Chapter 75 Chapter 75
Chapter 75
Nina’s POV
The living room still smelled like whiskey and wood smoke from the fire. Dante stood there with his arms crossed tight. Face hard. Nikolai leaned against the wall watching us. Enzo stayed close to me like he was ready to argue for me if I needed it.
I took a breath. Coat still belted. Silver outfit hidden underneath. “I want to go,” I said. Voice came out stronger than I expected. “I already said yes. I already got ready. I’m not backing out now.”
Dante sighed. Long. Tired. Ran a hand through his hair. “It’s dangerous, Nina. You walk in there looking like that and every man in the place sees dollar signs. Or worse. One wrong touch. One wrong word. And you’re not walking out the same.”
I laughed once. Short. Sharp. “Then give me a gun. I’ve been training. I can handle it.”
Nikolai pushed off the wall. “We can put an audio tracker on her too. Small. Hidden in jewelry. I’ll monitor from here. If anything sounds off, we move in fast.”
Dante looked at him. Then back at me. Eyes searching.
I stepped closer. “Besides, I’ve survived more dangerous situations with you guys. Remember the shower? The gun to my head? This is just dancing. I need to start paying my debts. I need to feel like I’m doing something. Not just waiting around to be saved.”
Dante watched me a long time. Something softened in his face. Not much. But enough.
“Okay,” he said finally. Quiet. “But be careful. Women are snakes in places like that. They smile while they cut you.”
I blinked. Surprised. He was being nice. Actually nice. No cold stare. No threat. Just concern.
He reached behind him. Pulled his gun from the holster. Black. Heavy. Walked over slow. Lifted it to my chin. Barrel cool against my skin. Used it to tilt my face up so I had to look straight into his eyes.
“Make sure no one touches you,” he said. Voice low. Serious. “Not a hand. Not a look that lasts too long. You call if anything feels wrong.”
I swallowed. Nodded. “I have to blend. That’s the idea behind the stripping. I can’t just stand there looking scared.”
He sighed again. Pulled the gun away. Slid it back into the holster. “Enzo will take you tonight. I’ll give you my number. Memorize it. Call me if you need anything.”
Nikolai stepped up. “Mine too. Memorize both.”
I smiled small. “Giving me a phone would save all the stress.”
Dante’s face went firm. “No. Firm no.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t push. “Fine. Let me go eat. I’m starving.”
I walked past them. Coat swishing around my legs. Into the kitchen.
Nana stood at the stove. Stirring something that smelled like garlic and tomatoes. She turned when I came in. Took one look at me. Coat open a little. Silver peeking out. Shook her head slow.
I walked over. Hugged her from behind. Arms around her waist. Chin on her shoulder. “It’s fine, Nana. It’s just work. I’ll be careful. Besides, it’s better than being indoors all day.”
She patted my hand. Didn’t turn. “You think so?”
“When I make enough money,” I whispered, “I’ll take you with me. We’ll go somewhere nice. Beach. Sun. No guns. No debts.”
She smiled. Small. Sad. “I’m not leaving the boys, child. They’re like my kids.”
I pulled back. Looked at her. “Are you serious?”
She opened her mouth to answer.
Enzo walked in. Leather jacket on. Keys in hand. “Little miss stripper. Let’s move. I won’t take you in myself. Too suspicious. But be smart out there.”
I smiled. Real one this time. “I promise.”
He nodded toward the door. “Car’s waiting.”
I hugged Nana one more time. Quick. Tight. Then followed Enzo out.
The drive downtown was quiet at first. City lights getting brighter. Buildings taller. Music from other cars thumped past us. Enzo kept glancing over. Smirk back.
“You nervous?” he asked.
“A little,” I admitted. “But excited too.”
He chuckled. “Good. Use that. Men love a girl who looks like she’s enjoying herself.”
We pulled up to a place called Sex and the City. Neon sign flashing pink and purple. Crazy amount of cars outside. Race cars with spoilers. Limos with tinted windows. Valet guys in black vests running around. Music pulsed so hard I felt it in my chest before we even parked.
Enzo stopped the SUV. Turned to me. “This is it. High rollers. Big spenders. Big mouths. Listen more than you talk. If you hear anything about a silver drive or our business, text the number I gave you. One word. We come.”
I nodded. Unbelted the coat. Let it fall open. Silver outfit caught the streetlights. Sparkled.
Enzo’s eyes darkened again. “You look good, kitten. Real good.”
I smiled shy. “Thanks.”
A guy in a leather jacket walked up. Piercings everywhere. Eyebrow. Nose. Lip. Even small ones along his cheekbones. He leaned down to Enzo’s window.
“New girl?” he asked.
Enzo nodded. “Take care of her.”
The guy looked at me. Smiled crooked. “Follow me, sweetheart.”
I stepped out of the car. Coat left on the seat. Heels clicked on pavement. Cool night air hit bare skin. Made me shiver. But I walked tall. Followed him past the line of people waiting outside. Past the bouncers who nodded at him.
Inside the club hit me like a wave. Lights blinked everywhere. Pink. Blue. Purple. Music loud. Bass deep. Dancers moved on stages. Some on poles. Some hanging from chandeliers. Crystal ones that spun slow. Girls in glitter and lace. Bodies shining with oil. Bundles of hundred-dollar bills flew through the air. Men in suits threw them like confetti. Waitresses in tiny outfits carried trays of champagne.
The guy leaned close so I could hear over the music. “Close your mouth. Girls get gifted cars here. Briefcases of cash. This is the bare minimum.”
He led me through the crowd. Past private booths with curtains half open. Men laughing. Hands on thighs. Girls whispering in ears.
We went down a hallway. Stopped at a door marked “Dressing.” He pushed it open.
Room full of women. Mirrors everywhere. Makeup tables. Clothes racks. Smell of perfume and hairspray thick.
Two women stood in the middle. Kissing. Hands everywhere. One had the other’s top down. Mouth on her breast. Sucking slow. The other moaned soft. Fingers in hair.
The guy cleared his throat. Loud.
They broke apart. The one getting sucked turned. Beautiful. Dark hair. Red lips. Body perfect. She smiled at me. Warm. Welcoming.
“Hey, Angel,” the guy said. “You got a new girl.”
Angel looked me up and down. Eyes kind but sharp. “What’s your name, baby?”
I opened my mouth.
Nothing came out.
I was too shocked. Too transfixed.
She waited. Smiled bigger. The other girl still had her lips on Angel’s nipple. Soft sucking sounds mixed with the music from outside.
I stood there. Frozen. Heart pounding.
Angel stepped closer. Hand gentle on my arm. “It’s okay. First night jitters. We’ve all been there.”
I swallowed. Tried again.
But the words wouldn’t come.
She laughed soft. “Take your time, sweetheart. We got all night.”