“You’re gonna be sorry. I’ve already texted Derrick.” Crystal might finally have lost it.
“Shut up, Crystal,” I say as I walk in. Eve looks up from her chair. She seems to be able to block Crystal out since she smiles at whatever and whoever is on her phone.
“Axel. This is all your fault. You ruin everything. That woman you think is so innocent and wonderful texted me so many times begging me to let her strip. She’s a whore like all of us and you’re so—”
I hold up my hand. “If you say one bad word about Antoinette or you think about even going near her, I’ll make it so we never see you again.” I move eye-level with her so she can see that I’m serious.
“Okay.” Blade stands up. “Axel, let’s not put Crystal in her grave.” Blade rubs the back of his neck and glances at Eve who sits next to him.
“Do you two understand that I’m quitting? Do you even care?” Crystal’s hands are shaking as she tries to run her fingers through her hair.
“You held Antoinette’s head under water. I hope you—”
“Again. This is getting us nowhere,” Blade says.
Crystal pales and grabs hold of Frenchie’s arm giving her a shake as if she’s worried I’m coming for her.
“I would have let go. Trust me you have nothing to worry about. She can take care of herself.”
“Crystal?” Blade caresses Eve’s cheek before walking over to her.
“Yeah?” Crystal sniffs and her face is a splotchy mess. Makeup and bad skin work against her.
“For old time’s sake, I think you need to take some time off. We go way back…”
“I sucked your cock and fucked you and whoever else you wanted me to for years, so yeah, we go way back,” she retorts.
“That’s it. I swear to God.” Eve throws her hands up then lunges toward Crystal. Poor Frenchie screams as Blade easily scoops Eve up.
“Blade!” She struggles. “You let me down. I—”
“Shh. Enough, my little badass.” Blade holds her tight, his lips at her forehead.
“I have been loyal, Blade. Through all of it. It’s these bitches who are out to get me.” Shrieking, with her mascara running down her face, she points at Eve.
Eve tries to jerk away again, nails out, as she reaches for Crystal. That’s my cue to leave.
“I’ve seen enough.” I shake my head. “You’re a fucking crazy cunt, Crystal.” I head to the door.
Crystal starts talking again, but I block her out. That’s Blade’s headache. I make my way to the kitchen hoping to catch Amy for some lunch since it’s barely noon.
“Amy?” I yell, smiling that it’s deserted. We probably have close to ninety maybe over a hundred Disciples partying and no one dares come in and mess with Amy or her kitchen.
“I just dropped off some smoothies and a couple grilled cheese sandwiches for you two.”
“Thank you.” I kiss the top of her head. “And the aloe?”
“I set it on the dresser. She was in the shower.” She goes to the refrigerator and stops as she prepares to open it. “She’s vulnerable right now, so be careful with her.” She cocks her head to look at me.
“Meaning?”
“I think you already know.” She pulls open the door and I guess I’m dismissed.
I hate when Amy pulls the mom card. It’s obvious she likes Antoinette—everyone likes Antoinette. She has that light that captures you despite her standoffish behavior.
I’ve been lucky to get everything I’ve wanted and have zero regrets. My childhood was fine, my parents weren’t perfect but far from shit. My mom is bitter and worked too much. And my dad was a cheat and drank too much. But I wasn’t abused, and they tried to do the best they knew how.
Edge, Dolly, even Blade had some shitty childhoods, but me, I went along and did my thing. I had my music, friends, and baby sister.
She was an oops baby and the last straw to my parents’ marriage. My dad’s anger problem and drinking got him fired. He moved in with his secretary and didn’t even show up for Gia’s first five birthdays. I can’t blame my mom for hating him and Gia for having daddy issues. But I kind of coasted through it. I started a band, hung out with Jason and David, and had it all.
Even deciding to leave the Dicks to get patched in as a Disciple was not a struggle. I knew what I wanted. I’ve always known what I wanted.
So, this delicate ballerina has derailed my inner peace and my plans to never have to worry about anyone but my sister and the club.
I should be done with her. Instead I’m smoking a cigarette and watching my brothers party when all I want is to go upstairs, eat grilled cheese sandwiches, fuck, and watch movies all day with her.