Page 23 of Jaded Red

“You got a sec?” I ask, tapping Pearl on the shoulder. She looks me up and down and rolls her eyes turning her back to me. “Ok, that wasn’t a question.” I grab Pearl’s arm, pushing on the pressure point hard enough to get her attention and force her off the stool.

“Ouch, you bitch.” Pearl whines trying to yank her arm out of my grip.

“Look, we can do this privately or in front of all these people. You decide.” I stand firm, letting Pearl make the decision. She motions with her hands for me to go, so I do, bringing her along with me. Once we’re out of earshot and prying eyes, I release Pearl’s arm. She rubs it tentatively. “Listen, I know you’re new here but there are ground rules that need to be followed. Did anyone give them to you when you came?”

Pearl rolls her eyes and nods her head. “Yeah, they did but how the hell was I supposed to know Red was off-limits? I was told any single man here is fair game. He’s single and looked lonely. The other girls told me he didn’t have sex and I wanted to help him get past it.”

Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Pearl, as you can see, he isn’t single.”

“I see that now.” She hesitates, “Are we good?”

“You and I are good, yes. But there’s a little issue with Danyella you will have to address. She is the queen around here and you disrespected her and her daughter in the kitchen with your lack of clothing and the shaking of your ass.”

Pearl swallowed hard and shame fills her big blue eyes. “Shit.”

“Yeah, shit,” I confirm. “Go get some clothes on and take care of business. If you want to be able to stay here, the first thing you need to do is get on Danyella’s good side. She will appreciate the gesture and don’t let it happen again.”

“Ok, thank you.” Pearl offers me a sheepish grin and scurries off toward the room the club bunnies share.

I watch as Pearl disappears around the corner when warm arms wrap around my waist from behind. “God, I love watching you work your magic.” Matt nuzzles his nose against my neck making me giggle.

“I know what it’s like to be in a different place and not knowing the rules. Then have other women look upon you with disgust. Pearl doesn’t deserve that. Yes, she made a mistake, but not one big enough to regret. If I didn’t help her, she wouldn’t last.” Matt’s big palms roam over my stomach caressing our baby.

“Capone said Doc Emma will be back this afternoon to do a follow up with you, Exleigh and Syvannah. Who are, by the way, slowly working their way through everything. I figured you’d want to see them so they’re waiting for you in their room.”

I turn in Matt’s arms and wrap my arms around his neck. I lean in and give him a gentle kiss. “Thank you for being good to me, Matt.” Matt blushes and I place a cool palm on his cheek. “Don’t ever change the way you are.”

Matt clears his throat before giving me a sweet kiss that curls my toes and makes my head spin. Matt rests his forehead against mine. “You’re the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. When you get done visiting Exleigh and Syvannah, I need to answer some of your questions. I’m going to visit Tiny and see how he’s doing. Come find me when you’re done.” He gives me another kiss that leaves me trembling with need when he pulls away. “Later, Pulchra. Keep those thoughts in that pretty little head and I’ll make good on them.”

I watch as Matt saunters off down the hallway, watching his ass in those jeans. God, he gets my blood pumping. The things he does to me makes me want to hang onto him a little bit tighter. The way he makes me feel, makes me fall for him a little more each time. I was an idiot last night, thinking he would cheat on me and I have a lot of making up to do. I think of ways to show Matt my appreciation for him when I find the room Exleigh and Syvannah are in.

I shake my head and knock. When one of them answers, I turn the doorknob, letting myself in. Exleigh is curled up ina recliner in the corner of the room, with a blanket wrapped around her and a book in her lap. She stretches, giving me a warm smile. Syvannah is curled up on a bed, nestled under a pile of blankets, asleep. It doesn’t look good with the way she keeps tossing and turning.

“How are you doing?” I ask quietly, trying not to disturb Syvannah. I sit on the edge of the small couch across from Exleigh.

Exleigh shrugs her shoulders and lowers her head. “Taking it hour by hour. Sometimes it gets really bad and other times it’s like nothing ever happened.”

“Have you talked to anyone?”

Exleigh shakes her head, tears forming in her eyes. “I don’t know if I can.” She looks over at Syvannah and sadness crosses her face. “Syvannah has had it worse. This is the first time since we got here that she is sleeping. It might not be for long, but she’s finally found some peace.”

“What do you need, Ex? How can I help?” I ask, holding her hand.

“I don’t know.” Tears roll down her cheeks and my heart breaks for these two ladies. They have been through so much these last few months, I don’t know how to help them.

Syvannah starts whimpering in her sleep, tossing and turning until the blankets are wrapped around her and she’s trapped. Then she starts screaming, causing me to jump and Exleigh to throw off her blanket, moving quickly to Syvannah’s side. Exleigh untangles her from the blankets and moves Syvannah’s sweat-soaked hair away from her face. “Shh…Anna, it’s ok. You’re safe, we’re all safe.” She soothes. Syvannah stops struggling and opens her eyes. When they land on me, she starts sobbing uncontrollably.

I sit on the bed and pull her against my chest. “It’s ok, sweet girl. I’m ok, you’re ok. Ex is ok. We’re all ok.” I hold back thetears threatening to fall and continue to rock Syvannah back and forth. Exleigh has her hand resting on Syvannah’s back, rubbing soothing motions up and down.

“What about the baby?” Syvannah whispers through a sore throat.

A smile lights up my face and my hand not holding onto Syvannah drops to the bump. “The baby is doing good too. Doc Emma will be here in a little while to do an ultrasound. Do you two want to come with me?” They both nod their heads.

“Are you sure it’s ok?” Syvannah asks.

“Of course, it’s ok, why wouldn’t it be?” I ask frowning.

“The father of the baby. Does he know?” Syvannah questions.

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