Babes Stripping For Love

It was almost dawn when Lexie open her eyes and she realized that she was in Keegan’s bed. She cursed silently, thinking that it was stupid of her to fall asleep in his arm. There will be no time for her to get close to someone. Not when she was running away from her stepdad. It was not wise of her to risk Harley’s life. There was no time for her to seek romance, let alone from Keegan. The man had failed her once, most likely he was going to fail her again. The last time it happened was when she was still sixteen. Back then she barely knew what to do with a relationship, but Keegan was old enough to decide and he had decided to leave her behind.

Harley was still asleep when she was back in their bed. It was still too early to start her morning activities so she decided to check on her phone and catch up on her emails which only reminded her of her impending bills, then she browse her text messages. There was only a couple of text that was waiting for her reply, mainly from her friends from Babes, and one from Harley’s school asking about his return.

Lexie replied to the text from Jojo, telling her that she will try to come to work today. Lexie knew that she had to think about money for the deposit and the first month of their new place. It was almost the end of the month. She could at least dance for a couple of more days before she really needed to flee town. Keegan said he’d keep them safe, at least she could take on his offer while she kept Harley safe at his. She needs to buy supplies and food before their long journey to wherever town she deemed appropriate for her and her little brother.

Fifteen minutes later, Lexie gave up on trying to go back to sleep and took a quick shower before heading out to the kitchen and started making coffee. It didn’t take long before Jojo called, telling her that someone was looking for her.

“W-what do you mean someone was looking for me?”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Exactly that, Rockford was there trying to calm the man down when he insisted that we were hiding you and his kid. Damn, Lexie, is he your baby daddy?”

“Fuck. fuck. fuck… Did Rockford tell him anything? Shit! Did Rocco say anything?”

Jojo chuckled from the other line, as if people demanding their employee’s whereabouts was an everyday occurrence. “Surprisingly no, I think Rocco read his body language and decided that the man was trouble. So, what I’m trying to say is lay low for a couple of days. You know we won’t ask you to reveal anything beyond your comfort, but we also need to protect our girls. You understand, right?”

“Of course,” Lexie’s heart sank thinking about the money that she’d lost, the money she needed to start her new life. She had savings, but it would only keep her and Harley for a month, she could probably stretch it to two if she skip breakfast and dinner, though she wouldn’t do it to Harley. Her brother needed his meals, she would never subject him to such a thing. She would do anything for him.

“Look, Lexie. If you need anything, you know that you can reach out to Gage, right? Hell, you’re close to Bree. That boss of yours would do anything his wife said.”

“I… I know,”

“I really need you to know that you’re not in this alone, okay? asking for help is okay dearie…”

That was the moment that made Lexie shed tears. She had friends and she was going to leave them. People who were willing to help her. People who cared about her. She took a deep breath before assuring Jojo that she’d be okay, that she was staying with a friend, and that she was safe. Lexie promised Jojo, the admin slash manager was like a helicopter mom to all the girls at Babes.

The sun was up when she decided to start making breakfast. Harley was up less than ten minutes later and his happy face fell the moment he saw sadness plastered on his sister’s face. Then, when she hadn’t even had time to explain anything to Harley, Keegan joined them in the kitchen. He must’ve felt the gloomy atmosphere when he asked if anything was wrong.

“Lexie?”

“Yeah, sorry. It was work.” Lexie sent him a look, silently telling him that she was going to explain everything later. Not in front of Harley. Keegan nodded and she focused her attention on her kid brother. “Hey, kiddo, it was just work. I was a bit upset when work call, but then I realized that I can spend the day with you. We can watch cartoons all day! just like yesterday.” Lexie mustered up her cheerful side wanting to be anything but happy for the brother. Harley gave her his brave smile. It didn’t quite reach his eyes, but she was taking all she could get. Lexie carried on making Harley’s favorite grilled cheese and make the same for Keegan and herself though her appetite was long gone.

When Harley was busy with his toys, Lexie drank her second cup of coffee. She knew that Keegan was waiting for her, and she had put off her explanation long enough.

“Jojo, the manager at Babes, the strip club where I worked, called me. She said that someone was looking for me last night. No one gave up anything, not even our chatty bartender, Rocco. Jojo said that he sensed something off with the guy.”

Lexie could see that Keegan was trying hard to be patient with her explanation and she ended everything when she finish off her version of Jojo’s call.

“I will need to take a look at their CCTV footage, inside and outside the club. Can you schedule me as their security officer?”

“I can call Rockford and see what I can do.”

“Why don’t you call him now, and put me on the line with him.”

“Um… okay,”

When she got him on the line with Rockford, Lexie was fiddling with her hands. She was too nervous to even play with Harley. Lexie didn’t want her brother to know that something was up and it was better that he was distracted by his playtime.

“Hey, everything is going to be okay. They got him on CCTV, but since we can’t put a restriction order against him, you’re the one that’s going to stay put. I don’t know how he found out about where you work, but I need to find out how. I need your contact for your fake ID. we need to get you a better one. It’s the safest option for now. We need to end Lexie’s and Harley’s little adventure, effective today. No contact with anyone you know. Well, except Charlotte I guess.” He shrugged while Lexie was too stunned by his explanation.

She sent Keegan the contact detail for her fake ID guy. And Keegan was already reaching into one of the kitchen drawers and pulled out what looked like a brand-new burner phone. “I will need to screen your contact details. For now, you will have my number, Harley’s watch phone, and Charlotte’s. You can text or call her, telling her that you are safe but she is not to spread your number. She knows that you’re staying with me…” Keegan kept giving her instructions and Lexie kept on listening. Her head was trying to process, she still couldn’t believe that everything turned drastic in just a couple of days.

Keegan left her just before lunch telling her that he was going to Babes and that he was meeting up with Rockford and Rocco. He gave her specific instructions to not leave the house. He also told her that he had his men monitor the house. Apparently, Keegan was good at multitasking. “You will be perfectly safe, but just in case, my phone will be on. So don’t hesitate to call.” Keegan reached for her stray hair and tucked them back behind her ear before he pressed a kiss on her forehead. He left after a quick hug and a promise from Harley to take care of his sister.