Page 135 of Daddy Sees Snakes

"All right," I say to the empty room, clapping my hands together. "Let's do this."

I start with the bar, wiping down surfaces and restocking bottles.

The repetitive motions are calming, and I find myself getting lost in the work.

For a while, I almost manage to forget about everything else.

Almost.

As I'm arranging glasses behind the bar, I hear the front door open.

I freeze, my heart suddenly racing.

It's too early for any of the other girls to be here.

"Hello?" I call out, trying to keep my voice steady. "We're not open yet."

I stand up slowly, peering over the bar.

My blood runs cold as I see who's standing there.

Lyon.

The last person I want to see right now.

"Well, well," he says, a smirk playing on his lips. "Fancy meeting you here, Iris."

I swallow hard, willing my voice not to shake. "What are you doing here, Lyon?"

He takes a step closer, and I have to fight the urge to back away. "Can't a man stop by and check in on his ex?" His eyes roam over me, and I feel exposed despite being fully clothed.

I clench my fists, anger rising to replace my initial fear. "You need to leave. Now."

Lyon's smirk grows wider, more menacing. "Oh, Iris. Always so feisty. It's what I loved the most about you." His voice drops, becoming dangerously soft. "It's also what got you into trouble."

I reach for my phone, trying to look casual. "I'm serious, Lyon. Get out, or I'm calling the cops."

He laughs, the sound echoing in the empty club. "Go ahead. I'd love to see you explain to them how you started an underground brothel with your ex-con of a boyfriend."

My hand stills on my phone.

"And you think they would believe you?" I say, trying to keep my voice level. "Just leave, Lyon. Please."

He takes another step forward, and I can see the anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. "I don't think I will, Iris.In fact, I think it's time we had a little chat about respect. And consequences."

As he moves closer, I realize with growing horror that I'm trapped behind the bar.

My mind races, searching for a way out, but all I can think is: This is bad. This is really, really bad.

I force a laugh, trying to mask the fear that's slowly creeping up my spine. "Yeah, sure," I say, rolling my eyes and channeling every ounce of sarcasm I can muster. "Because I'm just dying to take orders from my stalker ex-boyfriend."

Lyon's eyes narrow, and I can see the muscle in his jaw twitching.

He's always hated when I mock him, and I know I'm playing with fire.

But if there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that you never show weakness.

"You think you're so clever, don't you?" he snarls, taking another step closer.

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