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5

DOT

I’d grown used to having eyes on me all the time, especially in my line of work. But there was something about having Kat and Dante keeping an extra close watch on me that constantly had me putting an extra pep in my step, especially after seeing them that night in the alley. When they were at Eden’s, I took extra pride in myself. I would shake my ass when I walked and tease the crowd more than usual with my dances to really play into my Bubbles persona while I performed, but especially for them. Everyone else seemed to love it too. The tips were better, and I was even getting booked for more and more private dances. Money was flowing in the club, so I sure as fuck wasn’t complaining. But besides the increasing tips and private dances, there was one other thing that had changed. I was now the only person that could serve the Disco Devils. And I wasn’t even a server. This pissed some of the other girls off. While most of the servers didn’t give two shits, knowing how much Kat and Dante did for us, the few others were really starting to hate me for it. Especially Lana.

I ambled my way over to the back bar, Jade on stage, putting on a phenomenal show per usual. The sapphire lingerie and gem colored lights did wonders for her complexion. I was so glad she decided to add the gold shimmer to her skin like we talked about a few days ago. It really made her even more of a knockout than she already is, enhancing that perfect beauty she possessed.

“Hiya, toots.” Patty’s warm welcome brought me back to reality as I peeled my eyes from Jade’s trance. “They want their usuals back there?” Patty nodded her head back toward my devils, her concentration not wavering at all as she cleaned the glass in her hand.

Nothing was official, but I felt such possessiveness over the two. Like they belonged to me, and I them.

“Yes ma’am, Tequila Sunrise and a Tom Collins.” Instinctually, I swiped underneath my nose, sure I felt it running a bit. I did it quickly, though, hoping Patty wouldn’t see. But of course, I wasn’t so lucky. That tiny gesture, of course, broke her cleaning concentration.

She slammed the rocks glass down on the counter. “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me right now.” She moved the glass over with the rest of the clean barware and gave me a scrutinizing glare. “Dot, are you still using? I thought you said you had stopped hitting that shit.” I opened my mouth to say something—anything—a simple plea in my defense, a single word of denial, but nothing came out. Nothing but air. “You’ve got to be careful! If Eddie finds out, your time here is over. And even those devils can’t protect you once you're out on these streets!”

“I know, Patty. I know.” And I did know. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was I was addicted. And now that I was thinking about it again. I needed another hit. Now.

Fuck!

While Patty made Kat and Dante’s drinks, I stood with my back to the bar surveying the club, taking in the flashing lights and cigarette smoke that were ever present in Eden’s Inferno. Jade had finished up her dance and was sauntering backstage. Her well deserved wads of cash were stuffed in her lingerie and falling into her hands. I scanned over the patrons sitting at the stage, some familiar and regular faces, and some new that I’d never seen before. Most of the tables along the wall were full, some girls seductively dancing with our guests while others skated by skillfully carrying cocktails on trays. Lively disco remixes played while the giant disco ball spun from the ceiling. I tried to focus on every detail and forget that excruciating itch, to distract myself from the hunger that dangerously burned inside me. Flashing multicolored lights washed over everyone in the club, soaking my skin as I inhaled the heavy smoke and tried to let it flow through my lungs. Despite its appetizing effects, it wasn’t enough. My eyes drifted, following an invisible pull, drifting to where they were drawn to, landing perfectly on the Disco Devils. My devils. Even with those bedazzled masks, I could feel their eyes on me. Kat and Dante were watching me with hungry stares, and the feeling of that electric pull towards them was enough to subdue my craving.

“Here you go, Dottie.” Patty had finished my devils’ drinks. I peeled my eyes from the intoxicating couple and when I turned around, she had a worried look plastered on her face. “You need to be careful, Dot. I know they will take care of you.” She nodded toward Kat and Dante. “They are good people. Don’t listen to any of the bullshit other people try to tell you about them or what their reputation may seem to be. But you’ve got to cut the coke shit out. I’m not kidding. Eddie finds out and you’re done here. Your devils won’t be happy about you using either. They may deal, but they don’t fuck with that shit. And I doubt they’ll be okay with you doing it.”

I casually peered over my shoulder, making eye contact with Kat, who beckoned me back over with her claw-like nails. I couldn’t see her face beneath her bedazzled purple mask, but by the way she moved her hand to the beat of the music, I could tell she was being flirtatious. I think . Turning back to Patty, I swiped at my nose again, this time noticing a tiny touch of blood on the back of my hand. I quickly grabbed a cocktail napkin and wiped the blood away. Patty just shook her head with an “I told you so” look plastered on her face.

“I know, I know! I have to stop, trust me, Patty, I know. But it’s not that easy. Besides, they already know about it.” She gave me a confused look. “Didn’t really seem to bother them too much when they found out.” Confirming my bloody nose had subsided, I crumbled the napkin and tossed it in a trash can behind the bar. “They’re drug dealers. It can’t really bother them that much, Patty. I’ll be okay. Thanks for the drinks, mama!” I took the tray and began my walk back to my devils with a bit more sway in my hips than usual as I tossed my golden hair over my shoulder.

The hit of cocaine I’d taken before approaching Patty was really starting to take effect, gripping my entire being as I felt it coursing through my veins. The flashing rainbow lights in the club seemed extra bright, brighter than usual. They twinkled and gave off an extra sparkle that really set the vibes inside Eden’s Inferno. I was elated, feeling like I was walking on air, confidence seeping from my body, knowing the shimmering disco ball was glinting off the crystals on my lingerie and wings, the light hitting me just right. I had the attention of the two most important people here, commanding it at my will. My sights were set on them, and they watched me, never looking away. That was power, and I felt every fucking second of it.

My focus faltered and my high was immediately interrupted when Lana cut in front of me on her skates, nearly making me drop the tray of their drinks. “Shit, Lana!” I steadied the tray, managing to not spill anything. Lana and I were normally the same height but with her skates on, she stood about two inches taller than my five foot three inches, giving her a slight advantage over me and I didn’t like it.

Lana flashed me a sarcastic smile. “I don’t know how you got that gig of serving the devils, but that’s my table. You aren’t even a server. You shouldn’t be doing anything but shaking your ass on stage for dollar bills.” She leaned close. “Watch yourself, Bubbles. I know what they like and how they like it. And sweetie, as much as you may think you’re what they want… ” Lana clicked her tongue. “You’re not. You’re just a pretty thing to look at, nothing more. Enjoy it while it lasts, which won’t be long.” She gave me a suggestive look and then glanced over her shoulder toward Kat and Dante. Making it seem like she served them more than just drinks.

“Lana, are you threatening me?” I asked, sincerely shocked that she would threaten me. I was also genuinely confused; I never had any issues with Lana. Why now?

She leaned in close to me, so close I could smell the stale menthol cigarettes on her breath. “Yeah, Bubbles,” she said my stage name as if it was a bitter pill she had to swallow, the most foul thing she ever put in her mouth. Doubtful. “You think that you’re hot shit because you have their attention? Try again. They have you in their clutches because you’re new and gullible and, frankly, they’re using you.” She ended on a whisper, somehow trying to lean in even closer to me. I took two giant steps back.

“Listen, I’m not going to sit here and let you talk to me about this as if you know anything about me or them. Goodbye, Lana.” I stepped around her and walked toward my devils. Dante made eye contact with me, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, and I never looked away. I was magnetized to him, drawn there like a moth to that bedazzled blue flame of his mask.

“Come here, Angel,” Dante said as he patted his leg and leaned back, beckoning me to sit there.

I carefully set their drinks down and passed the tray off to a busboy who happened to walk by. “You know I’m working, Dante. I can’t. I have to walk around and fish for dances until my shift is over. Gotta make some money, honey.” I ended my statement by shaking my ass. “I can’t just forget my job and hang out with you two, even if I want to.”

Just like that, Kat pulled something from her top, opened my hand, and placed a rolled-up stack of one-hundred-dollar bills into my palm. I had no idea how much there was, but it was definitely enough to cover the rest of my shift, including private dances and tips. “Sit on his lap, Bubbles,” she stated with finality. I wasn’t sure what I liked more, being told what to do, or the idea that she just bought my entire shift to spend time with me.

So, I sat on Dante’s lap, basking in what was left of my high as he mindlessly rubbed circles on my bare back. I didn’t give them a private dance. They never asked me to, even when I offered many times. Instead, we just sat and watched over the club. Just me and my devils.

Time flew by as we watched servers skate by and dancers perform on stage. When I knew my shift was nearing its end, Kat spoke up, breaking the silence between us. “We have that deal to settle tonight, Dante. Going to have to leave in about ten.”

“Alright, Kitty Kat.” Dante nuzzled into my neck. The roughness of the gems on his mask scratched my bare, sensitive skin. I relished it. I loved every second of his doting attention. He was always so gentle. My eyes closed as I continued to melt into Dante, letting him wrap me in his warmth as one tattooed hand sat lazily high on my thigh, his other continuously rubbing those slow circles on my back. Then it clicked. They were going to be leaving soon. So was I. And even if my shift was ending, I still wanted to be with them tonight.

I sat up a bit in Dante’s lap, catching him off guard, snagging Kat’s attention as well. “Could I come with you? I’m off in just a few.” My question obviously threw them as they definitely didn’t expect me to ask to come along with them. I could feel Dante tense beneath me as soon as the words left my lips and hit his ears.

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, angel.” Dante relaxed as he replied, but his words were laced with worry. “What do you think? You’re the boss.” He directed this question to Kat as my eyes followed. Something about how Kat always took charge while Dante always seemed to turn to her for guidance and approval, was incredibly hot. Kat exuded confidence. She was the epitome of a commanding presence in a room. I didn’t just like her looks or power. No, I fucking loved it.

“What the hell? Why not?” Kat shrugged, then stood and walked over to stand in front of Dante and I. Her towering presence was a little overwhelming with that bedazzled purple devil mask glimmering in the flashing lights. Kat was already taller than me and considering I was sitting and she was wearing platform boots, I felt like a mouse right now under her stare. She lightly ran her nails under my chin before tilting my head up so that I was looking into her eyes. “You can come with us, Dot,” she said quietly so that only the three of us could hear. “But you better be a good girl. Got it?”

I was vibrating with excitement. I could only nod in understanding.

I sat quietly in the backseat of the car, watching Kat and Dante through the windshield talk to whoever it was they had to meet in the shady strip mall parking lot. I wasn’t naive, I knew the deal they had to settle was a drug deal. But I was truly surprised they let me tag along with them, so I did as I was told and sat quietly in the car. I didn’t want to cause issues, but fuck, I was curious.

I leaned back in the middle seat and I shoved my hands in the pockets of my favorite denim jacket. It was worn to perfection, oversized and so comfortable, no longer stiff like when I bought it. As I got situated, I felt a tiny baggie in one of the pockets, knowing exactly what it was. I was hit with an overwhelming and sudden urge. One so strong I could do nothing but scratch that itch. I carefully pulled the baggy out, opened it up, and scooped a small hit into the underside of my long pinky nail and inhaled as deep as I could.

The euphoria was almost instant. The subtle glow of the street lights in the parking lot had an extra special ambiance to them. They seemed like they were pulsing with the beat of my heart. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, laying my head back on the seat and melted into the moment. I could feel my heart beating in my fingers, the sound vibrating in my ears and my bones. It was exactly what I needed right now. That’s when I heard Dante’s voice for the first time since they stepped outside the car. I couldn’t tell what he was saying, but when I lifted my head and looked out the windshield again, I noticed Dante had the other man by the neck and was screaming at him. Kat had her hand on Dante’s shoulder, seemingly trying to calm him down.

Had the deal gone bad? What the fuck was happening?

“You don’t fucking talk about her!” Dante screamed. The man glanced over toward the car… towards me. I was so confused. “You don’t even fucking look at her!” Dante threw the man back on the asphalt parking lot. I couldn’t sit there anymore, pretending like nothing was happening. My skin was tingling, and I was itching to move. I had to do something.

As soon as I touched the door handle, I remembered how Kat told me to be a good girl and do what they told me. And when we rolled up, she explicitly told me to stay in the car. No matter what.

Fuck.

I glanced back out to where they were standing and Dante now had the guy pinned to the ground, his knee pressing on the man's neck. He was in his face saying something, but I had no clue what. Sounds were jumbled in my ears. What I could tell was Dante was pissed . It took me a second to realize, but he was shirtless, which wasn’t unusual for him, but he was covered in sweat, fuming. The muscles on his back bulged with raw, aggressive tension. Kat circled the two men, watching over them like a hawk circling its prey. As if feeling my eyes on her, she glanced up at me and we made eye contact. She gave me a look that told me she knew I was considering getting out of the car. That I wanted to join them. She simply raised her beautiful, graceful hand up, touched her finger to her lips, and shook her head. I nodded in understanding, obeying her, but I continued to watch closely. Deep down, I knew that this was somehow about me, and that very thought had me so on edge.

I sat in the back of their car and watched as the entire scene played out in front of me. There were no more words shouted, only violence. Dante instead pulled the man up by his shirt and slammed him against the hood of the man’s car. The parking lot was almost too dark for me to see exactly what was going on, but I could tell that Dante beat the shit out of him. I listened to the sounds they made, all while Kat watched her man closely. She was there to pull Dante off when it was clear the man was out cold, which didn’t take long. The man’s limp body slid off the hood and sat there, unconscious and slumped in front of his shitty brown car missing a hubcap on one side. I couldn’t help but stare, watching as blood dripped from his face and onto the pavement, mesmerized by the color.

Kat pulled Dante away, grabbed his face and squeezed his cheeks while she whispered something to him. He looked at her, huffing, as she then kissed him furiously. He grabbed her under her ass, lifting her so she could wrap her legs around his slim, tapered waist. His back was to me while I sat in the car and watched his muscles flex as he lifted her, watching her long nails dig into his shoulders. The image of them sent a warmth straight to my core. I found myself readjusting in the seat for some necessary friction between my legs as I watched these two beautiful beings. Was it possible that they were both as turned on by all that as I was? Because fuck was I horny now.

Kat and Dante remained locked for a few minutes before peeling apart. They smiled at one another and made their way back to the car as I watched, hungry for more. As soon as they were in and the doors were closed, I pulled myself forward to lean between the two of them. “So, can I ask what that was? Or should I just pretend it didn’t happen?” My eyes danced between the two.

Kat shifted in her seat so that she was looking directly at me now. Dante was in the driver's seat, looking directly at Kat. “Angel,” Kat said, her voice full of endearment. “There are things I know you know about us, but you also don’t know shit about us. I don’t say that to hurt your feelings.” She placed her hand on my face, cupping my cheek. “Everything you see or hear when it’s just the three of us stays between us, understood?”

I couldn’t look away from her. I was captivated by her dark eyes, and that fucking voice she had pulled me in. All I could do was nod.

She slowly moved her thumb over my lips. “I need to hear you say you understand, Dot. I need to hear the words from these juicy, luscious lips.”

I saw Dante reach over and place his hand high, very high, on Kat’s thigh. He was lightly rubbing between her legs where I imagined her clit must have been. I closed my eyes and let out a long sigh, drinking in the image. I opened my eyes and looked directly into hers as I used my words. “I understand.”

Then I did something so bold, something that I had been wanting to do since they helped me with Juan. Even more so since I saw them fucking on the car the other night. I leaned forward and gently pressed my lips to hers, as if in invitation. And to my surprise, Kat didn’t pull away. But when I broke the kiss, she didn’t even look surprised. She looked pleased. Delighted. And she licked her lips.

“Fucking hell,” Dante said under his breath. He shook his head with a smile, turned the car on, and put it in gear. “Ladies, as much as I would love for this to continue, if we don’t go, I’m afraid I’ll ruin these pants.”

My curiosity got the better of me as I glanced down at his lap. Sure enough, there was a very clear bulge in Dante’s bell-bottom pants.

“He’s right, angel. We will continue this, but not here.” This was said with finality, as if I had no other option. “There will be another time, one that's more… appropriate. But I’m glad to know that we are all on the same page.” Kat grabbed my face to look at her and kissed me hard. Our tongues danced together as I lost myself in the moment. She tasted like sweet oranges and sin, and I ate it up. I never wanted it to end. When she finally let go of me, she grabbed Dante by the cheeks and kissed him the same way. They were less than an inch from my face. I could feel them both, their breath directly on my face and it was intoxicating. And I needed them. Both of them.

“You guys can call me Dottie, you know? I like angel though too.”