drill, Crank.”
The man with the crooked nose and messed up ear who Kristy referred to as Crank, fingered the silver zipper resting just below the center of her breasts. “You ain’t his ol’ lady,” he said, voice thick.
If the floor could have opened up and swallowed her whole, Mak would have welcomed it. Since Kristy was the only other person she knew in the entire place, she had no choice but to stand there like a moron and wait until Kristy finished doing…whatever with this guy so her friend could introduce her to who she’d be working with.
A husky laugh left Kristy. “Like that matters? I’m being fucked by your president. You want a piece, you ask him.”
A chill ran down Mak’s spine. Her friend’s statement reminded her way too much of life in the community. The parallel wasn’t one she’d picked up on when hanging around the Handlers, but was this club life? Women viewed as property? Shell, Toni, Jazz, and Holly sure didn’t act as though owned by their club. Hell, if anything, their men seemed owned by the women.
Well, maybe not, but each relationship she’d seen in the Handler’s club spoke of a true partnership.
Not ownership.
She shuddered. Never again.
“I just might do that,” Crank said, pulling the zipper down another inch.
All Kristy did was nod, as though this behavior was so familiar to her, it didn’t even register. “You know where to find me.”
It was then Crank turned his attention to Mak, and she couldn’t help but take a step back at his assessing gaze. The once-over didn’t come across as curious, but malicious. As though he was searching for some way to use her, regardless of her desires. “This our barmaid for tonight?” Crank asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yep,” Kristy said. “Makenna, this is Crank, the enforcer for the Disciples. If you think he seems like an asshole, you’re wrong. He’s much worse.”
When Crank laughed so loud heads turned their way, Mak’s eyes widened. “Changed my mind, Kristy,” he said, licking his lower lip. Then he faced Makenna. “Two hours of work, then you get a break. Ask around for me then.”
Uhh, what?
No, no, no. That would not be happening. She sent Kristy a panicked look.
Kristy frowned as she looped her arm through Mak’s, but it only lasted a second before she replaced it with an overconfident smile. “Catch ya later, Crank.” She dragged Makenna toward the bar, then stopped and spun. “Listen, Mak, whatever you do, do not end up alone with that man, do you hear me?”
“Um, yeah, I hear you.” The warning wasn’t necessary. She had no plans to wander off anywhere with Crank. Her hands shook, so she stuck them in her back pockets.
“I mean it, Mak. He’s a sadistic fucker who’ll eat you alive and spit out whatever’s left, and I promise you it won’t be much. You cannot handle him, and he senses it. It’ll make him want you more. I don’t care what you have to do, do not end up alone with him. Repeat it back to me because I’ll be dancing soon and won’t be able to keep an eye on you the whole night.”
“Kristy, I won’t end up alone with him. Promise. Trust me, I’m not looking for any kind of trouble. I’m here for one reason and one reason only.”
Five hundred dollars. Five hundred dollars.
With a nod, Kristy delivered her to the end of the bar. “Level!” she yelled above the booming music.
A man around Mak’s age with a three-inch blonde mohawk and no other hair turned their way. “Hey.” He lifted his chin in their direction.
“Got your help for the night,” Kristy said, tilting her head toward Mak.
“Fucking finally,” he called as he uncapped a bottle of beer. “Send her on back.”
“All right, girl. Good luck. Gotta get my ass up on one of the tables and start dancing. You good?”
Was she good? No, but, “Yeah, all good.”
Kristy kissed her cheek then flounced her way into the crowd, stopping every two seconds to chat with someone new.
“Hey, babe,” the man called Level said as he wandered her way. “Come on back.” He gave her a blatant up and down assessment, lingering on her breasts. The brazen staring made her skin crawl until he wrinkled his nose. Then her cheeks heated, and she wished to sink through the floor. Guess she didn’t quite pass muster.
“You party here before?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. Not really my usual scene, to be honest.”
He snorted. “Figured that