The Butterfly House (14 page)

“
First of all could I look over those legal guardianship papers you have?” “Sam your new boss is a very powerful man. We have a mutual friend Ellis Rathbone who works as a private investigator.”

I ran over and hugged him crying. “Nolan you have no idea how much I want this nightmare to be over for baby Miles' sake as much as Angela's and mine. I've been so afraid the father will show up. I'm frightened what he might do. I've been using all my earnings to cover the cost of the hospital bills so there is nothing left for me to hire someone privately but I could work more hours if need be to cover any expenses for their help.”

Nolan pulled me onto his lap. “Ava darlin don't worry about the money I will take care of that, it's the least I can do to help out baby Miles and his mama. When I said I had feelings for you earlier I meant it. If you need my help, it's yours. Never doubt my feelings love I mean what I say.” he said pulling me closer.

It was almost dawn when we finished looking over the papers I had made copies of that I kept hidden in my closet. We decided to get a few hours sleep then while I went to class Nolan was going to set up a meeting with Sam and Ellis to look into who Angela Mercy was. Then we'd figure out what could be done to help her and baby Miles. I was so tired I snuggled into Nolan's chest. He was still wide awake as I drifted off to sleep.

Angela

I felt her presence and then her hand as she touched mine. She was not alone this time, there was a man with her. I remembered who she was. I knew her – we were friends. Finally it was starting to come back to me. Our friendship was the reason I ran to her for help.

The man with her I didn't know but he wasn't a threat. He cared deeply for her. I could sense them holding hands and feel their love. It was new but it was of the old-fashion kind. That love which holds two people together no matter what might try to tear them apart.

It hurt deeply when I realized that I too had someone but I didn't have that love they shared – not even close. The man I had married had no regard for me as his soul mate. I was just a vessel. I had escaped him. For escaping him there was going to be hell to pay. I felt even more agitated once they both left.

There was someone new in the room. It was a woman I could sense her and feel her fear. Her fear screamed desperation and depravity. She had been here before. The darkness that pulled me under came from her. It was there again pulling me under. I couldn't move to fight it or her. It consumed me as if there was no longer air for me to breathe. I would have struggled if it were possible but in the end I let it take me.

Nolan ~
Eighteen  

After dropping Ava off at NYU for class I had the cabbie take me to my office. On the way I set up a meeting with Sam and Ellis. I had a few hours to get my schedule moved around before they would arrive and we could discuss Ava's situation.

I had Cameron start making coffee and bring in a menu from a local deli. I expected this meeting to last a while. Sam was the first to arrive.

“
I called your lovely lady who works for me and canceled our meeting. Am I correct in assuming this meeting is more important?” 

“
You are correct, let's wait for Ellis. He's on his way up.” I tossed the deli menu at Sam so we could get an order ready for Cameron.

My phone rang. Ellis was here.

Ellis Rathbone was an ex-navy SEAL. After our initial meeting the other day regarding the bulletproof glass windows he ordered we talked at length. Ellis had lost his wife a few months ago. They had a daughter he was raising on his own. His daughter was his reason for going into private investigation. I felt good about having him help with Ava's situation. He was a father. I felt he would be compassionate about Ava's situation.

“
Hey Nolan!” he said as I rose to shake his hand then introduced him to Sam.”

We all gave Cameron our lunch order then we got down to business. I explained the situation and all the details I knew to both men. Then I gave them both copies of the legal paperwork Ava had given me.

“Nolan if possible I'd really like to talk to Ava. I have a few questions,” Ellis stated.

“
She works tonight and doesn't get off until until close to midnight.” I said.

“
Ellis you are welcome to come to the house. You could talk with her before she goes on stage if you'd like. She's always a little early for work.” Sam offered.

“
What exactly is
the house
?” Ellis asked.

“
The Butterfly House is a private club Sam owns. Ava works for him.” I explained.

“
She works as in exotic or stripper? Is there really a difference between the two? Ellis asked confused.

Sam interrupted laughing. “Ellis the house isn't exactly your typical strip club, it's very classy and upscale. I don't own anything that isn't classy.”

“Ava works there in order to help cover all the bills for the baby and Angela Mercy.” I clarified. I didn't want Ellis getting the wrong impression of Ava or Sam's business.

“
Let's all meet there say around seven o'clock, that way you can get an impression of the house and then talk to Ava as soon as she arrives.” Sam offered.

“
I'll get started on finding out who Angela Mercy is in the meantime.” Ellis said.

“
Ellis please send me the bill I will be covering the expenses,” I said.

“
Nolan  if you can get my bulletproof windows ready sooner I'll do this for free.”

“
I'll do my best Ellis but in the meantime you let me know if you need any funds to get started.”

We all agreed to meet at the house. I still had time before my only other appointment for today.  After Sam and Ellis left I sent Ava a text message to let her know Ellis would be there early to talk to her.

“Hey beautiful how's class?”

She replied right away.

“Hey sexy man! It's kind of boring. How is the meeting going?”

I replied.

“
We just finished. Ellis has a few questions for you. We are all going to meet at the house before you go on stage.”

A few minutes later.

“I'll be there early. I just need to drop off my books and backpack then grab my clothes for tonight.”

I quickly texted. My three o'clock appointment was coming up the elevator.

“How about I meet you at your apartment with some dinner say about five?”

She replied.

“You are spoiling me but yes that would be heaven!”

I typed furiously, Cameron was getting my three o'clock coffee ready.

“Deli sandwich and drinks okay? Any special requests?”

“
I trust you! Just please extra pickles :)”

Laughing I replied.

“For you – anything, see you soon darlin.”

She replied.

“I can't wait! And Nolan...I miss you.”

I stood up smiling, typing fast.

“I miss you too.”

Cameron rang my phone, I was still on time for my three o'clock they had just arrived and their coffee was ready.

Becoming Lotus

Nolan brought me food. We arrived at the house with plenty of time for me to get ready and revamp my routine for tonight. Ellis was running late but he had some information to share. He would be here at some point. We'd talk after I was finished on stage.

This was the first time I'd been nervous since my first night here. I was feeling anxious waiting  to hear what Ellis had found out. I hoped it was good news. I went through my routine a few times without the music.

Nolan went to talk with Sam while I started getting ready. For tonight I had selected a song by Firehouse. I chose a pair of blue jean shorts that were very short and torn a few places. I put on a purple dress shirt and motorcycle boots. Cowboy boots would have been a better  choice but I was not a fan of cowboy boots so these would be a good substitute. I had noticed Nolan was from Texas – he didn't wear them either.

I lined my eyes with gray, added two different shades of purple shadow. I lined my lips in a dusky rose. I was in the middle of taking the hot rollers out of my hair when there was a knock at my door. It was Orchid. Her real name was Jenny and she was very pretty, long dark hair with gypsy features. She also had a lot of piercings that very few people could pull off wearing. She was all out of breath and all flushed from just coming off stage. In a few minutes it would be my turn.

“
Oh damn Ava there is this fine-looking man out there tonight. He's seated with Mr. Rayburn and your man.”

“
Really?” She had to be talking about Ellis. “What's he look like?”

“
He's tall but built and I mean
built
! He's dressed in a suit but damn you can tell he's got some guns under it and I mean both kinds. He's carrying a huge firearm on his hip, it looks like a Kimber 1911.”

Jenny and her guns! I had to laugh as I finished my hair and grabbed my cowboy hat. Then I strapped on my play gun belt complete with a plastic Glock
knock-off. Jenny knew everything about guns otherwise it would have been just a plastic gun to me.

“
Well girl I plan on being the fastest gun tonight,” I said winking at her.

“
You know I could of loaned you a real gun to use instead of that fake toy one and it's a copycat Glock. Yuck! Good thing it's just a prop.” We both laughed.

“
Hey wanna come out and watch from the stage while I work?” I asked her. I liked Jenny, it would be nice to have a friend here.

“
You don't have to ask twice!  Anything to get another look at that man candy.” she said winking as we walked out the door.

Nolan ~
Nineteen

When the music started I was sitting with Ellis and Sam. My jaw dropped as I saw Ava come out. She had on very short shorts and was dressed like a cowgirl complete with a holstered gun belt and boots. The boots only came to mid-calf. Her shirt was tied under her breasts – she had the sexiest belly. Her long firm legs in those boots drove me insane. She started out walking up and down the stage with the beat to the music. Tossing her cowboy hat across the room, her long hair fell down her back and shoulders. They had put extra stripper poles in place. Ava was swinging around a pole. She hung upside down and then she slid down very slow. 

I felt like I was panting in need. I wanted her so much. I looked around wondering if every man in the place felt like I did. The men and women were all cheering her on as she danced from pole to pole. I was definitely having a bad moment watching as she rode each pole like it was a lover.

Sam touched me on the shoulder. “Nolan she's just dancing. Relax man.” I felt the green-eyed fog moment pass as I realized I was being an ass in front of my friend and Ava's boss. I was also disrespecting Ava.

Ellis broke the ice when he said. “Nolan I think I like her already, she's carrying!” We all laughed.

I looked at Sam. “I'm good now, Thanks man.”

I watched as she danced around one more time. This time she had her hands on her gun belt and winked at me as she pretended to pull it out, making a fake gun with her fingers she pointed them at me. Then she turned and danced twirling as her shirt came undone. She was bare chested but her long hair was shielding most of her as she stopped to let the shirt fall to the floor. She lifted her arms in the air. She looked back over her shoulder as the lights went out. The music ended. The crowd roared at her performance.

Ellis was the first one to speak when the crowd calmed down. “I have to admit this place has class, it doesn't feel like a trashy strip club by any means.”