Page 18 of Feast

I reached for the door, turning to look back at him over my shoulder. “You started this, big boy.” I grinned at him.

Haze crossed his arms, enjoying my taunts. “Just remember, payback’s a bitch.”

“It is…but so am I.” I swung the door open. “Oh, and I’m waiting for those shots!”

INDI

“Anything else for you…Ms. Flowers?” Haze sucked his teeth as he playfully spoke my alias from his lips. He stared at me from across the bar, those fake brown eyes burning through my soul as he waited on me.

We’d spent the entire week working nightly shifts at The Burnout. The late shifts were exhausting, leaving us so worn out that by the time we returned to Felix’s place, we'd be half awake and wanting nothing more than to go straight to bed. Thankfully, Felix had made sure we had most of the day to sleep and recover before our intel meetings. The routine we slipped into was hard, but being able to crawl into bed with Haze every night and lose ourselves in the sheets made everything worth it. I just hated having to leave, even if it was to work and make money.

I sighed, lost in my thoughts.

Only a few more hours until I get to kick these fucking heels off and curl with him beneath those sheets.

I looked up at my twin, feeling indescribably smitten.

Just a few more hours.

He smiled, as if hearing my thoughts. “Well?” he asked again.

I toyed with the gold necklace he’d given me earlier in the week, playing with the zodiac pendant which showcased our astrological sign. “I have a few requests.” I smiled.

Haze licked his lips, and I noticed the veins in his hands bulge. “Ms. Flowers,” he purred, leaning forward. He crossed his arms, sitting across the bar top as I slid closer, tilting my head as the green hair of my wig spilled across the bar top. “You're on the clock. And your drinks are ready.” He played with the small pendant, keeping his eyes on me.

I blinked, instantly reeling back to reality. My brother grinned, beaming as he slid a tray across the bar to me. “Oh, and your friend’s card has officially hit its limit.” He extended his arm, offering the black card back to me. I reached for it, gasping as he gripped my wrist and whispered low enough for only me to hear. “Go get them, hermana.” He winked, and I felt my core tighten.

Haze reluctantly released my arm, slipping the card into my grasp. I tucked it between my tits and grabbed the tray, mentally prepping myself for what came next.

Right. Time to reel him in.

My usual work smile returned to my face, and I raised the tray high, shaking my hair. “Wish me luck.” My brother’s eyes remained fixated on me, looking my body up and down. He seemed to really enjoy tonight’s work attire, which just happened to be a Y2K-based dress, strapless and short as fuck. The dress was neon green, matching my hair perfectly, and covered in pitch-black zebra stripes. A classic staple, or so I’m told.

“Good luck.”

My heart jumped at his flirty tone, and I turned away, taking a step towards the VIP booths. Ray and his little group had returned to The Burnout on a daily basis, partying and racking up their tab as they became some of my regulars. And highest-tipping customers. Even though I knew he was just a low-life dealer, Ray’s card seemed to have much more money than we expected. But after a whole week of ringing up tabs and party favors, not to mention a few private sessions with the other bottle service women, his little black card had finally been declined. And that meant things were finally in motion. And I could stop working at this fucking club.

The lights in the club rolled across the room, shifting from green to a deep green, pulsating with the new rhythm of the song the DJ was playing, mixing it with a popular beat many partygoers seemed to enjoy. My thick platform heel clanked as I stepped up into the VIP booth and set the tray of drinks down on the table with a smile. “Here you go, boys!”

Ray’s group jumped for the alcohol, cheering and excited. Ray was sitting in the middle of the booth, smoking a cigar, dressed in a suit and shades, his usual preference. He had his shirt unbuttoned to his navel, leaving his tattooed chest exposed. “Ms. Flowers,” he breathed, removing the cigar from his lips. He wiggled his fingers and motioned me closer. I inched a little further, but stopped just on the other side of the table. He leaned forward to speak to me. “Think you could get us another round of party favors?”

I leaned closer, purposefully pushing my cleavage, knowing my chest sparkled in the lights, thanks to Dream’s body glitter. “Gosh, I’d really love to help you out, but—” I pulled the card from between my tits and placed it atop the table. Ray lifted his shades, his eyes falling directly to my body.

Too easy.

“Your card’s been declined,” I pouted before sliding the black card towards him. Ray’s eyes snapped from me to the card as he showed a bit of fear on his face. “Do you have another one I could use?” I asked, tilting my head while I batted my eyes.

He swallowed, and I noticed a few beads of sweat forming around his bald head. “Let me just—fuck. I need to make a call.” Ray shot from the booth and rushed past me. His friends all eyed him closely, drinking.

Got him.

I took the empty tray, flashing a smile at Ray’s group. “Let me know if you boys need anything else!” I winked, stepping from the booth and back onto the club floor with the tray tucked beneath my arm.

I tried to keep my eye on Ray, watching as he rushed through the dance floor. He walked so fast, nearly sprinting through The Burnout. I picked up my pace, trying to keep a good distance between us, but just as I thought I could catch up to him, the entire club erupted into cheers and excitement. Pink confetti rained from the ceiling, fuchsia-colored lights flashing as music blared, even louder from before. “What the⁠—”

A random man in a suit bumped into me, nearly knocking me over. “Woah! My bad!” He gripped my arm and helped me steady, my feet. “Oh, why hello there.” He grinned, the smell of alcohol reeking from his breath as he spoke. “Hey, you want to dance?” he asked loudly over the music.

I shook my head. “No thanks.” But he then grabbed me and pulled me close. “Oh come on,” he whined as he wrapped his arms around my waist, lowering them to my ass. “I don’t bite…hard.” I tried to wriggle free, but he was surprisingly strong for being so wasted. “Let’s dance,” he sang, rocking against me.