Page 32 of Tainted

Rajah waved off my statement.

“Syd isn’t a bad friend to have. Her family has money and connections. I’m just saying,” Rajah shrugged.

“How did you know?”

“I saw her talking to Megan. Paid her a pretty penny for your time, too.”

I didn’t know what to make of Sydney’s obsession, so I bit the bullet and asked the only person I could.

“You ever been with them before?”

“I know a few who have. The money is good, and ain’t too many giving up an opportunity to fuck with Keyes.”

“He’s that big of a deal around here, huh?”

“He’s fine and has money. That’s all most of them care about.”

“I’ll leave that for someone else. I need to get changed.”

Rajah nodded, and I dipped into the bathroom to swap outfits. Keeping the purple theme of the night alive, I dressed in a sequin purple fringe halter two-piece. The moment the DJ's voice filled the air, announcing my name, a switch flipped inside.

When I stepped on stage, the world fell away. It was just me, the pole, and Kenyon's gaze, which was locked on me. I had grown comfortable on stage, but whenever he watched me with those dark, piercing eyes, it made me nervous.

We were back playing the game from his birthday party as if we were in our private world. Kenyon's silent approval propelled me into my final move. Basking in my applause, I stood momentarily, and Kenyon could finally move again, bringing the glass to his lips. Then Sydney came crashing into his side, ruining the visual.

Trindon gently grabbed my hand as I came off stage. “Goddamn baby, you trying to take over Utopia, ain’t you?”

“I’d be flattered if you didn’t say that to everybody.”

“You know I have a soft spot for you,” Trindon flirted, placing his hand on his chest.

My eyes traveled south. “It looks prettyhardto me.”

Trindon didn’t apologize or scurry away like an embarrassed teenage boy. He stood in his body reacting to mine on stage.

“You did that with your sexy ass. Let me take you on a real date.”

Kenyon's eyes etched a direct path to me through the bustling crowd as if he’d heard Trindon’s question. Apossessiveness that looked out of place, yet it sent a clear message.

“I appreciate the love, but you know that can’t happen.”

“You’re breaking my heart, Nova,” he whimpered. Trindon was handsome. Under different circumstances, I might have given him my number, but life hadn’t been normal for a long time.

“Then stop asking questions you know the answer to.”

Trindon was a giver. If he fucked with you, he was generous, and in a short amount of time, I made the list.

“If you won’t let me take you out, at least do something nice for yourself,” he smiled past his disappointment, sliding the bills in my G-string.

“Thanks, Trini.”

“C’mon, stop that shit before I take my money back,” he growled, pretending to be annoyed.

“Yeah, right. Have a good night.”

When I turned around, Kenyon’s dark eyes silently reprimanded me for letting Trindon stuff me with cash. Shaking it off, I continued making my rounds, trying my hardest to avoid Kenyon. While I enjoyed our banter, I didn’t need to get sucked in deeper than I already was.

But he only allowed me to escape him for so long.

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