But… No. I’m not watching this happen.
I increase my steps, checking my Rolex as I stride up to them. “Hey, baby.” I address Kayla with casual arrogance. “There you are. I've been looking all over for you."
Alonso spins around, his grip on Kayla ’s hair loosening slightly. "Mr. Torrino? Is there something I can help you with?"
"Actually, yes." I let my gaze slide to Kayla, then back to Alonso. “This little sweet thing here promised me a private dance. I’m here to collect.” I do my best to flash a creepy grin.
Alonso's smile is all practiced courtesy. "Of course, sir. But this one..uh…is already spoken for. I can get you any of our other girls. Emerald is available, or perhaps Cinnam?—”
"No." I cut him off with the kind of authority that money commands. "I want her specifically."
"Sir, I understand, but there’s another guest?—“
"Is your other guest prepared to pay twenty thousand for a lap dance?" I reach for my wallet, making sure they both see the thick stack of hundreds inside. "Because that's what I'm offering."
Alonso's eyes widen. Even Kayla looks shocked.
“Twenty thousand?" Alonsopractically salivates. "Sir, that's...that's very generous, but?—"
“Okay, thirty-five.” I don't even blink. "Final offer. Take it, or I find another club that knows how to treat its VIP clientele."
The calculation happens behind Alonso's eyes in real time. Christian might be disappointed, but thirty-five grand is thirty-five grand. I doubt he wants to explain to his superiors why he turned it down.
“No, no, Mr. Torrino. No need for you to leave Midnights. We greatly value your patronage." Alonso's grip on Kayla loosens slightly. Room three is available. And she better make it worth your money."
He says the last part to Kayla through gritted teeth.
He pushes Kayla toward the private room, and I follow, my jaw so tight I might crack a molar. The room is small and dimly lit, with burgundy walls and a single leather chair in the center. A small camera is mounted in the corner, its red light blinking steadily.
Alonso shuts the door behind us with a decisive click.
Kayla stands frozen in the middle of the room, her arms wrapped around herself like armor. She won't meet my eyes.
"I don't know what I'm doing," she whispers, so quietly I almost miss it.
“Look.” I tip her chin up, forcing her to look at me. Her eyes are enchanting, even now when she’s stressed and scared out of her mind. “I don’t expect anything from you. All I wanted was to get you away from that asshole.”
Her head swings up. “You paid thirty-five thousand dollars to get me away from Alonso? Why?”
I shrug. “He’s a dick.”
She stares at me, incredulous.
"We’ll just stay in here for a while and then head back out. I’ll tell him you were great.”
Her laugh is bitter. "See that?" She nods toward the camera. "They're watching. If I don't...perform, Alonso will punishme. Trust me, he’s got no mercy. I’ve seen girls who’ve been punished.”
The knowledge pisses me the fuck off. "How long have you been here?"
“About a week." She finally looks at me, and I see resignation mixed with terror. "Look, I know this is what you paid for, but I've never done this before. I don't know how to...to be sexy or seductive or whatever you're expecting."
She's so young. So fucking innocent. And these animals are going to destroy her piece by piece.
“Okay, doll,” I keep my voice low, soothing. "Look at me."
She does, her eyes wide and pleading.
"We're going to put on a show for that camera. But you're in control here, understand? If you want to stop, you stop.”
