Page 98 of My Temptation

Breathing heavily, I started toward the closed door, but remembering my audience, I gave Nick an update. “He’s down. I’m going to take care of the rest of these fuckers, and then we’re coming out.”

30

MILA

The door to the changing room banged open while I was adjusting the straps of the sparkly bra I’d just put on. Considering it was the only costume hanging on the rack, I assumed it was for me to wear. After I spotted the small camera hanging in the corner of the room, I was careful to keep my back to the corner as I changed. I’d already placed the small device on the inside of the waistband of the skirt, sending a small thank you to the universe that my costume was as black as the device itself.

“Sorry,” a girl mumbled when she pushed through the door. “I didn’t know anyone was in here.”

Smiling, I made my way toward the girl, silently cursing Samson when I got close enough to see how young she looked beneath the makeup. I held out my hand for her to shake. “I’m April.”

She slid her shaking hand into mine. “Sarah.”

I gave it a gentle squeeze before dropping it. “Are you a dancer?”

“Umm…” She blinked slowly and stumbled toward the couch along the back wall. “I guess.”

I walked toward the couch and kept my back to the corner, hoping I was blocking the camera’s view of Sarah.

“How old are you, Sarah?” I whispered.

“Eighteen,” she answered immediately, but she only stared at the ground.

“Look at me, please,” I instructed softly and waited for her eyes to slowly lift and meet mine. “How old are you?”

She swallowed hard and lowered her voice to the volume I was using. “Sixteen.”

Anger shot through me when she confirmed what I feared. Nodding, I lowered my voice even further. “I’m going to make sure you get out of here.”

“I can’t leave,” she answered sadly. “I owe them money, so I have to do this.”

“For drugs?” I asked.

“I didn’t know.” She rubbed her hand over her forehead. “When I came here.”

She wasn’t making much sense, and I could only attribute that to the fact that she was so fucking high. Although it did appear she was coming down fast, considering her hands shook pretty badly.

“Sarah,” I whispered a little louder when she dropped her eyes. I waited for hers to meet mine again before I spoke. “You wait here. I’m coming back for you.”

She looked confused, but when someone knocked on the door, she crawled to the corner of the couch and pulled her knees up to her chest.

I thought I was angry before, but I had no idea. Not if this was what real anger felt like.

“Boss is ready for you,” someone called through the closed door.

“Coming,” I called out but then looked at Sarah and gentled my tone. “Don’t leave this room for any reason, okay?” I waited for her to nod. “I promise I’m coming back for you.”

Reaching down, I squeezed her hand and then made my way to the door, forcing Sarah out of my mind for now. I had a job to do, and I had to do it right so I could do exactly what I promised her.

I opened the door to a man I didn’t recognize and one who didn’t speak, only jerked his head to the right. I stepped into the hallway, closed the door behind me, and fell in step beside him.

I’d barely stepped foot into a bigger room before a man dressed in a three-piece suit pushed out of a chair at a small round table and started toward me. At the same time, from my periphery, I watched a large bodyguard lead Ethan into a room, and when he turned to close the door, Ethan glanced my way, but I didn’t make eye contact. I couldn’t. I was afraid it would give away too much. My hope was that he was going into that room because that was the deal we made with Samson, but I was worried something happened while I was in the dressing room.

“She’s more beautiful up close than in the pictures.”

I focused on the man now standing in front of me, and a chill ran over my skin. This guy reeked of money with his attitude and expensive suit, all the way down to his shoes. He wasn’t a regular strip club patron. This guy was a high roller, and he expected a big payout.

Walking behind me, Samson ran his finger along my shoulders until he came to stand to my left. “I deliver what I promise.”

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