“How’d you know?” He sat up laughing.

“Can’t fool me, bugger.” I walked over and kissed his head. “Let’s go.” He hopped out of bed and raced towards the door.

“Jesus, he’s wide awake. How many cookies did he have?” I asked Mrs. Warner and was met with a smirk before walking across the hall.

The hallway looked like it always did, but for some reason, I felt protective of Gunner. While I unlocked my door, I held him close to my body. I looked over my shoulder before closing the door behind me and I could’ve sworn I saw a shadow move. I looked again and saw nothing. As I locked the door and tucked Gunner to my side, I felt fear. I laid with Gunner while he fell asleep but couldn't help the sick feeling deep in the pit of my belly that I hadn’t seen the last of Enrico.

I was able to get Marjorie to cover my shift the next night and I seriously considered just leaving the club. I had money saved. I wanted more, and I was so close to my dream I could taste it. I wondered at what cost, though?

I had just dropped Gunner off at school, when my car started to act up. It wasn’t a new car, but so far I hadn’t had any issues with it. I wasn't in a great neighborhood, considering I lived in a not so great neighborhood, when it started to overheat.

“Fuck,” I hit the steering wheel as I pulled to the side of the road. This couldn’t be happening. White steam billowed from under the hood. I shut the car off, stepped out, saw more steam and let off another string of expletives.

An hour and a half later, I was at Junior’s Garage where Junior, who wasn't so Junior, told me, I needed a new water pump and a whole list of other things. It was going to cost me just under eight hundred dollars.

That was a hit I really couldn't take. I walked home from the garage. It took me an hour and twenty minutes. I wished like hell I didn't give up my shift the other night to Marjorie. With this hit, I was going to have to dance my ass off to make up for it.

***

“Is he out there?” I asked Sky who had just returned backstage.

“Relax, I haven’t seen that fine piece of ass since the weekend. I don’t know why you’re all strung up. That man is fine. If he wanted me in a room, I would drop to my knees. I bet he’s hung like a fucking rocket ship.”

“It’s not like that. He’s scary. And you know I don’t do rooms.”

“That’s right! Miss, I’m too good to go behind closed doors.”

Jesus, I knew I shouldn't have asked Sky. She was a total bitch. Usually, Marjorie had my back, but Marjorie was in a room of her own and I really wanted to know before I went out there if he was watching.

“Char. You’re on.” Frank saved me from Sky’s tirade.

The lights were dimmed. I counted the beats. I danced and was relieved when I didn't see Enrico. My set finished and I actually was feeling pretty good about tonight.

I did a table dance for a bunch of suits. It wasn’t half bad either. They tipped generously and for the most part kept their hands and crude comments to themselves.

I finished two more dances on the stage and was getting ready to call it a night when Dick walked in. “This is for you,” he said and handed me a note.

I changed into my sweats and waited for Frank to finish up. He was going to give me a ride home since my car was in the shop.

While I waited, I poured a drink from Marjorie’s stash. I sat in a black folding chair and stared at the note. It reminded me of a birthday invitation that I would receive in Gunner’s backpack. The small white envelope had my name scrawled on the front and not just Char or Charlie, but Charlotte.

I opened it and the chilling words made me want to vomit.

I’m sorry I couldn’t be there tonight, my pet. I’ll see you soon, and when I do you’ll give me what I want. You’ll beg like the good little pet you are. -E

Behind the letter, was a picture. It was from this morning outside of my apartment. I was handing Gunner his backpack as he was getting in the backseat of my car.

Shit.

Fucking hell.

If that wasn’t a threat, I didn’t know what was.

Chapter Five Charlie

I was scared out of my damn mind when my next shift started. Part of me wanted to run away, but my car was still in the shop. That same part of me didn't care. I thought, maybe I should just pack a bag with Gunner, get on a bus and disappear. It was an appealing thought, but then the idea of an enraged Enrico finding me and hurting Gunner made me stay.

It also didn’t help matters that Frank did not answer his phone tonight to give me a lift. Which was odd all by itself since he always answered and even odder since he offered last night when he dropped me off to come and get me. I was stuck taking the bus to work and that always sucked.

I was resigned to giving Enrico a night and prayed that he would let me be. I’d been used before. This wouldn’t be new to me. I just had to suck it up and figure a way out of this mess.

I was applying thick black liner with a trembling hand when I made a mistake smearing black onto my lid. “Shit,” I cursed.

“What’s gotten into you?” Marjorie asked pressing her lips together to even out her plum lips and then smacking them together. I watched her reflection in the mirror and wondered how much I could tell her.

“You know that guy that’s been messing with me?”

Her eyes flashed sympathy and she nodded. I knew the gossip-mill had been going haywire. I’d heard a few snickers from girls, wondering what made me special. Why would he want me? I wondered the same thing. Sure I had looks and could dance, but so what. All the girls here were hot. I wouldn’t even say I was in the top three.

“He sent me a pic of Gunner and me yesterday. Said he’s going to have his way and I just know that picture was a threat. I can't let him hurt my boy.”

“Fuck, honey. Did you tell Dick?”

“Dick’s scared shitless of him, which only adds to my fear. I’ve never seen him back down so much.” That was the absolute truth. Dick, for the most part, had our backs, so this uncharacteristic behavior of his only made me realize that I didn’t have much choice.

“What are you going to do?” Her hand settled on my shoulder to offer me comfort.

“What choice do I have? I’m going to do my set and then I’ll go in the room with him.” Just saying that made me sick.