When Baby’s gaze finally landed on Lucky across the room, she was shocked to find him glaring at her, one brow arched and his gorgeous lips drawn in a tight, thin line. In true Lucky fashion, he had folded his arms across his chest. He wore another dark t-shirt and a pair of Levi’s. His Dr. Martens crossed at the ankles. Anyone else might think he looked like he didn’t have a care in the world, but Baby knew better. He was fuming. She saw the rage in his clenched jaw and the way he pumped his fists opened and closed in an attempt to keep the blood flowing to his fingers. He leaned against the wall and scowled in her direction.
The coke surging through her body gave Baby an evil streak. It was her way of saying to hell with everyone else, including him. It was her life to fuck up. Being in the same room with Lucky pissed her off. He hadn’t called, or checked on her. She didn’t know why she thought he would, but her heart sank with every passing hour. And now, it was all coming to a head.
Baby Jade ran her hand over Slade’s back, weaving her fingers through his blond ponytail. Leaning over, she planted her lips on his neck before making eye contact with Lucky. Her lips curled in a devious smirk. Wanting to keep her high, Baby headed toward the bar to get another round of shots for the table. She put on her best sexy grin and played with her curls, flirting with everyone in her path. The display was successful, people focused on her rather than the stage. More ammunition for Lolli.
That poor girl had been a hot mess since Slade had turned his affections back toward Baby. She stayed strung out, but now had to work harder to get her hands on the drugs.
Baby tossed her hair from side to side and arched her back to push out her chest. Deep down, she knew it was pathetic, but she didn’t care anymore. Her gaze darted across the room to Lucky. For the first time, she saw the pain rather than anger. He wore the hurt on his face, with his mouth downturned and dead eyes. He was broken.
Chapter Eighteen
Lucky
This fucking week couldn’t go by fast enough. Lucky had already started making plans to leave town immediately after the board meeting. He had been working nights at Rodney’s and working on his own bike during his down time, getting it road ready.
He put in his notice at the garage and told Mickey this would be his last weekend at the club. He thought he had braced himself for everything. Tonight proved him wrong. Seeing Baby Jade sitting on that son of a bitch’s lap left him gasping for air. It was a sucker punch right to the gut.
Her vibrant skin was now dull, the glint in her eyes snuffed out. She was high as a fucking kite, and it pissed him off. What pissed him off more was the fact that he wanted to swoop in and rescue her. His blood boiled and the mixed emotions nauseated him. He couldn’t wait to hop on his bike and say good-bye to this toxic town.
Chapter Nineteen
Baby Jade
Baby downed her next two shots of Jack Daniels and somehow managed to make it to the bathroom in one piece. She finished her three sets for the night and wanted to party until the sun came up. Mickey not only cut back her performances, he also cut the length of her songs. Anything longer than four minutes and someone would need to peel her up off the catwalk.
Tucked away in the last stall, Baby dipped her fingers in between her breasts and slipped out the newest gift from Slade. She took a bump of coke and steadied herself against the stall door allowing the drug to work its magic. The bathroom door opened and she overheard Lolli and Coral gabbing.
“Right? Damn, he looks yummy,” Coral said. Baby didn’t know who they were talking about until she heard Lolli’s reply.
“Yeah, I should go jump on his cock and show him what a real woman can do. Baby’s too much of a fucking mess to be able to handle that much man.”
Lucky
They both cackled, and Coral finished with, “Please, bitch. He isn’t going to let anyone near him. Especially someone from Bottoms Up.”
Then the two spent the next couple of minutes talking about lipstick, cigarettes, and the best condoms for women’s pleasure. Baby thought it might literally kill her to have to stay still and listen to the screeching sound of their voices. Her skin was crawling by the time they left. Pulling out the baggie, she did another bump. She tried to forget where she was by closing her eyes, but instead she saw Lucky’s face. The hurt and anger. The pain in his eyes searing deep into her.
Baby did a third bump, and then a fourth. Her nose now numb, along with the back of her throat and her tongue. Her heart beat against her chest wall, ready to jump right through the skin. She heard her pulse thumping in her ears. Sweat beads formed on her brow.
Baby opened her eyes in time to see the tiles on the ceiling start move. The room began to spin right before she hit the bathroom floor.
***
“Baby, dammit. Can you hear me?”
Baby Jade’s head fell backwards as if it weighed five hundred pounds. She tried to pick it up to make out where she was, but her eyes only rolled. Something wet touched her face, and she heard the voice again.
“Shit, Baby. Talk to me!”
Her body shook and it took her a minute to realize someone was shaking her shoulders. She tried to speak, but it only came out as a mumbled grunt.
“Fuck!”
Air swept her face as her body bounced in midair. She couldn’t make out what was happening. She heard loud voices, but couldn’t make out who was talking. There was yelling and screaming. Should she be scared? Or maybe angry? It didn’t matter. She couldn’t feel anything anyway.
Something heavy draped over her body. She was already sweating and it was made worse when she was met with hot, thick moisture. Outside.
It’s finally happening. I’m dying.
Her body shifted a few times before coming to rest. She heard a slam, and then a quick rush of speed made her head spin. Her stomach churned and she tried to swallow before throwing up. Something touched her face. No, it was a someone. Fingertips stroked her face, smoothing back the matted hair stuck to her forehead. Her breathing was shallow, but with each small inhale, she caught the smallest hint of a memorable scent.
Musk.
Lucky.
Shifting again, her body was back in the air. Voices. Loud banging, more voices. Movement.
Baby let out a long garbled scream. The freezing water stung her hypersensitive skin, causing her body to thrash around against the bathtub.
“She be movin’ ’round. Dat a good t’ing.”
The voice was different but familiar.
“Yeah, help hold her down. She was out cold for a while. The water should help shock her body into fighting.”
“You sound like you know what you be talkin’ ’bout. Why’s dat?”
No answer.
The room went quiet, with the exception of the running water and the deep groans coming from Baby Jade.
Finally, she quit fighting and collapsed into the tub. After hearing cabinets slam, she felt arms slip under her body and scoop her up. She drew in a deep breath, smelling the scent she had come to crave. She buried her head, trying to inhale more. The arms cradling her body tightened, pulling her into a warm embrace before placing her onto a bed.
Baby pried open her eyes but only for a moment. It was all she needed. Lucky’s chocolate eyes were the last thing she saw before drifting off to sleep.