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DOT

My freshly manicured nails scraped the rhinestone devil mask, tingles vibrating through my fingers as I stared down at it. With a smile, I turned to the floor length mirror, admiring my sheer pink dress, barely covering my ass and hanging off one shoulder. The single sleeve flared out, the edge sewn with a pink faux boa. My sparkly pink lingerie glistened under the sheer dress, matching my pink knee high go-go boots perfectly. My makeup and hair was on point, resembling the classic ‘70s fashion, my pink signature lips popping perfectly against my golden hair. For the first time in weeks, I felt pretty and perfect. Just like my new mask, and it was mine. Just like the Devils.

Dante strolled behind me, dressed in a sheer black dress shirt, unbuttoned to showcase his tattooed and built chest, obviously oiled and smothered in body glitter. He had on black leather pants tight enough you could see everything, squeezing his ass and dick in all the right places. A pleasant sight. His long black hair was greased back, a few strands hanging in front of his face as he smiled down at me, wrapping his arm around my tiny waist. “You look phenomenal, angel.” He kissed the top of my head, eyeing the mask in my hand. “Are you ready for tonight?”

I turned to face him, staring up into his beautiful brown eyes. “Yes.”

“Well fuck me,” Kat whispered. We both turned to see her leaning against the wall. She was wearing black leather chaps, and the smallest metallic silver halter top, tied perfectly around her breasts, leaving little to the imagination. Her entire torso was covered in body glitter, much like Dante’s, her braids pulled up high showing off star shaped hoops that hung from her pierced ears. She was hot as fuck, staring back at us, her eyes covered in silver glitter and her lips dripping with a dark gloss. Those juicy fucking lips I loved to kiss. My core jolted as I watched her walk towards us, her hips rocking as she moved. “You two look delicious.” She grinned, kissing Dante, then me. My heart fluttered at her taste. “Hmm.” She glanced at Dante. “I think something’s missing. What about you, Dot? What’s Dante missing?”

We both stared at him as he raised a brow, clueless. “Is it my jacket? ‘Cause I have the one Kat picked out. It’s a blue faux fur coat.” He snuck into the bedroom, returning in the fluffiest, brightest blue jacket I had ever seen. It matched the blue of his devil mask, also in his hand. “Better?” He spun, the black sparkle nail polish on his fingers sparkling as he did so.

Kat shook her head. “Nope. I think you need more. Dot?” She looked at me. “Bring me your makeup bag. Dante, sit.”

The two of us did as she asked, Dante sitting on the couch with a light scoff as I ran back with my makeup bag, handing it to Kat as she straddled him. She searched the bag, eventually pulling out a small compact with teal and blue glitter. “This!” She shook the small clear compact. “Come help me, angel.”

Dante laughed, enjoying the view as we both brushed the glitter across his eyelids, the blues making his brown eyes pop and contrast. He was so beautiful, dangerously strong, and yet had this touch of femininity that didn't scare him. I admired him for embracing it. Truthfully, his confidence only made him more appetizing.

“There. See?” Kat handed Dante a small mirror as he checked his reflection, raising his brows to see his eyelids, now packed with glitter.

“Groovy.” We all laughed and giggled. Dante returned the mirror to Kat and looked at me, his expression soft and gentle. “You ready, angel?”

I nodded. “Let’s party.”

Disco Fever. That was the theme night for my birthday party. And it was perfect .

As Kat, Dante, and myself neared the street corner adjacent to Eden’s Inferno, I felt more alive than I ever had as the car drove in the direction of the club. I wasn’t sure if it was because I wasn’t high and experiencing it all for the first time, the fact this whole night was for me, or if it was because I was about to walk into the club with this gorgeous pink mask on my face with my devils. In all honesty, I didn’t care what the reason was. I was just happy to be here and to be feeling more like myself than I ever had before. Like the angel they loved.

Considering it was my birthday, and the night was about me, I wasn’t on the clock and was going to be enjoying the night as a patron. “It feels so good to be going back to the club, but man, it feels weird thinking about how I’m dancing tonight. I hope I’m not going to have to grovel too much to keep my performance slots.” Dante turned the car down the back alley next to Eden’s Inferno and into the space where they always parked. The spot was always empty, waiting for them. The club was packed and full of life, and the spot was handy, as we didn’t have to worry about any onlookers when we got out.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that, angel.” Kat spun around in the passenger’s seat to look me in the eye. “We already took care of it.” She winked.

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. “Ugh, Kat,” I playfully whined. “I love you two, but you really did not have to do that.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized what I just said. I just said those words out loud. I had only thought about them before, knowing how I felt, but I never actually told Kat and Dante that I loved them. Even though it was more than true. Heat began to fill my chest because neither of them said anything, only stared back at me.

That’s okay, maybe they just didn’t hear you clearly. It never happened. Be cool, Dot.

My long nails fiddled with the strap on my mask as I quickly hopped out and stood by the car, waiting for Kat and Dante to gather whatever they needed from the trunk. I had my sweet little knife sheathed in a garter on my thigh, as I usually did.

I toyed with my pink devil mask while Kat stood in front of me. Dante towered behind her, that ridiculously large blue faux fur jacket resting on his shoulders as both their masks sat atop their heads. “You ready, angel?” Kat asked.

“Mhmm.” I nodded before affixing my mask to my face. It felt like slipping into my own skin, like this mask was a part of me and represented who I really was: a Disco Devil.

“Hey, Dottie.” Kat tugged my chin, gently forcing me to look up at her, her dark eyes like obsidian crystals shining in the moonlight. Her perfect skin sparkled despite the flickering lights in the back alley. Her lips curled, forming the most delicious smile. “We love you too, angel.”

Dante leaned forward so that Kat and I were sandwiched between him and the car. “So fucking much,” he growled before planting a sweet kiss on each of our cheeks. “Now, let’s get this party started.” They pulled their masks on and walked to either side of me, each gripping one of my hands.

“You got this, angel,” Kat whispered as I shook my anxiety from my shoulders and took a deep breath.

Together, the three of us walked to the back door of Eden’s Inferno. Patty opened it as we stepped inside, the music throbbing and increasing with each step. The three of us slid down the back hall and stopped at the entrance to the main floor of the club. Pink, blue, and purple lights strobed overhead as numerous disco balls glistened and spun beneath them, casting the entire club in a breathtaking heaven of euphoria. The scene took my breath away.

The music screeched as Eddie’s croaky voice appeared over the sound system. “Welcome to Eden’s Inferno! Tonight we have an extra special event planned as it’s one of our very own angel’s birthday! And here she is! Try not to spill your drinks, and put your hands together for the birthday girl, Bubbles!” A pink spotlight shone on me, nearly blinding my eyes. The whole club cheered, patrons completely unaware of the significance of my mask, but the angels and servers present knew the importance behind it. And their faces proved it.

A remixed version of Happy Birthday played as angels dressed in vibrant and pastel pink lingerie, all wearing similar wings to one another, danced on the stage. Kat and Dante led me towards the center of the room as pink confetti rained from the ceiling. The squeal and laughter from my mouth told them how excited and surprised I was. I knew there was a party planned—thanks to Patty—but I had no idea it was this.

“Happy birthday, angel!” Kat shouted through the music, hugging me tight.

“Happy birthday!” Dante squeezed Kat and I together, the three of us soaking in the pink light.

“Now.” Eddie’s voice returned. “Let’s party!” The music morphed into a classic disco beat, the bass thumping so hard the club was shaking. Remixes and reverbs played together creating the most sensational moment, the lights shifting between pink, purple, and blue as the three of us reached the middle of the room.

It was dark enough that Dante was able to lift his mask, resting it on top of his head, and light a cigarette, placing it between his lips as he playfully stripped his jacket, rocking his torso and thrusting his pelvis as Kat and I giggled. My eyes immediately fell to the black leather straps of his shoulder holster, his two revolvers secured along his back as his muscles flexed. I knew they said they were coming prepared, but I didn’t realize they meant that.

“Dot!” Kat shouted, her knife tucked in the belt of her chaps reflecting the lights as she swayed her body. She grabbed my hands and spun me, my body slamming into hers as she wrapped her arms around my torso, feeling every curve. “Focus on the music and bask in your moment, babe! This is all for you!” And I did just that.

Dante joined us, raised my mask, and passed me his cigarette. I breathed in the smoke, turned to face Kat, and lifted hers. She opened her mouth wide, letting me exhale the smoke into her mouth before kissing. Dante slapped our asses as we coughed on the smoke, laughing at his playfulness. The vibes were perfect, and the three of us continued to dance together, taking turns kissing the other as the music flowed for what felt like hours.

Eddie’s voice, followed by his smoker’s cough, screeched across the club. “Alright, you naughty little devils, it’s time to kick this celebration off with the pièce de résistance!”

Dante and Kat fixed their masks and joined my sides as a cluster of angels entered the room with sparklers and bottles of champagne, popping in all directions as they sprayed the club. Directly behind them was Patty and Jade, carrying one of Patty’s infamous birthday cakes, only this one was the largest I had ever seen. The pink pastel cake was three tiers and smothered in delicate ripples and ribbons of icing. Edible glitter covered the cake, topped with bright red cherries and sparkler candles. The two women were beaming as they stopped in front of me.

“Happy birthday, Dottie!” Patty shouted.

“You guys!” I covered my mouth, gasping at how beautiful the cake was.

“Patty made the whole thing! Just for you, Bubbles!” Jade smiled. Kat and Dante hugged me from either side as the entire club began to sing Happy Birthday.

Dante kissed my head as Kat leaned in close. “Go on, angel. Make a wish!”

And just like, I closed my eyes and took a moment to myself. I thought about what I wanted, what I really wanted.

I wish to stay with my devils. Forever.

And with the confidence of my decision, I opened my eyes and blew the candles out.