Page 8 of Twisted Games of Revenge

“It has to be this one.” Sloane smirks at me in the mirror as she tries another wig on my head. This one is short in a bob style and platinum blonde.

I have to admit I quite like it. I don’t look like myself at all.

“Just like Vivian from Pretty Woman. She had a head or red curls under her disguise as well.” She smirks.

I can’t help but laugh at her in surprise. “You don’t strike me as the romantic type to have watched Pretty Woman,” I say, playing with the wig, tossing the hair a little to see how lifelike it actually looks. I look like a completely new person. Like if I didn’t know Iwas under all this, I wouldn’t know it was me. I look badass and tough, and that makes me smile. I’m in a black tank top and a short denim skirt with a pair of heeled ankle boots. All selected from Sloane’s closet.

“Yeah, it’s perfect. Viv’s the one,” she tells her friend over her shoulder.

She hands me a pair of hoop earrings to complete the look, and I slip them in. “You could pass for my little sister,” she says, taking hold of my shoulders and looking directly into the mirror.

I laugh, knowing she’s not far wrong. Same eyes, similar hair except hers is longer. And in her clothes, I look like one of them, alright. It’s scary how much.

“How do you feel about piercings?”

I give her a nervous glance. So far, I only have my ears done; it’s all I was ever allowed to have. “Umm, where?”

She shrugs. “Lip, nose, eyebrow, somewhere that would complete the look.”

My eyes go wide. But I know she’s right, I need to do whatever it takes to really look like one of them. I can’t afford for anyone to know it’s me under all this. Or I really will be a dead girl.

Chapter 4

The fresh sting ofmy new eyebrow and lip piercings was still present as Sloane ushered me into her club to prepare for the night shift. Smooth saxophone riffs and gentle piano chords waft through the air, filling the space with a relaxing beat of jazz music. I feel less depressed by it tonight, my new look and ally giving me a kick in my step.

I follow along beside Sloane like I’m supposed to be here, even though I feel mighty out of place.

One of the girls who is obviously staff approaches us, handing Sloane a book, and she flips it open, checking it over. “Sally, this is Viv, make her feel at home,” she tells the girl. “Sally’s my manager, she runs this place when I’m called to deal with other issues. Anything you need just ask her.”

“Hi, Viv.” The brunette, probably in her mid to late thirties, smiles at me warmly. Her hair is in a long ponytail that hangs down her back, perfectly straight. The black fitted dress she wears clings to her curves, accentuating her silhouette. The other girl behind the bar is wearing the same exact dress, alsowith her hair up high. I remember noticing how stunning they all were last night. This must be their dress code.

“Hi.” I smile back at her, appreciating her warmth.

“If you’re going to hang with me, you will have to get used to this place. I spend my whole life here.” Sloane takes the pen out of the center of the book and signs at the bottom of the page before handing it back over to Sally. “Have the flowers arrived next door?” she asks her manager.

“Yes, lilies, they’re stunning as always.” Her smile is infectious as she beams, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

“What about the VIPs, is the line-up sorted for this weekend’s event?”

“Taken care of,” Sally tells her.

Sloane nods, impressed. “I’m going to show Viv around. Can you get some more lively music on and turn it up? No wonder this place is dead. I want to take a nap listening to this.”

She offers a delicate laugh and a quick nod of agreement to her boss. “See you round, Viv.” She smiles again before walking back toward the bar, her long hair swishing as she sways her hips.

“All the girls who work for you are so beautiful.”

Sloane’s attention comes back to me. “I know you said you didn’t want a job last night, but if you want to blend in, I could sort you out with something to fill the time. You will fit in here perfectly,” she suggests, implying I am just as beautiful.

I glance over at the girls behind the bar. They look happy working here. In fact, it looks like a lot of fun, but a job is the last of my concerns right now. “I can’t commit to anything; you know what I’m trying to do.”

“Some of the girls around here might be able to help you as well. There are always whispers of what Enzo is up to. I’m pretty sure he used to frequent this place just so he could try and intimidate me. Or steal my staff. You know, make his presence known. He and Syd had an arrangement, but since I took over,he’s been doing his best to manipulate me. I knew to keep him at arm’s length.”

“Smart,” I agree with her. We both know what getting involved with Enzo gets you. Dead. “Who is Syd?”

“My sperm donor, if you can even call him that.” Her heels clink along the polished concrete floor as she takes off across the room. “I’m still waiting for the backlash of banning him from this place but maybe that was Pia.”

My eyes go wide. “Shit, Sloane, you can’t take the blame for Pia. From what I saw she knew what she was doing and was a very willing participant.”

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