Page 60 of Captivated

After my first stage appearance, the manager catches me on my way back to the dressing room. “Hey, Cassie?”

“Yeah?”

“I have an offer for a VIP session with you.”

“What do you mean?” I ask nervously.

“A client wants a private dance from you in one of our VIP rooms in the back.” He nods his head to the back of the club where a bodyguard stands in front of a hallway with a velvet rope.

“No.” I don’t even have to think about it.

“You can make some real money back there, Cassie.”

I look up at him. “No.” I don’t even need to think twice about it.

“Alright,” he concedes, shrugging his shoulders. “Let me know if you change your mind.” He releases my arm and I scurry into the locker room.

A private dance. Sure.

* * * *

Counting my money, I take fifty off the top and leave it for the house mom. Another dancer told me she makes the schedule, and when I asked her what I had to do to not get day shifts as the newbie, she just looked at me like I was dense. So, I gave her an extra fifty last night on top of the fifty I was already giving her to put me on nights. I do the same tonight.

Honestly, I think I’d be pretty good at that job. Making sure the girls are safe, treated fairly, and well fed and hydrated throughout their shifts. I love watching the women perform, so I think it’d be fun to help hire them, too. Or even help in giving lessons and making routines.

Packing my bag, I order a taxi and wait until it’s here before I go out the side door and right into the back seat. I know this neighborhood and I know not to stand around alone outside a strip club with a bag full of cash. I don’t need any more trouble than I already have.

The driver pulls up to the house at around three thirty, and I hurry inside.

“Cassie.”

“Oh my God!” I gasp, my hand going right to my chest. “Sean, you scared me! What the hell are you doing awake?”

“Waiting for you,” he says.

“Okay? And you need to be sitting on the couch in the dark and silence so you scare me half to death?”

“No, I fell asleep.” He rubs the back of his neck. “They called and set the meet for the money later today.”

“Okay, I’m coming with you.”

“What? Cass, no. Not happening.”

“The only way they can get their money is through me, Sean. I’m the only one who can transfer it to them.”

“Just give it to me and I’ll handle it. Or, do you not trust me?”

“Jesus, Sean, trust you? After everything that’s happened? I had to stop you from gambling away what little money you might have left just a few days ago. I trust you with my life, but not my money. I’m going with you. No arguments.” He never actually apologized for the shit he said to me on Monday, either. I gave him a pass because of what’s going on, but it would’ve been nice to hear all the same. So, give him access to my account or a duffel of cash? Nope. Not happening.

“Fine. Whatever,” he concedes. “We’re meeting them at noon.”

“Where?”

“Their pub in the city.”

“Great. We have to pay for a car to get there now, too. Alright,” I sigh, “we’ll leave at 9. I don’t want to be late.”

I go upstairs and shower and get ready for bed, but when I lay down, I’m not tired in the least. I’ve never been able to sleep when I’m stressed.

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