Page 26 of Phantom Mine

“That is quite a coincidence,” I reply steadily. “Any reason you seem to have memorized the dancers’ schedule?”

“Yes. Looking out for you, as I always have.” Enzo clasps my shoulder, his face devoid of any expression. “Remember that once Marina comes into the picture, there won’t be room for anyone else. There can’t be.”

I shake him off, annoyed. “I’m well aware of that. You’re worried about nothing, I’m only going for a drink. Unlike you, I have no idea who dances when.”

“Of course not.”

I leave him without another word and head for the main room. There’s a buzz in the air as a few girls mill around the area, entertaining the various men in attendance.

They quiet as I walk into the room.

I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve come here before, and my sudden appearance makes the staff and customers apprehensive.

Taking no further notice of it, I head for one of the available velvet chairs facing the stage and get comfortable. A waitress in a barely there outfit immediately appears and takes my order, coming back seconds later with a finger of scotch and a bowl of mixed nuts.

The lights dim further, the music starts, and out she comes, the object of my fixation. Unlike the last time I saw her dance, Melody isn’t in a themed costume. She’s in a pink bodysuit that fuses delicate fabric with expertly placed mesh cut outs that reveal almost every inch of her skin. Her tits are entirely out except for two strips covering her nipples. An equally tiny triangle covers the line of her bare pussy. A vein pulses dangerously at my temple.

She reaches center stage and leans against the pole, reaching up and behind her to grab it with both hands as she gets into starting position for her set.

Her eyes immediately find mine and I see something flash in them.

Something like a challenge.

The music starts and Melody turns, revealing the back of her bodysuit. I suck in a strangled, angry breath. It’s a thong and it bares her entire ass to the crowd, leaving nothing to the imagination because her plump ass is entirely on display for their fucking eyes to feast upon.

She flicks her hair over her shoulder and stares insolently back at me, an arrogant smirk curling her lip when she sees the tortured expression on my face.

My stomach tightens, my fists clenching painfully at seeing her body on display like that. She’s found a way to skirt aroundmy no nudity rule. Glancing around me with sharp, murderous eyes, I see that I’m not the only one who’s taken notice of the goddess occupying the stage.

She starts dancing, shaking her ass to the beat of the music, and my anger rises until I’m sure steam is billowing out of my ears. I’m usually expertly controlled, proud of my inability to be rankled or goaded into reacting. It’s a skill honed by the years of torture at my brother’s hands and it’s been unfaltering since.

Until Melody.

There’s something about her that makes me lose my fucking mind.

Fuck the consequences.

Fuck what it means.

Andespeciallyfuck that outfit. I’ll be using it as kindling once I rip it off her backstage.

I wave to Guido and he comes trotting over obediently. “Yes, boss?”

“Tell her to come down,” I demand, barely able to get the words out through my tightly clenched jaw.

His eyes fly to the stage. It takes everything in me not to grip his face and turn it away.

Or tear it clean off.

How dare he look? Did Isayhe could look?

“Come… down?” he asks, unsure. “I can, boss, but I thought you liked her.”

The more time he wastes questioning my orders, the more time she spends up there shaking her ass for a dozen other men to see. That makes me want to unholster my gun and shoot up the place.

“Get her the fuck down, Guido.” I blow out an angry breath through my nostrils. I’m struggling for control. “She can do table service tonight.”

Her eyes never leave mine as I tilt my head to speak to Guido. My vision blackens with every sway of her hips.

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