Page 80 of Miss Belief

I knew Aiden had money just like Reid did, but I’d never take a dime. “Even if I was tempted to accept help, my sister wouldn’t touch it. She absolutely refuses to take charity.”

Chloe’s shoulders slumped. “There has to be a way. Talk to Reid.”

“A relationship with him wouldn’t work.”

“Why not?”

“For one, he’s told me countless times how happy he was not to be dating anyone. For another, my stripping would be a liability for him and his career. And there’s the fact we’re from two very different backgrounds.”

“I call bullshit. Those are excuses. The type you tell yourself because you don’t believe you deserve something good in your life.”

“It’s reality, Chloe Bear. Like I told you before, I’m Cheez Whiz, and he’s spent his entire life surrounded by brie.” And I’d been stupid to forget it. “Anyhow, I’ll text you once I get back and let you know I arrived safely. Okay?”

She sighed but let the subject drop. “Okay.”

Nineteen hours later, I walked into my apartment in Dubai, leery of what I might find. I was immediately grateful to discover I was still without a new roommate. Thank God for small favors. After a shower, I sent quick texts to my sister and Chloe to let them know I’d arrived and that I’d call them both tomorrow.

I cursed at the low-battery sign. Just my luck. I’d forgotten my charger in the resort hotel room. To conserve what power I had left until I could buy a new charger, I turned the device off. As much as I needed a nap, I had no time. I had to get to the club.

Myra didn’t bat a fake eyelash when I came in that same night and asked to work during the week. The additional hours increased my risk of discovery, but what choice did I have? Dubai might be progressive, as far as Middle Eastern cities went, but there was no way it would ever be legal here for a woman to take off her clothes in a public place.

I knew exactly why I had the risks on my mind tonight. Because of Reid’s brother. The fact he knew my secret unnerved me. Now I was wondering how many other people knew. And how the hell had he found out? I wished I’d thought to ask.

After changing over into my G-string and pasties, I shoved my regular clothes into my locker along with my purse. Then I turned around and took a deep breath. Another night, another dollar.

A typical evening consisted of performing a stage show, after which we’d work the crowd. It was a good thing it was a slower Wednesday night, since I wasn’t on my A game. When the floor manager came up to me, I tensed, worried he’d noticed my lack of enthusiasm. Men didn’t drop thousands of dollars here in order to have a lame lap dance.

“Ruby, you have a back-room request.”

I wasn’t over my last back-room request which had ended with me taking a backhand across the face. I was about to pass when he made my decision for me. “Myra says it’s nonnegotiable.”

Crap. “Which room?”

“Room six.”

I didn’t like the idea of meeting a mystery man in room six, but it wasn’t unusual for a customer to see you on the floor and request your presence in a private room. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be creepy or horrible like the Russian man from two weeks ago.

But when I walked into room six, I faced my worst nightmare.