Page 52 of Wicked Little Nightmare

I revved the engine, relishing the roar as she came to life, Cam’s starting up beside me. "Somewhere I can actually do something useful. This stakeout bullshit is getting us nowhere."

We tore through the streets, the wind whipping my hair into a frenzy. My mind raced faster than the bike, plans forming and dissolving like smoke. By the time we reached our apartment, I was vibrating with pent-up energy.

I stormed inside, barely registering Cam's presence behind me. My fingers flew as I stripped off my gear, replacing it with a slinky outfit that left little to the imagination.

"The fuck are you doing?" Cam said from behind me. His hands came to grip my hips as he tried to force me to face him. I stomped on his foot, earning a hiss. It worked though; he stopped trying to get me to turn around.

I smirked, applying a coat of blood-red lipstick. "Going to work, baby. It's Saturday – all-day drink specials. Time to make some real money."

Cam's eyes darkened, possessiveness and desire warring in his gaze. "It’s fucking nine a.m., Lakey, we should get some sleep. I think we slept for a grand total of two hours before you sent us on a wild goose chase. I am fucking grumpy and this is stupid.”

"If I don’t, I will kill someone Cam," I growled, sauntering past him. "Don't wait up. I plan on spending the day there."

His hand shot upwards, gripping my arms. Not enough to hurt – never enough to hurt me – but a clear warning. "Be careful," he murmured, his breath hot against my ear.

I turned, pressing a quick, fierce kiss to his lips. "Always am," I whispered, tasting his concern, pretending like he wasn’t going to follow me there, like he always does. "But the day’s young, and mama's got steam to blow and cash to make. Lots of lonely, sweaty fucks gonna be eager to pay today."

The neon sign blazed against the midday sky, a beacon for the depraved and desperate. I pushed through the doors, the bass already thrumming through my bones. Fuck, it was packed. Slick bodies sat, watching dancers, the dim light making them look even more perverted than they would normally. All were chasing their vices before the sun had even set.

Sick fucks.

I made my way backstage, my skin prickling with anticipation. As I stepped onto the platform, the world fell away. Gone was the frustrated, twitchy Lakey from the stakeout. In her place stood a goddess of chaos, ready to feast on the desires of mere mortals.

The spotlight hit me, and I became liquid fire. My body moved to the pulsing beat, each twist and turn a promise of ecstasy and ruin. I caught sight of Cam in the crowd, his dark eyes burning into me. A thrill shot through my spine. When he watched, it was like a show, just for him. The rest of them faded away and he became my center.

I blew him a kiss. The possessive snarl that crossed his face sent shivers down to my toes.

Cam's gaze never wavered. I could feel the heat of it, even as I teased and tempted the other patrons. He was my anchor, the only one who truly understood the darkness that lived inside me. He understood me better than I understood myself, mostdays. He hated that I made him fuck other women, but knew I needed the rush. He hated that I danced, but knew I needed the stimulation. The dopamine. The rush of endorphins as money rained down on me. He did absolutely everything humanly possible to make me the happiest girl alive and hadn’t yet clued in that while I may want the stimulation from all this shit, he was the only thing I trulyneeded.

Some guy in a suit was sitting right in front, staring at me with that look I knew all too well. They saw my tiny body and figured I’d be an easy lay, a quick catch. That I wouldn’t turn them down, and if I did, they’d be able to overpower me. I flashed him an extra bright smile, hoping he’d try something once my set was done. Janine hadn’t panned out, but maybe he’d give me a reason to allow my demons to feast today.

As I gyrated to the pounding rhythm, I caught Cam’s smirk. He knew exactly what I was thinking, the twisted fantasies playing out in my head. It was why he let me go. If he didn’t, I’d have probably killed someone I didn’t need to, and that would have led to problems.

The music faded and the roar of applause hit me like a wave. I stepped off the stage, my whole-body buzzing.Fuck, I needed that.The adrenaline coursing through my veins made me feel alive, powerful. For a moment, I forgot about Janine, the girl, all of it. I was just Lakey, queen of this neon-lit shithole.

"Helluva show, sugar," suit guy called out. I flashed him a sweet smile that didn't reach my heart. These idiots had no idea what I was capable of. If they did, they'd run screaming. He made a move to follow me as I walked by but stopped short when he saw where I was heading. More accurately, to whom I was heading towards.

I sauntered over to the bar where Cam was perched, his dark eyes following my every move before pinning the man in the suit in place with his gaze. God, he looked good enough to eat.

Leaning down, I squeezed my small tits together, teasing him before sliding onto the stool next to him.

Cam's lips quirked up in that half-smile I loved. "Hi, killer." He leaned in close, his breath hot on my ear. "I gotta say, I was about ready to gut that fucker in the front row."

I laughed, a genuine sound that only Cam could draw out of me. "Aw, you know I can handle myself. Besides"—I traced a finger down his chest— "you're the only one who gets to touch the merchandise."

"Damn straight," he growled, pulling me closer. The possessiveness in his touch sent a thrill through me. If he wasn’t so damn traditional, I’d splay my legs and sink onto his cock right here, but Cam would never. He wasn’t into the whole voyeur thing as much as I was.

"So," I said, flagging down the bartender, "you wanna tell me what's got that big brain of yours all twisted up? You've had that 'I'm planning something' look all night."

Cam's eyes glittered dangerously. "Just thinking about our little problem. Got some ideas on how to deal with Janine, if you're interested."

"Mmmm, do tell.”

“I think I can get into Skeeter’s laptop and find out where she is. If that house is abandoned, it means they’ve moved the girl somewhere else. Obviously not the lab, since they torched it, but Skeets said there’s more. Maybe we can find out where that is. I have this thought I can’t shake. I think Skeets was important to this whole thing, I just haven’t quite figured out how important, but whatever he knows will be on his laptop.”

I downed my drink, the burn in my throat matching the fire in my veins. “Mmmmk, yeah that makes sense.”

Cam smiled. “What a birthday present. Here I am thinking we’d kill some people, and everything would be sunshine andrainbows, but now we’re dick deep in some weird cult shit. Makes me feel like a detective.”

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