Gravity (Artistic Pricks Ink Book 1) (26 page)

Both Luke’s arms circle my waist as I watch Skinner move the gun along Michelle’s skin. The needle is moving too fast to really see, but the lines it leaves behind are flawless. If it hurts, she doesn’t say; she remains motionless on her back, staring up at the mural Skinner has been painting on the bright red wall.

“Doesn’t it hurt?” I ask, when Skinner turns to ready the gun for colored ink. “I don’t know if I could take the pain.”

“This tattoo is probably the most painful I’ve gotten, due to placement. But it’s, by far, the most special to me. It’s for my grandmother; she loved hummingbirds.” Michelle laughs, smiling fondly. “Woman must’ve had a dozen feeders in her yard, all for them.”

“Ready for filler and shading, Michelle?” Skinner asks, rolling back to her.

“You know it.”

Skinner goes to work on making the piece come alive with color; I watch every second, unable to look away. I can feel Luke’s eyes when they are on me instead of Skinner, but I can’t look away. “Out of pain can come beauty. It’s about embracing all the parts of life; the good and the bad,” Luke begins, his lips brushing my ear. “A woman goes through the most excruciating pain to give life to her child while some, in death, just slip away feeling nothing. Sometimes, Kionna, you have to feel the pain. Succumb to the power of it, truly let it take over, to really know that you’re living.”

“I want one,” I blurt the words, shocking even myself with how enthusiastic I am about the idea of having a needle going at my skin over and over for hours. “Something to honor my mom. I need to figure out where because I won’t want to hide that. Ever.” Luke kisses my hair, holding me to him as we settle in to watch Skinner.

As the minutes tick by, I let my mind whirl with the possibilities of what to have done. Something to honor my mother and all she was, all while incorporating dance and the strength that comes from within. Without a doubt, I want Luke to be the one to give my ink. Now I just have to figure out what and where.

***

“Your car isn’t even here,” Luke argues, pacing the living room as I tie my laces. “I don’t see why it’s a big deal to let me drive you.”

“I’ve got a ride coming to pick me up in ten minutes, Luke,” I argue, pushing to my feet. “I need to go talk to my boss about a few things before I go to my dressing room; I need to go now. You have an appointment on the board in less than an hour, it’s not possible for you to be in two places at once.” Luke nods, grumbling in frustration as I close the distance between us. “When I get back, you and I will have a long overdue discussion.” Stopping in front of him, I place my palms on his chest and feel the heat through his shirt beneath my hands. “Things are changing here, Luke. Everything is.”

“Fine,” he relents. “I will walk you out to your
ride
. Call me when you get there, call me before you leave to come back to me.” Wrapping his arms around me; Luke buries his face in my hair, inhaling deeply. “I don’t like this one fucking bit. I’m going to be a nervous wreck until you’re back here in my arms.”

“I’ll be perfectly safe.” I reply, turning to capture his lips with mine.

Our mouths move together; lips brushing, tongues exploring the newly familiar. Savoring this, I can feel his hunger mixing with the worry of letting me leave with someone he doesn’t know and trust. One thing I have learned about Luke, he needs to see the situation from all sides. He isn’t used to not being able to. The words I know he deserves to hear on the tip of my tongue, but how can I say it now? How do I tell him everything, only tell him he can’t even come in there because of Kelly’s rules.

I have to talk to her tonight, explain. Hopefully, she will see it from my perspective. Once I explain everything, I know she will understand. Then once I talk to Luke, he can feel safer about me going to work if he can have access to me without repercussions from Kelly.

“Okay, okay,” I whisper breathlessly, pulling back when my phone buzzes in my pocket. Pulling out my phone, I read the message from Lynsey letting me know she is out back waiting for me.

Grabbing my bag, I start down the stairs with Luke following behind me. Stepping ahead of me once we reach the shop, Luke shoves open the back door. Lynsey’s Dodge Charger is parked beside the fire escape stairs where Skinner sits smoking a cigarette and talking on the phone.

Holding his hand over the phone, he smiles big. “Break a leg, Ki. Are all dancers as hot as your friend over there?” He asks, pointing to Lynsey smoking in her car.

Shaking my head at Skinner, I turn and place a kiss on Luke’s jaw. “If things are hectic I may not be able to call. I’ll text you if I can’t. See you later, Prick.”

Luke’s hands come up, cupping my face before pressing his lips to mine. “See you soon, Dollface.”

“Who are the hotties?” Lysney asks, as I slide into her car. “Seriously, you’ve been holed up in there for what? Over a week?” She asks, pulling out of the alleyway.

“It’s not like that,” I correct her. “I’m stuck in limbo until my house is livable again.”

“I accept that,” she giggles. “Just don’t ruin my visual of those two guys sandwiching you between them in the name of naked protection. I’ve read books like that, woman. Shit is hot. Defenseless, beautiful woman being threatened and then two hot men save the day all while tying her to the bedpost and making her scream in passionate ecstasy.” Turning the wheel, she screams, making me jump. My head hits the roof of the car as I whip around to face her. “Even better, you think they are into each other?” Lynsey fans herself. “Nothing hotter than two men putting on a show with a little direction from me.”

“You need to get laid,” I huff playfully, attempting to avoid the subject of my private life. I do what I always do, spin it around so we’re talking about them instead. I am a pro at spinning a topic. It’s a defense mechanism that is powerless on Luke, of course; he sees right through it.

“I’m working on it.” She replies, signaling to turn into the parking garage beside the club.

“You’re not parking behind the club?” I ask curiously.

“Nope, I’ve got a date.” She informs me with a grin. “If all goes well, I’ll not be needing this baby tonight.”

Parking the car on the lower level, she shuts off the engine. “That’s new,” I reply. Opening the door, I step out onto the pavement and shoulder my bag.

“Relatively,” she agrees. “We’ve known each other a while, but we’re just seeing where this goes. I’m trying to be careful because of Riley.”

“Is he a regular?” I ask walking around the car, knowing that it will potentially get her fired.

“No,” she shakes her head. Pressing the key fob, she sets the alarm on her car. “It’s Doug.” She turns and starts toward the exit, forcing me to jog to catch up to her.

“Are you crazy?” I ask once I reach her. “That’s probably worse. We have rules here for a reason. They are in the contract you signed with Kelly when you started at the club. If she finds out, you’re both going to be fired. I’ve seen people terminated for a lot less.”

Stopping on the sidewalk outside the back entrance to the club, Lynsey turns to face me. “Promise me you won’t say anything, Ki? Please?” She begs, grabbing my arm.

Taking a breath, I sigh. “It’s not my place to tell Kelly anything,” I explain. “That’s on you two. If she comes out and asks me, I won’t lie for you. I’ve got enough of my own shit to handle. Do I need to call a taxi for a ride back to Luke’s?” I ask since she is my ride.

“No, Doug and I were going to drop you on our way since it is going to be so late. He parks over there too so we have the extra space in the back without his big ass truck in the way. Thank you for not saying anything, Ki. I really like him,” she says as the door swings open and there stands Doug.

“Hey girls,” he greets us with a grin. “Good to have you back, Ki.”

“Thanks,” I reply. “Is Kelly around?” I ask, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible. “Need to update her on my situation.”

“She’s in her office on the phone and runnin’ through that pack of smokes faster than condoms on prom night. Must be some kind of epic tragedy,” Doug says when I skirt past him inside. “I’ll let her know once she’s done to come find you if she has time before you’re first dance.”

“Thanks, I’ll be in my dressing room,” I call out, walking up the hallway.

Opening the door, I flip on the light and close the door behind me. I need a minute to get my head together. Sending a quick text to Luke, I let him know I am okay and getting ready. Also telling him I will call him before I leave. Tossing my phone into my bag, I drop it to the floor at my feet. Staring in the mirror at my reflection, I center my head on the task at hand. Breathing deep, I grab my make-up bag and get to work on bringing Sabrina to life once more.

I paint on my eyes and darken my lips, giving myself over to the illusion once again. Sabrina, the untouchable essence of flawlessness. From a distance it appears that way, if they could get closer they wouldn’t be so enthralled with me. If only those men really knew how flawed I really am, how broken. If they were aware of the things I keep hidden behind the strength I work so hard to portray. They don’t, though, that would only shatter the image they have of me. Brushing through the black wig, I secure it tightly to my head to insure it doesn’t move. All my costumes hang here on a rack waiting for me to choose the wrapper for the package I will be displaying for the crowd. Lace and leather, sequins and satin; the choices are endless.

Deciding on a blue and black bra and thong, I cover it with a black thigh length robe before slipping into the matching blue heels. Just as I get ready, there is a knock at my door.

“You about ready, Ki?” Doug asks, opening the door just a fraction.

“Yes,” I call out from the mirror, giving myself one last look to be sure everything is as it should be. “I thought you were Kelly.”

“She’s been on the phone handling some sort of disaster, so she says,” he chuckles. “You know that means she’s probably broken a heel or ran out of cigarettes. She said she’ll hopefully catch you before you leave. You’re on in ten.”

“I’ll be right there,” I say, but the door shuts leaving me alone once again.

***

The stage lights dim as Brianne, a newer dancer, exits after her performance. Covering herself with her robe, she smiles. “Watch out, some asshole in front is really hammered. He’s shouting some really rough shit and even manhandled a waitress. Only a matter of time before the cops are called.”

Peaking around the curtain, my eyes widen as I see Mitch alone at a front table yelling over the music for another round of shots. “Shit, this is going to be bad,” I say, keeping my eyes on him.

My intro starts, the music piping through the speakers. “Do you know him?” Brianne asks, staring at him through the gap in the curtains.

I nod, unable to say anything else. My mind whirls as I step from the curtains. Untying my robe, I let it fall to the floor as I move to the beat. Luckily, my steps are routine enough that I can keep my eyes on Mitch as he cheers me on between shots of alcohol.

I don’t understand the sudden downward spiral he appears to have taken. He has been fine the last few days from what I have seen. Everyone at the shop was working seamlessly together. What’s changed? Grabbing the pole, my eyes lock with his. The sadness there is haunting; the broken look of a man who is anything but, makes my steps falter. My hand slips from the pole causing me to overcorrect and stumble.

Pulling my eyes from him, I try to focus on finishing so I can get off stage. Grabbing the pole tighter this time; I pull my hips against it and spin. Tilting my head back, I see him push to his feet. Glasses fall from the stacks on the table into the floor. They scatter around him making him jerk unsteadily.

“What the fuck does someone have to do for another round in this place?” He roars, kicking the glasses in front of him. They smash into the walls and crush beneath his boots. He stumbles backward, falling into the table before crashing into the floor.

Coming down from the pole, I stand to my feet. I have to do something, anything to stop the train wreck playing out in slow motion in front of me. Mitch grabs a glass and sends it sailing through the air toward the stage. Ducking, I scramble to the edge of the stage as Doug and the other bouncers come running toward him.

“Call the cops!” A man yells when my music stops abruptly. “Dance for us baby, we don’t need music,” he adds, the crowd yelling in agreement.

Mitch’s eyes widen, locking on me again. He doesn’t recognize me, though that’s not even an issue for me anymore. I don’t care if he outs me to every person in here and the rest of the city, right now my only thoughts are about sparing Luke from this. I can’t stand the thought of him going to jail, even if only for tonight. The thought of Luke getting another phone call about him has my stomach churning anxiously. Just knowing how hurt he will be is too much for me to handle. The damage that is being done, that it is possibly something I can prevent. “No!” I shout, tumbling off the stage toward them. “No cops, please,” I beg, reaching for Doug’s hand. “We all have reasons not to cause any drama here, don’t we? Secrets we are protecting?” I ask, knowing that since I rode here with Lynsey he will understand.

His eyes search mine before recognition spreads across his face. “That’s a low blow, don’t you think?” He asks, his face hardening.

I shrug. “I know and I’m sorry, but it’s worth it. Trust me on this, please? Calling the police will only cause problems, not solve them.”

Doug looks around the room, then to Mitch before stopping on me again. He nods in agreement. “Fine. I need to know what you want me to do with him. I can’t exactly leave him on the floor in a puddle of spilled booze and broken glass. If Kelly sees this shit…”

“She won’t,” I interrupt him. “Take him back to my dressing room. I’ll handle him.”

Yanking Mitch to his feet, Doug steadies him. “Yeah, okay. Whatever you say.” Facing the rest of the bouncers, Doug starts barking orders to get a dancer on stage and music going again while waitresses start cleaning up the broken glass. The restless crowd shouts and some stand coming toward me in an attempt to get a closer look at the one who always keeps her distance. Until now.