and Simone kissed her body , moving downward .
9
Ivy awoke on Simone ’ s bed , an alarm blaring . She lifted her head high enough to see Simone turning it off . “ Shit ,” she said . “ It ’ s time to go to work , Ivy .”
Ivy groaned , rolling back over . She hadn ’ t meant to sleep all day , but she had worked the entire night before , gone out for breakfast with Simone , and had gone back to her place to make love until almost noon . She realized she hadn ’ t reported back to Bao or Anna , but she would have to tell them that she was busy getting information from Simone like they had asked her to do .
“ Mind if I use your shower ?” Ivy asked , swinging her bare feet to the wooden floor .
“ Sure ,” Simone said . “ I may join you to save time .”
Ivy laughed . Then a thought struck her , something she ’ d been meaning to ask at some point . “ Do you learn many of their names ?” she asked . “ Whose names ?” Simone asked . “ The demons ,” Ivy replied . “ Some of them ,” Simone said , lowering her voice . “ It ’ s not a good idea to ask them stuff like that .”
Ivy nodded . “ Have you ever heard of one named Lannus ?” she asked .
Simone thought for a moment , her head tilted upward . “ I don ’ t remember any by that name ,” she said . “ Why ?”
“ I must ’ ve picked it up somewhere is all ,” Ivy said .
“ Come on ,” Simone said , pulling Ivy up by her hands . “ We ’ re going to have to jump in the shower if we ’ re going to make it to work on time .”
Ivy and Simone were at work on time after their eventful shower . They were dressed in their sexiest lingerie and onstage , dancing for the demons wearing their human bodies . When they were done , they made their regular walks through the crowd , seeking anyone who ’ d want a private dance or more . “ Good evening ,” Crossan said , exhaling a stream of cigar smoke .
“ Hi ,” Ivy said , smiling widely . It had been days since she had seen him . “ You looking for a private dance , stranger ?”
Crossan looked serious . “ I actually wanted to talk to you ,” he said .
“ About what ?” Ivy asked , her fake bubbly smile leaving her face .
Crossan was about to speak when screaming filled the Flaming Ruby . Ivy turned to see Simone leaving a private room , her hand on her neck , blood pouring from a large wound . She wavered on her feet and fell .
“ Simone !” Ivy shouted , running toward her . Two bouncers beat her there , carrying her to the back . A man in a gray suit emerged from the room next , blood dripping down his chin and body . He winked at Ivy and left .
Simone was brought to the back and placed in a black body bag . One of the bouncers started to zip it , but Ivy came between them . “ Stop it !” She exclaimed . “ She isn ’ t dead !”
Simone ’ s eyes opened , and she looked into Ivy ’ s . “ Don ’ t …” she muttered . “ What ?” Ivy said . “ What are you trying - ” “ Zip the bag up ,” Samantha said , coming from behind .
The bouncer did as asked , pushing Ivy out of the way . Simone ’ s eyes closed as the bag was zipped shut .
“ She knew this was a possibility ,” Samantha said , “ as do you .”
Ivy looked into the cold gaze of madam Samantha .
“ This is the first girl you saw die ,” Samantha said . “ Go home for the evening , but know this is the only time I will extend this courtesy .”