Jodi_ByTheLight (28 page)

“Waiver? Why would I need a waiver?”

Granny shrugged. “In case you get hurt, you won’t sue the club.”

Ava turned and faced the old lady. “Get hurt doing what?”

“That.” Granny pointed a finger at a passing dancer wearing platform heels.

Ava wrinkled up her nose. “How many dancers have gotten hurt wearing those heels?”

A passing stripper stopped in front of Ava. “Why this month alone, we’ve had two girls break their foot when they slipped on something on the stage. Hell, even my insurance won’t pay for me to have these bunions removed.” While balancing on one leg, the stripper lifted a long limb and shoved her deformed foot in Ava’s face.

Ava’s eyes widened and she leaned back.

The stripper straightened and shrugged. “If you don’t sign it, you don’t get to dance.” With that she strutted away on her platforms.

“I’m not stripping.”

Granny ignored her and continued to dig through the rows and rows of costumes. She stopped and pulled out something red. “What about this?”

Ava held out the red cloth and shook her head. “That’s a cape but it doesn’t have a hood.” She pointed to the blue shiny material next to where Granny had picked up the cape. “Probably goes with the Super girl costume.”

Granny shoved the cape back on the rack and continued to sort. She paused and pulled out something else. “Here.”

Ava held the long red cape in front of her. “I don’t think Little Red Riding Hood’s cape was that long.”

Granny snorted. “Well it’s the best we can do. Besides there’s enough material to cover your whole body while you’re searching for Jayden.” Granny’s voice was but a whisper.

Being covered sounded good to Ava. Sighing, she held her hand out to Granny. “Fine. Give me the rest of the costume.”

The old lady smiled as she hurried her over to a private corner with a dressing screen. Ava stepped behind it and began to change.

“Are you finished yet?”

“Are you sure you can’t find something else for me to wear instead of these pasties?” Ava glanced down at the red circles covering her nipples. She sniffed. They really did smell like strawberries.

“Don’t they cover your nipples?” Granny’s head peeked around the screen.

Ava cringed. “Yes, they cover my nipples.”

Granny shot her a frown. “Then what’s the problem?”

Ava gritted her teeth. “They don’t cover anything else. I’m completely naked.” Ava held her hands out and looked down. “Not to mention the fact that I’m afraid to take a step in this edible thong. It feels like it’s going to rip in two every time I move.”

Granny smiled. “That I can assure you won’t happen. In fact there’s a money-back guarantee that those panties won’t rip, not until someone actually takes a bite out of them.”

“That’s comforting.” Ava closed her eyes and rubbed her pounding temple.

“Here, take one of these.” Granny held out a small mint.

Ava narrowed her eyes at the lady. “What is it? Arsenic?”

“Just something to help you relax. Don’t worry. I take one all the time when I have to host a sex party.” Granny smiled

“It’s not a roofie is it?” Ava lifted her brow.

“No. I wouldn’t even know where to get that.” Granny paused and lifted her finger to her lip. “Although, my friend, Ester, has a grandson who is a drug dealer. I bet he could hook me up with some hoofie.”

“It’s called roofie, not hoofie.” Ava cringed, the throbbing in her head getting louder. She shoved the pill back into Granny’s palm. “I’m not taking it.”

Granny shrugged and slipped the tablet back in her purse.

“All right, here’s the plan. Keep the girls busy with your edible whatever and I’ll go look for Jayden.” Ava grabbed the cape and wrapped it around her like a cocoon.

“Good luck.” Granny gave her an encouraging squeeze on the arm before walking to the middle of the room. Putting two fingers between her lips, she whistled. The screeching noise halted the movement in the room as all the dancers turned to look at the old lady.

“Listen up, girls. I’ve got everybody’s order from the sex party!” The excited girls immediately descended on the old lady like buzzards on road kill. A few of the girls didn’t gather in the center of the room, obviously college girls here for amateur night. Instead, they took the opportunity to seize seats at the coveted makeup tables and brushed eye shadow over their lids and swiped lipstick across their lips.

Opening the door, Ava peeked out. Thankfully, the hall was empty. Slipping out the door, she made her way down the hall. The carpet was pink and the walls were deep red with gold crown molding at the ceiling.

Ava looked back over her shoulder to make sure no one was following her. Picking up her pace, she stopped when she reached the door at the end of the hall.

She reached for the doorknob, expecting it to be locked. To her relief, it turned. Slowly pushing the door open, Ava groped for the light switch on the wall in the darkened room. When her fingers brushed the plastic tip, she held her breath and flicked the switch.

Her heart lunged. Tied to a chair in the corner of the room was Jayden, his head hanging limply on his chest. His blond hair was matted with blood from where they had beaten him. His arms, bruised and cut, were tied behind his back while his legs were tied to the chair.

Ava took a step closer, Jayden jerked his head up and it was then she saw his face. His right eye was swollen shut and his left barely open. He glared at her with a hatred so intense it actually made her stomach hurt.

Swallowing hard, Ava held up her hand and removed her hood. “Jayden it’s me, Ava. I’m here with Granny to get you out.”

His eyes went from hatred to confusion to relief as she stepped closer. “Ava, you need to leave now. They’re looking for you.”

Kneeling at his feet, Ava reached into the large plastic purse and pulled out a knife. “I know. I’m not alone. Damon’s out front in the club and Granny’s with the strippers.”

His head jerked over to her. “Damon let you and Granny come?” He gritted his teeth and shook his head. “I’m going to kick his ass.”

Ava gave him a slight smile. “He didn’t bring us.” She ducked her head and quickly worked the knife against the thick ropes.

“He doesn’t know you two are here.” Jayden’s voice sounded oddly hollow.

“He’s not going to know until we get back home, got it?” Ava released his legs and went to work on cutting his hands free.

When the last thread snapped, she stood.

“Damn.” His good eye roamed over her near naked body.

“Shut up.” Ava frowned and wrapped her hooded cape around herself.

Jayden managed a crooked grin. “What are you supposed to be?”

“Little Red Riding Hood. Believe me, the irony is not lost on me.” Ava shook her head. “Look, we’ve got to get you out of here.” Cracking the door, Ava peeked out. “We’ll go out the back door.”

Jayden snorted. “The bouncer guarding the back door isn’t going to let me out. He’s the fucker who did this to me.”

“Well, you can’t go out the front.” Ava looked back at him. Jayden leaned against the wall, pain etched in every line of his face. Ava looked down at the floor, her hand running the red cape between two fingers, feeling trapped. How was she going to get Jayden out?

Ava’s head jerked up, her mouth settling into a big smile.

Jayden frowned. “What?”

“I got an idea.”

Chapter Thirteen

Damon eased himself onto the corner stool at the bar, careful not to hit his sword against the metal bar running under the counter and make a clinking sound. The bar wasn’t as crowded as the tables were, but he still had to wait for Braxton to finish filling drink orders before the bartender ambled toward him.

“What can I get you?” Braxton nodded slightly, while running his tan cloth across the counter, his eyes scanning and assessing anyone nearby.

“Just a beer.” Damon felt for the plastic bag at his waist and palmed it, waiting for the opportunity to pass it to the bartender.

Braxton pulled a mug off the shelf and placed it under the beer tap and filled it. He slid it to Damon, who took a drink.

“Consider it on the house.” Braxton kept his bar towel moving in circles, wiping up invisible condensation and spilt beer. “I hear you need a special drink.”

“Something like that.” Damon flattened his hand on the counter, hiding the bag he’d palmed. He slid his hand closer to the napkin next to his mug. A cold female hand across his neck made him freeze.

“I’m done.” The stripper purred near his ear.

“So, I see.” He turned his face toward her and she slipped her free hand toward his crotch.

“Are you ready?” She poked out her lips in a sexy pout.

“I need to drink my beer first.” Damon forced an interested grin to his lips. He nodded toward Braxton. “Can I buy you a drink?”

“I’m working. I’m not supposed to be drinking.” She shot a nervous look at Braxton as if she expected him to chastise her.

“What if I buy you a Red Bull?” Damon asked.

She turned back to him and her full lips curled up. “Sure. Make sure it’s loaded.” She winked.

Damon caught Braxton’s’ attention and ordered a Red Bull and vodka. Braxton nodded and left his bar towel to mix up the concoction.

The stripper wrapped her arms around Damon’s upper arm like a boa constrictor.

“Why don’t you go make sure our room will be empty in about five minutes?” Damon put his empty hand around the stripper’s waist. Finally, she complied. When he turned his attention back to the bar, he noticed Braxton’s bar towel on the counter.

Lifting his beer, he took a long swig. As he placed it back on the counter, he dragged the towel closer and slid the plastic bag underneath. As soon as he moved his hand away, Braxton’s hand came down on the towel pulling it toward him and under the counter in one easy motion.

“Here’s your drink.” Braxton shoved the Red Bull and vodka toward him. “Make sure Cindy gives the bouncer his drink.” Braxton slid another drink over to Damon for the bouncer.

Damon frowned. “Who’s Cindy?”

“Cindy is the name of your stripper.” Braxton didn’t bother fighting a grin.

“She’s not my stripper.” Damon growled.

***

Ava managed to grab another red cape from the stripper’s dressing room and make it back to the office without being seen.

“Here put this on.” Ava tossed the red material toward Jayden before she took up her post of peeking out through the cracked door into the hallway.

She glanced back over her shoulder to see Jayden standing there with the red cape covering his massive shoulders. Though it would cover his face and his upper body, there was no way to conceal his muscular legs.

“Shit. I don’t think this is going to work. You look like a drag queen.”

“I just need to get by the bouncer. I don’t have to look as hot as you.”

Ava tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth. “You’re right.” Her gaze met his. “Are you ready?”

Jayden nodded slightly. Ava knew if they waited any longer he wouldn’t have the strength to make it out the door.

Ava retrieved Granny’s plastic white purse and peered inside. Her lips parted slightly then curved into a wide smile. “Actually, all we have to do is make it out the back door.”

Swinging around, Ava peered out the crack of the door. Pulling the door open wide, she gave Jayden the all clear sign. When she stepped out into the empty hallway, Jayden was right behind her. He shot his hand out in front of her, stopping her from continuing.

“I need to go first.” Despite his condition, Jayden was still being protective.

Not wanting to step on his manhood, Ava looped her hand through his arm. “We go together.” His eyes squinted as his lips pressed into a defiant thin line. Quickly she added, “We’ll blend in better. Girls usually walk side by side.”

Indecision reflected in his eyes as he considered her logic. His face relaxed slightly as he gave her a brief nod, then covered his face with the hood.

She held onto Jayden, not so much out of fear, but to give him the extra support. With each step he limped, and when she glanced up into his face she could see his jaw clenched, swallowing back the pain.

They almost made it to the exit when the dressing room door swung open.

They froze.

Ava’s heart plummeted and she was certain it would never start again.

Granny stepped into the hallway.

Ava sucked in a breath and rubbed her hand over her heart, making sure it was still working. “Shit, Granny, you scared me.”

“Ava, I…” The old lady’s words trailed off as her eyes traveled over the covered figure that was Jayden. “Oh, my God.”

“I’m okay, Granny,” Jayden mumbled but didn’t bother lifting his hood. Granny brought her hand up to his hidden face, but he grabbed her hand. “It’s not anything that won’t heal.”

“We need to get him out of here now.” Ava looked over her shoulder making sure they were still alone in the hallway. “We’ll go out the back door.”