Page 15 of Phantom Mine

“You’re hired,” he announces. My eyes fly to his, widened in excitement, and his mouth curls upward in response. “But no nudity, semi or full. No private dances or lap dances either,” he continues. “You can dance with full coverage and that’s it.”

I frown. He’s severely limiting what I can do. No real dancer would accept these terms, not when they also limit the amount of money I can realistically make.

“The tips won’t be as good,” I complain. “I need to be able to do lap dances.”

“You’re also banned from doing that side split move from earlier,” he finishes, acting like I didn’t even speak.

My gaze moves to the door where the other man stands partially hidden in the shadows. Unlike his boss, he looks like he comes included with the building and all its atrocities. He’s the very picture of violence with harsh, brutally handsome features. His eyes are shrewd and pinned on me with a look that tells me he doesn’t like what he’s just walked in on.

Me neither, buddy, I want to tell him.

He runs a hand across his jaw, revealing mangled knuckles that have been broken far too many times to count. His entire aura gives off that he’s a fighter, both in body and spirit. His assessing gaze sends a shiver down my spine.

“Cugino,” he interjects again, his voice full of a warning I don’t understand.

I glare at his boss instead.

“Hello?” I question, getting to my feet and putting both hands on my hips. Green eyes trace down to my hands and darken. “Did you not hear what I said? I need the tips.”

He scowls at me, his expression cooling. “You can supplement with bartending and bottle service. Those are my conditions.”

I mask my reaction so he doesn’t see it. Handling bottle service in the private rooms will give me actual access, the type that’s limited if I’m stuck on a stage removed from the conversations.

This is perfect for Valentina, but I know Misty/Melody would keep arguing.

“Why do you care?” I question. “I’d imagine your VIPs want strippers. Shouldn’t you be thrilled at the prospect of more nudity?”

“Not you,” he snaps sharply.

“Ouch.”

He must hear something in my voice because his eyes meet mine once more and he unveils them completely, letting fresh hunger flame to life unconcealed in his gaze. With one look, he lays out all the unholy, unbiblical, potentially illegal in some countries, things he wants to do to me.

More than the desire in his gaze, is the interest. No, the clearintrigue. He looks at me like I’m a puzzle to be pieced together or a riddle to be solved, and that…

Thatis far more dangerous than simple lust.

Thatis a level of getting noticed that I needed to avoid when I walked in here today.

It tells me that whatever just went down between us, it’s far from over.

“Oh.”

He chuckles softly, that same inviting sound from earlier, and adds with finality, “And no pyro.”

“Pyro?”

“Pyrotechnics,” he clarifies. “No tricks involving fire.”

I snort. “I think I’ll manage.”

He smirks, his gaze raking one more time down the length of me. “I have no doubt you will.”

“Matteo,” his sidekick barks, angry now.

With one word, all the heat blazing through my body instantly cools.

“Matteo?” I croak. “That’s your name?”

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