I was flattered. The black and gold card looked expensive, and I smiled warmly. “Thank you so much Frank. I promise you I’ll think about it if I decide to leave here.”
“I hope you will. I hate to leave such beautiful company ladies, but I have an early morning.” He stood, and I was shocked when he lifted my hand, kissing the back of it softly. “It was a pleasure watching you tonight, Lily.”
Kera’s eyes widened as she watched Frank walk away. “I’d say you have a new fan.” She grinned, and waggled her eyebrows.
“I might have a new employer. Sin told me he doesn’t want me to dance here again.”
“He what!” Kera shouted so loud that several heads turned. She lowered her tone before continuing. “What is his problem? All the men loved you tonight.”
“I think that ‘was’ the problem.”
Kera looked at me in confusion. “You’ve lost me. I think this is a conversation that might be better had at my place.”
I nodded my head. It was close to closing time at the club so we walked back to the dressing room so I could change back into my street clothes. I made over a thousand dollars when I counted the bills. Giving up dancing wasn’t going to happen. Sin could just kiss my butt!
He didn’t walk out of his office as we closed down and I admit my feelings were hurt. I drove back to Kera’s and we discussed everything that happened earlier. She was just as angry as I was when I finished.
“I knew Sin had issues, but I wouldn’t have believed he could be so possessive. Obviously he wants you, but doesn’t have the balls to really commit. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know yet. I’ve got the rest of the week to think about it.” I was hoping Sin would call me and take back his demand. We talked for a little longer before I begged off. I was exhausted. Mentally and physically. I fell onto my bed the minute I made it back to the dorms.
chapter seventeen
Change
By Wednesday I’d given up on getting a phone call from Sin. I knew I had to make a decision. My thought was if he wasn’t willing to pick up a phone, then I wasn’t giving him the satisfaction of calling first. I decided to call Frank.
I dialed his number and was shocked when he answered on the first ring. I explained who I was and he acted like he could never forget me. I was sure it was an act, he probably had dozens of women calling him each day. I told him I was interested in auditioning.
I couldn’t help but smile into the phone when he told me I didn’t need to audition. He told me if I wanted a job it was mine. Yes, my ego was a little stroked by his apparent eagerness to have me work for him. I’d already looked up his club site on the computer, and it appeared to be an exclusive gentleman’s club.
When he said I could start Friday, I was amazed. I told him I would be there at seven, and we ended our conversation. Sin’s club didn’t require notice to be given, and even if it had I wouldn’t have cared. I was still angry and as far as I was concerned, he was being a jerk.
I called Kera and explained that I was taking another job. She told me to make sure and turn in my uniforms so I would get my last check. Kera understood that I was doing what I thought was best. I wasn’t sure that I had any other option.
I finished out my time at the school store that day, and then dropped by Sin’s club. I knew I needed to get his keys back to him. Thankfully I had enough money put back that I could take a cab to Frank’s place until I had enough for a new vehicle.
I didn’t find out until I arrived at the club that Sin was out of town this week. George didn’t offer any details, and I wasn’t going to pry. “I need to turn in my uniforms and could you give Sin’s keys back to him when he returns.”
“You leaving us honey?”
I could see the sincere disappointment in his face and smiled. “Sin doesn’t want me to dance, and I was offered another job.” I didn’t feel it was wrong to tell him the truth. If Sin didn’t want anyone to know, then he should have allowed me do what he trained me for.
There was no guilt on my part about me leaving. I felt a little sad that is had come down to this, but I wasn’t ready to be someone’s little play toy. That’s what I felt I’d be if I stayed around Sin.
“It’s a damn shame. You really put on a great show.”
“Thanks George. Frank Fowler offered me a position at the Gent’s Club, it looks like a nice place.” I really liked this guy. I realized I was going to miss his friendly face.
“Don’t know much about that place, but I hope you do real well for yourself.”
“I’m graduating soon. I just hope it pays the bills until then.” I hoped that I’d find a real career when I had my degree in hand.
“You just finish school and go make something of yourself. I’m proud of you.”
I hadn’t heard those words in so long it almost brought tears to my eyes. “You’re going make me all teary eyed.” I smiled, wanting him to know I appreciated the encouragement.
“None of that now honey. This is just a means to an end. You got a good head on your shoulders. I know from just talking with you.”
I handed him the uniforms, and Sin’s car keys. “Tell Sin I appreciate the use of the car.”
“You sure you don’t want to wait until he comes back and give them to him?”
“It’s better this way. He’s got things to do and so have I.” That was the bitter truth. Sin didn’t want me fulltime in his life and I was no one’s part time piece on the side. I had to keep reminding myself of that as I walked out the door.
I made it through the next few days without shedding a tear. It wasn’t easy. But crying over a man who obviously didn’t want me was just stupid. Yes it hurt to know I’d given my virginity to a man who would never love me. I could only chalk it up to a life experience and remind myself to think about things before jumping again.
chapter eighteen
Gent’s
Walking through the door at Gent’s, that was the name of Frank’s club, was an experience. The pictures online didn’t do the place justice. It was really classy.
Two curving, long flights of stairs spilled down to a center stage that was flooded with soft red lights. Everything about the place bespoke money and entitlement. Frank met me at the door and held out his hands, smiling.
“I’m so glad you decided to join us.”
I grinned back. It felt a little strange, but I walked over and put my hands in his. The soft squeeze he gave was friendly, and didn’t make me feel awkward. “Thanks for giving me a job.”
“Sin is crazy to let you go, but I know you’ll feel more at home around my clientele. You are too beautiful not to be pampered.”
I had no idea what he was talking about, so I just smiled stupidly. He chuckled and let go of one of my hands. With the other hand he led me up one of the carpeted brass stair cases. “This place is really amazing.” I felt like I’d just walked into some rich guy’s version of paradise as I glanced around.
“We cater to the man with refined tastes.” He continued to guide me. “You’ll discover that our customers are some of most influential men in the city.” He stopped outside a gilded door and opened it.
There were several women inside and they were all beautiful. For the first time in my life I felt a little dowdy. These ladies looked like runway models, not strippers. “Come meet your new family.” He smiled as he glanced around at the dancers.
“Ladies, this is our newest addition. The sweet Lily, please make her feel welcome tonight.”
There was a strange tone in his voice that didn’t fit with the nice persona he was giving, but I figured it could just be my nerves. Dancing at Sin’s one night sure didn’t put me in the league to be around these women, I thought. I hadn’t even watched them perform yet but I instinctively felt there was experience surrounding me in droves just from the way they studied me.
“I’ll take her under my wing Frank.” A tall, leggy redhead walked toward me extending a perfectly manicured hand.
&n
bsp; “Very good. I trust you to teach her all she needs to know this weekend, Darcy.” The smirk on Frank’s face was out of place and I felt a small sliver of panic.
I took Darcy’s hand, because it would have been rude not to. The smile she gave me didn’t meet the emerald depths of her eyes. “Nice to meet you.” I wasn’t sure it really was, but I didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot.
“I’ve got this Frank,” Darcy’s perfectly outlined lips raised in what could be considered a smile. She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and I tried not to tense. “Lily and I will become the best of friends.”
Frank seemed to take her words to heart, because he nodded. “I’ll leave you with the ladies.” Lifting my hand, he kissed it before walking back out the door.
“Frank is enamored with you,” Darcy laughed softly. “To be young again.” Her laugh was humorless and I didn’t really know how to respond. I blushed.
She introduced me to the other women. I was grateful because it broke the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew I’d never remember all their names tonight, but I tried to stuff as many of them as I could in my memory.
“We must get you dressed in something more fitting for the night.” Darcy walked over to a long row of dresses against the back wall. I was shocked that it consisted of evening gowns that probably cost more than I made in a month.
“Size three, I presume?” Darcy arched an elegant brow at me, her hands stopping on the rack of clothing.
I nodded and she smirked, seemingly amused. The dress she pulled off the rack was stunning. My eyes widened as she held it out for me to take. The white, shimmering silk seemed to flow like hot melted butter. “It’s beautiful.”
“Frank has good taste. I’m sure it will whet his appetite seeing you dressed in white.” That humorless laugh again escaped and I honestly didn’t understand what was funny.
I took the garment then glanced around until I saw a dressing screen. Her laugh was filled with humor when I stepped behind it to dress. I got the impression she wasn’t a nice woman. I know it was wrong to judge someone on sight, but there was something about the way she looked at me.
Darcy was all professionalism when I walked back out among the group. “Lovely. The men will adore you.” Tapping a finger against her lips, she seemed to contemplate.
“Rebecca, fix her hair and makeup while I gather some drinks.” She obviously expected the woman to do as she asked. I watched the door close behind her.
“Come sit down and let’s make you even more beautiful.” Alana seemed like a decent person. The smile she gave actually did reach her eyes and I liked her instantly.
Following her suggestion, I walked over to the chair she was motioning to, and sat down. “So have you worked here long?”
Her honey brown eyes looked trouble by the question, but she covered it with another smile. “A little over a year.” She began brushing my hair and I was amazed at how expertly she styled.
“So are the tips good?” Rebecca had moved on to do my makeup. My eyes were closed as she applied shadow to my lids.
“It’s more money than you can imagine.” Maybe it was just me, but she didn’t sound like she was happy with that.
I could only assume that she wasn’t pleased with her career choice. Even during my short time at Sin’s place I’d met girls that hated what they did. The money kept them in the profession, but you could see in their eyes how they resented the job.
“I’m only doing this for a few months until I finish college.” I’d hoped maybe my declaration would make it clear that she had other options.
She finished with my face and I could only stare at myself in astonishment. This woman would make a great makeup artist, I thought. “Wow, you should be a beautician.”
She shook her head and the sadness that filled her eyes stunned me. “I said the same thing. It’s hard to stop once you get started in this line of work.”
I didn’t have time to ask her to explain. Darcy walked in with a tray of drinks. She sat them down on the make-up counter, and lifted a wine glass off, handing it to me. “I think we should all celebrate our newest arrival.”
Again the smile didn’t meet her eyes. I internally shrugged. Whatever was going on in this woman’s mind, I didn’t want to make her angry. Frank obviously liked her, and I couldn’t afford to make an enemy here.
I took the drink she offered and watched as the glasses were handed out around the room. Darcy lifted the drink in a mock toast, and as everyone else drank, so did I.
The drink was really sweet and fruity. My nerves were really strung tight so I finished it quickly. There was a strange aftertaste that I couldn’t quiet place, but I knew I didn’t want to drink whatever that was again.
Rebecca gave me a strangely compassionate look, and I began to feel really odd. My head felt a little light, and I grabbed the armrests on the chair. “Wow that stuff packs a punch.”
“I’m sorry. I should have warned you about Frank’s specialty. It does have an interesting effect.” Darcy laughed and held out a hand.
I felt the room spin somewhat, and reached out to accept her help. “I think next time I might need to forgo that drink.” I actually giggled. That was so not like me. Even the tequila hadn’t given me a buzz as quickly as that drink did.
The night passed by in a complete blur. I wasn’t asked to strip that night. Darcy took me around, introducing me to countless men that seemed pleased to meet me. I smiled when I remembered, but to be honest I wasn’t really thinking. Whatever that drink was, it kicked my butt. I had never giggled so much in my life.
Endless partners asked me to dance, and knowing I needed to make my place in the club, I accepted every offer. I had no idea what I’d said to any of the men I talked to, but they didn’t seem to mind. As long as I smiled they appeared pleased.
Frank drove me home before sunrise in his limousine. It was the first time I’d ever ridden in one, and that seemed pretty funny to me. Everything was humorous. Even Frank reaching over and pulling me to him, kissing me soundly on the lips before he let me out at the dorms.
He’d stuck a wad of cash in my purse, and I was so blitzed that I didn’t even stop to count it. I made it back into my room and fell on my bed. I didn’t even remember changing back into my street clothes at the club. I passed out the minute my head hit the pillow.
chapter nineteen
Rage
“What the fuck do you mean she quit!” I leave for less than a week and all hell broke loose at my club.
George held his hands up behind the bar. Like he was trying to fend off an attack. I wasn’t a total asshole. I wasn’t going to beat the shit out of him. “What did she say?”
“She said you wouldn’t let her dance. Some guy from Gent’s offered her a job according to Kera and she took it?” George gave a shrug of his shoulders.
“Goddamn, Motherfucking Shit!” She was with Frank Fowler. That sleazy asshole was only allowed in my club because he greased half the fucking politician’s pockets in the city, and you didn’t exclude him if you wanted to remain in business.
I left so I could get my shit together. I was falling hard and fast and felt like a complete mother fucker for what I’d done to Anya. I didn’t think she’d leave. I knew I’d pissed her off, but I’d assumed she’d just dance anyway. That was the reason I’d taken the vacation. I didn’t want to blow my fucking cool again when she rocked that stage.
Fowler was a fucking slimy ass crook. He just happened to be one rich ass piece of shit. “You got any idea what he does to those girls George?” I knew this wasn’t his fault but fuck me I needed someone to lay the blame on.
“This is the only strip club I visit.” He rolled his eyes and chuckled. “I ain’t no babysitter Sin. You should’ve taken care of her before you left.”
I knew he was right. That didn’t stop me from slamming my hand down on the bar in frustration. Frank was nothing more than a glorified pimp, and that fucking ritzy place he called a
club was a ring game. It was rumored that he kept his girls drugged up. He paid enough people off to keep that rumor silenced. No way in hell my sweet little lily was staying there.
I pulled my cell phone out and dialed up Frank. Disgusted that I had his number in my contacts, I waited until he answered. “You got one of my girls. I want her back.”
I knew the power that fuck head had over the authorities and would have to play his way. As much as I hated it, he had even more clout than I did.
“You let that little beauty slip right out the door. Now why should I let her go?”
Frank was loving this shit. I could hear it in his voice. He’d been trying to get me involved with his game for years. I didn’t buy and sell flesh.
“We both know the game Frank. How much is it going to cost me to make you kick her ass out the door?” I knew she couldn’t have worked for him more than a few days since George said she stopped in on Wednesday. It was only Tuesday now.
“Sweet Lily is a real asset to my club. I’ve grown rather fond of her.” His possessive laugh made me want to smash his head through a fucking window. I gritted my teeth, knowing I had to be nice.
“Name your price.” Frank was a low-life but he was also a business man. I knew he’d cave if I kept offering money.
“Fifty grand and the little flower gets a pink slip.” I could tell it amused him to name such a price. There was no doubt in my mind that the rumors of prostitution were real now. If it was really that pricey to get him to boot Anya to the curb, he sure wasn’t selling erotic dances.
“Shit Frank, that’s some serious green.” I had the money but I wanted to see if he’d fold on the price.
“That’s some prime pussy.”
I saw fucking red with his words. “You sample her to find that out?” If he touched my girl I was going to ram his balls up his ass and say fuck you to whoever I pissed off.
5 Nights (Sinful Delights Romance - Boxed Set) Page 9
