Page 68 of Cruelly Fated
Someone tapped my shoulder.
“A VIP patron requested a private dance from you. Would you like to proceed?” one of the bouncers said.
My stomach jumped to my throat.Isn't this what you wanted?I shook my hair over my shoulders, tugged my miniskirt into place, and nodded. He led me behind a velvet curtain into a dim hallway lined with sleek, numbered doors. He paused at one, knocked, then swung the door wide.
A large man lounged on a leather love seat, dressed in a dark gray suit that probably cost ten times more than my old Honda. Forties, handsome in a polished, corporate sort of way, and absolutely dripping with wealth—gold watch, cuff links, designer shoes. His grin spread as I stepped onto the two-foot high stage. Without taking his eyes off me, he waved the bouncer off and lit a cigar, ankle crossing over knee like he had all the time in the world.
This should be easy: a stage tease, then a slow descent into his space for the final act. I’d watched my mother do it a hundred times. She hadn’t known I could see her through a hole in the wall that separated the dressing room from one of the private suites. As a kid, I’d found it mesmerizing. She transformed into someone else up there. She channeled a seductress. A true siren.
I grabbed the pole and swung myself up, inverting into a handstand with ease. I fully intended to release the bar Iclenched with my legs and rise to standing with fluid grace, but the moment the door slammed open, everything went to shit.
Kyon’s dark gaze locked on mine.
My mouth dropped open, I lost focus, and my grip slipped.
I collapsed sideways, slamming into the stage floor with a loud smack and a grunt.
KYON
The bouncer’s hand landed on my shoulder, and I growled. I’d already handed him ten grand to tell me where she was—guess he still had to put on a show for the patron who had no business leering at my girl. My nostrils flared, and the dragon huffed.
“Excuse me, sir. There’s been a mistake. The girl was booked in advance…” the bouncer began, but I tuned him out. All my focus zeroed in on Allie.
She stumbled upright, eyes wide with shock. She wore a colorful bra and thong set, topped with a semi-sheer miniskirt that left her round ass fully visible. A low rumble vibrated in my chest.
The man rose, tall and broad with rich and used-to-getting-his attitude written all over his posture. I could drop him without breaking a sweat.
He straightened his suit jacket, cigar still in his mouth, and looked me over. “Lucky for you, there’s another girl I liked. If she’s not booked already?” he said, raising an eyebrow at the bouncer.
I stepped inside as he brushed past me.
“Please accept my sincerest apologies…” Their voices faded as the door slid shut.
Allie’s stunned expression shifted to fury. She hopped off the stage and stormed toward me, jabbing a finger into my chest.
“How dare you come in here like this? I know you didn’t book any dances. Because of you, I’m not gonna get paid—”
I caught her finger, brows drawing tight. “This isn't you. I know you—”
She yanked her hand back, chest rising fast. “That’s the thing—you don’t know me. This is no game. I actually have to earn a living. And right now, dancing is all I have.”
I arched a brow, voice low. “I’m not an idiot. I know what happens in these rooms. You were going to let him touch you.”
She paled, arms crossing over her chest, the fire in her eyes dimming.I knew it!
“So what?” she snapped.
So what?!Did she not see she was worth more than this? That I’d give my life to protect her? Beg for a chance to take care of her?
“Do you want to end up like your mother?”
Her hand cracked across my cheek before I registered my words.
“How dare you bring her into this!” She choked, pounding her fists against my chest. “It’s your family’s fault she’s dead. Yours. You’re all murderers. How dare you tell me how to live my life when you ruined it…” Her punches slowed to a stop, her fingers curling into my shirt. Her whole body trembled.
Slowly, I wrapped my arms around her and drew her close. She wept into my shirt, soaking it, and I held her for as long as she needed. At last, her sobs quieted, and I kissed the top of her head, unable to resist the gesture.
“I am sorry for what I said,” I murmured. “I can’t undo the past but let me make it right. Let me take care of you. You could live—”
