Page 4 of Hiding Desire

Two girls behind her shook their heads.

“She’s part Mexican, you dipshit,” Michelle said, glaring at Kelsie.

“Suuure.” Kelsie dragged out the word and walked away, the bunny tail on her Playboy outfit bobbling with the sway of her hips.

“Don’t listen to her. She’s jealous you’ll get more tips and room requests tonight.” Michelle added the final transfers to the backs of my legs.

I pulled on a colourful wrap that covered me until it was time to remove it. It was a risk to leave the bone transfers across my nipples tonight. We didn’t have to go topless, but it was better for tips that way. Some crowds were better with teases than others.

“Staff meeting in five.” One of the security guards shouted through the door.

A chorus of groans went up, and several girls looked nervous. Some of them were here on short trips from Europe to make money before going home again. They were at higher risk than others because their contracts were often terminated first in this kind of takeover.

Nausea fluttered in my belly as I swapped my smaller heels for towering wedge heels. I’d splashed out on a new pair that was also glow-in-the-dark to match my bones. The rhinestones itched across my top lip, probably from nervous sweat.

We all trekked into the main room, which always looked strange with the lights on and no patrons. Everyone found seats at the permanently sticky tables. A short woman with a shaved head and tattoos snaking up her arms appeared on the main stage.

“Thank you all for coming. I am Kia, the new consulting manager.”

Shifting in my seat, I wondered what a consulting manager was.

“As many of you know, the club has changed ownership. Mystique Mirage is now part of the O’Sullivan Group. I will oversee the transition and train your manager on our expectations.”

Many girls fidgeted as unease ran through the room.

“Many of you are nervous, but this change represents progress. Will you have to prove your worth to the club? Yes. The O’Sullivan Group runs a tight ship. But I’m a fair judge, and I’ve overseen over thirty of these types of transfers. It doesn’t have to mean bad things.” Her confident voice carried.

“I didn’t know the mafia had a standard for titty shaking.” Kelsie snorted loudly, and her words froze me.

My pulse sped up. Had I heard her right? Had an organised crime gang bought us? Adrenaline spiked through me, and my hands sweated. Surely not.

Kia’s eyes zeroed in on Kelsie, who squirmed under her gaze. “This week, each of you will have an individual assessment. I will place a list on the notice board.”

I blew out a breath, trying to control my panic and chastising myself for listening to anything that girl said. Kelsie was prone to exaggeration, and I hoped she would be the first one subjected to that inspection.

You don’t always need to be paranoid.

“Before I leave you to finish getting ready, I’d like you to introduce yourselves and give us a fact about yourself.”

Oh no. I hated having to speak in front of groups. Despite stripping my clothes off most nights, I wasn’t an extroverted person. This was where I usually pretended not to speak English very well. However, that could affect my chances of staying. It was a dilemma. I spoke English perfectly well; I was born here and legally British. My Spanish was very rusty, with hardly anyone left to communicate with.

The new boss pointed to a girl just as her phone rang. She apologised and took the call.

“Tonight? Okay, yes. I’ve not started at the location yet but of course.” She cut the call. “My apologies. This will have to wait. I expect you to be on your best behaviour tonight. Impress me and my team. Now, everyone up. Show me your outfits.”

We all stood, and I was relieved to be spared the awkward introductions. She motioned us forward, and we lined up like preschoolers for inspection. After several moments of glancing down the line, she asked us to remove our layers. My wrap was silky, and I let it slip off my shoulders.

“Does that glow in the dark?” Kia asked, and I jolted, realising she was talking to me.

I nodded.

“I want you on the floor for the first two shifts, then on the main stage at ten.”

The new boss was giving me prime spots. My outfit worked! I did an internal fist pump. If I impressed her, my tuition would be safe until graduation.

Kia gave out everyone else’s directions. We usually had a rolling rota, but I had worked at places where management chose who went on the main stage based on ability or favouritism. It could get quite ugly. A good slot could guarantee a night with room requests and high tips, especially on a night like this. Unfortunately, it also painted a target on my back.

Kelsie bumped my shoulder on the way back to the changing rooms. “Fucking teacher’s pet.”

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