Ignite (The Disciples 4)

“This.” He points the margarita pitcher at me, and I swear to God, I hear snickering. “Just put your dress back on, Antoinette. Axel will be out soon, and if he says it’s okay…”

“Hold on.” I turn to him. My skin truly is on fire. I’m two seconds from pouring the margarita pitcher all over me. “Axel, has to give me permission? That’s absurd.” This time I do hear full-on mumbling about how I won’t last, don’t fit in. The usual.

Eve stands up. “She’s perfect.” As she raises a brow at Rip, Dolly tries to heave herself up, but Eve stops her with her hand.

“Eve, please. I know Axel—”

“This is my party, for Dolly and me, and I say she looks magnificent. I only wish I had her body,” she snips.

I look at her. Eve has a perfect body. Thin, with curves, naturally great boobs, and long legs. But I love her for trying to make me feel good. Also, she’s the first woman besides Cindy to stick up for me. I almost want to hug her.

Poor Rip looks over my head at Edge who we all turn to and glare at. He laughs and holds up his hands.

“Fine.” Rip starts drinking straight out of the pitcher causing catcalls and Dolly to scream that he should get out of here.

“Fucking barbarians,” Doug mumbles as he sprays me, and I want to cry at how good it feels already. Eminem pumps through the speakers and I’m about to sit down and enjoy myself when I hear, “Candy?”

I almost forget that’s my stripper name, except Frenchie screams it again.

“What are you doing here?” She stumbles forward in her clear stripper heels and a scrape of a hot pink bikini that barely covers the nipples on her large fake boobs. I almost call Rip over to show him that I look conservative compared to her.

“Hey.” I wave, completely uncomfortable that again, all eyes seem back on me. I shift, but my flip-flops are slippery with the sunscreen that Doug saturated me in.

“I can’t believe you’re here. I mean, how?” She tries to take a sip of her drink but misses the straw. I don’t even get a chance to respond when she leans into me, reeking of alcohol.

“Are you okay?” I hold her up as she laughs.

“I’m gonna fuck Axel. I want his cock.”

“Oh wow.” I glance at Eve who’s talking to Doug, but Dolly hears her and heaves herself up.

“Are you kidding? Go away.” Dolly puts her hands on her hips, looking fierce despite her five-foot height.

Completely horrified, I wonder, Do I even respond? Also, what the hell? Axel is mine… I think.

“Look. I have zero idea what is wrong with you, but I’m pregnant, swollen, and definitely not in the mood for strippers.” Dolly raises her voice. “Do I need to spell it out for you?”

The pool area has stopped to watch. Biting my lip, I touch Dolly’s arm. She’s getting fired up.

“She’s his old lady,” she says through gritted teeth.

“What?” Frenchie screams, then turns to glare at me. “You said you had no interest in him. That he was a killer and I was welcome to him.” She’s kind of slurring her words, but I did say that.

“Frenchie. I had no idea Axel was Axel when you asked.”

“You did.” She sneers and lets out a laugh. “Old lady my ass. I heard he fucked Roxy the other day.”

And everything stops. My mind goes blank. I’ve only had this happen one other time. When I found my parents.

All I hear is my breathing as I focus on her and me. In a flash, she snarls and I react. I’m on the move—I know I should stop, yet I don’t as I push Frenchie into the pool.

There’s a loud splash followed by Dolly’s laughter as she throws an arm around me and hugs me. Everything moves back into focus.

“Don’t fuck with us, bitch,” Dolly yells at her as Edge calmly walks over and scoops her up.

While I simply stand there, everyone is screaming. Some curse; others laugh.

The music is so loud I want to cover my ears. Instead I watch Frenchie sputter, her makeup dripping down her face, her hair making her look like a drowned rat, and still, I do nothing.

“I need to help Frenchie out,” I say more to myself than anyone else.

“Don’t you dare.” Eve stands to my right. “She’s a lying bitch and completely asked for

it. She’s lucky I didn’t have my knife.” I do a double take because holy crap, Eve is a badass.

While Frenchie curses at me, she slaps away a biker’s hand even though he’s trying to help her. Wobbling, she falls back again.

“I’ll kill you. And to think I was nice to you.” She starts coughing as she dog-paddles to the side of the pool.