SMOKING GUN

Led Zepplin - Dazed and Confused

You hurt and abuse tellin' all of your lies.
Run around sweet baby, Lord how they hypnotize.
Sweet little baby, I don't know where you've been.
Gonna love you baby, here I come again.

A/N: Thank you for all those wonderful reviews. I am so touched to have you reading and following. Thank you times a zillion.

Enjoy this one - WARNING - Mention of Drug Use.

BPOV

I was hot.

Hot and wired.

...and it wasn't because I'd spent the past six hours strutting around a pole and shaking what my mama gave me.

The reason was a certain dark haired raven with primal eyes and a very smooth tongue. An air of calm as he spoke but still managed to send shivers with our locked gazes.

All these thoughts had me practically collapsing onto the chair as I stared at the large white vanity mirror.

My reflection seemed distorted tonight. Rather than the usual after-show glow, tonight I was met with anger, frustrated and frantic eyes that resembled a mad woman.

All because of the very hot, very handsome, leather-clad man.

How dare he?

How could he ask to pay me for sex?

I suppose it was given question considering the lack of clothing I wore and the fact that I had my legs glued to a fucking stripper pole.

Nonetheless, I hated his proposition.

It was strange because lots of guys and girls have insulted me. Many have propositioned me and usually threw money at me but hearing his sexy as hell voice try to find a price angered me.

As hot as he was and as much as I wanted to run my fingers through his hair or as much as I wanted to ride him through the night with the challenge of making him scream my name - he was an asshole.

I would not let him get to me.

First my bike and now this douchebag...

This was not my week.

With a weary sigh, I reached up tentatively to pull the black wig from my head. This allowed the dark tresses to pour out and roll down my back in messy waves.

I took my trusty hair-tie and pulled it up into a messy bun. Then, I took one of the wipes and began to get rid of the excessive makeup. Soon enough, I was content with the picture staring back at me.

It reminded me of a simpler life. A life with freedom and a peace of mind; a life where I was not Belle.

Just Bella.

It was stupid to miss something that had no way of coming back.

"Hey girlie"

The sound of my cheerful co-worker chimed voice interrupted my wistful thoughts but still made me want to cower away.

Robyn was a spitfire which was why her stage name was Red. Well that and the fact that she had bright red hair that I just loved. It was bright and eccentric - like her.

It was because of this hair that she was the only one, lucky enough to not wear a wig.

"Hey" I replied with a small smile before turning back to pack up my things for the weekend.

She reached over to slap my arm and I whipped my attention back to her with wide eyes. "You have no right to be sulky" she scolded me and jumped onto the counter before me. She was still dressed in her blue corset and black stockings, leaving nothing to the imagination. "I saw you talking to Mr. Mysterious" she reminded with a subtle wink. "God! I just want to lick him!" she gasped, running her hands down her neck in her loud exclamation.

"Who do we wanna lick?" Brandy (or Mimi as the customers know her) joined into the conversation. She was also done for the day so she was shrugging out of her wig.

Roe grew wistful as she stared up at the ceiling, starry-eyed. "Table 6" she sighed dreamily and I laughed.

Brandy sat on my lap and nodded, equally sharing whatever daydream there was about him. "Ah, Mr. Sex-on-legs" she too breathed with plain desire. "I saw Camille practically shoving her tits into his face"

"He's not that good-looking" I tried to break them from the ridiculous fantasies but also surprised myself with the ignited flare of jealousy.

My words only brought another commentator. "Even I think that man is hot" Frankie a.k.a Silver, said and fell back onto the wall. "In a dangerous, kinky kind of way" she added with a smirk while slipping out of her studded leather jacket. Her tattoos were now in show but she adorned each one with pride. Just like the nose ring and the ear piercings that she got when she was thirteen.

Frankie was my roommate and she was the first person I had met when moving to Seattle. At first, I had been naive, wondering how working part-time at the coffee shop would pay for the grand loft but she taught me well enough pretty soon.

She was all sass an straight to the point which was sometimes unnerving. Like the time when we were watching a movie and she kissed me. When I pulled away she stated her sexuality like it was obvious.

Sadly (for her), she ended up being very disappointed when I told her that I was straight and narrow. That didn't stop her from lip-locking when we were both drunk or high.

The girl was relentless but I loved her.

"You wanna switch teams?" I challenged her comment on Damon's hot factor.

"For him - Hell Yeah!" she replied.

She was fierce.

At least that's what she led you to believe but after listening to her muffle her sobs, after nightmares of finding her lifeless mother float along the Yakima River, you learn that no one is truly unbreakable.

"Well you can have him" I answered, slipping out of my chair and walking towards my locker.

Frankie was quick to follow after me. "Why? You guys seemed to be getting hot and heavy" she winked at me and I rolled my eyes. "The guy clearly had the hots for you"

Taking a second to stall, I reached into the locker to get my baggy sweater which I quickly put on, all under Frankie's penetrating stare.

"He's-"

I cut off by the idea of telling her the truth. Frankie and the others had gotten used to this job. They loved the control, teasing and security because it was all fun and games. We were never forced to do anything we wanted to. This was why if I told them what he said, they would all simply ask, 'So what?'

Truth be told, I ended up liking it too...so why was I so angry at him for offering to treat me like a prostitute?

"He's just not my type" I finalised and shut the locker door.

"Well we both know he's definitely not my type but I'd still go near his D" she retorted, following after me as I

"Let it go" I pleaded but it came out as an enraged hiss

Thankfully, Frankie respected privacy, well if you didn't count the days she'd deliberately walk into the bathroom when I'm showering. Apart from that, she was always good with that department. "Fine" she let it go and tried to distract me. "Shots tonight?" she offered, knowing fully well that I would need it.

Before I could offer a response, my stage name was called by a hoarse and slightly slurred yet all too familiar voice. "Belle"

I looked up and met his lazy gaze. His long wavy honeyed locks fell over his eyes as he poked his head into the doorway. As always he had a lit cigarette between his lips. "Uh, hey Derrick" I waved casually and non-committally.

Sure my manager was hot but he gave me the creeps.

"Hey D" Robyn and Brandy cooed ad just like that Mr. Mysterious was forgotten - at least for a while.

"How you doing Derrick?" Robyn approached him and he tried to grin at her but it faltered and appeared as a grimace.

Yep, I knew it - they fucked.

Robyn should know that it didn't mean anything. He'd fucked us all - with the exception of Frankie.

"I'm doing great" he answered and disentangled himself from her wandering hands. "You ladies were amazing" he added and then locked his eyes onto mine once again.

"Thank you" again Brandy and Robyn said simultaneously.

"Go fuck yourself" Frankie muttered under her breath so only I could have heard.

It was no secret that she despised Derrick with a passion. She even had a dart-board with his face on it. Every time I questioned her hatred, she feebly replied - 'The guy is a douche, thinking he's on some kind of high horse'.

"I think you've all earned a weekend" Derrick added and then opened the door. "Okay lovely ladies, get outta here" he ordered but with his usual gentled tone. "I gotta talk to Belle" he explained and met my wandering eyes once again.

I looked away, hating that he insisted on calling me by my stage name

Frankie eyed us both and sent me a warning in her expression to which I simply nodded.

As that seemed to sufficient enough, she stood up and the other girls hesitantly followed.

Once they were out of ear-shot, he swung the door closed and came towards me. His attention now focused on his back pocket but occasionally he would sneak glances at me.

"What's up?" I swung around in the chair to find him taking a seat on the plush sofa.

He pulled out his treasure, showing me the small crumpled tissue paper in his hand. "Thought you might want a hit" he offered.

I thought about refusing and going down to get shots instead but decided that I needed something stronger - something that would make me forget.

Not just tonight but everything previous...

...I wanted to be stone-cold out every night, otherwise the nightmares would return and I'd be weak.

"What you got?" I relented and fell back onto the sofa with him.

He smiled and then pulled a pill "E"

"Sure" I reached for it but he placed it between his lips and clamped his mouth shut, a silent challenge set in place.

I mentally shrugged before grabbing the back of his head and playing along. My lips moulded onto his and when my tongue licked his bottom lip, he parted, permitting entrance.

I explored his mouth until my tongue found the pill. Expertly using my make-out skills, I used only my tongue to roll it into my mouth before swallowing it down.

"Thanks" I replied after watching him take his pill.

When I withdrew for him and walked across the room for my bag, I felt his shuffling feet before he called out. "So any plans for the weekend?"

I stood up and grabbed my duffel-bag from the floor beside my set-up. "Not really. Might hit Violet" I replied and continued to pack the rest of my things - phone...purse...swiss knife... "What about you?" I asked and then paused to peer at him. "You going to leave Elle another embarrassing drunken voicemail?" I asked, remembering the lovely but naive woman who gaped at us when realising what profession her lover did.

"No" he groaned and threw his head back in frustration. Then he brought himself back up to look at me. "I think I'm done with her" he sighed.

"Good for you" I answered and turned back around. I was prepared to leave but Jack Daniels, my siren, was sat on Frankie's set up. No way was I going to leave him here to stew over the very long weekend.

My fingers wrapped around the cool glass and then nestled it under my arm as I turned to excuse myself. "Have a good weekend"

"Why don't you stay?" he stood up from the seat and was by my side. His rough hands sliding down my neck and then slipping under the sweater to my collarbone.

Suddenly, his feature touch was somehow enough to have me stumbling back. "Woah, this E is different, huh?" I moaned when I was hit with another wave of dizziness.

My stomach churned and I felt myself growing hot. "Wh-"

I don't know where he came from but he was now pressed up onto me and what I could only assume was his finger, was then placed onto my lips. "Shhh..." he cooed and I tried to blink but my eyelids had grown heavy, my muscles immobilised.

"I...Frannnrrrkkiiee...go" I slurred, feeling myself fall as my vision was veiled with cloudy fuzziness. Blurred images assaulting me and a looming shadow before me so I tried to blink again and refocus my gaze.

Gleaming grey eyes.

"D...ee r..nrrrk" my feeble attempts were useless and I could only count of my sense of feel. I tried to force feeling back to my legs and my arms so I could push the heavy weight holding me close.

"Come back to my office" a slick whispered against my ear. "We should ride out this moment together"

"Nnnrrrghgghh...tiiiree m" I tried again and reached up to wipe a sheen of sweat clamming my forehead.

"Don't worry" the voice called out again in a somewhat echo that ran through my ears, seeped through my skin and made goosebumps appear. At the same time, I could feel my limps uncoiling as their last fight dissipated when I heard his last words. "I've got you"

-XxxxxX-

DPOV

After the last light had gone out, the club was being closed and we were all escorted out by the bodyguards that were meant to intimidate us.

Now that I was outside, I just leaned on the brick wall and waited for her to come out.

I wanted to see if her claws would come out again and she would take a swipe at me. Or watch as her pearly complexion would flush with a fierce emotion which hardened her chocolate eyes.

"Mr. Mysterious"

As I was cocky, I whipped my head up, assuming that the call was for me and thankfully it was.

It was by a tall girl with long black hair and arms decorated with various tattoos. Under the moonlight, I smirked at the one of a couple in a compromising position.

I then wondered as to whether Isabella had a tattoo...

The girl's clacking of her thigh high boots revolved me back into reality and when she came closer, I remembered seeing her dance. It wasn't bad.

"Why Mr. Mysterious?" I quirked.

"Inside joke" she smirked and confidently strode up to me. "I was gonna give her a ride but she had some loose ends to tie up" she said and I wondered how she knew I was waiting for Belle. "I'm sure she won't be long" she added.

"Who are we talking about?" I asked, trying to keep a serene air.

"I'm not stupid" the girl scoffed. "I saw you break someone's arm for her. If that's not the beginning of a love story, I don't know what is" she reminded me cooly and I almost choked at the word 'love'. "Why don't you start by giving her a ride?" she patted my chest and began to walk away.

"You don't even know me" I called back to her, making her stop and spin back around. "For all you know, I could be a serial killer" I smirked at my own inside joke.

"Then she'll die with a smile" the girl retorted with a snort. She then walked up to me and flipped out a Swiss Army knife. "Also, I know you wouldn't be stupid to fuck around with my girl" she threatened, pressing the cold blade to my throat.

My features hardened as my hunger intensified, triggered by my anger but I fought it back.

All in due time.

Plus, I didn't want her.

"I'll be seeing you" she said before finally leaving.

If I was human, I'm sure her petty theatrics would have worked on me.

I heard a car door slam before hearing a soft purr of an engine as it sped into the distance.

Once again, I was alone and the night air was cold and silent.

It sucks that I'm not feeling very patient so without a second thought, I moved from the wall and walked back inside.

Fortunately, the door was still opened and the guy at the booth wasn't there - not that he could stop me but it did lessen chances of collateral damage.

In fact, there didn't seem to be anyone in the club anymore.

I pulled myself up on stage and smirked at the poles before walking behind the curtain.

Backstage was also deserted.

Only things I could see were racks of different skimpy costumes and scattered shoes. There was also a box filled with records and headphones placed on top.

On the left, my gaze caught onto the steel spiral staircase but I broke the stare and planned on just leaving.

That was until I heard the gruff and lazy gasp of a male. "Oh Belle!"

I waited to hear her pleasured response but was only met with an ominous silence.

Something didn't seem right.

I acted on instinct and raced up the steps, following the sounds of skin brushing skin and the shuffling of clothes.

When bursting through the door, I took in the dressing room and my searching gaze grew murderous when landing on the couch at the end.

There was a man on top of the fragile form that was Belle. She didn't seem to be fighting back and I would've left but didn't when I caught that her body was lifeless. Her limbs sprawled out but her eyelids hung heavy as her head was lolled upwards.

Her sweater was discarded on the ground and her ripped tights were even more torn.

Rage.

It was quick to consume me and have my nerves wired up, ready to attack and rip the man into pieces. It reminded me of the days I used to hunt criminals - rapists mostly.

When acting upon it my fingers whipped out, grabbing his collar and flinging his body away from him.

I didn't check on him but I was content with the loud thud followed by a muffled groan.

My attention was then solely focused on the girl that was now in her own world. Her lips were parted as she drew in sharp breaths, mkaing her chest fall and rise rapidly.

Seeing her like this, only made her seem more vulnerable.

"Hey" I rushed over by her side, careful to not sit on her. My hands then found her warm cheek as I patted her soft skin. "Open your eyes for me" I peered at her, waiting for a response.

"Mmmff...nnnnrrrrggggggghhhh" was all she could manage.

I reached down her collarbone, resting my hand over her heartbeat and cursing under my breath at how fast it pounded. Even her blood smelt different. It's sweet aroma tainting with a disgusting chemical.

I needed to get her out of here.

With that decided, I slipped my hand under her knees and brought her up to my chest, cradling her tightly onto me. "I got you" I vowed when she groaned.

Her head limply fell back causing her messy tresses to roll down.

As we headed towards the door, I glanced at the bastard by the door. Thankfully he was still not moving, crumpled in the corner with no sound or movement.

Either unconscious or dead.

I didn't really fucking care.

A/N: First of all, I am in no way supporting drugs. This chapter clearly shows the horrible effects of it.

Secondly, how did I do? Love any of my own characters? Hate for Derrick? Love for our dark knight in shining armour?

Who wants to be carried by Mr. Salvatore?