Page 33 of Rage & Paradise
It’s been a heavy day. Everyone running around trying to get information. Once Pooh learned what I knew about Sina, he hadmore to go on. We only needed to leave him alone for a short while for him to get the info we needed.
I don’t know if it’s because she’s a woman or what, but Sina has been flying under the radar for a long while. Time for that to end.
It’s going to be a fight and we all know it. But the clubhouse is tense, and even Vado knows that’s not the best way to start a battle.
Coca suggests that we have another party, something to put the club bunnies’ minds at ease. After the attack last night it seems like they are all waiting for the next shoe to drop. It’ll happen, but we need to make sure that everyone who is here knows that we can protect them. They need to know that we’re not worried.
I’m not.
I have faith in who we are and what we are going to be able to make happen.
So that’s what we’re doing tonight.
Spin is in his space making magic with the records he’s spinning on his setup. We’ve got all the ol’ ladies out. The kids. The club bunnies. Hangarounds. Even a few people from the town are invited to come have a good time.
It’s a weight off my shoulders.
“Oro, you promised me a dance.” One of the women I’ve seen around town grabs hold of my hand and pulls me off the wall.
Marc Anthony pours from the speakers and the enticing salsa beat forces my feet to move. I grab hold of the woman properly and we fall into a fluid dance. She’s good, but I’m better. I spin and twist her around, showing off and having a good time.
The laughter and good vibes are contagious, and soon I’m not thinking anything about what Estrella told me earlier or about the fight that is to come with both the Canos and with Sina. All I’m thinking about right now is having a good time.
My ears perk up as I hear Coca squeal with laughter, not her usual calm demeanor. When my eyes scan the crowd to find her, I see she’s dancing with Pooh. I wouldn’t think someone of his size would be able to move as smoothly as he can, but he’s pulling out all the moves.
The main room of the clubhouse is dim, only a few spotlights of different colors pulsing with the beat of the music. It’s so loud I can barely hear the woman standing in front of me.
When I look back down at her I’m sure she is asking me something about going somewhere quieter. I should. That would be exactly what I need to release the last bit of tension I’ve got rattling in my bones, but I don’t. I hesitate.
It’s not until my eyes catch Digger on the move that I realize why. He’s on his way to the other side of the room. Beelining straight for Estrella, who is dancing and spinning with Prissy. Her face bright and a smile on her face so devastating it nearly takes my breath away.
There’s no way in fuck I’m going to let Digger get to her first.
“Un momento.” I whisper to the woman in front of me before I leave her mid spin and take off in the same direction.
I shove my way through the crowd and make it to the area I last saw Estrella just in time to see Digger grab hold of her and start tugging her toward one of the more private corners.
I’ve never been a cockblock. Not until now.
I tap Digger’s shoulder just as he leans forward to whisper something in Estrella’s ear. He turns to look over his shoulder, a pissed look on his face. “What? I’m busy.”
“Not with this one, you ain’t.” I shout back.
“The fuck you mean I ain’t. She’s not claimed.” Digger bites back.
“I don’t give a fuck. I said not with this one.” I get right in his face, ready to yank him off her if he doesn’t move.
“Boys, boys, no need to fight.” Estrella pushes the two of us away from each other, that bright smile still on her face. “Digger, let me just find out what he wants. I’ll be right back for you, Papi.”
Digger scoffs and walks away.
Estrella lazily drops her hands around my neck and starts to sway, drawing me into a dance simply so we won’t look silly. “You know if you don’t stop butting in like that, they are going to put me out.”
“The hell they will.” I snarl and spin her once just as the music shifts to a faster reggaetón. An oldie, a Tego Calderón classic that causes everyone in the room to shout and begin grinding on each other.
“This is what I’m here for, Oro. I’m supposed to be showing everyone a good time.”
“Don’t do that shit with me. I don’t want the dream. That fake shit isn’t for me.”
