Page 34 of Dance for Me

“Jack,” she said softly this time and she took a couple steps toward him. Wanting to place a comforting hand onto his muscled back, but then stopped. “Jack, what are you not telling me? Who were those guys?”

He sighed and then faced her. “I have a past Vanessa. One that I’m not proud of.” His stare softened and he ran the back of his hand down her cheek. It didn’t feel the same as when the mystery man did it.

“And I’m assuming it involves this club and your uncle?”

“Yes.” He sighed. “My uncle was a part of some fucked up shit.”

“Were you a part of it, too?” She looked at him with desperation because she wanted more answers from him. More answers than what he was giving her.

He stood quiet.

“Why can’t you tell me what’s going on?”

“Because, it’s not your problem to worry about, got it?”

“I think it is my problem considering what just happened and we work here, Jack. Is this something that is going to fall on us?”

“No, it’s not,” he stepped in closer. “But I don’t want you here by yourself anymore. You either come here with me or not at all.”

The desperation in his plea made her give in, and she lowered her head. He wasn’t going to tell her anything else. “Fine Jack.”

He leaned in as if he wanted to take her into his arms but he didn’t and Vanessa couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

* * *

“That’s some fucked up shit girl.” Vanessa went home and asked Michelle to come over to her place. She didn’t feel like being alone and she knew Michelle would drop everything. “Did you call the police?”

“No Shelly. They already left and what exactly would I say to them?” Michelle planted her hand onto the coffee bar in Vanessa’s kitchen.

“Um, tell them that this creepy dude put his hands on you.”

“I didn’t even have his name.”

Michelle sighed, “True, damn V. I wonder what kind of trouble Jack is in.”

“I don’t think he’s in trouble but he’s definitely hiding something.”

“Maybe he slept with the man’s wife or something, McDreamy seems like that would be how he would roll,” she laughed.

Vanessa didn’t laugh. The thought of him sleeping with other women stung. She never had him and probably never would but God, if she didn’t want him.

“He said it had something to do with his Uncle who passed away. I don’t know.”

“Can’t you just quit?” Michelle asked.

“No, Shell, you know I can’t do that. I don’t even want to quit. I just finished my designs. They’re even being shipped here, as we speak and I would miss everyone at the club.”

“Fine. But we need to get you some pepper spray.” Vanessa silently laughed to herself. She sounded just like her mother.

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