Page 89 of Strip Search

“But the burlesque seemed so classy. It was sexy, sensual, and alluring. I think a club like that would make a killing where Dalton’s used to be.”

“You want me to rebuild. Again.”

“And this time, you’re not going to do it all by yourself,” I butted in. “You’re going to have Highway and the rest of the Dalton’s crew to help out. And me.”

“You’re going to help all the way from New York?” Miles asked.

“No. I’m moving to Las Vegas. I figure even if I don’t get a job being a showgirl, I can always try my hand at being an agent down here. And it’s not like I’m going to stop auditioning.” I’d get a part eventually and I would do it while helping Miles. I bit my lip. “That is, if you don’t think I’d get in the way.”

“I have nothing to offer you. I’m homeless.”

“We’ll figure it out,” I said.

“I’m loaded,” Darcy said. “Or at least well off enough to front you some money. We can do a fifty-fifty split. And if the place is successful, we can open one up in California. Or if you don’t want to be partners, you can buy me out.”

“This feels like charity,” Miles said, scowling into his coffee.

“It’s capitalism, you lunkhead.”

Miles smirked. “Are you going to get up on stage and do a routine?”

“I might. I might even make that a term of our agreement.”

“I need a picture of this auspicious occasion.” Sliding out of my seat, I stepped back to get a shot of them.

“Now you two,” Darcy said, grabbing my phone.

I wrapped my arms around Miles’s chest and let all my happiness show. New York Jackie was no more. Make way for Las Vegas Jackie.

“You got a voice mail message, luv.” Darcy handed me back my phone.

“I hope it’s not your mother,” Miles groaned.

“Oh, it’s that call from this morning.” I had completely forgotten about it. “Excuse me while I check it.”

Miles and Darcy lowered their voices and started to hammer out the details as I dialed into my voice mail.

“Hi, this message is for Jackie Mitchell. This is Simi Pierce from the Odyssey casino. We were very impressed with your audition and we’d like to offer you a position in our showTravesty. Please call me at your earliest convenience.”

I clamped my hand on Miles’s arm and squeezed tight. He broke off what he was saying. “Jackie, what’s wrong?”

“I got the job. I’m going to dance inTravestyat the Odyssey.”

Epilogue

One year later

I was going to puke. “Lisa, where the fuck are my fans?”

“Behind the sofa where you left them.”

Lisa was in red and I was in black. We were dressed like flappers from the roaring twenties. I had a night off fromTravestyand my sister and I were going to do the first number at Miles and Darcy’s newly opened club, Uncle Johnny’s Burlesque Show. With Darcy’s money and Miles’ connections, rebuilding had been a breeze. Of course, not having the pressure of the Rivs or any other gang activity might have helped as well. Shortly after I moved in with Miles, Leonidas had been killed while out on bail. And after a few more strategic arrests, the Rivs faded into Las Vegas history like the casino they had named themselves after.

“I can’t believe Mom isn’t backstage nagging us,” Lisa said.

“I told Highway and Mav that it was their asses if she got past them.”

Lisa and I had practiced this act for over a month in our spare time. She had choreographed it, and it was amazing. Because our father was also in the audience, Lisa and I wouldn’t be doing anything erotic. We were going to do a fan dance to some swinging jazz to warm up the crowd. Then there would be a comedian and more dancing. The good stuff didn’t happen until after midnight and I was hoping my parents would go back to the hotel long before that.

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