Strip Search

By Morticia Knight

Book seven in the Sin City Uniforms series - a newly expanded and edited version!

Stripping used to be fun...

A successful career as an aerialist is all Dakota has ever dreamed of, but his job as a dancer at Glitter Boys is what pays the bills. However, the owner of the hottest male strip club in Vegas lusts after Dakota and will stop at nothing to possess him. Then, Dakota's thirteen-year-old brother runs away from home to escape their abusive father, and he becomes determined to rescue him from the danger of the streets.

Patrol officer Reed hasn't been attracted to a man in a very long time, but when he's called to an assault in progress at the LGBTQ teen shelter, a young stranger changes everything. Reed fights the instant spark of attraction, certain that nothing will happen between them. Yet, when he stumbles across that same man during another call, he wonders if fate has already set their future in motion.

Destiny is one thing, but the stark reality of daily life is another. Between Dakota's scary ex-boss who can't take no for an answer, fighting for guardianship of his brother and wondering how they'll survive—Dakota isn't sure he and Reed stand a chance. Not only that, but Reed has never had sex with a man. If Reed can't be there for him and his brother as a family, then Dakota fears he has no choice but to say goodbye.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Apr 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781839430251

Morticia Knight

Morticia Knight spends most of her nights writing about men loving men forever after. If there happens to be some friendly bondage or floggings involved, she doesn’t begrudge her characters whatever their filthy little heart’s desire. Even though she’s been crafting her naughty tales for more years than she’d like to share – her adventures as a published author began in 2011. Once upon a time she was the lead singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She currently resides on the northern Oregon coast and when she’s not fantasizing about hot men she takes walks along the ocean and annoys the local Karaoke bar patrons.

Book preview

Author

Pride Publishing books by Morticia Knight

Single Books

A Spirit of Love

Rocked Hard

Biking Bad

Kiss of Leather

Building Bonds

Safe Limits

Bondage Rescue

Grand Opening

Gaining Trust

Cutting Cords

Facing Fears

Switching Places

Kink Aware

Soul Match

Slave for Two

Cherished by Two

Hiding from Two

Surrendering for Two

Fighting for All

Sin City Uniforms

All Fired Up

Copping an Attitude

Justice Prevails

Held Hostage

Negotiating Love

Searching for Shelter

Strip Search

Clandestine Classics

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

The Fall of the House of Usher

Anthologies

All Together Now: The Perfect Third

Racing Hearts: Racing for Home

His Rules: Strict Consequences

Sin City Uniforms

STRIP SEARCH

MORTICIA KNIGHT

Strip Search

ISBN # 978-1-83943-025-1

©Copyright Morticia Knight 2020

Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright April 2020

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2020 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Book seven in the

Sin City Uniforms series

Stripping used to be fun…

A successful career as an aerialist is all Dakota has ever dreamed of, but his job as a dancer at Glitter Boys is what pays the bills. However, the owner of the hottest male strip club in Vegas lusts after Dakota and will stop at nothing to possess him. Then Dakota’s thirteen-year-old brother runs away from home to escape their abusive father, and he becomes determined to rescue him from the danger of the streets.

Patrol officer Reed hasn’t been attracted to a man in a very long time, but when he’s called to an assault in progress at the LGBTQ teen shelter, a young stranger changes everything. Reed fights the instant spark of attraction, certain that nothing will happen between them. Yet when he stumbles across that same man during another call, he wonders if fate has already set their future in motion.

Destiny is one thing, but the stark reality of daily life is another. Between Dakota’s scary ex-boss who can’t take no for an answer, fighting for guardianship of his brother and wondering how they’ll survive, Dakota isn’t sure he and Reed stand a chance. Not only that, but Reed has never had sex with a man. If Reed can’t be there for him and his brother as a family, then Dakota fears he has no choice but to say goodbye.

Dedication

Thank you for the title, Laurie P—you helped inspire me to bring Dakota and Reed to life!

Trademark Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Nosferatu: Film Arts Guild

Ziggy Stardust: David Bowie

The Lord of the Rings: J.R.R. Tolkien

Armani: Giorgio Arman S.p.A

Kevlar: DuPont

He-Man: Mattel, Inc.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: 20th Century Fox

Oreos: Nabisco

Lycra: Invista

The Venetian: Las Vegas Sands Corporation

Lincoln: Ford Motor Company

Cirque du Soleil: Cirque du Soleil

Honda Civic: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Boy Scouts: Boy Scouts of America

Scrabble: Hasbro, Inc.

The Outsiders: S.E. Hinton

Amazon Prime: Amazon.com, Inc.

Disneyland: The Walt Disney Company

Cheshire Cat: Lewis Carroll

The Mirage: MGM Resorts International

Oscars: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

YouTube: Google, Inc.

Google: Google, Inc.

Chapter One

Dakota, you’re up next. Jasper called in.

Ted, the crusty old stage manager and maintenance guy at Glitter Boys, stood at Dakota’s dressing room door, idly scratching his crotch while smacking his gum. Dakota averted his gaze so Ted wouldn’t catch him making a face of disgust. Ted loved to burst into the room unannounced when Dakota was changing, and also had the disturbing habit of suddenly appearing from the shadows backstage. It was like working with Nosferatu.

Dakota fussed with a purple rhinestone-studded G-string that he’d just dug out of his dance bag. I just got here. I haven’t even done my makeup yet.

You want me to go tell Yuri that?

Anger built under his skin. He didn’t mind dancing at a strip club—loved it, actually—but the people who owned and ran Glitter Boys were the true definition of lowlifes. Dakota and all the talent at the club were treated like whores who didn’t matter to anyone unless they brought in bundles of cash. It made an otherwise beautiful and showy strip club a nightmare to work in.

Few more good months, then I’ll have enough saved up for pro aerial dance classes. Then I can get away from these psychos.

Well? You going out there or what?

Dakota pressed his lips together. Yuri would be furious no matter what he did. If he wasn’t fully glammed out, he’d yell. If Dakota told Ted no and didn’t go on stage, he’d yell. Dakota picked not going on stage. He hated it when he didn’t look his best.

Nope. No makeup. No dancing. Dakota finally lifted his gaze. And I don’t care what you say to Yuri.

Heart pounding, Dakota hurriedly turned away—mindful to keep his head down so Ted couldn’t read his anxious expression in the mirror. Yuri and the other goons in charge weren’t much different from feral animals. He couldn’t show fear, or they’d attack.

Ted inched his way into the room. The stench of his putrid, booze-enhanced sweat encroached and grew stronger. Ted touched his shoulder and Dakota shrank away, grateful that he still hadn’t removed his Ziggy Stardust tee. Skin to skin with Ted, no matter how minimal, was the last thing he ever wanted to experience.

Add Yuri to that.

His stomach lurched. He shouldn’t have had the French fries on the way over, but a drive-thru snack was all he’d had time for. He hadn’t eaten all day and there was at least a six-hour shift ahead of him. He figured he’d have plenty of time to work off the grease.

Now, don’t be that way, baby. I’ve told you before, if you’re extra nice to me, Yuri don’t have to know shit.

The door slammed against the wall. Yuri yanked Ted away by the collar of his shirt, then backhanded him. Ted stumbled wildly before falling over one of the folding chairs that littered the room. He cried out as he crashed to the floor.

You have lots of fucking nerve, piece of shit!

Rage contorted Yuri’s face, his skin flushed red as he jabbed his finger down at Ted, who lay in a heap of tangled chairs, feather boas and a riding crop or two. His Russian accent always made his words seem so much more menacing. The shouting also added to the genuine terror Dakota felt whenever Yuri dissolved into one of his fits.

Ted whimpered, holding his arms over his face as if he expected Yuri to strike again. Dakota agreed with Ted’s assessment. The probability was high that Yuri would continue manhandling and beating the hapless manager. Thankfully, Dakota was safe from the punches. It wouldn’t do to damage the merchandise.

Dakota gasped when Sauron’s eyes flashed over to him. Yuri was the ultimate doppelganger for the dark lord of Middle Earth. It was in everyone’s best interest to slink by and not draw his gaze.

"And you. Why not getting ready? Yuri grabbed the G-string Dakota still clutched in his hand. You’ve worn this how many times? Huh? Yuri hurled it into the trash can next to the vanity. He got right into Dakota’s face, glaring. He pinched Dakota’s chin between his thumb and forefinger. This isn’t cheap place! Customer expect hot guy, but also sexy, exciting costume. Not always same shit."

He let go of Dakota by shoving him away. Dakota grasped the edge of the dressing table to keep from following Ted’s path to the carpet. Yuri returned his attention to Ted, who was attempting to disentangle himself as well as rise to his feet again. The sound of applause and the DJ announcing that Jasper was up next threw Yuri into another fit.

"God damn it! Yuri shoved Ted again. Go out there. Quick. Tell Noah two more numbers before he’s done."

Shit. I didn’t know it was Noah on stage. Dakota always snuck in the back way. It helped to prevent the pre on-the-clock groping.

Just one song, Yuri. I can—

"Shut the fuck up!"

Yuri lunged at him as if he’d strike. Even though Dakota knew it probably wouldn’t happen, he still flinched. He prayed he’d have enough money saved up to get out of Glitter Boys soon. He was sure that Yuri would eventually make good on his implied physical threats.

Ted had already scampered away to do Yuri’s bidding, which left him alone to face the club owner by himself. Yuri regarded him, let his gaze rake Dakota’s body clad in the tight T-shirt and skinny jeans. If Yuri wasn’t such a detestable human being, he’d be quite a stunning man. Almost ethereally handsome, he had the appearance of a deadly angel with white-blond hair and cruel blue eyes. Even though he was clad in an Armani suit, it was easy to discern his strong and muscular physique. He could snap Dakota in half.

Hurry up. Yuri’s voice had dropped in volume, which chilled Dakota even more than the yelling had. Ten lap dances minimum tonight, understand?

But—

"Understand?" Yuri gritted out.

Yes, Yuri. I understand.

And we talk before you leave. No sneaky stuff like other night. I turn around—Yuri shrugged—Dakota’s disappeared. Yuri leaned in. "Like he doesn’t want to speak to me. Me. The man who’s given him everything."

Yeah. Right.

Now I give you much more. We talk later.

Sure, Yuri. He fought to keep his voice light, to keep it from shaking. We’ll talk later.

Yuri seized a fistful of Dakota’s honey-blond hair then smashed their lips together, forcing his tongue into Dakota’s mouth, stealing a furious kiss. Dakota pressed his palms against Yuri’s hard chest, desperately trying to keep him from getting any closer as he struggled in Yuri’s grasp.

As soon as Yuri let go, he gulped in air, but forced himself not to enrage him by either gagging or swiping at his own mouth in revulsion.

Yuri burst out with a big, bellowing laugh, pointing at Dakota as he did. "Look at you! So offended. My pretty stripper boy, shows his cock and ass to all strange men who visit club, grinds in their laps, but a simple kiss? So shocking. Yuri leaned over, then grabbed his genitals. Dakota cried out as he squeezed. Get this hard before you go on stage," Yuri growled.

He straightened, then adjusted his expensive suit coat and fiddled with his cufflinks and tie until he had himself back in perfect order. You need help with that before you dance?

The way Yuri had asked had almost been pleasant, as if he was genuinely concerned about Dakota’s wellbeing.

No. Thanks. I have a cock ring I can use.

I can assist with that too.

Thanks anyway. I-I’m fine.

Yuri shrugged again. You make life too hard when I can make so easy. Yuri quirked an eyebrow. We talk later.

As soon as Yuri sauntered out of the room then made his way down the hall, Dakota shot to his feet. Even as he closed the door and stuck a chair under the knob, he knew he was behaving irrationally. It wasn’t his private dressing area, and Noah would need to get in momentarily. Beyond that, if Yuri wanted back in, a chair wouldn’t stop him.

Yuri always gets what he wants.

But Yuri sought more from him than he’d ever be willing to give. Yuri intended to make him a star, but not at Glitter Boys. Dakota knew exactly why Yuri had insisted they speak later. Yuri was going to try to convince him one more time to be the star of the hardcore porn flicks he’d begun producing.

* * * *

"Fuck!"

Reed slammed on the brakes of the police cruiser, the rear of the vehicle fishtailing before the car abruptly stopped with a jerk. He’d narrowly missed a small child—he guessed the little girl was about two or three—who’d run right into traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard. He shot from the cruiser, heart slamming in his chest, desperate to grab her before she ran in front of any other cars.

Carlos! Direct the traffic away!

The brief glance toward his partner told him Carlos was already on it. Brakes squealed around them as Reed sprinted after the toddler. He’d never understood how tiny kids could run so damn fast. His stomach lurched at the sight of a huge delivery truck barreling down on the young girl.

Reed strained his body forward, lunging for her. He nabbed her then rolled, the movements almost simultaneous. She screamed and cried in his arms. He could only imagine how frightened she must be. Sirens drew near, the shrill noise growing louder as they approached. A cursory check seemed to verify that he hadn’t done any damage to her when he’d tackled her so roughly.

Are you okay, sweetie?

He kept his voice low, but held her tightly. His appearance intimidated adults, let alone small children. She gazed up at him with wary eyes, nodding her head slowly.

I want Mommy. She hiccupped a small sob.

Reed glanced around. Chaos and groups of onlookers surrounded him. But no one cried out for their child.

Okay. Let’s see if we can find out where she is.

He rolled to his side, the toddler still clutched in one arm, then pushed himself up with his free hand. Right as he straightened, Jamal and his partner from Station 32 trotted over with a stretcher and jump kit. An engine from the same station was nearby and an additional cruiser had arrived on the scene. Carlos appeared to be bringing the sergeant up to date.

After placing the little girl on the stretcher with instructions for Jamal to stay put, Reed jogged over to Carlos and Sergeant Franklin.

Anyone know where the mother is?

Both Carlos and Franklin regarded him, but the sergeant answered. Not that we know of. But see if you can get anything out of the kid, Armstrong. She might talk to you since you saved her. Gomez, you tackle these people. He made a sweeping gesture with his hand. See what they can add. He grunted. If anything.

Franklin was close to retirement and it was clear as to why. He’d become burned out by too many years of insanity on the Strip. Reed doubted that a child her age could comprehend that Reed had helped her. More than anything, she’d likely believe that the big, scary guy had simply attacked her. But he did hope that she could at least give some indication as to where she’d run from and why.

When he returned to Jamal and his partner, they were doing a routine check on her. While his cohort cleaned and bandaged a scrape on her arm, Jamal valiantly attempted to listen to her heart. She seemed fascinated by the stethoscope and kept giggling and grabbing for it. Reed smirked at the scene. He guessed Jamal was in his early twenties and probably wasn’t used to being around kids. His throat tightened as thoughts of Kelli at that age swirled through his mind. He’d loved that stage in her life.

"Hey, sweetie. Are these men taking good