Page 65 of Alliance

And he stood by me, even when I was promised to someone else. When being with me wasn’t easy...or possible.

When I reach my orgasm, falling over the edge, I don’t even hear the moans that leave my lips or the words I shout. I’m in a free fall, pure ecstasy.

Naz follows after me, pulling out and coating my skin with his cum.

We’re sticky and panting when we finish. Naz goes to the bathroom, wetting a washcloth with warm water before coming back and cleaning me. He wraps me in a blanket, curling his body tightly against mine.

I’m surrounded by light, good things embracing me from all angles.

This is what I’ve wanted.

This is what I’ve dreamed of.

The buzz coming from my nightstand startles me, and I reach for my phone out of habit. The only people who call me now, on my new number, is Naz’s family. But the number doesn’t register. I don’t think as I bring the receiver to my ear, murmuring a hello. I’m still coming down from my high, still soaking up the happiness I’ve found.

“Lana,” John’s voice echoes from the receiver. “Time to come back to New Orleans.”

Epilogue

One Month after Lana’s Wedding

MY EYES LINGER ON MARCUSas I bring the glass of whiskey to my lips. I can’t be sure that he’s not involved in…whatever this is.

I can see his eyes flicker to me. He’s watching me, keeping tabs. We both distrust each other and with good reason, even though I like to think that my reasons are better, andright.

Right and wrong don’t mean much to Marcus. Even as kids, he didn’t give a fuck about doing the right thing. He’s only ever cared about himself.

His grubby hands reach out to the stripper closest to him. One with blonde hair and fake tits. He pulls her down onto his lap and puffs on his Cuban cigar.

I guess the perk of owning a strip club is that you can do whatever you want with the women. What are they going to do? Tell the boss? Ha.

It takes effort for me to not roll my eyes or glare at him.

I can’t. Can’t let him get a whiff on where my loyalty lies. I made a big show of switching sides, of claiming to be loyal to him and not Sam. Even after he accepted me into his ranks, I could tell that he still distrusts me.

He’s not wrong, because my loyalty will always belong to Sam.

The door to the private room opens and a petite girl with dark hair and bright eyes enters. She doesn’t carry herself like the rest of the stripers here. She reeks of false bravado as she shuts the door with a soft click. A pair of tight leather shorts cling to her hips and her small tits are on display in a black lacy bralette. Cheetah print heels are strapped to her feet and around her ankles. She looks around the room with an assessing gaze, as if this is all new to her. And then, her eyes land on Marcus and something in her gaze shifts. I can’t place the emotion, but it’s not fear or loyalty, that much I can tell.

She takes a few steps, leading herself to the center of the room where one of the other girls is dancing.

I watch her as she sways for only a moment before taking another step, bringing herself closer to Marcus, who hasn’t even noticed her.

What does she want from him?

I can’t seem to take my eyes off her as she moves closer, waiting for the blonde to move.

“Can I get you something?” she asks, with a shy voice, matching the energy she’s giving off. She’s different from the other girls here, and not in a cliché way, it’s clear to me that she’s not a practiced stripper.

The girls in Marcus’ club aren’t normally newbies. The girls here are desperate, eager to please,broken.And this girl, she’s not broken.

Marcus looks up at her with a confused face, the men around him having the same look. The women here don’t talk to him unless spoken to, and yet, this little thing has the nerve to speak to him.

Part of me wants to lean back in my chair and watch the show.

“Excuse me?” His face tilts when he asks the question.

“This one new?” I cut in before she can answer, before she digs her hole any deeper. Her jaw snaps shut, and she looks at me.

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