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"Wait," Nolan called out, stopping her in her tracks.

She stopped dramatically and turned on one heel. "We are done here."

"We are?" A smile tugged at his lip.

He sat upright and tapped his index and middle fingers together. One of the men standing behind him quickly pulled out a cigar case and pushed it towards the Alpha.

He opened it and Nolan picked one out. Someone handed him a cigar cutter, and he used it to snip off the tip. The cutter doubled as a lighter; he flicked it on, lit the cigar, and took a deep drag.

She didn't respond; rather, she turned away from him, wondering why she had watched him light the cigar. She half expected him to call to her. He didn't, but she could feel his gaze on her back as she walked down the stairs until she was out of sight.

"You're letting her go?" Luca asked in horror.

Nolan shrugged and took another deep drag. It was unlike his right-hand man to say anything about the women around him; she must have deeply unsettled him.

He grinned as he let out smoke. He was utterly entertained. It wasn't every day he was addressed this way, let alone by a stripper.

He wasn't bothered by the profession but he was used to them trying to curry his favor. She seemed irritated and had stared at him with genuine disgust.

The only thing that bothered him was that he did not realize a test was going on. He would have sworn the feeling was mutual.

Besides, even if it wasn't, he had enough money to sway her. Not that he relied on his money to woo women, but he didn't shy away from using the tools in his arsenal.

He took a sharp breath as he recalled how she moved on him. Was this what it meant to think a stripper loves you?

"Rosa, huh?" He said out loud.

He hadn't gotten her name a week ago at the party he threw, but there was no way he would mistake that blue hair. Yet, she had acted as though they had never met. He was intrigued.

"Luca," he called.

"Yes, Alpha."

"Pay the bill in cash and let's get out of here."

Luca nodded and withdrew into the crowd, leaving Nolan to himself. The Alpha scanned the crowd but there was no sign of her.

He twisted his lips. It was the first day; he would have to exercise some patience. It was going to be worth it. He felt pressure on his dick.

He stretched his hands towards the two women who came with him and they appeared by his side in an instant. He didn't even know their names but they would have to do for tonight.

Luca returned not long after. He nodded to Nolan, signalling that he was done with his task.

Nolan stood up with the cigar in hand. He scanned his eyes around, looking for any sign of that blue hair before he had to leave, but there was still no sign of her.

It didn't matter; he knew where to find her. Seeing her again would be easy peasy. He knew causing trouble would just give her a reason to avoid him further. He was not going to give her a chance.

\---

Rosa sat in front of her mirror with a displeased look on her face. After attending to Nolan, she didn't step out of the dressing room again, but surprisingly Franco didn't call for her.

She didn't know what his play was. She didn't believe for a minute that it was simply a coincidence that he had requested her. She had heard enough about him to know this was a deliberate act.

He must have recognized her from the party. She wasn't surprised; her appearance wasn't exactly tame and her blue hair was easy to spot.

She hoped he had satisfied whatever he was looking for and he would leave her be. The last person's interest she wanted to pique was his.

Hopefully, he was deterred by her and besides, she wasn't an omega. She was relieved about that. She wasn't his usual type.

"There you are," a singsong voice floated into the dressing room.

Rosa had a look of disbelief as she turned to see Franco walking into the dressing room with his voluminous fur coat and bright smile on his face.

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him. It was currently the closing hour and she had not stepped back into the club in hours. Franco had no reason to come to her with a smile on his face.

"What is going on?"

"Well," he said cheerily, "I brought your pay. Don't worry, I also added the money sprayed during your set."

He threw a backpack at her. Rosa caught it with one hand. She stared at the bag and back at Franco.

"In cash just like you like it," he said with a wink and then he was gone.

A backpack?

Her solo set brought her a lot of money but it was certainly not enough to fill a backpack. She was tempted to open it and see, but it would be better to take care of it in her apartment.

She would be able to properly clean the cash and count it. She wasn't worried about getting cheated. As money-hungry as Franco was, he wasn't greedy and always made sure the girls were paid their worth and that was why they often went over and beyond for him.

"I didn't know you knew Mafia King Nolan," a shrill voice spoke behind her.

She narrowed her eyes and placed the bag by her foot. There was still some time before she could head home. She was already exhausted and her feet were killing her.

She shouldn't have done all that to the Mafia King to prove a point. She should have been boring so he would have requested someone else. It was too late to lament now.

"I asked you a question."

"That wasn't a question, Tracy," she replied without looking back.

"So you know him."

"No."

"Then why would he ask for you when everyone knows I give better lap dances?"

Rosa took a deep breath. "Why are you asking me? Besides, I told Franco you would do a better job but he insisted."

"Yeah, I heard that part. Why would he insist?"