Learning to Forgive (The Learning Series) (9 page)

Later that night I announce that I want to work the floor. Everyone looks at me as though I’m crazy because people and me don’t mix, but eventually concede when I force out the word please.

When Saturday finally arrives, I go to Chris’s to get ready instead of using the lounge. Tonight is the night I plan on using the skills Mandy taught me all those months ago. Since I don’t own anything like I used to wear, I have to improvise. I trade out my usual jeans for the ass-kissing shorts I was wearing when I came into town, and then pull on my Jay’s tank top and some black heels that I picked up at a local second-hand store. My makeup is heavy and dark, my lips are as red as my hair, and I have to say I look pretty damn good. After a little teasing and hairspray, I put a high bump on my crown before I tie it to the side. Last, but not least, I pull down my shirt to show just enough cleavage and
BAM!
I’m ready for round one.

As soon as I walk in the door, I feel eyes on me, and no matter how hard my heart is pounding, I’m determined to pull this plan off. People left, right, front, and even Chris behind me are staring. In fact, Chris has been ogling my ass since I stepped out of his bathroom half an hour ago. And on the drive here. He’s lucky I like him so damn much or I’d throat punch him. Just because I’m dressed for attention, doesn’t mean I like receiving it. This is strictly business. I head to the lounge to put my stuff away while scoping the place and walking like I own the place. Tonight I’m not only working for tips. I’m working for revenge.

As the night goes by, tips are flowing with every smile and wink I give. Girls compliment me on my hair as guys just stare at my goods. If I have to smile to get revenge, then so be it. If I have to act as if I actually give a shit about what they have to say, then it’s a small price to pay. In the end, it’ll be worth it.

It’s going on ten when I hear a whistle come from my left. Looking, I see that annoying drummer as he passes by, wearing his usual sleeveless t-shirt and bandana. Tattoos cover both his arms and flow up past his collar. When he gets to my side, he takes a drink from my tray that doesn’t belong to him.

“Excuse me, you little shit,” I yell before snatching it back.

“Come on, Blaire. Since you won’t take me out, the least you can do is give me a beer.” He pouts in a cute, but annoying way. I quirk an eyebrow before I get ready to leave, but the idiot does the unthinkable. He drops to his knees and grabs my waist. “Please, baby. Don’t leave me.” He yells loud enough for everyone in the bar to hear. “I promise she was nothing. I promise you, baby, I’ll marry you now that your preg–
Ouch… Shit.”
He yells when my fingers brutally twist his ear as I yank him to his feet.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a pain in the ass?”

“All the time. But my grandmother’s favorite name for me was dumbass. She really loved me. Get to know me and you will, too.” He winks before grabbing the beer off my tray again. This guy is pure arrogance, and I can see why girls flock to him after every performance. He reminds me of Benji, and I can’t help the smile I give.

“See, my effects are already workin’ on ya.”

“Oh no! Don’t think so highly of your charm on me. I was just thinking that you remind me of someone.”

“Oh yeah, who? Wait… let me guess. Your fantasy guy… Magic Mike… that Edward guy who sparkles but young and hung?” He wags his eyebrows playfully, and a laugh escapes me.

“No, you dope. My brother.”

His smile falls. “Wait… You have a brother? Should I be scared?”

My smile slips as Benji’s playful banter with every female crosses my mind. “No. He’s dead.” I stop him before he can do the “I’m sorry” bullshit. Why apologize when you didn’t do anything? I’ve heard it enough this past year, and I’m tired of it. “Um, excuse me, but my tables are waiting.” I push past him and get back to my job.

My mind focuses on Benji and why I’m here. Why I’m doing what I’m doing and could cost me my job, plus Janet. His sobbing words enter my brain and why he was so miserable and I know I’m not backing down.

Turning around, I head to the bar and see
her
smiling and talking to the guy that I’ve been waiting for all night. A nervous excitement builds in my gut. I’ve never felt this type of rush. Maybe because this is for my brother. When Jax turns and walks toward the table in the corner, I take a deep breath and push up my boobs. Then I make my move.

“Trouble’s here and she’s in heels.”

~Lyric

Lyric

“This everything?” I ask Lou while he counts the crates that were just unloaded off the barge. Each one should hold a few kilos of superior Brazilian cocaine and heroin. This shit’s not cheap and costs me close to fifteen grand a kilo because it comes from one of the finest coca plants with an extremely high level of alkaloid.

Lou opens one with a large crowbar and sees the large TVs. After he busts the back out, the bags of white powder are made visible. There should be five kilos in each TV, so with fifty crates, you’re looking at a great amount of money. But I run this business right, and I’m not greedy. People think dealers or the cartel are like Scarface and Antonio Montana. But I’m just an everyday guy who’s twenty-six, hates wearing anything but jeans and boots, and loves getting new ink. I have about fifty workers helping, and I pay them a sizeable amount after every shipment we get.

At first, they didn’t want to take a twenty one year old seriously. But when I was released and stationed in NOLA, I took up fighting. Before long I was approached by Theo Dell who ran the local drug trade. He wanted me to be his guard, and after a while, I became his right hand man. For a year, I had his back and gained his trust. Then I had to take him out, and since then, I’ve run the business. Eventually, I was ordered to move here and run both New Orleans and Mobile’s drug industry. Not by choice. Nothing is ever my choice.

When Lou takes a hit and tastes the supply, he rolls the taste on his tongue. I turn away and watch the workers instead. The temptation to lose myself in the bitter flavor when it fills my nostrils and drips from my sinuses can come on strong on nights like this. I can’t wait to finish up so I can get the hell out and go play at Jay’s. I need a dose of normal. “Yeah, boss. This is some wicked shit.”

I just nod my head to signal Javier to release the men who were in charge of the shipment. They’ll get back on the boat in one piece. If I were screwed in any way, one would live and carry the other’s head in a box as a message to Senior Juan Andres. I’ve been dealing with that fucker for four years now, and he’s only tried to fuck me over once back in NOLA. Just once.

We keep everything business in this life. No friendships because friends don’t exist. But Juan and I do share a hatred for Polesky. So he stays on my good side and I on his.

Rumors of how Juan wouldn’t budge on the cost of his supply for the Russian meant Polesky wasn’t happy. Before he left Columbia, he wanted to make Juan pay for hurting his pride, so he raped and tortured Juan’s fifteen-year-old niece, and carved Polesky in her back. The girl lived, but she’s fucked up for life because of that monster. My hatred for Polesky comes from a darker place, and I delivered some revenge on him and his family because of what they took from me. Now I’m waiting on a chance to kill him myself. The world would be best without him in it. He’s a sick sonofabitch and will do anything to get what he wants. And when the Reform got word he was after Trudy, they gave me a call since I was already running Mobile.

I pick up the guitar case filled with money for Juan’s delivery. After I confirm the cash is real, his two leeches return to the ship.

“Lou? I’m out. Get this shit unpacked and sorted. We’ll give the runners their usual, and you know what to do with the rest.” I walk toward my bike after he nods his head and I head toward Jay’s.

After I park and head inside, I let my eyes wander to look for anything out of the ordinary. When I see Tru working the bar with Chris, I don’t think much of it. However, when I make my way to our usual table, I see
her
. That little fucking vixen with red hair. I stand back a little and watch her long pale legs in black heels as she walks, but my eyes have a connection to my dick, I guess, because they travel to her ass. It’s barely covered by some white cloth. An urge so strong to take her over my knee and spank the shit out of her, surfaces. I’m an ass man, and her ass definitely grabs my attention. Especially as her hips sway from left to right when she carries her drink tray like she owns this place.

When she stops, I finally shake my way out of my wet dream and adjust my dick in my jeans. I part the crowd, watching her the entire time. Her demeanor is different tonight. She talks to the people at the table and smiles seductively as she bends down in front of Jax. I’m sure he’s got a clear shot of her tits like everyone on this side can see her ass while she posts it up.

At first, this girl showing her goodies like one of the Candy store strippers confuses me, but I remember her anger with Trudy. Turning my head toward the bar, I see Trudy as she waits on another customer. It’s obvious she hasn’t seen anything yet. The girl’s too sweet for this chick to come in and try to ruin her.

It’s time to take control of this situation, so I make my way toward the stage and have the DJ cut the music. I planned to do this the other night, but shit happened before I could. The crowd isn’t too happy at first, of course, but when they see me walk up and grab the mike, they go fucking nuts. I give a crooked smile, and then look at Blaire who is still trying to whore herself out to Jax.

“How’s everyone doin’ tonight?” Screams pierce my ears, but I keep my eyes on Red who’s now standing and looking straight at me. Right into my eyes. I wonder if she sees my sins or the souls of all the people I’ve killed.

“Now, I know I’m not supposed to come up here yet, but we have someone very, very special in the crowd tonight. Someone who, I’ve heard through rumors, is pretty damned talented. So I’m gonna need everyone’s help to get ‘em up here. But first I need a fucking beer.” The crowd holds their drinks in the air and hollers. After they calm I once again address my target. “Red?” She arches her brow. “Bring me a beer, would ya? And make sure it’s cold.”

I’m sure she is calling me every name in the book as she makes her way over to the bar to grab my beer. Honestly, I’m surprised she does it at all, but it seems she wants to leave a favorable impression on good ol’ Jax.

She makes her way to the front of the stage and holds the bottle in my direction. “Here.” she says with pure irritation.

I stare her down and shake my head no. “Come up here. You’re holding us up.” As her eyes narrow, my smile widens. Pissing this girl off is my new hobby.