Page 72 of Ravaged By the Dark (The Righteous 2)
“What you need is to remain hidden and protected. I can cover any bills you have for now, and before you argue, you can consider it a loan without interest. I want to do this for you, Renee, but more than that, I want to keep you safe. Tyson may not own that club, but if what you tell me is true, he might as well. With the amount of money and drugs he has flowing through there on his behalf and his rep, you can be sure the owner will hand you over the moment you walk through the doors.”
Arek looked over at her.
“Think about it from Tyson’s point of view. He warned you not to take off, but Cody would’ve reported that he was jumped and that you left. So what would you do if you were Tyson?”
She sighed and rubbed her eyes.
“I’d make sure that all the normal locations I attended were being watched and try to grab me if I was stupid enough to show up.”
“Correct. School, work, the same grocery store, even the typical bus you ride. You can bet he is patrolling them all. We just need to sit tight for now. Either Cody can figure out a way to kill the man himself, or Trev and I will come up with a plan, but until then—”
“I need to stay put,” Renee finished Arek’s sentence. She hated charity, and if she accepted, she’d be indebted to him. But dammit, he made a good point. Not to mention he was still her best chance of keeping J.J. safe.
Shit!
“Fine, but only if it’s a loan. I can take care of myself. I don’t need you becoming some sugar daddy.” Arek laughed hard, his face lighting up, and she soon found herself laughing as well.
“Okay, no sugar daddy then. So tell me, what do you like to do for fun? That is, of course, when you’re not clinging to me at the top of a Ferris wheel or running for your life at an arcade.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure much can top those two dates.” She smiled and then shook her head slowly. “I don’t really have fun. I’ve been looking after J.J. since I was seventeen. I lied on my resume and got the job at the Golden Rail, and I’ve been dancing there the last four years.”
She played with the end of her sweater, a wave of self-consciousness washing over her. “Before that, I had a couple of girlfriends, but we weren’t super close or anything. I remember doing the usual stuff when a person wanted to hang out but didn’t have any money to go to concerts or anything that cost a ton of money. None of my so-called friends liked to go for a walk, so I don’t know.”
“So you never did anything that you enjoyed even once?”
“When I was little, my dad used to play with me. He would sit at my stupid little tea party set and make silly faces and pretend he was a princess.” She stopped and laughed as the image of her dad with the bright pink princess hat on and makeup smeared across his face came to mind.“He would also take me to get ice cream when he could, and we’d sit and watch the boats. That was our thing. Other than that, sometimes I’d sit at the mall and watch people shopping and try to guess what they had in their bags. I wished that I could shop like that, just walk into a store and pick out the top I really wanted, not the one I could afford, which was never at a nice mall.”
Renee looked back out the window at the world that felt like a galaxy too far away to reach.
“Don’t get me wrong. I know that there is more to life than money, but as a teen, I felt left out of everything—even the movies were too expensive. I got picked up for shoplifting when I was thirteen. I never wanted to see the inside of a police station again. That one experience was enough for me. So really, the only thing that has ever brought me peace is dancing. When the music is on, I let it consume me. It takes me away from everything and everyone for a little while. It’s like this simple place of peace. There are no bills, terrible mothers, scary men, and pain ceases to be.”
Arek’s warm hand entwined with her own, and he gently brought her knuckles to his lips, a gesture he seemed to love doing. It was a small sentiment, yet a glimmer of hope-filled her chest.
Could this man be a permanent fixture in her life?
No. She didn’t dare to dream such things. It was dangerous, and yet she wanted it. She wanted him.
Something she’d learned over the past week about Arek was that he was quite goofy. He was always trying to make her laugh, and he didn’t have to try hard. Under all that sexy was this whole other side that she now saw. She barely noticed where they were heading until they pulled up in front of a large building.
“Where are we?” she asked, although she knew the answer. She’d know that distinctive ‘M’ on the sign anywhere. Working here was her dream job.
“Come on.” He slipped out of the vehicle and came around to open her door before lighting up a smoke. Arek turned and leaned against the car, looking like a tall drink of everything nice and fucking hot. Even people passing on the street took notice. Women and men both stared, and she suddenly felt very small and ugly in comparison.
“You said you want to dance for a living, and I know you didn’t get into the school you wanted, but….” He pointed to the building. “I called in a favor with a friend of mine, and they’re willing to give you a shot and see what you can do.”
“Here?” It felt like the sidewalk had opened up, and it was going to swallow her whole. Her stomach rolled, and she took a few steadying breaths.
“Yes, here.” Arek reached out and grabbed her hand, drawing her into him. “I was promised that if you can’t cut it right away, they’ll train you, free of charge.”
She looked back at the famous building and swallowed the lump in her throat.
“That is some favor.”
Arek just smiled, and she decided she never wanted to know the reason.
“I don’t have anything to wear or music or—I can’t go in there. I’m not prepared and….” Arek cupped her face and crashed his lips to hers. The runaway squirrel chasing the shiny object in her brain was brought to a grinding halt. Slowly, his lips barely parted from her own.
“You’re amazing.” He whispered. “Believe in yourself. They have clothes to borrow and any music you could want, just go in there and give it your all. Don’t hold back out of fear.” A tear trickled down her cheek.
“You really did this for me?”
“I barely did anything, and selfishly if you get the gig, you wouldn’t move halfway across the country.” Arek smiled as she laughed. “You have the hard job of impressing them, but think of J.J., think of a life outside of the strip club and dance that hot ass of yours off like I know you can.” Renee took a deep breath and straightened her spine. She took a step toward the building but stopped and looked back at Arek.
“You’re definitely making a good case to stay with you.” His mischievous dimple formed at the corner of his mouth, saying everything his words didn’t.
Alright, life…bull, horns, here I come.
