Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(22)

As much as Riley hated the thought of being auctioned off to the highest bidder, the despicable red demons seemed like her best bet. Perhaps she’d see Ion and June again. Maybe the Miran Sona would send a ship to the barbaric planet to rescue them. That was the only bright spot Riley could conceive of. She needed to attract Spawn’s attention. Although he watched her, he wasn’t crowded against the stage, like the other patrons. She’d have to turn up her slutty charm.

When Nine Inch Nails’ Closer started to play, Riley dropped to all fours and crawled toward the edge of the stage. Each time the lewd chorus played, Riley arched her back and ground her hips against the lit platform. She rolled onto her back, letting her hair drag the stage, as she thrust her breasts into the air. Riley kicked one leather clad heel up, then the other, certain she was giving everyone a great shot of her panties.

Tiffany would be so proud. I can’t believe I’m doing this.

Riley gratefully thought of the stripper friend, she met while working at the adult bookstore. When Tiffany opened a pole dance fitness studio, Riley attended a few classes to fill the ranks, till the business took off. She was adamant the moves she learned would never see the light of day.

Jokes on you Riley. Ugh.

Focusing on Spawn, made it easier to work her illicit magic. He was a scumbag, profiting from the misery of others, but he was the sexiest man in the place. He exuded a dark savagery, making it hard to look away.

You’ve always picked some winners, but this wicked bastard takes the cake. What is it with you and bad boys? Riley berated herself, for being attracted to the man.

No matter what Riley did, Spawn leaned casually against the bar, his piercing gaze following her. She was driving everyone else wild, but he stood unaffected. It drove Riley insane instead. When the slutty song was over, he stalked off with his companions, rather than stay to watch. Riley huffed, feeling more dejected by his rebuff than she expected.

Bleachers’ I Wanna Get Better started to play and Riley’s mood turned even darker. The song always reminded her of Jay. The thought of him dead, or locked away for life, made her vision blur. Riley pushed back her tears. She wanted to stay angry with him, but never could. Before Pépère took custody of them, Jay always stood between her and their mother, during her booze fueled fits. Yet no matter what Riley tried, she couldn’t help Jay with his demons. She couldn’t even sway the very real demon in her own life - Spawn.

Riley shook her head, flailing her hair, as she screamed the words to the song. She stalked across the stage, pantomiming the soul crushing pain she felt. The crowd didn’t seem to care that she was losing her mind. They thought her fit was another performance. Riley threw her hands in the air as she stared at the ceiling.

Please give me strength, she prayed.

Riley approached Hoda, when the song finished. The fact that she was starving, wasn’t helping her sour disposition.

“I’m hungry. I can’t keep dancing on an empty stomach,” she informed the woman.

Hoda mounted the stage, and the crowd quieted.

“Tonight, we have an unusual treat up for auction. The opportunity to share a private meal with this exotic female goes to the highest bidder. Let’s start the bidding at a thousand credits,” Hoda announced.

Riley listened as Hoda called out the steadily rising numbers. When bidding finally stopped, she couldn’t tell who the winner was.

Jesus, I hope the overgrown porcupine didn’t win. Riley stared at the prickly creature eagerly standing at the edge of the platform. The spines protruding from his head and back looked unpleasant.

“Wow,” Hoda remarked as she escorted Riley offstage. “You’re going to have dinner in one of our nicer establishments.”

Hoda’s broad thin-lipped mouth gaped in a smile. The amphibian was pleased. That was good. She must have succeeded in earning a tidy little sum for the Overseer.

“I expect what was promised to me,” Riley replied.

“The longer I know you, little exotic creature, the more I find myself amused. You are rather brave. If the situation were different you’d fit in well here. I must warn you though, don’t get too full of yourself. The Overseer won’t be manipulated.”

Riley didn’t need the warning. She was already starting to wonder if Cuttles was going to honor their bargain, or just steel her idea.

“No, I’m sure he won’t,” Riley bit out. She closed her eyes as she pushed down her frustration. “Please tell my host dinner won’t go well if I don’t have my necklace before the first course. It means nothing to him, and it’s the only thing I have that reminds me of home. It’s a small price to pay, but it’s the difference between the profitable, sweet, agreeable angel I can be, or the devil herself.”