In Peace Lies Havoc (Midnight Mayhem 1)

King seems more on edge. The knife actually grazes my outer thigh this time. I flinch, my eyes shooting straight to him. Was it intentional, or was it an accident? That was my main question. Only I know that King isn’t the type to make that kind of mistake, so my question was already answered.

After the knife show, Midnight did their part. Val and Rose on the aerial, and then Maya singing while swinging on a large swing. It’s a creepy song. Hauntingly familiar lyrics but with a warped, distorted tune. She must sing covers of songs but turn them into some weird Tim Burton-style nightmare.

Now it’s my turn, and I’m not sure if I’m ready.

I run my palms down my thighs as I hear Delila introduce me outside.

“Dove?” a young guy says, a wine bottle in one hand and a waiter’s tray in the other. “Would you like me to take these out?”

I nod, again running my sweaty palms down my fishnet tights. I decided to leave the pole out, knowing I could do more damage without it, and I need to drive my intention home to Delila.

“What are you doing out there?” Kyrin asks from behind me, his eyes going up and down my body.

“Dancing,” I answer, short and clipped. I can’t have him throwing my vibe off.

“Careful, Little Bird. He’s always watching.”

He shoves me through the curtain before I can ask who the hell he’s talking about, and the spotlight is on me. It’s dim, burying my body in the shadows. “Carnival” starts playing, and I automatically slip into position. I slide up and down and allow my body to take over the lyrics and beat of the song before moving to the front seats in the VIP section. I mean, these people pay from $1400 onward for a VIP ticket. The least I could do is give them a show, right?

The man whose lap I find is decent. He’s already semi drunk as I grind into him to the music, paying special attention to him before moving to his wife. Her frown flips upside down when she sees me going for her as well.

I wink at her before dancing back to the stage, picking up the waiter’s plate and dancing onto my ass before spreading my legs wide and using the shield to cover my middle. The crowd roars over the music, hyping me up, and I find my next victim, taking the bottle of wine with me. I dance around them both, pouring wine into their glasses, before taking a sip of my own, swiping the residue off my mouth. It was over too fast because after my second victim, the song finishes, and I’m being led away with the curtains closing as everyone scrambles to get ready for the next act.

“What the fuck was that?” King is seething, waiting for me on the other side of the curtain.

“What?” I ask, panting. “It was what I want to do.”

King shakes his head. “Nah. You don’t need your own fucking show.”

“Excuse me?” My head tilts back. “How about you go tell Val what she can and can’t do and leave me the hell alone?” I go to shove him to the side, when he steps forward, and I’m well aware of all the whispers that are going on around us. “Dove, you’re not doing that fuckin’ act again. Period.”

“But she is,” Delila says from behind me, her hand coming to my arm. “And better yet,” her eyes come to mine, “I’m going to allow her to recruit extra dancers.”

My face breaks out into a cheesy smile. “Seriously?”

She rolls her eyes. “Don’t act like that isn’t what you wanted to ask me, Little Bird. You’re too transparent.”

“Delila,” King growls. “Do I need to remind you of your place?”

“Well, no, but you have to remember that you didn’t want Dove in your act, King. So, it’s settled. After the meeting you all have with Killian’s father in New Orleans, you will go through a recruitment process.” Her eyes cut back to mine. “New Orleans is where we have a four-week break. After those four weeks, I expect you to have your team of—” She waits for me to answer.

“Three. I want two girls and one guy.”

“Team of three to be in line, but there’s a catch, Little Bird.” Delila runs her bright red nails down my bra. “You have to follow the recruitment process.”

My mouth opens, and then closes, before opening again. “Which is exactly how I was recruited?” I confirm with myself.

Delila pats my shoulder. “Precisely.” Before I can get her to elaborate, she’s being pulled away by Val, who is having a mid-show meltdown.

“This isn’t over.” King glares at me before disappearing through the curtain. I don’t know what his problem is. Delila is right. He never wanted me in the first place.