Alpha’s Virgin Stripper

JOJO:

I did not know why I kissed him. I could blame it on the coffee, but I knew I enjoyed every sensual second of it.

“Trust me.” He had said. And I nodded. Even though I knew of my inability to trust, not even myself.

I left his suite after letting him know of my visit to my mother today. He had asked, and I answered. Time and time again, I had tried to ask myself why he cared, why I allowed him to care.

I walked out of the silent hallway, into the bright corridor that led to the elevator. I took out my phone to return Mel’s missed calls only to realize there was no network connection in the elevator. I groaned and slid the phone back into my back pocket, not caring about the eyes on me this time.

My mind was only focused on my mother’s welfare. I wasn’t going to watch her slip off my fingers when we were almost here. I was hoping that she would wake up and see how much Valerie had grown. She would love the way Ley called her ‘momma’. She would love the similar twinkle in Ley’s eyes every time something good happened, she would love her taste in fashion just like hers. She would adore Ley, just as she had adored me. And Ley? Ley would be the happiest girl alive if her momma finally woke up. I was sure of it.

She had been asleep for far too long.

I stared blankly out of the elevator until the distant sound of heels against the floor brought my consciousness back to the present.

Outside the elevator, I called Mel.

“Hey! Last night”

“Yeah, something happened, Mel. I’m sorry. Could you two meet me at the hospital, please?” I had no excuse, but Mel sighed.

“Of course.”

I ended the call and stepped out of the exit. I found myself looking over my shoulder with every step I took.

“Good day miss, the car is over there.”

I turned in the direction of the voice. My right hand rose to the air on defense reflex. The man had a questioning glare in his eyes before it dissolved and he bowed to me.

His uniform showed that he was a certified driver for the Empire. The logo, Rush Empire in light blue inscriptions on his plain white shirt was the first thing my eyes landed on when I saw him. He was certainly not here for me.

“I’m sorry, Sir but I think you’ve got the wrong person.”

I made my way to walk past him, but he covered my path once more.

“I’m here on the instructions of Alpha Lake. He sent me here to come and pick up Miss JoJo Wyatt.” He plastered a picture of me in front of my face. I blinked twice at the image of the girl before I looked up at him.

“Please come with me, miss.” He began to walk away.

I could not bring myself to move. What game was this? What was Alpha Lake up to?

The blast of motorcycles, the sounds of traffic, and the rasp of my leather sandals against the asphalt did nothing to make me less anxious as I walked behind the driver.

I tried to assure myself that he probably treated other workers in the casino the same way, but I knew I was lying to myself. There were over a hundred workers in Rush. There was no way he got cars for them all!

The driver came to a halt before a shiny black SUV, obviously a new model. I blinked twice at the car.

There was no way I was getting into this.

Was I getting into this?

Oh my God! I was getting into this! Both my head and body bubbled in excitement.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

He pressed a key and the car beeped, the doors unlocked. He opened the passenger door and turned to me, putting out a hand, a sign for me to walk into the car.

I entered the car, even though hesitant. The subtle, stiff smells of burnished metal and dry leather graced my nostrils.

He started the engine as soon as he entered and began to drive. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to bask in the sound of the slow, country music playing at a low volume through the speakers. It lulled me to sleep.

“We’re here, miss.” A hand shook me. I jerked up, my cheeks flustered.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured.

He flashed me a kind smile. I saw the gate of the hospital when I looked out the window.

I had not told him the address. But, Alpha Lake could have. He had never been here too, or had he?

More questions. I always found myself asking questions when it came to that man.

I finally got down from the SUV. Curious stares from familiar eyes all focused on me. I could only imagine what they thought of me.

Going into Ward 107 was hard for me. I pushed open the door. I was welcomed by the nauseating smell of chemicals and antiseptics hitting my nostrils.

The minute our eyes met, Ley ran towards me. I crouched down to her height, pulling her fiercely against my body in a tight hug. My heart melted against her head. She didn’t want to let go, so I lifted her off the floor in bridal style and took her with me as I went to sit beside Mel.

Mel hardly looked like her usual bubbly self. I could not measure the guilt that ate at me as I watched her. This was all my fault.

There were bags underneath her tired eyes and her clothes were nothing to write home about. Her hair was dry and her face devoid of any makeup, very unlike Mel.

She had probably been up all night, catering to my sister while I frolicked with the alpha in his suite. Guilt tugged the strings of my conscience.

Her eyes brightened in a small smile when she saw me. She was a shadow of the Mel I knew.

“Hey, Jo. You look so good.”

“Mel. I’m so sorry, you look so stressed.” I apologized, I had to. I did nothing to mask the guilt and pain in my voice.

“I guess. But I swear, it’s nothing serious. I just need some sleep. Ley was having a runny stomach last night so we both couldn’t sleep. She looks better than I do, she had a good sleep.” She patted Ley’s hair, and affection and love radiated from everything she did.

I felt like a bad friend and an even worse sister.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

Valerie nodded in silence, her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Mel added, “She’s fine now. It was just the effect of the emergency call from the hospital last night. Must have shaken her up a bit.”

She looked down at Ley.

“You’re all good now, aren’t you?”

Valerie’s eyes brightened as she nodded affirmatively. My heart sank. I had been away for too long, I was losing sight of the people that mattered most.

I sighed and took Mel’s palm into mine. I squeezed it gently.

“I’m so sorry I had to put you through this.”

“Yeah, you should be. Turned a bad bitch into a babysitter and much more too damn fast. But it’s okay, I forgive you.” She was trying to brighten the darkness hovering around the room, but it did not work as she had expected it to.

Alas, I summoned the courage to look up at my mother’s bed. I gently put Ley down and rose on my feet. I walked up to her in slow steps. When I got to her side, my shaking hands moved to caress her aging hair. She was so weak and tired, almost lifeless. I did not want to discard the ounce of hope I had. The tears threatened to cloud my vision but I did not let them fall.

I had to be strong for Valerie and Mel.

“The doctor said last night was not the first time she’s had a cardiac arrest. I only wonder why they didn’t tell us.” Mel spoke. I noticed the hint of annoyance in her voice.

I was visibly annoyed, my nostrils twitched. How could they have been so careless with my mother’s health?

“So why did they call us now?”

“It was really serious this time. He said he would need to speak to us. I just know that if anything happens to her, they would be held accountable. We had every right to know.” Mel continued to complain.

I should have replied, but I was at a loss for both words and actions. All I could do was stand and watch my mother battle for her life. Like she had been doing for eight years.

The door creaked open then and the doctor walked in.