Page 76 of Twisted Lies

“We are nowhere near having a book.” Nova turns toward me, taking her eye off the sign-up sheet. “Why are you here, Astrid?”

The stunned look on my face does nothing to conceal how I feel. “What do you mean? Why wouldn’t I be here?”

Nova places her fingertips on the sheet to keep it from leaving the table while several guys wait to write down their names. “You know you don’t belong here anymore,” she replies softly to me, “Astrid, you got your lucky break. You don’t have to come here to prove that you still belong. It’s okay to move on—no hate from me, girl. Be blessed. And go live that life. I know I would. ”

Maybe I should feel something after hearing that, but I feel a hollow emptiness and a little nauseous. I knew I didn’t fit in when I rode through the gate. “That doesn’t mean I can’t help you and everyone else from the Pit,” I persist. “Nova, I’m learning how they run the place. I could really help.”

Nova’s mouth softens as she takes in what I’m saying. “I’m not sure, Astrid.”

I lean in closer, desperate to make my point. “Look, we’ll use my money here to make this a real club. Nova, I need you.”

Her lips part in surprise, and I can tell by her eyes that I have her back. “You really don’t know,” she says.

“Know what?” I ask doubtfully. “What is going on that I should know?”

The first fight begins as two guys face off on the old basketball court, using the faded white circle as a boundary. Nova stands up and waves Derick over. “Astrid and I are going to take a walk…to discuss business.” She motions Ace over but continues to speak to Derick. “He’s been upgraded for tonight. Have him help you out.” She hands the jar to Ace. “Protect this.”

Nova sits on the back of my bike as I pedal toward the Pit. We don’t speak, only because I can’t as I huff and puff up the first hill. We coast down the next one into the parking lot that’s filled with cars. And a few of them are expensive foreign makes.

I notice the two guys standing by the door. “Where’s Teeny?” I ask as I prop my bike up on the far corner of the building.

Nova takes off her coat, and I do the same. “I’ll tell you later. Just follow my lead so we can get in. And shake your ass.” Nova approaches the largest bouncer, swaying her hips, ““Hey, is it ladies’ night?”

The bouncer looks Nova over, his eyes lingering on her full hips in her tight jeans. “Maybe,” he asks, “Are you here to audition?”

Nova smiles widely, turning her charm up as high as the dial will spin. “If I like the crowd,” she glances at the parking lot, “I see a few Mercedes.”

The bouncer smiles and nudges the other man in the arm. “You can go inside, sweet cheeks” he looks me over, less impressed.

“She’s new but curious,” Nova grabs my hand. “We only play together. You know, chocolate and vanilla make cream, baby.”

He leers at Nova again and opens the doors for us. Nova would usually never talk like that or put up with that talk, but I don’t have a chance to say anything as we walk into a wall of people and noise. The colored lights are blinding as they flash across the enormous warehouse. Nova holds my hand tightly until my fingers go numb and tugs me through the crush of people toward the stage. I notice that there aren’t many women in the crowd, and the few that are here are barely clothed. Hands brush against my bottom as we get closer, and I keep my head down as if not looking can form a shield around me.

We round the edge of the concrete ring—the side closest to the changing rooms. Slowly, I look up, and my eyes pop when I see the fighters in the ring. Two women, barely dressed in thongs up their asses, pace around each other. Both have numbers on their backs, and their sheer tops barely conceal their breasts. They start to pull and tug at each other, causing their oiled parts to bounce freely. One grabs for the other girl’s breast, and she moans.

What the fuck is this place?

Nova tugs my hand, and I follow on her heels. But before we head into the changing room (and safety), I look up. Bryce, Pierce, and an older man in a suit are on the catwalk, sprawled in oversized leather chairs. Bryce looks bored as usual while Pierce fondles the girl seated in the old man’s lap. Grinder is missing from the catwalk, replaced by a girl in a string thong that’s barely a bikini. Bryce glances down, and his gaze catches on mine. I turn away and flee.

Nova and I make it into the changing room and hurry out the back exit. The cold air should feel good after that place, but it smells like weed. I cough, fanning my face, and head quickly into the parking lot, turning to search Nova. She’s standing by Grinder in a fucking suit, and Grinder is standing near a limo. The sunroof of the vehicle is open, and squeals of female laughter can be heard inside.

Nova hurries toward me, leaving a stoic Grinder behind. “Let’s go.”

I look at Grinder, but he turns away.

“I thought you should see it for yourself,” Nova explains as I grab my bike off the wall. We avoid the parking lot and walk back toward the street.

“They got rid of the Friday night fighters for that,” she says, “And that was tame. Some nights it’s a lot worse.”

I shake my head in a daze. “Stonehaven did that.”

“They screwed us all over the place.” There’s plenty of anger in her voice. “And we didn’t even get paid for it. Not like they’re paying those girls.”

“Do you have time?” I ask her.

“Not much,” She checks her phone with a frown. “We can’t hang out now like old times.”

“Old times are gone,” I reply, “I want you to see a place.”

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