Page 44 of Dare to Dance
Penelope’s voice filled the sparse gym. “I’m sorry I’m late.” She giggled as she staggered toward us from the reception desk.
A chill slid down my spine because she was drunk or high on something. Detective Rayburn lowered the weight bar and whipped his blond head around.
“I thought you said you didn’t have a girlfriend.” Disappointment or jealousy or both rode Ruby’s tone.
“She’s only a client. I teach self-defense.” But Penelope’s appointment wasn’t until tomorrow.
Mark ran to her side. “Whoa! Penelope. Are you okay?” He knew Penelope since he spotted for her whenever they were in the gym at the same time.
She waved him off. “Fine. Fine.” She giggled again as she smoothed a hand down her miniskirt and kicked off her high heels. “Kross, you’re supposed to teach me self-defense tonight.”
“She’s drunk,” Ruby said.
She was on something. That was for sure.
“Stretch. I’ll be back.” My voice came out rougher than I’d intended.
As soon as I jumped out of the ring, Penelope threw her arms around me before I could get my feet on the floor. “I missed you,” she cooed as she mashed her breasts into me.
What the fuck?I gently grabbed her arms and removed them from me. “Our appointment is tomorrow, and you’re wasted.” I didn’t smell alcohol on her. “What are you on?” Her eyes appeared to be dilated. I hadn’t known her to do drugs, but then again, I didn’t know every detail about her.
She let go of me and wobbled.
“Easy,” Mark said as he steadied her, his hazel eyes going wide.
Penelope peered up at Ruby with droopy eyelids. “Is that the drabby girl from Fireants? Raby, is it?” She snorted. “I heard him talk about you. Ooh, I feel dizzy.”
“You heard who?” Ruby asked from above me.
“He…” She licked her lips. “The big guy.” Her gaze drifted back to me.
She was probably talking about my interaction with Ruby at Firefly last week since Penelope had been there when I’d threatened Ruby.
Penelope swatted at air as she tilted her head back. “Kross, what’s Raby have that I don’t have?”
“It’s Ruby,” Ruby said with a sneer.
“I think she’s tripping on something strong,” Mark said. “I can take her home.”
“Are you sure?” I hated to dump my problems on Mark.
A heavily accented voice drew our attention toward the entrance. “She owes me money.” A thin older man with dark skin stood at the check-in desk.
Penelope hiccupped then swatted at air again. “Oh, yeah. Cabby. Oooh, that rhymes with Raby.”
“I’ll pay the cabby,” I said.
“No, I got the cab.” Mark hooked Penelope’s arm through his as they made their way toward the check-in desk. “I jogged over here earlier, so I don’t have my truck.”
“Let me jot down her address.” I trailed behind them. After I gave Mark Penelope’s address, I ushered them to the door.
Before Penelope walked out, she gave me a chaste kiss on the lips. “We had fun.” She swayed.
“We did,” I said as I steadied her. “I’ll see you tomorrow for training.”
Mark gently took hold of her arm. “Let’s go.”
Once they were gone, I locked the door. I was thinking about what in the world Penelope could have been on when I banked left toward the ring. When I did, I wobbled to a stop, losing the air in my lungs.
