Chapter 78 Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Nina’s POV
The stage kept rising. Slow at first. Then faster. The floor dropped away beneath me. I scrambled up from my knees. Legs wobbly. The silver heels slipped on the smooth metal. I grabbed the pole to steady myself. Cold chrome bit into my palms.
The music crashed in. Heavy bass. Slow seductive beat. Lights spun. Pink and purple flashes stabbed my eyes. Everything blurred at the edges. The wine I took earlier—only two small sips—hit harder than it should. Head light. Stomach rolling. The room tilted like a bad dream.
I tried to dance. Really tried. Rolled my hips. Raised one arm. Let my hair fall back. But my body wouldn’t listen. Knees trembled. Arms felt heavy. Every move looked jerky. Wrong. The men below noticed.
Laughter rolled up from the crowd. Low at first. Then louder. Sharp.
“She’s drunk already?”
“Look at her shake. New girl can’t even stand.”
“Pathetic. Bring Angel back.”
I turned. Looked for Angel. She was on the other cage stage. High up. Spinning smooth around her pole. Legs wrapped. Back arched perfect. She caught my eye. Gave me a nasty look. Lips curled. Eyes cold. Like she was watching a child fail.
My tummy twisted hard. Fear climbed up my throat. Hot acid burned the back of my mouth. I swallowed it down. Barely.
A man near the front stood up. Thick neck. Gold watch flashing. He threw a thick stack of hundreds. Bills fluttered down like green snow.
“I want her as a slave for my BDSM tonight,” he shouted. Voice carried over the music. “She’ll make a perfect role play. Clumsy little thing. I like breaking them slow.”
More laughter. Phones flashed even though they weren’t supposed to. Security moved quick. Snatched them. But the damage was done.
I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t go to that man. Couldn’t let him touch me. The thought made my skin crawl.
I turned. Looked for the way down. No stairs. No button. The stage was locked high now. Close to the chandelier. Crystals sparkled above me. Sharp. Dangerous.
The wine made everything worse. Vision doubled. The pole looked like two poles. The crowd blurred into a sea of faces. Hungry. Mocking.
I panicked.
I did something crazy.
I jumped.
Pushed off the edge. Legs kicked. Arms out. Fell.
Air rushed past my ears. Short drop. But it felt long.
I landed hard. Knees first. Pain exploded up my legs. Sharp. White-hot. Blood bloomed fast. Warm trickle down my shins. The silver heels snapped. One broke clean off.
The crowd gasped. Loud. Sharp. Feminine scream mixed in.
I looked up.
I hadn’t landed on the floor.
I landed on someone.
A woman.
Tall. Dark hair pulled tight. Black dress. Red lips. She sat in the VIP booth closest to the stage. Legs crossed. Champagne glass in hand. Now the glass lay shattered at her feet. Liquid soaked her dress. Her face twisted. Not shock. Rage.
She stood slow. Towered over me. Eyes black with fury.
The whole club went quiet. Music still played. But the sound felt far away.
She looked down at me. Blood on my knees. Silver outfit torn at the thigh. Hair messed. Makeup smudged from sweat and fear.
“You stupid little bitch,” she hissed. Voice low. Venomous. “Do you have any idea who you just landed on?”
I tried to stand. Knees buckled. Pain shot up my legs. I stayed down. Looked up at her. Heart hammering so hard I thought it would break ribs.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean—”
She stepped closer. Heel crushed broken glass. Crunched. She grabbed my chin. Hard. Nails dug in. Forced my face up.
“You will be sorry,” she said. “Very sorry.”
The crowd watched. Silent now. No laughter. No phones. Just waiting.
Angel appeared at the edge of the stage. Looked down. Face pale. Eyes wide.
The woman let go of my chin. Turned to the security guards rushing over.
“Take her,” she said. Voice calm now. Deadly calm. “To the basement. The X room. She needs to learn manners.”
Two guards grabbed my arms. Pulled me up. Pain flared in my knees. I cried out. Small. They didn’t care. Dragged me toward the side door.
The woman watched me go. Smiled slow. Cruel.
“Tell the Boss,” she said to no one in particular. “We have a new toy.”
The door closed behind me.
Dark hallway. Cold air. Smell of concrete and metal.
They pulled me down stairs. Knees dragged. Blood smeared. Pain throbbed with every step.
Basement door opened.
Red light spilled out.
The X room.
Chains on the walls. Black leather benches. Whips hanging neat. Smell of leather and fear.
They shoved me inside.
Door slammed shut.
Locked.
I fell to my knees again. Blood pooled on the floor. Tears burned my eyes.
I looked at the necklace. The earrings. The trackers.
They were still there.
They were still watching.
But they were far away.
And I was here.
Alone.
Bleeding.
With the woman’s words ringing in my ears.
New toy.
I curled up small. Arms around my knees. Silver outfit torn. Makeup ruined.
And waited.
For whatever came next.
For whoever came next.
Because something told me this night was only beginning.
And it was going to hurt.