Page 94 of Bad Wolf

“I’m sorry I couldn't see what was going on. If I’d have just stopped for a second to register that none of it added up, I could have—”

“Please,” she holds up a shaky hand, “What were you supposed to think? And even now, sitting here I still can’t seem to find the answer as to how we were all supposed to get out of the situation.”

I don’t think I want to know the answer to my next question but, it’s been eating at me so I forge forward.

Deep swallow, “How did you start working at the burlesque club?”

“I needed to earn the most amount of money I could, in the shortest amount of time possible. Walked past the sign on my third night in Miami. I heard the music and googled what I could on the spotty WI-FI of the nearest coffee house. They were open from eight to one. The dancers performed burlesque. The website was glossy and professional. The photos showed how sleek and classy the inside was. I thought it looked legit enough. The next day I went to the library and sat for hours watching videos, memorizing choreography and moves specific to burlesque. That was it. I made my plan and the rest of it is history.”

“Did they…I mean…Were they good to you?”

“Yeah. The stage manager expected a lot and gave little in return. We didn’t get sick pay or vacation time, but he never swindled us out of our money or made us do things we were uncomfortable with. I didn’t want to take my clothes off and he didn’t force me.”

I exhale a breath I didn’t know I was holding. The thought of her being taken advantage of makes me feel sick.

“The owner was a douche and made a pass at me every so often, but it wasn’t too bad. The worst thing about working there was that they never spent any money doing up the back of the club where the dressing rooms were, and I didn’t make any friends.”

“I find that hard to believe.” My Wren was always so sociable.

“It’s true. There was this one girl, Trinity. She was sort of the mother hen of the group and was kind, but the rest just thought I was the weird new girl. Only it stuck for six years.”

She looks up at me through watery lashes, “Are you going to tell me about your first year at college? I tried to follow as much as I could…”

I shake my head, uncomfortable now that the line of questioning is aimed in my direction.

“I need a drink for this,” I blow out, my knuckles knocking on the table anxiously, but I know I’ll only be drinking water tonight.

She simply nods.

“Take a look at the menu. Callan said that their signature Lobster Ravioli is amazing,” I say, swiping up the sleek leather-bound menu and flipping to the appetizers page.

Not that I’m all that hungry anymore, but we should eat.

“He seems trustworthy. I’m happy to go with his recommendation.”

I ramble off our order to the waiter who had slunk back over after seeing us talk through the menu and before he leaves, I ask for a bottle of Chianti and more water for me.

I opt to stay put, liking the feel of her warm thigh pressing against my jeans, and after the drinks arrive and the waiter pours her a glass, she sits patiently waiting for me to answer her question.

Where to even fucking start?!I scrub my hand over my face and take a sip.

“It’s stupid to think we’re going to hash this out all in one night,” I try.

“We’re not even going to scratch the surface, Ace, but we’ve got to start somewhere.”

She’s right, of course.

I don’t want to hurt her though. What I have to say, if I’m going to tell the truth, it’s going to hurt. I was mad. I’vebeenmad.

Although it’s clear the anger was just covering up how I really felt. Broken-hearted.

“I don’t want to lie. But I don’t want to tell you either.”

“We need to do this though. The good, the bad, and the ugly.”

I shake my head. Strangle the water glass. Shift in my seat.

“You have to understand. I thought you had cheated on me.”

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