the truth about that night. I would’ve fought for us. I would’ve fought for him, instead of running away. But back then, I’d felt completely alone for the first time in my life. I hadn’t even told Joaquín what had happened to me.

But there was no time to dream about what could have been. Seeing Joaquín so clearly just a day after I met Julián rattled me. I was more certain than ever that Julián was Joaquín’s son. Julián had to be my nephew. Apparently, that would be one of the only mysteries in my life that I would be able to resolve quickly—Roman had texted me that the results of the DNA test would be in by the end of the week.

I told Grant that I was feeling ill, and I was surprised when he agreed to drop me back at my place. I wanted to spend the night crying in Grant’s arms, confessing my sins, secrets, and suspicions to him, but there wasn’t any time for that.

Ksenya planned to make it up to him later, show up at his place, make him dinner. But now Joaquín’s sister had to go to work.

I decided against taking my car downtown in case I was pressured to drink, so I hailed a taxi. The driver dropped me off at Diamond. After a quick elevator ride, I arrived at the club.

I was about to text Mitch to let him know that I was here, but as I reached into my purse for my phone I felt a hand grasp my wrist.

“You owe me a dance,” the deep voice whispered. I didn’t need to look up. Mitch’s presence loomed behind me.

“Of course, Mitch. I will save for you the dance.”

Another voice spoke. “No, you don’t understand. You don’t have the job yet. We need to know you can party. Our customers don’t hold back.”

I looked up and it was Jack. Damn—I knew the interview had been too easy. “Party?” I genuinely didn’t have a clue what he meant, but my skin crawled at the possibilities. Did he mean would I sleep with men? Get wasted? I shivered wondering what these two had planned for me.

Jack’s eyes danced around my body. “Why don’t I take you to the lounge and I’ll show you.”

Jack headed toward the back of the club. I leaned into Mitch as he put his arms around me, and we followed Jack.

Two shiny gold doors opened up to another room. And there it was. The golden stripper pole.

My hands shook. It didn’t matter if the pole was made out of gold or tin to me, I was still expected to dance and degrade the fuck out of myself on it for him.

Fuck.

Jack leaned against a booth, his eyes focusing on me.

“Let’s see what you got, babydoll.” Mitch slid into a black leather lounge chair, facing the front of the pole.

I hesitated and a scowl crossed Jack’s face. “Look, sweetie, dance for us now, or get the fuck out of here. We have girls coming in here all the time. I don’t have time for your bullshit.”

What an asshole. “Ok. I’m sorry. I am little nervous.”

I took to the stage, waiting for the music to start. Jack played a melodic tune, which suited me fine. I climbed the pole, did a couple of aerial moves, then decided to do an old school strip tease, more Rita Hayworth in
Gilda
than Nomi in
Showgirls
. I slowly moved the shoulder straps of my gown off my shoulders, exposing my black lace corset, my full breasts spilling over the top. A shimmy of my hips and my gown fell to the floor, revealing my garter belt and stockings. Mitch’s lips parted, his eyes hungry. I worked the pole, making sure not to volunteer a lap dance.

My song ended not a moment too soon. I stared at my rumpled dress. What would come next? I wanted to go home.

I went to gather my clothes, but Mitch stopped me. “That was good. But you’re not off the hook. You still owe me a private dance.”

I figured. Well, one degrading step at a time.

Jack turned to me. “Time to party, baby.”

“I don’t know what it is you mean. I’m not hooker.”

Mitch pulled me into him, which made my mind flash with scenarios of being gang raped since I was practically naked. “I got you, babe. Let’s have a drink.”

A waitress came to our table and I ordered a cocktail. I felt dizzy and a sense of dread filled my body. My eyes scanned this room, staring at the exit door, trying to plan an escape route.

“Let me show you.” Jack pulled a mirror and a small bag out of his back pocket. My eyes fluttered, focusing on the moonlight through the windows. There was about two ounces of white powder in the bag.

Mitch’s eyes dilated.

I jerked my head back, unable to control my reaction.

It was cocaine.

Cocaine!
I knew the SEALs were drug tested all the time so clearly something was amiss here. Was this the key? Had they been involved with some type of drug deal and Joaquín found out? Was Mitch involved in framing him?

Holy shit.

“Relax, baby.” Mitch pulled me to him. “You’ve never done it? It’s an incredible high.”

Jack laid down a mirror and poured a thin line of coke. He took out a credit card and smooshed the powder down. Mitch handed him a dollar bill, and Jack snorted a line. Then Mitch followed. My eyes dazed and my skin tingled.

Mitch pushed the mirror into my hands, and handed me a razor blade. “Here, your turn. This will help you loosen up, then we can have some fun.”

Was this some type of test? This had to be a trap. Was Grant here somewhere? Or maybe he was going to take pictures of me and show Grant. What was I doing? Was this getting me any closer to Joaquín?

But I couldn’t say no. I’d never even smoked a cigarette—I was an actress and didn’t want to fuck up my voice. But my gut wrenched and I felt almost certain that if I didn’t pass this test—the hard-partying-up-for-anything-stripper test—my game would be over.

I closed my eyes. I could do this. The drugs running through this place could be linked to the murder. I’d made too many sacrifices to get here; what was one more?

I took a deep breath, stared at Mitch who nodded at me expectantly, and inhaled a line.

My gums numbed, a bitter, metallic taste dripped in my throat. I tried not to gag. My insides were quivering but it wasn’t from the blow. I was in a strange place, with men I didn’t trust. Grant wasn’t with me. Through this entire time, since I’d transformed, I’d convinced myself I’d always at least maintain control. But I was anything but in control of this situation. I finally realized how vulnerable I truly was.

Mitch rubbed my back, and I fought the sudden overwhelming desire to get close to him. His fingers made me tingle, and I imagined him touching me. Hell, I wanted him to touch me! I wanted to lose myself in pleasure, forget about my fucked-up life and indulge. Pulses of euphoria streamed through my body.

Mitch leaned in and kissed my neck. His now-potent scent startled me. A flash reminded me of the only other time in my life that I’d lost control. A time that ruined my life.

But I didn’t have time to focus on Mitch. Because not even a minute later, the heavy doors swung open and Grant was standing there in front of me, a look of disgust marring his beautiful face.

***

SURE, I FUCKING FOLLOWED HER, Ksenya, Mia, whoever the fuck she was. If she were Ksenya, then maybe she was just a typical dancer who just saw me as nothing more than another client. Did she think I was dumb and wouldn’t know she was going to party with another guy? My fellow Teammate at that? Guys have been killed for lesser reasons.

She squirmed out of Mitch’s arms. “Grant!” She bit her nails, trying to cover her cleavage with her arms. She was wearing a corset and a fucking garter belt. But if she were Mia, it would make sense for her to be here to investigate about the dead stripper. Though Tiffany never worked here, Diamond was the hottest new gentlemen’s club and many of the former Panthers’ girls had made their way here. I wanted to call Ksenya out right now. All I knew was that this full bullshit scenario was giving me a headache. I didn’t know whether to beat Mitch up or to thank him.

Mitch pushed her off him, got up and shook my hand. “Sorry, man, I told you she was just a stripper.” His nose was runny.

Fuck. He was doing blow again. He better not have given that shit to Ksenya.

Before I could respond to Mitch, the waitress brought a tray of drinks. Two whiskeys and a rum and Coke.

A rum and Coke—Mia’s drink. Since I met Ksenya, she’d only drank vodka.

I fucking knew it. If I didn’t see it clear-as-fucking-day earlier today, when faced with her brother, I saw it then. How the fuck had she pulled this shit off? The Russian accent, the body, the face, the goddamned stripping! This chick was insane. My stomach wrenched—I didn’t know if I should be pissed off or impressed.

I shook Mitch’s sweaty palm, my mind plotting my next plan of attack. My turn to play games. “It’s cool. I didn’t come here for her. Is Autumn around?”

My eyes darted toward Ksenya, who was struggling to pull on her dress. Her chin dipped to her chest, her posture slumped. Too bad I was done falling for her bullshit.

“Yeah, I’ll get her.” Mitch slapped me on the shoulder before heading back into the main area of the club, Jack following him.

Leaving Ksenya and I alone.

I stood my ground. She took her walk of shame and placed her hand on my shoulder. I shoved it off.

The cute, wounded little look she gave me did nothing whatsoever to help her case. “Grant, I’m sorry. It is not what it looks like to be. Mitch told to me at party that he could get me job here. I know you got me job at bar, but I need more money. I was afraid to ask it to you, because I know you do not want it for me to strip.”

She was lying, about what I didn’t know yet. I steadied my breath—I would see this through until I outed her for who she really was, though I would continue to hide her identity from my Teammates. I’d work with her to exonerate Joaquín, and then send her the fuck out of my life forever. Either way, getting rid of this chick couldn’t come a moment too soon.

“I don’t care what you do. I was trying to help you but if you want to do blow and get naked with a bunch of my friends, be my guest. I don’t have time for a cock tease.”

I raised my head and glared into her eyes. Yup, her pupils were dilated.

Man, I’ll fucking kill Mitch when this is over.

Her fingers brushed up against me again and I recoiled. “Take me home together with you. I promise I will not tease you.”

Don’t fall for it, Grant. She’s an actress. She’s playing you.

I pushed her off of me. “I don’t fuck junkies.”

She gave me a blank stare and I turned away from her.

Mitch returned with Autumn. She smiled when she saw me, and I gave her a big hug. Blonde bob, tight clothes, perky ass. I had been about to fuck her the night of the murder, but we’d both partied so hard, we passed out. She was a nice, sexy girl, but I hadn’t been able to find an emotional connection with her.

Autumn and I chatted in the booth, while Ksenya stared at us. After about five minutes, I was about to walk away with Autumn, get wasted. Maybe if I fucked her tonight, I could take my mind off Ksenya.

But I couldn’t resist—I took one final glance back. Ksenya’s hair hung in her face like a spider web, and her lip was trembling.

Exactly like Mia’s used to.

Fuck, what was wrong with me?

I kissed Autumn on the cheek, told her it was great to see her. I was a goddamned idiot not to make a night of it with her but I still needed some answers. Maybe Ksenya would break down and confess everything to me after I fucked her brains out.

I grabbed
Ksenya
by the wrist until she yelped.

“Fine. You want to play games, little girl? Make me jealous by fucking around with my friend?”

Her eyes widened, almost doe-like. “I made mistake. Please, you must forgive me.”

“Stop talking. You want this night to continue? You will obey my orders. What I say goes. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

She nodded her head quickly, her skin flushed.

I was a Navy SEAL, the ultimate alpha male. When I’d dated Mia, I’d never let her see my whole self. I’d never brought that shit home with me. I’d treated her like the little fucking princess that I’d always thought she deserved to be. I’d been the nice guy—tender, loving and attentive. I had aimed to please her, rather than myself.

Tonight, she hadn’t earned that right. I’d be selfish and fuck her how I’d always wanted to.

I was done minding my fucking manners.

***