Kate
The smoky air was tainted with violet hues from the strobe lights that swirled above the floor, their only purpose to offer coverage for the less than attractive folk. It was the simple technique of diversion and Kate knew that her revenues rested on people's ability to get drunk, get sweaty and get laid. They were more than ready and able to twist reality just enough that most people ended the night checking off all three boxes.
The sea of bodies from the dance floor meshed together, creating a large living organism of sorts, the passion and feeling oozing off it and beckoning all that passed by to come and live a little. A smirk touched Kate's lips as a handsome boy with hair the color of night reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her against his strong body as he smiled down at her.
"I've been waiting all night for you," he whispered against her hair.
"You must be mistaken. We don't know each other." She leaned back and touched his lips before he could speak again. She needed to check in with Marcus to ensure that he had all he needed for the busy night ahead of them. "Shhhh... go have fun with someone you have a chance with."
Jeffery was behind the bar, throwing a bottle in the air as several people cheered him on. His smile was infectious, his eyes full of life. He had taken a hit off of Marcus's latest shipment, and where she should be angry, she was a bit more jealous due to her inability to find time to slip into the hazy world of the high provided.
Drugs were part of the deal and where she mostly kept her nose clean, Marcus and his boys didn't. Crime was a well-worn coat, comforting and quick to fulfill needs. The drugs were only sold on the south side of town and she didn't stand for any of them dealing in her club. He caught her eye and winked, his long blond hair making him seem far too feminine in her opinion.
She turned and put her hands on her hips, her eyes moving across the floor. The cops hadn't bothered her much over the last week outside of the normal warning that they were watching her closely. They always had and always would. The labs had come back on Adam, and her weapon was deemed not having been the murder weapon, so she was clear until more discovery took place.
Energy rushed through the air as the latest techno song filled the club. Hands shot up as the patrons bounced and jumped. The acoustics in the club were spot on, the light furry black material on the walls absorbing the negative and expounding the positive back into the waiting ether. If only she could melt into the crowd and forget everything.
Turning and moving toward the bar, she stopped beside a large group of girls who were ogling over Jeffery. He turned his attention to her, a quirky smile lifting his lips.
"Hey." Her eyes moved to make a quick count of the bottles behind him before turning her attention fully on him. "I just wanted to make sure you had what you needed for the evening."
He nodded. "We're good, but you might want to ask Marcus if we need anything for later. He was taking inventory in the back."
"Ahhh... I was wondering where he slipped off to."
"You look good tonight." Jeffery leaned against the bar and laughed as she rolled her eyes.
"I'm not giving you a raise."
"How about a date?"
"Nope. Get busy and stop dicking around." She winked and turned to walk to the back of the club. She opened the large black door at the back of the room, her key one of three she had made. Too much money sitting just beyond the reach of greedy hands. She moved in, listening for the door to lock behind her before walking toward the sound of Marcus humming something.
His usual attire consisted of black slacks, shiny black shoes and a black shirt of some sort. Tonight was no different. He turned and looked over his shoulder, a smile brushing across his lips.
"Boss?"
"Do you have everything you need for tonight? Saturdays are nuts, as I know you know."
"Are you offering me something, Katie?" He set his clipboard down and walked toward her, stopping in front of her and reaching out to touch the side of her face.
She laughed sardonically. "No, you'll know when I'm offering. Answer my question. I have too much to do for your bantering tonight."
"How about after work? Close the club at three and get high with me? It's been a while."
She moved around the room, touching various boxes. "Only liquor in here, right? You know I don't want that shit in my house."
"I know, boss." He reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward him. He slipped an arm around her and looked down, his gaze growing dark. "You need a release. Let's smoke a little and fuck like rabbits. Let me take care of you."
She pressed her hands to his strong chest and looked up at him, the dark teardrop tattoos on his right cheek making him scary as hell to most, but she knew the guy underneath them. He bent down and brushed his lips across hers, his large hand cupping her butt as he pulled her closer.
"You need it. Let me give it to you." He kissed her again, his face smooth and smelling of aftershave. She slid her hands along his face and leaned into the kiss. He could fuck like no one she had ever met, his body big and built for fighting or hard sex. She kissed him once more and moved back, licking at the sweet taste of peppermint he left on her lips.
"Yeah. I need to forget who I am for the night."
"I like who you are, Katie."
"It's Kate. You don't forget who I am." She glanced over her shoulder. "Lust and drugs... that's all I've got to give. You sure you want it?"
He smiled, a deep laugh leaving him. "I couldn't handle much more from you. That alone is overwhelming."
"Good. Let's keep it that way." She turned and moved back down the hall, her body aching for the night to end so his promises could begin. It had been a few months since she'd given herself over to him last. Namely because they had been too busy, but even more so because she hadn't wanted him to leave after the last time they slept together. She wanted him to stay and sleep next to her, cook breakfast and shit.
She shuddered at the thought of falling in love with someone that couldn't reciprocate it. No way. She would have to watch herself more closely.
Loving someone was the easiest way to lose them. They would leave, or death would come knocking.
It always did.