Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
“Just one of the dancers,” the guy shrugged. He had an ugly skull in flames tattooed on his throat. “I took what belongs to me, is all.”
“How does it belong to you if she earned it?” I demanded, and he narrowed his eyes at me.
“I don’t want any problems, Mr. Kline.”
“Then do as you’re told,” I said coolly. “Are you willing to return the money to its rightful owner and apologize profusely for taking it in the first place?”
The beast in front of me gnashed its teeth together. He didn’t like this one bit, but he also knew how much power I held. I could have his balls crushed with the click of my fingers, and he’d be powerless against me.
“Just think of how badly I can hurt you,” I told him firmly. “Then think how easy it would be to just start being a decent human being and returning what you stole. And if you do, you have better odds of me letting you live through this.”
His eyes widened. “I didn’t mean nothin’ bad, I just needed some cash, Sir…”
“I don’t care.” I backed away, putting a pair of gloves on my hands. I was done dirtying them with scum like this bouncer. He was obviously from the wrong side of the tracks since he knew me by name. “You’ll return the money tomorrow. And you’ll apologize to Kitty. If I find out you haven’t, I’ll make sure your tattoo becomes a real thing. I’d quite enjoy seeing your skull go up in flames, I think.”
“Please, Sir…” The guy was backtracking, holding his hands up to defend himself. “I’ll give you the money now, just leave me alone.”
“No.” I scowled at him. “I want a sincere apology out of you. Tomorrow, by midnight at the latest. Got it?”
He nodded reluctantly, scratching the back of his bald head. “Sorry, Sir. Didn’t know Kitty was one of yours.”
I smiled, muttering, “Not yet she isn’t. But she will be. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
Chapter 3
Amicia
The next day, Skull was nowhere to be seen. I was relieved to find Le Cabaret safe from its most evil bully—it was a welcome reprieve in my daily routine.
Evangeline was out for the day, working her other job, but Rosabella was there, dancing hours before me, so we just exchanged a quick hug at the door before she left.
On days when my two friends weren’t working, I felt lonely. I got along with the other girls, but there was always the underlying feeling of jealousy between us, which I didn’t like one bit.
A younger girl, Capri, was there though, and I’d gotten along with her in the past, so I set up my makeup station next to hers, greeting her with a warm smile.
Capri had only been with us for a few weeks, but she’d already gotten a steady following of patrons from the club. They loved her sweet innocence, that porcelain skin and her dark locks—a sharp contrast, like ivory and ebony.
“You look anxious today,” I said as she dropped her powder brush for the third time. “Everything okay?” I worried it was something to do with Skull, but since he was gone for the day, I figured it had to be something else.
“I’m just…” she sighed, picking up the brush and applying cherry blusher to her sharp cheeks. “Nervous about something I have coming up.”
“Oh?” I raised my brows, curling my hair with a flat iron until it shone in the light. “Anything I can help with?”
“I don’t think so,” she laughed anxiously. “Unless…” She eyed me with a curious look. “I suppose I could tell you…”
“Tell me what?”
“I’m doing something to make some extra money.” She glanced around the room before sliding closer to me with her chair. “Don’t tell the other girls.”
“Oh, Capri.” I squeezed her knee. “Please don’t tell me it’s what I think it is… It’s never a good idea, especially here, with Skull waiting for the first chance to jump down your throat and steal your money.”
“It’s not here,” Capri spoke up warily. “It’s with a reputable agency. They’re called Couture House. Have you heard of them before?”
“Couture House?” I tried the name out on my lips, shaking my head. “No, I don’t think I have. What do they do?”
“They run auctions,” Capri whispered.
“For?”
“For…” Her eyes sparkled. “For women, and the services we can provide.”
“Oh Capri, I don’t know if that’s a good idea…”
“It’s a lot of money,” she went on defensively. “I get ten percent of the profits.”
“Only ten percent?”
“It’s a lot,” she said. “To me, it’s a lot.”
“I know.” I squeezed her hand for reassurance. “I’m just worried about this being the right thing to do. You’re so young, Capri… Didn’t you just turn eighteen?”
She nodded, tight lipped as I waited for her answer. “I’m old enough.”
“And what are you auctioning off?”