Page 19 of Liberated By Sin
My cousin’s head snapped up when I didn’t follow, eyebrows stitching together as I tossed him one last look before returning my full attention to the stage.
Amara had stepped out of her bodysuit and dropped to the floor, back arched, with perfectly round tits jutting toward the ceiling. Red, glittery pasties covered her nipples, causing my jaw to clench with the desire to peel them back with my teeth.
“Santino?”
“I’m not selling,” I deadpanned, shaking from his hold.
Maybe Miami wasn’t so bad, after all.
“What the fuck did you just say?”
The music died down just as he’d uttered those words. And it was as if we’d drawn the eyes of every soul in the entire establishment. But in that instant, they faded into the background because, this time, there was no doubt. I finally had Amara’s full attention.
9
“Wherehave you been?”
Cambri barged through my dressing room door, heels stabbing the tiled floor as if she intended to crack the foundation. I met her wild eyes in the mirror while I wiped away my makeup and glitter.
“I’ve been right here. What are you so worked up about?”
“Luca was escorted off the property by our own security.”
I froze mid-wipe and turned to my friend, who was now leaning against the vanity, red wig in hand and waiting for my reaction to the news that our temporary boss had been kicked out of his late father’s club. While I loved her to death, she had this annoying fascination with being unnecessarily suspenseful when it came to story-telling. Luca being gone would be the highlight of my night—he was crude, an absolute dick, and so far up his own ass, I was surprised he could see straight. Every day, I’d come to work and wonder if it would be the one where he would end up with my blade protruding from his face.
“Are you going to tell me what happened, or do Ineed to beat it out of you?”
She laughed and shoulder-checked me. “Apparently, the mysterious co-owner of Illusion finally showed up. He and Luca got into it, and next thing I know, Blaise and Ash tossed his ass.”
Cambri pulled a cigarette from her bralette and pinched it to the corner of her mouth as she spoke. “It was glorious. ’Bout time someone put that bastard in his place. And good God is he delicious.”
The memory of a handsome and unfamiliar man stitched in my thoughts. While we had our regulars, remembering every patron was impossible…but even through the shadows and blinding lights, forgetting a face like that would be downright tragic. We’d locked eyes from across the room just long enough to know he wasn’t simply another horny client hiding his wedding ring and spending a small fortune on ass and tits. Call it intuition or paranoia, but I felt his presence here tonight meant something. And clearly, I’d been spot on.
But I stopped caring about men long ago; otherwise, I might have stuck around for some extra cash. Today’s shift was lucrative. A hot shower, warm bed, and a good book were all I needed tonight.
“What’s that look for?” I asked, eyeing her sly grin.
“When that man saw you on stage, he damn near tossed me across the bar, Amara. He was fucking mesmerized.”
Rolling my eyes, I swiped the last specks of glitter from my cheek and got to my feet.
“You know that means nothing to me. He’s just another swinging dick getting hard to a half-naked woman putting on a show.”
Cambri trailed behind me as I slung my bag and headed for the door.
“I know, girl. But getting good with the boss has its perks. You know that better than anyone. Lorenzo spoiled you, even gave you this private dressing room, while the rest of us peasants still fight for a corner of the mirror.”
“Cambri, you know you’re welcome to share with me,” I said, laughing at her theatrics and throwing my arm around her shoulder.
She leaned into me. “Fine. I’ll move my stuff over tonight.”
“Perfect.”
“Can I have this fabulous vanity, though?”
“Don’t push it…” I trailed off when I tugged open the door and found myself face-to-face with our new boss.
Maybe the glare had been entirely too bright from where I was standing on stage because, while it was apparent he was handsome from a distance, I wasn’t anticipating his caliber of looks. Strangely, a twinge of something churned in my belly. It wasn’t butterflies or any of that shit women feel when they see an attractive man.