Page 49 of Ethan's Sky

It’s a nice change for a few hours a week.

What I’ve told them is the truth. “Vincenzo knows my situation, probably more so than even I do. He’s provided me with Santiago, my own personal bodyguard at the club, and changed the entire show to protect me. He made it so everyone who is part of the Burlesque act has to wear a mask or face make-up as part of our costumes. It makes everyone look similar, making it difficult for anyone to know my identity.”

“Then what is it? Why’d you just freak on Cash like that” Eli pushes.

“The club members here don’t know I dance, and I don’t want them to.” I’m very focused on this extremely interesting dark blue label on my beer bottle all the sudden. It’s absolutely fascinating to me.

“You know you don’t have to dance anymore if you don’t want to. You’ve got the job at O’Malley’s if you want it. You know if you ever needed money or anything, the club would take care of you. If Gabe’s boys won’t help you out, you can always call me. I’ll take care of you. And if you’re feeling ashamed, or don’t want to…”

I cut Eli off by kissing him on the cheek. I appreciate the gesture more than he knows, but he and his boys have already done so much to help me out. I couldn’t possibly ask them for anything else.

“I don’t do it for the money.” It’s the truth. “I do it because I enjoy it, and because I feel like I owe Vincenzo for all his help for Daddy and me.”

When times were tough, I remember times when Vincenzo offered Daddy side jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. When he heard about my situation and having to leave town, he was the one who arranged for Daddy to have to take runs that would take him through Mountain Heights and allow him an alibi while he visited me.

I don’t know if the club knows anything about that though, so I’ve never mentioned it.

“I’m not ashamed. I just don’t want to be treated any more differently than I already am.” Both their brows scrunch in confusion. I let out a deep sigh.

“My guys never treated you shitty when you worked for Cash at the Bare Trap for that short time,” Eli says adamantly. “They knew you were Cherry. We only kept your identity a secret from outsiders.”

“I know, but that’s because they’reyourguys and they know me. They’ve been protecting me. Taking care of me.” They both still seem unconvinced, so I press on. “Come on,” I say, exasperated. “These guys don’tknow me. I’m not the same girl I was when I left town. And honestly, I think it would only solidify who they believe I’ve become.”

“They’ll still be respectful and take care of you, same as my guys or Gabe will have their ass!”

“They’re under no obligation to me, or my dad. He wasn’t a member, and I’m...me. I don’t need to bring any truth to the rumors about me.”

“What rumors?”

“That I’m a whore who cheated on Ethan. I’m a fucking junkie. All things that could lead me to work in a place like the Pearl and offer services to the men to get cash for myhabits.”Eli looks pissed, but he knows as well as I do, I can’t combat the rumors. No matter how much I want to without telling the truth. “Come on, you have to know what they think since I’ve been staying with all of you.”

“You’re not afucking whore,” Cash growls.

“Vincenzo won’t ask you to do any of the backroom shit either.”

“I wouldn’t even if he asked, you know that. I’ve been a special guest with him before. He knows my boundaries and respects them. I’ve never done lap dances or been forced to do any of the other sexual services some of the women provide there. I won’t,” I assure him, pressing my hand firmly to his chest, calming him. “I haven’t taken my clothes off on stage since I left The Bare Trap months ago, and it was only that one time. But that doesn’t mean these men won’tthinkI do since it’s one of the services offered at The Pearl.” Cash nods then takes a huge gulp of his beer. His face says he’s unsure about the arrangement and pissed, but he’s keeping it to himself.

“I only danced that little while because you were in a bind and Gigi had to take care of her kid while he recovered from their car accident. I haven’t taken all my clothes off on stage or given a lap dance since the incident at The Bare Trap, and we all know howthatwas handled.”

Cash nods then takes a huge gulp of his beer still pissed.

“You still wearing the disguise.” Eli takes a swig off his own beer, while watching me over the rim.

Well, I don’tknowhow it was handled since it was deemed club business, but I can imagine the outcome when a patron gets too handsy with not just one of the dancers, butmespecifically in Cash’s strip bar.

“Yeah, of course. The wigs, the mask, body make-up. I’m in full costume every time I take the stage and I make sure to cover all my tattoos. I’m being careful I promise, but I need to do this job. It’s only temporary. A few weeks tops.”

“I mean what I said earlier, Sky,” Eli pins me with his glare. “If these guys don’t treat you right, you tell Gabe. If he doesn’t handle that shit, I will. Got me?”

Yeah, because being a tattle-tail is something I need to add to the many reasons I’m hated around here.

They both know what I’m saying is true. I most certainly amnotgoing to be put in the same category as the club whores or biker bunnies they pick up at the local bar. I dance because I enjoy it, not because I see it as a way to advertise my assets and services.

“I got you.” What else can I say.

“What’s wrong with taking the job at O’Malley’s?” Ethan asks.

“It’s not the job. It’s the people. It’s just one person really, but …it’s notjusthim. It’s the people of this town. Being back here. It’s all going to take some time to adjust. Six years is a long time. Lots of changes.”

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