Blizzard (The Brotherhood Journals #1) (16 page)

I stared at myself in the large mirror, still unable to believe what I was seeing.

“You look beautiful, babe.” I looked over my shoulder to see Hadley smiling at me from the doorway. Hadley was another of the strippers here at
The Backroom
. She was a sweet girl and had done my hair and makeup.

After talking with Iris and Skins, they had disappeared to talk security. We needed to have a backup plan if for any reason these men got suspicious of who I was or what was going on.

Hadley was the only other one who was given information about what was happening since she would most likely be the closest to me at all times. Skins would have to hide in the background because the second he was seen, a shit storm would more than likely start. And Iris still needed to run the club like it was just another ordinary night.

My dark hair was curled and flowed around my shoulders and my makeup was fierce. Dark smoky eyes and red lips to match the black and red themed outfit I had on. If you could even call it that. It covered the main parts, but the bonus was that while you’d normally expect to see strippers taking off their clothes and getting basically naked, Iris said with the lack of clothing I could get away without having to remove anything as long as I gave a good show.

I tried to remember everything Kat and I had practiced. It was vital I made this shit look perfect.

“You’re shaking,” Hadley said stepping up behind me. She placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be right there to take over if something goes wrong. Skins will be right behind the curtain the whole time to whisk you away.”

I nodded, trying to feel some kind of comfort.

“What you’re doing is so brave,” she told me softly, her hand squeezing me with encouragement. “I know Lane. I know she will be forever grateful for you risking yourself to bring her back.”

My eyes caught hers in the mirror. “What’s she like?”

Hadley smiled thoughtfully. “She’s quiet, softly spoken. She has a huge heart and cares about everyone she meets. She’s strong too, but I hate to think about how scared she is right now.” I sighed. “Light has been her everything since they were just kids. I don’t know what will happen if she doesn’t come home.”

My heart raced but her words just confirmed for me that I was doing the right thing.

Everyone needed someone who was willing to fight for them. It didn’t matter how big or small the fight was, knowing that someone was there with you could make all the difference.

I just hoped she hadn’t given up yet.

The door to the room burst open and I jumped out of my seat. Skins appeared in the doorway, slipping through and quickly shutting it behind him. “You’re up beautiful. I snapped a pic of your target so you know who you’re looking for.”

He handed me his cell phone. The picture he must have taken from the security cameras as the men walked in the door. It wasn’t super clear, but it showed three men wearing club vests stepping into the bar area out the front.

Skins reached over and pointed to the man on the left. “That’s Edge. He’s our best way in at the moment.”

Hadley looked over my shoulder and nodded. “I remember him. The other men were always sleazy and crude with their comments, but he was quieter… polite even.”

“Okay, so I need to make an impression,” I said, more to myself than anything.

“Yeah, babe, you’ll get your private time with him also. Iris specified it was only a dance, though, that there would be nothing else going on in the private room. And we will have eyes on you the whole time,” Skins explained.

I memorized the man carefully. It would be easy to pick him out. While the other two guys were slimmer in their build, Edge had broad shoulders and thick arms. His hair was blond and cut short while the others were longer, shaggy and untamed.

A ding filled the room. “That’s your five-minute warning.” Hadley gripped my arms and stood toe to toe with me. “You’ll do great.”

I took a deep breath, tossing Skins his phone and holding my head high as I moved to the door.

The walk to the stage was a blur. Music thumped loudly in the space, girls rushed past, some half naked, others with silk robes covering their bodies. When we reached the curtain, both Hadley and Skins gave me quick hugs before they disappeared.

Iris’ voice sounded loud and the hum of voices seemed to quiet as they listened. “Gentlemen, I have a special treat for you today. Her name is Lily, and boy is she a stunner.” We had decided to change my name just for safety purposes, I was relieved but also nervous because it was another lie I had to remember. “She’s here for one week only, all the way from the bright lights of New York City.”

The curtains in front of me drew open slowly and the music started. I took a deep breath and stepped out into the light, trying to remember what Kat had told me about swaying my hips every time I took a step.

Sexy, sultry, beautiful.

I needed to be all three.

I let my body feel the music. It started off slow and built dramatically so I mimicked it with my movements. We’d gone over my routine to this song so many times it had become almost second nature. My eyes closed as I let the lyrics fill me. Gripping the pole, I swirled and ground, using my hair as a prop and flicking it around.

Open your eyes.

Kat’s words resonated in my head. If I was going to attract this guy, I needed to make him feel like I was dancing for him. I found him quickly, him and his brothers sitting right in the front row. Edge had his eyes focused on me, the other men nudging him and pointing, one with his phone up, snapping pictures. I was pretty sure that wasn’t allowed and it made me nervous. He paid no notice of them as I walked forward, the connection between us was so strong that it was pulling me to him. His tongue flicked out, wetting his lips. I let my lips fall open, my hands running all over my body as I moved to the music. I got close enough, just out of their reach, before I used the drama of the music and dropped to my knees. I threw my head back and gripped my hair with my hands, letting my chest heave up and down and rolling my body. When the music slowed, I stood and began to walk backward, keeping him in my sight the whole time.

I swirled the pole a few more times before dropping to my hands and knees on the last beat of the music. My hair covered my face, but the room surprised me by bursting into applause with hoots and hollers. I lifted my head slightly.

Edge was standing with his men, they were leering at me but he wasn’t. He was eyeing me with a look I could only describe as curiosity. His head was tilted slightly to the left, but his gaze burned through me. It was hot and intense.

The lights went out and I was plunged into darkness. I quickly stood to make my way calmly to the back of the stage, slipping through the closed curtains. My body sagged in relief despite the adrenaline that still filled my veins. It burned, but I couldn’t say I hated the feeling. A hand grabbed me and I let out a squeak.

Hadley laughed before pulling me into a tight hug. “Girl, that was fucking amazing.” She stepped back, her eyes were lit up and her smile was bright.

“You think?”

Skins laughed to my right. “I’m wondering if I can get you in a backroom after you’re done with him?”

I blushed and shoved him in the chest. “Stop it.”

His eyes lost all laughter and narrowed gently. “Not even joking.”

Hadley stepped between us, pulling on my arm and leading me away as another girl stepped up to the curtain. “Leave her alone, Skins. This isn’t the time to pull out your cock and swing it around.”

“I’ve never had anyone complain before,” he mumbled as he followed us out the back. I couldn’t help but giggle at his pouty face.

Hadley rolled her eyes. “All right, you’ve got about ten minutes before we execute phase two.” She dragged me into the dressing room we had been in before the show. Skins veering off in another direction.

“How come the club has let you be so in on this?” I asked while closing the door. “The girls back home that I practiced with weren’t even allowed to know details.”

She froze for a second, her hands gripping onto the clothes that she was sorting through, picking my next outfit. I heard her inhale deeply before turning to face me. Her eyes were sad and I suddenly felt guilty for prying.

I held my hands up, ready to apologize but she shook her head. “It’s okay,” she whispered before clearing her throat. “My husband was a part of the club a few years ago. He went away on a run for a couple months to do some work for the club, but when he came back he was different.”

I took a seat in the makeup chair, taking in everything she said.

She began sifting through the clothing again, pulling out another sexy outfit, complete with garters and a corset. Her fingers gripped the coat hanger tightly like it was her lifeline.

“He wasn’t the man I married. He was dark and secretive and angry.” I saw a small shudder move through her body. “Judge and the boys tried to help him, but he was already too far gone, so he was asked to leave the club.”

I took the garment from her hands and moved behind the small curtain that was set up so I could change. “And they let you stay?”

“They convinced me to stay. Leaving with him would’ve been a one-way ticket to hell, and as much as I wanted to hope I could bring the man I married back, it was too late.” I caught a hitch in her voice. “I was already part of the club, they promised to protect me and help me. They are my friends.”

I nodded, dressing quickly. “Did you always strip?”

Hearing Hadley chuckle, I poked my head around the curtain. She was smiling now and I was hugely relieved. “I've never been one to hide who I am.”

“And who exactly is that?” I asked curiously.

“A woman who isn't afraid of her body or sexuality.” She popped her hip and winked at me.

Ducking behind the curtain, I continued to wrangle on my new outfit. “Seems like you and Iris have that in common.”

“I don't believe there's anything wrong with sex between two consenting partners. If it makes you feel good then who cares what anyone else thinks.”

“Oh, I totally agree,” I told her, nodding even though I knew she couldn't see. I wasn't a prude. It was one of the reasons Chelsea and I had developed a friendship. Because while people were judging her for what she did as a club girl, I wanted all the details. “I bet you and your husband had a killer sex life.”

The room was quite and my gut sank. I knew instantly I'd said something wrong.

“We did. But it stopped the night he tried to take away the consenting part of the equation.”

I stepped out and our eyes met. “I'm sorry…”

Smiling, she walked forward and started adjusting me. Her voice lowered to a soft tone, “I kicked him so hard he'd be lucky to ever have sex again. But here I am, still holding my head high, being sexy as hell, and having no regrets.”

“The club stood by you,” I said out loud without thinking. Her husband had tried to rape her and the club chose her. They protected her.

“People like to judge MC’s because of that few percent, like those men out there tonight, who use their status and strength and numbers to intimidate and bring people down in fear. But that’s not what it's all about. Not fucking at all.”

I felt her words resonate right down into my soul. There was passion behind them, complete conviction in what she was saying.