Page 20 of Throne of Sin

I’ve never been popular. I always liked to stick to myself because of assholes like these girls.

“So, what’s the gossip of the day, ladies?” Dante’s voice sends shivers down my spine. The other two girls immediately straighten, their giggles vanishing before they get back to work.

I keep my eyes forward, my face slowly heating as I wait for my drinks.

“What the hell was that about?” Dante asks in a low, rumbly voice.

“Just a little shop talk.” I plaster on a fake smile, wishing Sienna would hurry the hell up with my order.

“Why the blush then?”

This is mortifying, and if I plan to get these girls to accept me, I can no longer be seen using Dante as a crutch. I have to stop talking to him so much.

His hand rests on top of mine and we both look at it before he lets it slide back to his side. Sienna places the drinks on my tray and I turn away, running off to drop off the glasses. I can feel his eyes sear into my back as he watches me, but I refuse to look over my shoulder.

“Word of advice?” I turn to see Tanya again. I’m really beginning to dislike this chick. “The customers need to know you’re available. The moment they think Dante has claim on you, they will never fuck you, want a dance, or even buy a drink from you.”

“Last time I checked, this club isn’t a whorehouse. We do lap dances and that’s all.” Dante’s angry face flashes into my mind. Like he said, over his dead body would he allow me to sell my body.

“You really are sweet and innocent.” She looks around and lowers her voice. “Keep that going for you; you’ll have the men eating out of the palm of your hand.”

Shelby steps up, adding, “If that is the case, why the monthly testing for STIs? Last I checked, dancing doesn’t get you any type of sexually transmitted disease. And what about the mandatory IUD?”

I stand there stupidly because Dante hasn’t brought this up to me yet. It’s another thing they can use against me.

“Dante is going to keep his thumb on you at all times. You might feel special right now, but I’m getting out of here. You’ll be here for the rest of your life,” Tanya cockily retorts.

I’ve had enough. My hip sways into her as I walk away, but she’s wormed her way into my head. She’s right. I need to do more to get my daughter faster and Dante gave me the green light to do lap dances.

I go back to the bar, sliding Sienna my new list of drinks. Robin is waiting for her next tray too. She’s the one I feel most comfortable asking. “Have you ever had sex with a client?”

She looks around before whispering into my ear. “Never without a condom. No matter what they offer to pay.” She takes her drinks and disappears.

I guess thisisa regular thing.

I lick my lips, which are suddenly extremely dry. Just the thought of sleeping with clients brings up so many memories of my past.

“You okay?” I glance up at Sienna and force a smile.

“Of course.” I give her a shrug.

The tray seems to be a hundred pounds heavier than before. I don’t understand why Dante has placed a double standard for me.

“Thanks, Demi.” I hand the last drink on my tray out to a table full of men in suits. “How much for a dance for my friend here?”

“You know the price, Leon, and don’t you dare try to barter on it,” Robin comes to my rescue. I don’t even know what the protocol for this is. Maybe I should have asked Dante before I demanded I be allowed.

I’m still lost in my thoughts when Robin adds, “Price is upfront. Cash. Then she’ll come back with a room number.”

“Are you as bossy as she is?” the guy who’s getting the lap dance asks.

“One way to find out.” Robin has completely taken over the conversation for me. I’m grateful for it. The man hands her cash and she passes it to me.

“We’ll be back,” I say, following Robin.

“We need a key,” she tells Sienna.

Sienna holds out her hand and I place the crisp new bills in her hand. “I hold the money to keep it safe. You get it at the end of the night. This way you’re not robbed.” I nod, and she places a key in my hand. “Boss man say you were allowed?”

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