Page 6 of Pink Poison

The call drops suddenly, leaving me flayed open and bleeding out in front of an entire motorcycle club and worse, the man responsible for what happened. My body shakes as I cry out my mourning for my family, for myself, and for the hope that I could make a life for myself on my own. I sob harder for the little girl who had a father—one who chose her despite nothaving to.

Footsteps crunch across the parking lot, traveling closer toward my line of blurred vision. “Poor little Stephanie,” Max mocks. Crouching down to my level, his cigarette laden hand gently brushes the hair curtaining my face. “You’ve always looked your prettiest when you cry.” He smirks devilishly.

Pushing back to his full height, he gives me a two-fingered salute before walking away from the parking lot and down the road, without another word to me or his best friend. I swallow the immense grief I feel as his previous words constrict around my shattered heart.You’ve always looked your prettiest when you cry.I wipe my makeup-streaked eyes with the back of my hand, smearing the black mascara over my pale skin before pulling myself back to my feet.

Jamie, orGravesas I’ve known him for the last four months, stares at me. His hazel eyes no longer hold the desire they once did. In place of that carnal lust is pity, with a spark of disdain. “You should pack your shit and leave, Stephanie,” he grunts.

“What?”

He unfolds his arms as he pushes himself from the side of his truck. It only takes him four long strides to reach me, to see the disdain plastered on his face. “Pack. Your. Shit.” His words are punctuated with vitriol and spit. “There’s nothing for you here anymore.Youmade a mess of Mo’s with this stunt. Between Senior, his work dipshits, and the MC; we’ll need to do a lot of damage control.”

“Leave…” I repeat.

“I’ll take you to the bus station if you need a ride,” he says coolly.

“Fuck off, Butcher,” Teegan drolls, walking to my side. “Stevie is fine without your bullshit attempt to run her off.”

My shoulders sag in relief with my friend at my side, knowing I don’t have to do any of this,whatever this is,on my own. Jamie rolls his eyes over Teegan’s frame, giving her the flame he once gave me. “Stephanieis in deep shit. Mack isn’t going to let her stay here peacefully. It’s in everyone’s bestinterest for her to leave.” Returning his now calm stare to mine, he sighs. “Listen, I’m sorry. We had our fun, and if I’m being honest, I’d still have that fun if you weren’t the reason why my best friend is a miserable bastard. Do everyone a favor and check out for a bit, it’s the least you could do.”

Having said his peace, I turn on my heels and rush back towards the club. If he wants me gone, fine. I’ll leave. I’ll give him the honor of seeing me out of the damn city if that’s what it takes to save everyone the trouble of dealing with me since I’m such a goddamn burden. Pushing through the doors, I step behind the bar to grab my pink gym bag that holds every dollar I earned tonight, my only pair of Pleasers, and a few outfits that Teegan gave me to hold me over until I could build my collection.

“Barbie,” Mo’s low, smoky voice rasps, dragging my attention to the bar.

“Mo, I’m so sorry,” I sniff, reaching my hand over the counter to pat hers. “I didn’t mean to make a mess here.”

Her wrinkled hand takes mine gently, giving it a subtle squeeze. “It’s okay, sugar. I’ll handle the boys, you don’t have to worry about seeing them Butchers again.”

Her sincerity warms my heart, mending a small part of the hole in my chest. The MC and Mo have a long history together; their allyship is more important than most know around here. There’s no way I could let her sacrifice the majority of her business for me, not when she’s already given me so much.

“Mo, you can’t do that.” I smile shakily, “I’ll be okay. I’m gonna get outta the city for a while, let ya patch this shitstorm up.”

A nasty cough works its way out of her throat, rattling the phlegm in her lungs.She’s gotta stop smoking so damn much.“You gonna keep dancin’?” she asks.

“I’ll have to, can’t afford to do nothin’ else,” I admit, pulling my hand away from hers. “Why?”

She nods. “Get some more experience under your belt, then head to Nawlins. I hear there’s an up-and-coming club called Le Papillon there.”Le Papillon.I’ve never heard of it, but if it’s on Mo’s radar, it must be a decent place. “It’s bougie. Top of the crop type shit. Get a job there and you’ll be raking in cash.”

I pat my bag, feeling like I’m already missing this place and I haven’t even left yet. “Thanks Mo. Save me a guest spot, will ya?” I flash her myperfectstage smile.

With a snort, she waves me off. “You know I will, Barbie.”

Taking my leave, I walk back through the doors to see that the Butchers cleared out. Well, except for Jamie who is standing casually by his truck with Teegan waving her hands around dramatically. “You can’t be serious!” she shouts without a single care in the world for how loud she’s being. “I’m not letting you take Stevie out of the fucking state, you psychopath.”

“If it keeps her out of the way, I’ll take her wherever I damn well please,” Jamie barks, flicking his eyes in my direction. “Seems like she made up her mind, anyway.”

Teegan’s bright hair whips around her shoulders as she takes in my defeated form, “Stevie…”

“It’s okay, Tee. I’ll go with Jameson.” I sigh, hating the stupid smirk that tugs on Jamie’s face. “I already talked to Mo.”

“I’ll come with you—”

“Not happening, cherry,” Jamie interrupts.

“Fuck you,” she spits back just as fast. “Stevie, do you need me to come with you?”

I hold my hand up to stop Jamie from digging his way under my friend’s skin. The last thing he needs is Teegan’s crazy ass going after him. “I love you for offering, Tee. I’ll be alright. We’ll stay in touch, I promise.”

“Pinky promise, or it doesn’t count.” She smiles as she holds out her pinky for me. Jamie groans, walking to the driver’s side of his truck, givingus a moment to say goodbye in peace.How kind.Looping my finger with hers, we both lean down and kiss our thumbs, making the promiseTeegan official.“I’m going to miss you around here, girl.” She sniffs, fanning her face with her free hand.

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