Rowan’s eyes narrowed as he studied me. He reached over, his hand finding mine and squeezed it. “Violet. . .” He paused. “I am only going to ask this because your heart—” He stopped then tried again. “You do not seem yourself. Did someone hurt you? Are you in trouble?”
Despite the deafening pounding of the music, I heard every word he said as my heart clenched.
No, not here. Not now. I can’t tell him. I can’t tellanyone.
Tears pricked my eyes as I placed my drink down. “No, Rowan. No one hurt me.” The lie stung so much I could barely contain the fresh tears that wanted to spill. I felt oddly vulnerable sitting in the city’s most prestigious gentlemen’s club, knowing I would not be able to escape the path I had taken, surrounded by the very place that tried to break me.
The red string of fate would never let me go.
Rowan took that moment to pull me to him, head resting on top of my head, and I didn’t have the strength to fight him. “You can lie all you want with that mouth of yours, but your body betrays you.”
My breath caught, and it took every effort to not break.
No, I will not waiver.I pulled away, watching his hands fall to his sides, and shook my head. “I’m not lying, Rowan. Even if I was, it would be for the greater good.”
“For the greater good? How noble of you. Are you a superhero now?” He clicked his tongue, but didn’t push me any further.
A flash of movement caught my eye, breaking whatever intimate moment there was between us. Jules rounded the corner, her face glowing under the club’s lighting. Platinum hair cascaded past her barely covered breasts, held by nothing but wisps of fabric. She commanded the space without trying, her entire being a living fantasy. Men stared. Womenmeasured themselves against her. The unattainable standard of beauty packaged in five-foot-five inches of curves and confidence.
“Hi there, sweetie! I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” she said, piercing blue eyes flicking to me with a mix of curiosity and apology. She stepped forward, offering the briefest hug, perfunctory yet warm. “I’m so sorry, but. . . I don’t seem to know your name?”
“Alexis,” I replied, voice steady despite my pulse. A small flush warmed my cheeks. “I overheard a girl complaining you needed more bodies here, and your name was dropped.”
“Oh! Do you happen to know the girl’s name?” she inquired gently.
I shrugged. “No, sorry. . . I hope that’s okay?”
Her eyes lit up, bright and genuine. “Oh, that’s alright! We just weren’t expecting any girls this week, but as it happens, I can squeeze in an audition now.” She pivoted to Andy, speaking with authority. “Let the sound guy know to play one of our entry songs in the next fifteen minutes.” She turned back to me. “I’m the one who typically handles the girls, so you can direct any questions to me.” Her voice carried a confidence that shrank the room, marking her territory without effort.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Ugh,” Jules groaned. “Donotcall me ma’am. I’m not that old, sweetie. Now, tell me a little about yourself.”
My gut twisted as she stared, her eyes dissecting me. Images from my previous life flashed by: Jules placing her hands over my own and guiding me on a pole, her voice gentle but firm as she showed me how to move. “Arch your back more. Feel the music. Like that, yes!”
The first hurdle was a fitness test. Was I even in good enough shape to be on the stage?
I cleared my throat. “I have trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, archery, and equestrianism from a very young age, so. . . I’m in good shape.”
Jules nodded. “Well, the horsemanship will help those legs of yours. I’m not sure about the rest, especially since you didn’t mention any dancing.”
She stepped around me, eyeing my body. I tried not to fidget with my dress and almost missed Rowan’s hand as it brushed against mine, barely there. The whisper of contact anchored me as his fingers slowly grazed mine in a tantalizing spell that made my breath catch. I lookedup, flushed, and caught his eyes watching me. My body was on fire, and it wasn’t from the club lights.
Jules’s voice broke the spell as I yanked my hand away. “Your friend will need to wait here, sweetie. Is that alright?” She glanced between us, curiosity sparkling beneath her long lashes.
“Of course.” I cut my eyes to Rowan, noting the hard tick in his jaw, the tension coiling in his shoulders. “Myfriendcan wait, right?”
Please say yes, Rowan. Ineedthis.I looked at him with pleading eyes. . .
Which must have gotten through to him, because he replied with a grumbly, “Da.”
Jules looked at me, confused, and I clarified. “He means yes. Sorry. He’s an idiot who forgets to speak English sometimes.”
Jules laughed and clapped her hands together. “Follow me this way, please.”
She guided me deeper into the club, her gaze crawling over me like a physical touch. Every instinct in my body screamed caution as she cataloged my walk.
Jules asked, “Did you bring an outfit in your bag, or will you need to borrow one from our wardrobe?”
