Don't Be Nervous

The club was starting to liven up now, music blasting, lights flashing, and people flowing in through the doors. A strong smell of cigarettes and alcohol wafted through the air, and a hum went through me from the bass of the music. Kevin told all of the girls where their stages were, and they all politely waved as they made their way out.

“Where do you want me?” I asked, since I hadn’t yet been given a stage.

“You, my dear Violence, have been requested in the VIP area by Luciano.”

“The VIP? Isn’t that usually reserved for the most experienced girls? I’ve only worked with Stacy for a couple of months, and I mean, I know what I’m doing, but I’m sure one of the other girls here would be much better suited to your VIP customers.”

“Whoa, slow down there, I can practically see your head spinning. Stacy already told us about your experience, but she also said you’re an absolute wonder on stage, like you were born to be there. I’m sure Luciano just wants to get to know his newest girl. Come on, I’m sure you’ll do great. Plus, the customers up there give the best tips,” he said with a wink, holding out his arm to escort me to the top floor.

I could use the tips. The two sugar packets I’d had in the last 24 hours weren’t doing me much good, and eventually, I’d need money for food and a backup plan. If there’s anything I’ve learned over the last five years, it’s to always have a backup plan. In the beginning, it was things like another park or bench to sleep on, scraps of food saved, or a mental map of the bus routes and towns. But since Stacy gave me the job in the last city and I’ve had a taste of having a nice-ish place to sleep, I’m thinking a little bigger. I’d like to have enough money set aside for when I move again, to get another apartment, clothes, toiletries, food... you know, the basics.

The stairs leading to the VIP section had a security guard at the bottom. He unclipped the rope and nodded for us to proceed up. I noticed the change in atmosphere almost immediately. The main floor was packed now, bright, energetic, chaotic. The flashing lights and rowdy customers would’ve probably given me a headache pretty quickly. But the top floor... it was closed off from the rest of the club.

Kevin showed me the pin to the door at the top of the staircase, and when he opened it, it felt like stepping into a completely different world. The music wasn’t as loud, still prominent, but you wouldn’t have to yell over it. The lighting was dim but steady, and the decor was dark wood, black, with hints of gold and red.

I stood beside Kevin, scanning the room, eyes settling on the stage at the back. It was large enough that I wouldn’t have to rely on the pole the whole time like I did at Thrive. This one had enough space that I could dance around it comfortably. True to the theme, it had a golden pole, red lighting, and dark wood making up the stage. I took a step toward it, ready to shut out the world and lose myself in the music with the promise of easy cash, but Kevin placed his hand atop mine before I could let go of his arm. I gave him what I hoped was a polite, questioning look, and he leaned in to whisper in my ear.

“The boss wanted to meet you before you get started. Don’t be nervous.”

Yes, because that’s exactly what I needed, not to be nervous, I thought, as my eyes snapped to the table to the right of the stage where Kevin was now leading us. Six large, well-dressed, dangerous-looking men sat at the booth, all their eyes on me as we approached. I was suddenly very thankful for the grip I had on Kevin’s arm, because I was pretty sure my stomach was about to fall out of my ass at the sight of the man sitting at the end of the booth. He had jet-black hair, shorter on the sides and slightly longer on top. Tattoos covered his hands and neck, I was sure they went beneath his expensive-looking suit too. I had no idea how that suit wasn’t tearing at the seams, the way it stretched across his massive arms and thighs. Gold rings decorated his fingers, which were tapping mindlessly on a glass I was certain held whiskey. He looked like he drank whiskey. Everything about him screamed Alpha male. He was dangerous and my stupid vagina didn’t seem to understand that, because it instantly heated as I finished scanning his Greek-god-level body and met his obsidian eyes.

Nope. Don’t do that. I quickly averted my eyes and met a pair of piercing blue ones, like mine. The man sitting next to him was just as tall, maybe a bit leaner, with tousled blonde hair and a boyish smile that actually made me feel a bit more at ease.

I scanned the rest of the group and I swear there must be something in the damn water. Why were they all so massive? How the hell did Stacy grow up around these guys and not get pregnant? My ovaries were currently screaming at me to reproduce.

“Kevin,” the man at the end said, his eyes flicking from mine to the male I’d forgotten I was still clinging to.

“Mr. Donatello, let me introduce you to your newest girl. This beauty here is Violence.”

He looked me up and down and smiled wickedly. His obsidian eyes stared straight into my soul.