Page 31 of Tainted

Rajah’s unshakable confidence stood tall against Phoenix’s glare until she had enough and walked off.

“You did not have to go there bitch,” Diamond groaned, following Phoenix out of the room.

I learned early not to take people’s opinions to heart. According to Mom, most people didn’t even like themselves, so you should care less about what they think of you. It didn’t make much sense as a child, but it didn’t take Rajah revealing Phoenix’s business to know she was miserable.

“Anyway, I can do your hair on Thursday.”

“It’s a date,” Rajah smiled, touching my shoulder. “Thanks, Freshie.”

“Welcome.”

Taking one last look in the mirror, I waltzed through the club, greeting my regulars with a warm smile. My charm captivated their attention, leading to more money in my G-string. After moving from table to table, I headed for the bar to grab a drink when Megan intercepted me.

“Come with me. Now!” She demanded, walking off. I no longer needed a drink because my stomach was in my ass, following her to the back. I stepped inside her office and shut the door behind me. “You’re still on probation, which means no VIP clients.”

“I know.”

“You have a VIP request. One I can’t decline,” Megan explained, irritated that she had to bend the rules.

“Just tell whoever I said no,” I conceded.

“It doesn’t work like that but won’t be a regular thing, so enjoy the VIP money until you’re off probation. Hurry up because you take the stage after Cameo.”

She ran down a list of rules that I halfway listened to. My mind was busy figuring out who booked me and why Megan couldn’t refuse. Then, I walked into the room and learned why.

“Were you expecting someone else?” Sydney asked, noticing my disappointment.

A small part of me hoped to see Kenyon’s bowed legs stretched before him. Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was him using Sydney to get under my skin.

“Yes, considering I’ve told you no too many times.”

“A smart woman never quits at the first no. We’d never get anything done,” Sydney scoffed through her smile, sitting pretty in a green spandex dress. Her muscles were toned and lean, giving her an athletic appearance.

“It hasn’t been justonce,” I complained, sitting on the edge of the stage. Much like Keyes, she was always here, watching me like a hawk and requesting lap dances that I obliged out of professionalism.

“So what is it going to take to change your mind?” She sighed, tired of not getting her way.

“Nothing! For the millionth time, it’s not personal. You’re beautiful, stunning, honestly, but whatever you and Keyes are into, leave me out of it.” I pushed up on my thighs and headed for the door, but Sydney refused to give up.

“How much?” she asked, slamming two stacks of cash on the table. “Everybody has awhy, Nova. You can’t tell me this money won’t help yours.”

I hated that Sydney was right. My apartment needed furniture. I could finally get the air conditioning fixed in my car,and most importantly, I wouldn’t have to work so much to make ends meet.

“Onedance. Take it or leave it,” I replied, praying I wouldn’t regret it later.

Sydney's eyes sparkled with mischief as she reclined. "I’ll takeanythingyou’re offering, Beautiful,"

I had a job to do, and for the next few minutes, that’s all I was focused on. My body moved in sync with the music. With each gyration of my hips, Sydney's hands traced the contours of my body. She was so busy watching me winding my waist she didn’t notice me watching her. Or the subtledamnthat escaped her lips. I tried to stay in rhythm and keep my mind on the music, not on whatever unspoken words were hanging between us until the song ended.

“This might be fun for you, but it’s my job. Don’t make me remind you again.” With that, I left Sydney to put my money in my locker before I took the stage.

When I reached the back, Rajah was lying on the sofa, barely able to contain her laugh.

“Don’t even,” I scoffed.

“VIP requests already. Shit, you might surpass me after all, Freshie.”

“Megan got in my ass about it too.”

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