Page 27 of Anastasia

Letting out a sigh, I looked at one of my soldiers, Killian. He came to report to me about what had been going on between Vincenzo and Orabella. They were seen going out and together almost every spare moment Vincenzo had. I wanted him to watch her, but I never thought he would grow to like her.

He was too much like Mama. His every decision was focused on his heart, and as much as I wanted to hate that about him. I was envious.

“Watch over Vincenzo and Orabella. I’ll handle Dmitri, but for now, put our own threat into motion. Deliver the message that if I evensensethat he’s coming for his daughter, I will kill her,” I told one of my soldiers, Killian. He gave me a curt nod before heading for the door.

“Wait!” I called out. He stopped for a quick moment to look at me. “I want you to find out more information about Anastasia Smith. I want to know who her mother is, who her father is, and what happened to her sister.”

“Yes, sir. Is that all?” Killian questioned.

“Yes, you are excused,” I grumbled.

Anastasia

Ifound myself trying hard to be with Mr. Romano as much as I could. It was getting pretty obvious how much I liked him, even though it wasn’t the most logical thing in the world to feel that way.

In the past couple of weeks, he always seemed to be gone. He even stopped talking to me as much. I had to teach my heart that I didn’t need the presence of anyone to be happy. Even if that presence was a six-foot-three, black-haired, sexy Italian with delicious abs who knew how to keep me on my toes.

One time, I recalled seeing him walk down the hall with a woman beside him. She had blonde hair and was very tall. Her legs seemed to last forever, and it made me gaze down at my own short legs. The woman was very slim, while my body had some weight in areas. She had a smile to die for, but I could only offer a frown. The woman was gorgeous, but I was far from it.

After that day, I realized that nothing would ever happen between me and Valentino. I learned to avoid him as much as I could. It was easy because he seemed to avoid me too.

Once I let him out of my thoughts, I began to spend most of my time at the strip club, trying to make as much money as possible to be able to move out. My homelessness was probably enough to turn Valentino’s interest away. It was the only explanation that made sense.

“Hey, Janice,” I said softly as I walked up to her. She was sitting at her station, applying the finishing touches to her white eyeliner.

She looked at me through the mirror and let out a sigh. My shoulders fell in guilt as I watched her lightly set the eyeliner down onto her table.

“I never actually apologized for the way I acted that night. I was just hurt, and what I did felt like the only way to solve everything…I was wrong,” I apologized.

She spun around in her chair to face me. A small smile danced on her lips. “I know, and I was only going to give you the petty silent treatment until you actually grew the balls to come to talk to me.” She chuckled. “Listen, I never lost someone as close to me as you were to your little sister. If I did, I’m sure I would’ve acted out in more ways than you did. I’m only looking out for what’s best for you because I see you, and I see someone who’s lost, but once they’re found, the world better prepare for the amount of shit they can do.”

I smiled at her words before pulling her in for a hug. She immediately responded by laughing as she wrapped her arms around me.

Once I pulled away, I walked over to the job schedule to see that I was going to be on the floor today while Janice would take the stage. I hated being on the floor, where I had to keep the people who weren’t watching the show entertained. Sometimes, that meant lap dances, other times, that meant private dances.

“Looks like you’re the star of the night.” I winked at her.

“Yeah, yeah.” She playfully rolled her eyes.

Together, we exited the back room, ready to do what we had to do. When we got to the entrance of the stage, we bid our goodbyes before separating. I walked out to the floor with a loud sigh. The bright LED lights were blinding and everyone’s loud conversations became more prominent.

As soon as the music started and Janice stepped out, men were on their feet, throwing their money at her without giving her the chance to do anything. She wasn’t lying when she said that the men loved her.

I headed over to the back, where the secluded people sat in groups. The moment I got there, my heart dropped down to my feet. My sister’s doctor was there, laughing with his friends, a drink perched in his hand. I didn’t know if I should run or hide, but the options quickly flew out the window when his friend pointed toward me with a smirk.

When the doctor’s eyes met mine, his eyes widened as he took in my appearance.

I hurriedly turned around and began to walk away, but he was too quick. His hand hurriedly latched onto my wrist gently.

“Anastasia?”

“Shit,” I whispered very quietly to myself.

Slowly, I turned around, allowing my embarrassment to be clear on my expression. Recognition immediately made its way onto his face as he looked down my entire body. I understood the temptation in his eyes. My extra small top did a great job of squeezing my breasts to the point that it allowed underboob to make an appearance under the bra. My bottoms were a simple leather thong and the pink boots that were my trademark look only added to the erotic appeal.

“Dr. Flores,” I returned.

My gaze wandered over to the group of friends he was with. They seemed to all have been smirking at us.

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