The front door opens and Winter comes rushing in. Oh, this can’t be good.

“We gotta go. Braxxon needs us.”

This is what I’m talking about. I don’t know what kind of help he needs from us, but this spur of the moment stuff is never good. I slide on my sandals and follow her out the door.

We pull up to a nasty looking club, and I know that whatever waits inside the building, it isn’t going to be good. Berry, Tatiana, Bom Bom, and Creamy pull up beside us as we’re getting out of the car. Winter takes off running through the door, leaving us all to follow her into the unknown.

“Braxxon,” she yells. “What the f**k is this shit,” she cries. “Who the f**k did this to them?”

My head spins as it takes in the chaos around me. A bunch of girls I’ve never seen before are scattered throughout the room, crying. Most of them are naked, skin and bones, and look drugged out. It couldn’t stay peaceful. I guess there is always something, but this time my heart is breaking. Breaking for these girls who look lost, scared, and sick. I just stand there, trying to take it all in while Doc and Winter comfort the girls. It isn’t until three of the girls break away from everyone else that I make a move towards them.

My movements are cautious and timid because I don’t know what will scare these girls off, or how I should act. I just know that I need to tread as carefully as I can.

A seat next to them is empty, so I sit quietly and give them a few minutes to adjust to my presence before I start to talk.

“Do you all have someplace to go after all of this?” I gesture around the room with my hand.

All three shake their heads no at the same time. It breaks my heart.

“I’m Lana, and you guys are?” I ask in a quiet, soothing tone.

The one with blonde hair speaks up for them all. “I’m Storm,” she points to herself, and then to the others, “and this is Piper and Haley.”

I hate getting into other people’s business, but I need to know what these girls are good at, so I will know what we need to do to give them back their lives. “Do any of you have a special set of skills to help you get back on your feet?”

Storm laughs, looking around the club. “This is what we do. We either danced, whored out, bartended, or waitressed. This environment is pretty much all we know now.”

We’re all quiet as Storm’s laughter dies down, and I think for a moment that I can’t believe I’m about to do this. Either Storm can’t handle the quiet, or she doesn’t like me, because she gets up and leaves.

“I honestly can’t believe I’m about to say this, but Winter and I are opening up a classy strip club, and if you want, you could maybe room with us, maybe work at our club when it’s finished, so that you guys can get back up on your feet. We have all the brothers looking after us, so I promise you’d be safe. Our club is going to be nothing like this. You don’t even have to dance there. You guys could bartend or waitress if you wanted.”

At first, I don’t get a response, and I regret being so forthright with my offer, until Haley speaks up quietly. “I’d like that.”

Piper agrees right after her. I tell them I’ll be right back, and then I head towards Winter, who is talking with Storm.

“I’m taking Piper and Hayley home with me,” I say. “If they clean up nicely and everything checks out with Doc, I’m hiring them at the club. It’ll help get them back on their feet. I’ve already talked it over with Piper and Haley.” I turn to face Storm. “Would you be interested in something like that? It’s just going to be an exotic dance club. Just dancing. If you’re not comfortable with that, we can find something else for you to do. It might help get you back on your feet again, too.”

It feels like forever goes by before she speaks.

“Just dancing?” she asks.

“Just dancing.” Winter and I say together.

“Yeah, yeah, that’ll be okay. Thank you.”

Well, that settles it. At least now, I can focus on helping these women get better, and keep my mind off of Pyro as much as I possibly can.

Chapter Ten

This has been the most peaceful few weeks we have all had in a long time. Winter and I are getting to know the girls as we’ve worked together and gotten the house unpacked and everyone settled. We’ve even finished Haley’s room with an entire side dedicated to her baby. Other than us, at least two of the Breakneck prospects or brothers are here every day, watching and keeping guard over us. Braxxon is paranoid about everything. The prospects keep to themselves, so it isn’t that bad.

Right now, we are all taking a day off from setting up the club, just relaxing by the pool, and actually having girl time. I can’t remember the last time I’ve spent a day with just the girls. The guys are to guard us from inside the house. When Winter let Braxxon know that it was going to be a pool day, he looked like he was about to shit himself. And after he ordered the brothers to stay inside, he seemed shocked that Winter told him to leave.

I was glad for it. Don’t get me wrong. I love how good Braxxon has been with Winter lately. He has been caring, attentive, and just there for her, and after everything she has been through, it was needed.

I decide to lighten the mood as I pop the cap off my beer. “So Piper, what is going on with you and Sniper? You’ve seem to have gotten really close.” I tease her.

She snorts before answering me. “If by close, you mean like a damn annoying brother that never goes away, then yeah, I guess, we’ve gotten close.”