Page 25 of Unbreakable

“The Memphis Hellions, nothing but criminals.” She leans in close to me, grazing my arm with her chest and my skin crawls at her touch.

“Thank you for the valuable insight ma’am. Have a great evening.” I rise from my seat, Bart doing the same, walking towards the exit. I’m more than ready to leave.

Walking into the parking lot, I pull out my phone and dial the number of the person who can find out all the information I need. The phone rings twice before it’s answered and I start talking before he even has a chance to say hello.

“Albert, I need you to look into some people for me. First one is Arianna Racanelli, but she calls herself Arizona, and then a local biker club called the Memphis Hellions. I want everything you can find and fast.” I tell him then hang up.

Opening the car door, I slide into the driver's seat as Bart sits down in the passenger side, before speeding out of the parking lot. This is not how I expected my night to end when I came here.

Arizona

I got his messages. Did I answer them? Hell no. He was pissed and I loved it. He’s the one that called our meeting off, not me, so he could suffer a little longer. I fought the urge to reply with some witty comeback but then I decided radio silence was the best response. I couldn’t wait for our next class, or who knows, maybe I'll break down and message him. I mean at this point I hold the power, don’t I? My mind runs rampant with images of what he could do to me if he was my dom, which has my pussy clenching in delight.

I get ready and head out to the floor to see who wants a private dance from me and to get something to drink. My last set left me parched. As I make my way over to the bar, I see Vee steadily making drinks for a group of bikers who seem to be celebrating. I don’t make it far before I see Ryker, or more like hear him.

“Well, well if it isn’t my favorite dancer. I was hoping you’d make your way over here. So ya gonna change that mind and let me take you for a spin on my bike then my cock?” he asks as he comes up beside me and tosses his arm over my shoulder, pulling me into his body.

Taking his hand in mine I lift his arm off my shoulder and duck out from underneath it. “Ohh, did you not understand when I told you last night you didn’t have a snowball's chance in hell? I need a man and you’re just a boy. I’m sure there’s someone else in here who will fall for your charms, it just isn’t me.” I tell him smugly before turning away from him and walking away.

Moving towards the bar, I catch Vee’s attention and do a hand motion like I’m drinking something. She gives me a thumbs up, before reaching down behind the bar, grabbing a bottle of water and placing it on the counter. I pick it up and head away from the group, drinking it as I go.

I’m exhausted when three A.M. rolls around and I’m a hundred percent ready to go home and curl up in bed. What I wasn’t in the mood for was the ten voicemails on my phone from my father. Does he really think I can forget about what I’m supposed to do when he is constantly reminding me? I stopped fucking doing his weekly mandatory check-ins since he contacts me more now then when I was away at college. What happened to having a fucking year of peace? I should’ve known better than to think he would ever give up an ounce of the control he has over me.

“What’s the matter?” I hear coming from a soft voice, one that I know belongs to Jade.

“Oh, nothing, just my asshole father! Do you have one of those, or is your father one of those amazing ones? You know the kind who loves his daughter and goes to all her dance recitals and does the father-daughter dates.” I ask her, defeat clear in my voice.

She looks at me, sadness present in her eyes as she takes a deep breath before beginning to speak, “My dad was amazing. He died from an aneurysm. Then I went into the foster system. I was taken in by an amazing family after I was found sleeping on the streets when I was kicked out of one of the homes I was in. My foster parents are great. They don’t like me working here though.” I hear the sadness in her voice at the mention of her foster parent’s disapproval.

Hoping to cheer her up slightly I tell her, “That’s pretty amazing you had time with an amazing dad and then had another family there when you needed them the most.” Then sensing shame from her, I continue to speak. “You know there is nothing wrong with being a stripper. It’s honest money and you are providing a service that people want and supporting yourself.”

“I know,” she says softly, “it’s just that I know my dad would be so ashamed of me and my foster parents love me but don’t approve of me working here. To top it off, the person who I hoped would notice me by doing this, hasn’t. Even with my body on display for him, he still treats me like a little sister.”

“I think you’re wrong. I think your father would be proud, you’re such an amazing and sweet woman. But you should never dance, hell do anything for that matter, for the attention of a man, do it for yourself. And Jade, if he hasn’t noticed you, he probably isn’t interested in you that way. And if he only noticed you because you were dancing, he isn’t the one for you. Your happy ending is coming, don't give up.” I tell her.

“What about your happy ending?” she asks, as I pick up my bag and keys to leave.

“I don’t have one. It was stolen from me.” I tell her as I leave the room, fighting back the tears that are trying to break free.

I’ve been dodging Professor Gallant, my Mr. Charcoal Eyes, every opportunity he tries to corner me after class to talk. I even give him the brattiest responses to some of his messages, the ones I don’t totally ignore. Why shouldn’t I, he’s the one who led me on then decides he gets to end it when he sees me sitting in his class.

Ryker continues to drive me fucking insane with the way he hits on me relentlessly. I mean does he not get the picture that I'm not interested in him. Each time I turn him down I invent a new way to insult him. Who am I kidding? That's probably the best part of my day. The last time I did, he said he would be gone for a couple weeks, but to be ready for a date when he came back. Yeah right! All I could do was laugh, he has conviction I will give him that.

I find myself fighting my feelings for Knox more everyday. If I was smart, I would end what we’re doing and just be friends but I must be a glutton for punishment.

What can I say, I guess I’m making this a memorable year before I go home. I’m gathering my stuff to head out to another night at the club when I hear my phone buzz. Picking it up, I see a message from an unknown number.

UNKNOWN: With each day our time to be together grows nearer. I have been watching you closely. I will let you have your little fun, just know when the time comes, these escapades of yours will end. Make sure you’re using protection.

I should probably be alarmed at these messages. But I just see them as a reminder of the life my father has stolen from me.

ME: What if I change my mind? What if I decide I don’t want to take care of my father’s debt?

I reply to the message stupidly. I wait for an answer but one never comes. After waiting about ten minutes and no response I head out my door, locking it behind me. I immediately have a smile on my face at the voice I hear on the steps, that is until I hear what all he has to say.

“Man not only is she hot but I bet she is a good lay,” the voice I know as Christopher says.

“I guess, but is she someone you could really bring home to the family?” Knox asks.

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