Page 30 of Strip Search

“Ignore him.” He rolls his eyes at his brother and comes over to greet me, coffee cup in hand.

“Hi,” I whisper breathlessly as he gives me a peck on the cheek. Behind his back, Cody gives me two thumbs up then scurries away before Cole catches him.

“Breakfast is on the counter. I think we should have time for you to swing by your place and change clothes.” Cole pushes the cup of coffee into my hands.

He steps away and goes back to his plate like this is the most normal thing in the world. Meanwhile, I feel like I’m stuck in the twilight zone.

Chapter Thirteen

Molly

Three weeks later...

I can’t believe I’m about to do this.

“Harmony, you’re up in five,” Lola’s voice echoes in the tiny dressing room that I’m currently sharing with seven other strippers that are on rotation tonight. Her ugly sneer makes my already nervous stomach flop.

The tiny booty shorts and tied up shirt I have on left little to the imagination. The lingerie underneath? Leaves even less. Cole has no idea that for the last three weeks I’ve been rehearsing dance moves three nights a week, and shadowing Candy, one night a week. How I’ve managed to get this by him is no small miracle. One that I know I’ll pay dearly for when he finds out. Which he will. Tonight.

Dallas said this was the best diversion to keep Roxy safe. I trusted him but, Roxy hasn’t shown up for work lately, and he refuses to tell me why. I’m not buying his claim that he has no clue what happened to her. I hope for his sake that he’s gotten her out of this hell hole and she’s out of harm's way. Otherwise, there is a good chance that I’ll castrate Dallas in the process.

“You sure you don’t want a hit?” Candy asks, pulling me from my thoughts as she extends the rolled-up bill to me.

I shake my head. “No, thanks.” I take a drink from my water bottle instead.

Either Lola is really stupid, or she thinks I’ll turn. Putting me with Candy, played right into our hands too. She convinced me to have lunch with her this week. On my way to our meeting spot, I got a clear view of her dealer, something she didn’t even bother to hide when I pulled up. With the knowledge from Candy that he was the supplier for the whole club, the guys have had a field day compiling evidence. I can only hope this will be over soon.

“I’m telling you, it makes it easier to get out there and do it.” With a wipe of her nose, she says, “Showtime.” Giving me a wink and a slap on the ass before pushing me out the door. “I’ll be right out there on the floor serving drinks and watching you!” she calls behind me.

In the hallway, the bass vibrates around me as I make my way to the stage.

It’s too late to back out now. In less than sixty seconds I’m going to step out onto that platform and bare my soul to a room full of disgusting and horny men. Tears threaten to fall, and for a moment I almost run the other way. I don’t know how these other ladies can do this. Scratch that, I do know how, and I know, I’m not one of them.

Before I can completely fall apart, another thought distracts me.

Cole’s face pops into my head.I can do this.

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