Phoenix: The Beauty in Between (A Beautiful Series Companion Novel) (15 page)

Now we have a
ritual. When we get ready to go out, we set up our lines and snort
them just before we leave so we’re feeling wonderful, by the time
we get to the clubs or parties. When we get back to the apartment
we smoke heroine to come down. It’s a beautiful combination. I even
find myself leaving the beds of the men I go home with so I can get
back for a smoke. I’m having trouble coming down without it.

It’s the
weekend again, and we’ve been invited to a party. Braden has taken
me shopping to pick the right outfit. He doesn’t think that
anything I own is sexy enough. Flicking fiercely through the
clothes racks, he scrutinises dresses before shaking his head and
putting them back.

I hold up a
gorgeous looking, royal blue mini dress with a tiny ruffle around
the hem that makes it look fun and flirty. “How about this
one?”

“No. That’s no
good,” he frowns, as he goes back to his rummaging. “You need to
look gorgeous – absolutely ravishing.

“It’s important
that we’re really fun and friendly because the people who supply us
will be there. They supply our cash and they supply our ‘fun’. We
can’t disappoint. Here,” he says, holding up a tiny red sparkling
dress. I take it and hold it against my body and admire it in the
mirror. It looks like the clothing version of Dorothy’s ruby
slippers. I love it.

“It’s perfect,”
I tell his smiling face. “So, about this party - I wasn’t aware
that our buyer and supplier were the same people. What else they’re
into?”

“Oh, they’re
into this and that. It doesn’t really have much to do with me,” he
says, taking the dress back from my hands. His eyes dart around,
and he appears slightly agitated for a moment, before he heads
purposefully toward another department. “Now we need shoes.”

When we reach
the register, he insists on paying, which is really unusual for
Braden. He’s not really into random acts of kindness. But I’ll take
what I can get.

I have to admit
that I look amazing in the dress. I barely have an ounce of fat on
me these days, but I still have all my curves, and my hair is
almost halfway down my back.

As we get ready
for the party, Braden reiterates the importance of meeting our
‘bosses’. “Sweetheart, I need you to make a good impression. Reggie
has been asking to meet you and if he doesn’t like you, I’ll be in
big trouble.”

“Why does he
want to meet me?”

“Well, I let it
slip that I’m not the sticky fingered wonder that gets him his
merchandise, and he doesn’t like that I wasn’t honest with him. He
was very insistent that he needed to meet you.”

Braden seems
nervous, he’s not his usual confident self, and he won’t hold my
gaze for more than a couple of seconds. It causes me to feel really
worried about tonight.

My heart starts
to thud double time in my chest and I’m only too happy to sniff
some powdered courage before we catch a cab to Double Bay to meet
this ‘Reggie’.

“Holy fucking
shit,” I breathe as the cab pulls into the circular drive of the
largest house I’ve ever seen. “You actually know someone who lives
here?”

“I don’t know.
Our boss just told me there was a party and to bring you here,”
Braden tells me quickly. I think I stop breathing for a moment as
nerves swirl through my stomach. Braden squeezes my hand. “It’ll be
fun, relax.”

We pay the
cabbie and get out at the security gate. Braden presses the
intercom. It beeps a couple of times before it’s answered by a
gruff voice, demanding to know who we are.

Once our
identities are confirmed, we’re allowed to move through the gate.
We walk up the pathway leading to the front door arm in arm. I
pause for a moment, pulling on Braden’s arm.

“I think I need
another hit. I’m too nervous.” I reach in my purse to search for
the little snuff bottle I have, to top myself up throughout the
night.

“Wait until we
get inside,” he says, putting his hand over mine and halting my
movement. “I swear to you, there will be the purest shit you have
ever tried inside. You’ll be flying all night.”

My nerves turn
to excitement as I wonder what a pure high would be like. I hang my
bag back over my shoulder, and we continue up the path.

The driveway is
littered with parked cars, and we can hear music and laughter going
on inside as we approach the door.

“Are we late?”
I ask, as Braden raises his hand to knock.

The door opens
immediately, and a man with dark, stylishly messy hair, opens his
arms wide and welcomes us enthusiastically. He appears to be well
into his thirties and has straight, perfectly even teeth, and
bronzed skin.

“Come in,” he
booms, taking my hand and bringing it to his mouth. “Braden, I can
see why you were hiding her,” he says, his eyes locked with mine as
he presses his lips to my knuckles.

“Can you blame
me?” Braden laughs uneasily. I can hear a slight tinge of
nervousness in his voice as he starts to introduce us. “Paige, this
is Reggie. Reggie, meet Paige.”

I nod and
smile, but I find him unsettling. There’s something about the way
he’s looking at me, and then at Braden, that makes me concerned.
It’s like they know something that I don’t. He tucks my hand in the
crook of his arm and walks me inside. Braden makes sure to keep
pace with us.

“This is quite
a party,” I comment, trying to make casual conversation, as I look
around at all the people gathered in the large foyer and living
area.

The house is
very modern in styling and lit for the party as though it’s a night
club. Everything is either white, chrome or mirrored, and the
lights that flash are a red or a purple. It all feels very surreal
as it is. But when a strobe light goes off and causes the room to
look as though it’s moving in slow motion, it’s even more so.

Reggie walks us
toward a bar and tells us to choose anything we’d like, before
excusing himself to go and mingle. As he speaks to us, his hand
lingers a little too long on my skin, and a cold chill skitters its
way up my spine. So I’m grateful when he’s gone.

Looking around
the party, I see that there aren’t many people holding drinks. But
they’re all on something.

“What’ll it
be?” the bar tender asks.

Braden has been
to these things in the past, so he answers before I have a chance
to open my mouth.

“Coke,” he
says, holding two fingers up to let him know it’s for both of
us.

The barman
hands us a dish that has everything we need on top of it. “First
one’s free,” he tells us. His voice flat and impassive. He’s
obviously been saying the same thing all night.

We move to the
side, and I lean into Braden. “What is this?”

“A tasting
party.”

“Tasting
party?”

“Yep. Pick your
drug, but don’t mix it. ODs aren’t tolerated.”

“What do they
do if you OD?”

“I have no
idea. I just know that no one ever sees you again.”

“Holy shit,” I
breathe. I’m starting to feel as though I’m in this a little too
deep. I had been looking at what we were doing as a bit of petty
theft. I had no idea we were involved with major dealers. This is
all a bit above my experience level.

“Relax. Reggie
seems to like you. Just have a good time, and we’ll be fine.”

I nod, but I’m
not sure that I can relax.

“Do you want a
downer instead?”

“No. Coke’s
fine.”

“Well, sniff up
sweetheart. Let the party begin.”

The high hit me
faster than our usual stuff does. It’s almost as good as the first
time I did it, back when I was with Jeff.

“Oh wow,” I say
to Braden, who’s watching me, nodding and smiling.

“It’s great
right?”

“Amazing,” I
say rolling my head around as I’m sent soaring.

As I move
through the crowd, I feel so much lighter on my feet. Braden
introduces me to a few people he knows but ultimately, we end up
dancing alone.

Due to my high,
every move of my hips is erotic, and I feel like I can have anyone
and anything. Braden’s hands are moving over my body, every touch
feels amazing as my senses come to life.

His hand
wanders down my thigh and up under my dress. He clutches as my
buttocks and pulls me up against him. We’re pressed as close as we
can, swaying as one as we stare into each other’s eyes. His eyes
drop to my mouth, and I can’t help but lick them. I want him to
kiss me.

The moment our
lips brush, Reggie appears at our side, pulling on Braden’s
shoulder to separate us. He glares at him, then indicates that he
wants me to follow him. Without waiting, he places his arm around
my waist and pulls me beside him. I grab hold of Braden’s hand, so
I don’t lose him. I don’t know that I want to be alone with
Reggie.

We enter
another room. It's some sort of an office, and is in stark contrast
to the rest of the house. This room has more of an old world feel
to it, with a large wooden desk and plush carpeting. I feel my
heeled feet sink into the pile and wish for a moment that I could
take my shoes off, to feel the thickness between my toes.

Reggie sits us
all on a couch that's such a dark red that it almost appears
black.

“Braden tells
me that you are the one who's procuring all the IDs.”

“I am,” I
confirm.

“You seem to be
very good at what you do Paige. But, I wasn’t aware you were
working for me. I need to approve all of the people that work for
me. You see, this is quite an embarrassing situation. Braden has
changed his role within my organisation without actually consulting
me. It wasn’t until I started asking questions about the increase
in stolen IDs, that I found out what he was doing - and of course
about you. Braden made quite an error bringing you on without
consulting me.”

“He did?”

Braden sits on
the side chair with his elbows resting on his knees as he leans
forward and watches us carefully. He looks uncomfortable. Anxious.
I feel the same way.

“I have to be
honest. You wouldn’t be my first choice for what you’re doing.
You’re far too… striking. Too memorable. I’m surprised no one has
spotted or reported you yet.”

“Like you said
– I’m good at what I do.”

“I’m sure
you’re good at… a great many things.” His eyes slide over my body
as if he’s licking me with them. My eyes flick toward Braden who is
bouncing his leg in agitation.

“Thank you,” I
say, almost in question. I’m not quite sure how to respond.

“Braden? Don’t
you think Paige is too beautiful to be a purse snatcher?”

“Of course I do
Reggie,” he mumbles, rubbing his hands over his neck and face. I
don’t know if it’s the drugs affecting him or if there’s something
really wrong going on here.

“Then why do
you have her doing it?”

“Because I
didn’t want to be a delivery guy anymore.”

“Well you
didn’t ask me if you could change jobs. I expect you to resume your
usual role.”

Braden’s face
drops and he freezes, causing panic to rise up inside me. What’s
going on?

“But…” Braden
starts.

“Just have her
brought to me on Monday – I’m busy tomorrow. And Braden, I don’t
think I need to remind you what will happen if you don’t,” he says
pointedly before he stands up and claps his hands. “Well - thanks
for coming to see me. I’ll let the bar know you can have one more
round on me. Enjoy the party, and I’ll see you both Monday.”

He walks out
and leaves Braden and me on our own.

“What’s going
on Braden? What does he want me for?”

Braden runs his
hands over his head and completely messes up his previously perfect
hair. My eyes grow wide as I watch him lean back in his chair and
look up at the ceiling while he blows out his breath.

“Braden!” He’s
making me even more nervous than I already was.

“He wants you
to be one of his girls,” he mumbles.

“His
girls?”

Braden nods.
“I’m sorry.”

“What does that
even mean?”

“I don’t know
exactly. Well… I do… I’m… I’m just sorry.”

“Then tell
me!”

“No.” His brow
furrows as his eyes shine with water, and he shakes his head. “I
can’t.”

“Shit Braden!”
I hiss, standing up and pacing the room. “How could you not tell me
we were mixed up in something like this?! I thought we were selling
the IDs to some backyard operation and buying our drugs from the
same kind of thing. This is… this is way more than I’m ok with. I
don’t want to be some guy’s girl Braden. You have to get me out of
this!”

“I don’t know
if I can.”

I lean forward
and place my hands on my knees and try to calm my breath. “Well,
what are our options?”

“What kind of
options are you talking about? The ones where we live or the ones
where we die?”

“Where we live
obviously!” I cry out.

“You go to him
on Monday.”

“That’s it?
That’s my only option?!”

“Well, that or
we run.”

“And if he
catches us?”

“Then we’re
dead.”

When we get
home, I’m completely numb and lay straight on the sofa, not even
bothering to wash off my makeup and get changed.

“Paige,” Braden
says quietly. “Come and sleep in the bed. It’s more
comfortable.”

My eyes slide
toward him, but I don’t move my head. I just glare.

“No funny
business. I just want to hold you…if that’s ok.”

As upset as I
am with him for blindsiding me the way he has, I need to be held.
So I stand up and wander over to his bed, unspeaking. I lay facing
the window, and focus on the glow coming in from the street
lights.

Braden slides
in behind me, and wraps his arm around my middle, holding me to
him.

“I’m sorry,” he
whispers, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. I don’t say anything to
him as this hopelessness I’m feeling makes my body like lead and my
mind numb.