Page 2 of Sinful Betrayal

“Card.” I reach into my clutch, pulling out the matte black card.

The bartender's eyes widen as I hand it over.

I understand his reaction. I would have laughed if using it didn’t come with the shackles that bound me to my father. Besides, he only gave me it for business purposes, but I’m considering this night out as important research.

“Could you open up a tab for me?”

“Of course.” The bartender swipes my card and hands it back to me.

His throat bobs as I flash him a smile. It doesn’t hurt to flirt a little, especially if my target decides not to show.

I’ve been informed that he frequents this bar, which is the only reason I’m here, and I’m not above bribing a naive bartender for information.

Whatever keeps me in my pointe shoes.

Tucking my clutch under my arm, I carefully carry the four drinks back to the table where my new friends are waiting.

“Thanks, Nina,” Emma says as I set the drinks down on our little round table.

“It’s no problem.” I slide onto the bar stool. I purposefully chose the table as it’s right in the center of the crowded bar, giving me the perfect view of the rest of the room.

I’m well aware of what my target looks like, but it seems dark hair and a black suit is the blueprint of every other man in New York.

This might be harder than I originally thought.

I sip my vodka, making sure not to drink it too quickly. If he does make an appearance, I need to make sure my head is clear.

“This place is so fancy.” Beatrice glances around nervously. “I’ve always wanted to come here.”

I smile at her. “Why haven’t you?”

“Honestly, by the time I’m done training, I just want to go home and put my sweats on.” She laughs, flicking her dark auburn hair over her shoulder.

Allie nudges Beatrice with her elbow. “I’m honestly surprised we managed to get you out. Setting the new year off right.”

Beatrice takes a long sip of her drink. “The next four years are going to be brutal.”

Emma nods. “But so worth it when we’re all dancing with the American Ballet Company.”

I smile as I glance around at the girls. They are all in their first year at the Institute too, so we bonded over audition stories and dreams of dancing professionally.

“Though I will say, the amount of hunky men here is a welcome bonus. They don’t make them like that in Iowa.” Beatrice sighs as she eyes a particularly buff finance bro at the next table.

She adjusts her dark green top that makes her skin seem even paler.

I have no doubt that she could pull any man in this room if she wanted.

I shake my head. “Be careful. These guys have egos the size of Russia.”

Emma leans forward. “And dicks to match.”

We all burst out laughing.

Out of the three girls, Emma is the one I’ve grown closest to. She’s a New York native and can handle her own, just like me.

Allie tucks her hair behind her ears. “Did you find this place, Emma?”

“Nope. This was all Nina’s doing. Which makes a change. It’s nice not to be used as a human encyclopedia for once.”

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