Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
The streets blur past this beautiful morning, but I can barely appreciate it.
All I can think about is Viper's cocky grin, the way he'd say, "You're playing with fire, sweetheart," in that husky voice of his.
I close my eyes, remembering how it felt when he touched me. "Damn it, Viper," I mutter. "Why'd you have to be so... you?"
The car slows to a stop, and I realize we've arrived at Desire House.
I turn and thank the driver before getting out of the Uber.
Standing in front of Desire House, I take a deep breath.
The weight of my choices settles on my shoulders as I walk toward the entrance, each step bringing me closer to a reality I'm not sure I'm ready to face.
Once I’m inside, I head straight to my room.
I step into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over my tattooed skin.
Steam rises around me, blurring the edges of my reflection in the glass door.
I close my eyes, trying to wash away the memories of last night, but Viper's touch lingers like a phantom on my skin.
"Focus, Iris," I mutter to myself, lathering shampoo into my long black hair. "You've got work to do."
As I rinse off, I can't help but think of Allegra.
The guilt gnaws at me, threatening to consume my thoughts.
I shake my head, sending water droplets flying. "Nope. Not going there."
I step out of the shower, wrapping a towel around myself.
In the steamy mirror, I catch a glimpse of my reflection—dark eyes rimmed with smudged eyeliner from the night before.
I look like a hot mess, and not in the good way.
Determined to pull myself together, I start applying my makeup.
The familiar routine is soothing, each stroke of eyeliner and swipe of lipstick like armor I'm putting on.
"You've got this," I tell my reflection, finishing with a coat of deep red lipstick. "Just keep busy. Don't think about Viper. Or Allegra. Or how royally fucked up this all is."
I throw on some clothes—a black crop top and high-waisted jeans—and head out the door to Satin Dreams.
I unlock the front door to the club, flipping on lights as I enter.
It looks different in the daylight—less mysterious, more vulnerable.
Kind of like how I feel right now.
"All right," I say to the empty room, clapping my hands together. "Let's do this."
I start with the bar, wiping down surfaces and restocking bottles.
The repetitive motions are calming, and I find myself getting lost in the work.
For a while, I almost manage to forget about everything else.
Almost.
As I'm arranging glasses behind the bar, I hear the front door open.
I freeze, my heart suddenly racing.
It's too early for any of the other girls to be here.
"Hello?" I call out, trying to keep my voice steady. "We're not open yet."
I stand up slowly, peering over the bar.
My blood runs cold as I see who's standing there.
Lyon.
The last person I want to see right now.
"Well, well," he says, a smirk playing on his lips. "Fancy meeting you here, Iris."
I swallow hard, willing my voice not to shake. "What are you doing here, Lyon?"
He takes a step closer, and I have to fight the urge to back away. "Can't a man stop by and check in on his ex?" His eyes roam over me, and I feel exposed despite being fully clothed.
I clench my fists, anger rising to replace my initial fear. "You need to leave. Now."
Lyon's smirk grows wider, more menacing. "Oh, Iris. Always so feisty. It's what I loved the most about you." His voice drops, becoming dangerously soft. "It's also what got you into trouble."
I reach for my phone, trying to look casual. "I'm serious, Lyon. Get out, or I'm calling the cops."
He laughs, the sound echoing in the empty club. "Go ahead. I'd love to see you explain to them how you started an underground brothel with your ex-con of a boyfriend."
My hand stills on my phone.
"And you think they would believe you?" I say, trying to keep my voice level. "Just leave, Lyon. Please."
He takes another step forward, and I can see the anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. "I don't think I will, Iris. In fact, I think it's time we had a little chat about respect. And consequences."
As he moves closer, I realize with growing horror that I'm trapped behind the bar.
My mind races, searching for a way out, but all I can think is: This is bad. This is really, really bad.
I force a laugh, trying to mask the fear that's slowly creeping up my spine. "Yeah, sure," I say, rolling my eyes and channeling every ounce of sarcasm I can muster. "Because I'm just dying to take orders from my stalker ex-boyfriend."
Lyon's eyes narrow, and I can see the muscle in his jaw twitching.
He's always hated when I mock him, and I know I'm playing with fire.
But if there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that you never show weakness.