Chapter Two

Adira stepped off the bus and looked around. The bus depot was located on the edge of the town, in a section that looked a little old and rundown. Red brick storefronts lined the road, looking like they hadn't been renovated in decades. A few were empty with broken windows, and those that were actual stores seemed very stereotypical. A thrift shop, cleaner's, a coffee shop that wasn't Starbucks, some odd-looking arts-and-crafts store, and various others that could only afford the less desirable area. For a moment, she wondered if she made a stupid mistake. She hadn't seen Livia in a couple of years. What if she'd forgotten her? Or she'd moved on?

Then again, what did she have to lose? She couldn't have stayed in that house of lies. Definitely couldn't marry that weasel. No, staying would have been a mistake. Even this part of Cardinal was a thousand times better than her hometown right then. Lifting her chin, she decided she'd go store by store until she found someone who knew Livia.

And that's exactly what she did. Unfortunately, she struck out with each one. When she got to the coffee shop, she decided to sit down and regroup. Inside, she parked her suitcase at a table before going to the counter to order an iced coffee. Then she sat down to look out the window and reevaluate everything.

"The job is still available."

The words caught Adira's attention.

"It's a strip club," said one of the women.

"So? It's hella good money and the owner is drop-dead gorgeous. I wouldn't mind climbing his tree."

"You're absolutely right. Maybe he'd want a threesome." The women giggled that sounded like nails on a chalkboard. "Okay, when and where is the interview?"

"Thursday morning at The Pussy Willow. I'm going to make sure I'm dressed to slay."

They rose and headed out of the coffee shop, leaving Adira to stare after them. A strip club was hiring. Dancers? Servers? Bartender? If there was ever a big "screw you" to her parents, it would be working in a strip club, but could she really work in such an environment? Despite the fact she was a virgin, she never thought of herself as a prude. How would she feel being where nudity and sex ran rampant? Then again, didn't she vow to rid herself of the "good girl" shackle, to turn her virtuous thoughts into sinful memories? Might as well start with a job in a strip joint.

With renewed determination, she left the coffee shop. The plan now was to get the job and find a lover. Renewing her determination to figure out how to find Livia, noting it would've been easier if she'd kept her phone, she resumed her search.

Again and again, she struck out, leaving the area and walking further from the bus depot. The day started to fade, and she knew she had to find a hotel to crash in if she couldn't find Livia. She needed rest and food. As she walked past a tattoo parlor, she heard her name called.

"Adira?"

She stopped and turned around. Livia stood in the doorway of the tattoo shop, an incredulous look on her face. Happiness engulfed Adira and she ran back to throw her arms around her childhood friend, who returned the embrace.

"I'm so glad I found you!" she cried, and then she burst into tears.

"Adira?" Livia asked, sounding a little scared. "What's wrong? Why are you here?"

"I … I … discovered my parents are horrible people and my father encouraged my fiancé to be horrible, too. I just needed to get away and I couldn't think of where to go, and then you popped into my head. So, I came here but I couldn't find you and I've been going shop to shop hoping someone knew you. I know, that was a dumb plan, bu t— "

"Breathe," Livia said with a smile. "I got most of that. I'm glad you thought of me when you needed help. Come on, I'm getting a tattoo and need to get back so Treat can finish."

A little bell chimed when they stepped inside the shop. A man sat in a chair with his arm stretched out as another man inked a design into his skin. A woman walked from the back, arms covered in bright tattoos, with a ring piercing on her eyebrow and a stud in her nose. Her black hair was styled in a Mohawk.

"Treat, this is my good friend, Adira. Adira, this is Treat."

Adira smiled at the woman, who gave a little wave of hello.

"You ready to finish, Liv?"

"Yep," she said and turned to look at her. "Will you be okay for a bit?"

"Of course!"

"Talk to me while Treat works. Tell me everything."

Livia sat in a chair in front of the window, and Adira realized this was probably how Livia saw her. She rolled her suitcase into a corner before sitting down.

"All right," Livia said once Treat continued her design. "Spill."

"I overheard my father talking to Abel, my now ex-fiancé, on how he cheated on my mom and encouraged Abel to do the same. That it was one thing to be married to a decent woman so the congregation is happy, but to have a side piece for sex."

"What the fuck?" Livia said, sounding shocked.

"Wow," Treat said. "I thought my family was fucked up."

"And on top of that, my mother admitted she also cheats! Said all I have to do is pop out a baby and I'll be fine. As if I'd be happy that my husband would leave me alone so he can sleep around. I always thought my parents were the most pious people on the planet. But everything my father preached was nothing but lies."

"Aren't religious people supposed to be all Ten Commandments and shit?" Treat asked.

"Yeah, you would think," Adira muttered, shaking her head. "I had to get out of there, and you were the only person I could think of, Livia. I hope you don't mind me crashing. Only until I find a place to live."

"Of course, you can stay with me!" Livia exclaimed.

"I promise I won't overstay. The good news is I have a lead on a job."

"Already? Where?"

"The Pussy Willow."

Treat removed her tattoo gun from Livia's arm as she turned to look at her. "You realize that's a strip club, right?"

"Yes."

"It's owned by the Death Riders."

"I don't know what that is."

Treat and Livia shot a glance at one another.

"It's a motorcycle club," Livia finally replied.

"Oh. Like Hells Angels?"

"Not as bad," Livia said. "Brim, the president, is a pretty decent guy. They don't deal dope or guns or traffic women. They own The Pussy Willow and the whorehouse, Belladonna. Adira, are you sure you can work in a place like that?"

Doubt crept into her thoughts. "Do you think I shouldn't?"

"It's not about should you or shouldn't you. It's about what you feel comfortable with."

She thought for a moment. If she was truthful to herself, the thought of working in a place like The Pussy Willow scared her. It took her a few minutes to figure out why. Going into a dark room filled with strange men who watched women dance naked on a stage seemed … creepy. Then she remembered the words her father said, and the shocking way he talked. It made her wonder if he'd ever been one of those men.

Her resolve returned.

"The interviews are Thursday," she said. "I think it'll be the perfect way to give my parents the finger."

The women laughed.

"I can drop you off," Livia told her.

She beamed at her friend. "Thank you."

While Treat and Livia talked, Adira picked up a photo album full of drawings and sketches, admiring the skill. It made her wish she had artistic talent.

"See anything you'd like?"

Adira looked back at the album. "These are magnificent. How does a person choose just one?"

Treat smiled. "Most people catch the tattoo bug, meaning once they get one, they want more."

"I see," Adira said, glancing through the pages. "I suppose it hurts."

"No more than PMS cramps."

"Interesting." She saw a simple heart with a letter built into the lines. "This is pretty."

Treat walked over to her and glanced down. "It's a nice design for a lover."

"I see," Adira said. "When I get a lover, I'll come back and get this tattoo."

"You got it," Treat said, winking.

Ten minutes later, she took off her gloves to slather some ointment on Livia's new tattoo and wrap it in cellophane. Her friend stood up and held her arm out.

"How's it look?" she asked Adira.

It was a monarch butterfly, with bright orange offset by black lines. "It's gorgeous. Treat, when it's time for my tattoo, I'm coming to you."

Treat laughed. "Anytime."

Livia paid and Adira grabbed her suitcase, waving at Treat.

"This is my truck. Just throw your case in the back." Moments later, Livia was driving through town. "Cardinal is a great place to live. I love it here. Do you know how long you'll stay?"

"I don't know," she answered truthfully. "I don't want to go back. Maybe if this job pans out, I can stay for a long time."

Livia smiled at her. "I'd like that. So, you don't want to go back?"

Adria sucked in a deep breath. "It's a place that was nothing but lies. How can I go back to something that wasn't even real?"

"Well, I meant what I said. You can stay with me as long as possible."

Adira reached out and gripped her hand. "Thank you. You are the only person I could trust."

"Are you sure you want to work in a strip club, though?"

"Oh, yes," she replied. "More than ever. And I'm going to find a man to take my V-card."

Livia giggled. "Well, then. Let's get that job and then get you laid."