Devilish Details Read Free

years old, she had smooth dewy skin that needed little
make-up. Jazz hired her because she saw not just talent, but a
chance to keep Lilly from slipping into an even worse kind of
profession. The signs were clear to Jazz. Lilly had had to grow up
fast and hard, so Jazz made allowances. She considered Jazz old at
twenty-seven, but had the good sense not to make that opinion too
obvious. Jazz had survived her own tough childhood by learning to
read people. She knew exactly what Lilly thought of her.
    Lilly was the youngest employee and the one
with the snappiest attitude. Cutting some slack was one thing. But
bottom line, Jazz had a business to run, and nobody would be
allowed to mess with her hustle.
    “Byron told you I’m not feeling well,” Lilly
said flatly. “I can’t perform when I’m upset. I’ll be stumbling all
over the stage. Mama always said I was born with bad nerves.”
    “So you don’t need your paycheck tonight?”
Jazz replied.
    Lilly looked up at Jazz’s reflection in the
mirror, a frown on her smooth honey brown face. “Well I did one set
before the police showed up and got our customers all jumpy. I
should at least get half my pay,” Lilly protested. She turned
around on the swivel stool and then stood to face Jazz. She put
both hands on her hips. At five eight, Lilly seemed to loom over
Jazz, who stood five-feet-five if she had on one inch heels.
    “Customers expect to see dancing. I sell
more liquor and food when I have a show. You work the full night
like I hired you to do, or this will be your last night.” Jazz
didn’t raise her voice but returned Lilly’s glare with one of her
own.
    “Damn, betcha only three old dudes out
there,” Lilly shot back. But she turned around and started
unpacking her make-up.
    Jazz watched for a few seconds as she
applied dark red lipstick. Then she brushed out the long, thick
black hair that was mostly an expensive weave. Lilly shimmied out
of the cotton jumpsuit to reveal she still wore her costume. The
shiny neon red halter and matching thong made her honey brown skin
seem to glow. Customers flocked to Candy Girls to watch Lilly wrap
her long legs around the dancer’s pole. Still Jazz was beginning to
look for a replacement. Lilly got on her damn high horse too often.
Jazz was sure one night she wouldn’t show, would walk out in a
huff, or Jazz would throw her out. The last possibility might be
the first to happen. No employee would dictate to Jazz or give her
attitude for long.
    “Consider that visit from the police a long
break. It’s almost nine o’clock. You perform between eight and
midnight. I’ll pay the same.” Jazz turned around to leave.
    “Gee, thanks.”
    Lilly went on applying make-up. She dusted
sparkly body powder across her generous cleavage and then the rest
of her body, paying special attention between her thighs. The
glitter was her signature. Guys lapped it up. Jazz was about to set
her straight when Tyretta pushed through the dressing room
door.
    “Child, you better get your glittering rear
in gear. The natives are gettin’ restless. You got some good tips
comin’ your way. Guess who just slid in all undercover? Lil’ Bit,”
Tyretta blurted out before anyone could take a stab at it. “Girl,
you know he got some fifties with your name on ‘em. I’ve been
keepin’ him hydrated for ya.”
    “Just as long as he keeps his sticky hands
offa me. He be tryin’ to sneak a feel when he passes a tip.” Lilly
made a face, but began to primp with quicker movements. The sound
system kicked in, playing a raunchy song by a local female
rapper.
    “Them bills gonna spend the same, girl.
Sticky or not,” Tyretta quipped.
    “You ain’t even lyin’,” Lilly tossed back
with a chuckle. She shook her butt as if warming up, humming along
with the music. “Later.”
    Jazz nodded at her as she walked by. “You
have trouble, just signal Byron. These dudes know I don’t play that
touchy feely crap with my employees.”
    “Okay,”