Page 24 of Torch

“Oh my God, Brittney. I love it!” Cream, one of the dancers, said, breaking my thoughts.

As soon as I finished, she couldn’t wait to look around me in the mirror to get a view of the finished result. Her reaction was the same as all the other girls who came to me. I serviced seven out of the twenty-five girls here. Most of them were able to pay extra with their regular makeup artist for a last-minute booking. Once they saw my work, they started asking how they could book with me instead.

“Thanks, Cream. I’m glad you like it.”

Cream started posing and practicing her dance moves in the mirror, making everyone laugh. “Girl, I love it. I’m about to do my post now. You mind if I record you in my video?”

I thought about it and agreed. It was time to put a face to my business. I wasn’t under my parents' rule anymore. I smiled widely as Cream boasted about my skills and how I had her looking flawless. When she ended the video, she gave me a hug and said she had to get ready.

I started packing up my things when the girls started getting naked. I wasn’t a prude by any means, but I didn’t think I’d seen so many tits and vaginas at the same time. As I made my way out of the dressing room, I crashed into a rock-solid body.

“Whoa, whoa. Slow down, sexy.” I looked up, and I saw it was King “Knock-‘em-out McAllister. He was practically eating me up with his eyes, and so was his entourage. “Oh, I gotta give Blade and Torch their props. They always have the baddest women dancing for them.”

“Oh, no. I’m not—” I got out before he pulled me into his arms. I tried stepping back, but his grip was firm.

“I need you in my section tonight, sexy. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Before I could answer, I heard Christian’s voice. “You will if you don’t want to be picking your teeth up off the floor.”

Finally, I was able to pull away from King. I moved closer to Christian, practically molding myself to him.

King eyes bucked in surprise. “Wait, is this yo⁠—”

“My wife,” Christian finished with a growl.

“Oh, shit. My bad, little mama,” he apologized to me, then turned to Christian. “My fault, Torch. You already know, had I known who she was, I wouldn’t have come at her like that.”

King’s people moved around us and headed up to their section.

“I know you wouldn’t have. I would hate to have to whoop your ass again,” Christian jested.

King smacked his teeth while Christian laughed. “Man, that was in the third grade. You need to let that shit go.”

I smiled, watching their exchange. It was clear King was more than just a loyal customer. “You two grew up together?” I asked Christian.

He nodded his head. “Yeah, our mothers are best friends.”

I looked between the two of them. “Did you really beat up the Knockout King?”

Christian grinned smugly while King glared at him. “Sure did. Ironically, it was because he was pushing up on my girl.”

King huffed in annoyance right as Blade approached us. “Again, it was one damn time. It wasn’t like the girl I really wanted was giving me any attention.”

Both Christian and Blade groaned. “Don’t start,” they said in unison.

King shrugged. “I’m just saying. Had y’all put a good word in for your boy, I could have been with my boo Cara.” He smiled wickedly, rubbing his hands together.

“King, our sister is happily married with five kids. I think it’s safe to say that ship has sailed.” Blade grimaced.

“You never know. If she’s ever in need of a side piece, I’m submitting my application.”

I couldn’t help but double over in laughter. He seemed so serious. Although I had only been around Viper once, something told me if he heard King talking like this, he would kill him.

Christian smacked his teeth and grabbed my hand, then grabbed my suitcase with the other. “And on that note, I’m out of here. King, I’ll catch you later, and remember, don’t...”

“Don’t fuck any of the dancers in the club. I know.” He rolled his eyes.

With that, Christian walked us out the back door of the club and to his car. Once we were on the road, I pulled out my phone. As soon as I powered on the screen, I saw I had over a hundred notifications on Instagram. After I clicked the app, I shrieked with excitement.