Page 13 of Midnight Whispers

Some time passes, and I spot Anabelle and Rapsody leaving Scuttlebutt Salon. It takes me a minute to recognize Rapsody because she’s cut off all her long hair. They don’t notice me and venture down the sidewalk before going into Black Magic Bar.

A while later, Kol’s car drives down Main Street. I duck down in my seat, hoping he doesn’t notice me. He must not because when I look, he’s opening the door of the bar and going inside.

Something must go down because Anabelle leaves with a concerned look on her face about a minute later. A short while after that, Kol tugs Rapsody out of there.

He’s up shit creek with that one. He can’t control his emotions for her any more than he can control the weather. But Kol will say he can.

I remain on watch until several hours later when Cin leaves the bar and drives out of the parking lot. This time, I follow her. But she doesn’t go home. Instead, she drives directly to T&T’s.

I park in the front lot, and I wonder if it’s finally time to introduce myself to Cin.

Chapter

Seven

CINDER

When I leave Black Magic Bar and check my phone, there’s a flurry of texts from Louise and my stepsisters with a list of chores they want done at the house. I bite back my curse. They’re the ones who said I wasn’t making enough and the reason I had to take on a second job. Exactly when did they think I’d have time to be their cook and housekeeper too?

Fatigue weighs in my bones as if I’m not in my twenties but rather my eighties. The schedule I keep these days is taking its toll.

“Hey, girl. You ready to do this tonight?” Trina asks when I walk in through the back door.

I paste on a smile. “You know it.”

She frowns, sensing something’s off, and pushes past some of the other girls getting ready to come over to me. “What’s wrong, sweetie?” Her bright pink lipstick is migrating from her lips up into the wrinkles around her upper lip.

“Just tired, that’s all.” I open my locker and place my purse and bag inside, then spin around to face her.

She squeezes my shoulder. “You need a pick-me-up? Pick your poison.”

I have my choice of alcohol, drugs, or even just some energy drinks. It’s not a well-guarded secret that a lot of the girls need to be half out of their minds to get on stage. I’ve always stayed away from that stuff, though, since I’ve seen enough of the women fall on the slippery slope.

“I’m okay. I’ll snap out of it.”

She nods. “All right, sweetie. Wear one of your favorite outfits, get your makeup on, curl your hair, and you’ll feel better.”

She’s not wrong. Once I’m done up in my role as an exotic dancer, it boosts my self-confidence. I brought two outfits tonight: one for the stage and one for when I work the room.

Lisa arrives a few minutes after I do. Our schedules have been opposite since last week.

“Lisa, how are things?” I ask when she rushes over to her locker.

“Good, I’m just running behind. My sister was late showing up to watch my kids. Trina’s gonna kill me if I’m not ready for my performance.”

I step over to my locker and pull out of my purse the cash that I set aside for her. “You have time. Just hustle. Before I forget, this is for you.”

She looks at the money in my hand. “I can’t keep taking money from you, Cin.”

“Please just take it. I want to help.”

Her brow furrows, and she looks as though she wants to say no, but we both know that she won’t. She needs the money.

“Thank you.” She takes the cash from me and stuffs it into her locker. “I swear I’ll pay you back someday.”

I shake my head. “I don’t want you to. I just want to help you and your kids. Honestly.”

She hugs me, squeezing tightly. “Thank you.”