Page 44 of Taint My Soul

The two men led me into Madame’s office. The woman sits in her chair, barely lifting her eyes toward me as she stacks cash on her table. “Did you get my message last night?”

“My phone wasn’t charged.”

“I don’t fucking care. Get dressed.”

“But he terminated the contract.”

“And you think I’ll let you off just because he terminated your contract. A man is waiting for you in the VIP room.”

“But…”

“But what?” Her cold gaze snaps toward me. “Do you know how much Mr. King pays here? You have to pay up before I let you go. Get dressed. The boys will lead you to him.”

I have no words, so I leave through the door and move straight to my locker. I put on my skin-tight leather pants and leather-bound straps, gaze resting on the black mask only for a moment.

Whoever this man is, it’s not Saint.

There’s no reason for me to wear a mask.

All I have to do is think of something else until it’s over.

Those are the words I repeat in my head as the two security leads me down through the back. We appear through thick red curtains which open into the strip floor. Dancers are already hopping and sliding down the pole while the throng of alcohol-induced men and women spray their money and cheer over the thumping hip-hop music.

There’s a door in the corner which opens into a smaller hall with three doors. We walk past the first, then stop at the second. I sigh, lift my hands, and bring them against the dark red wood.

“Come in.” The voice of the man on the other side is hoarse, but somewhat familiar. I grip the handle and push, stepping into the purple-lit room. The door clicks behind me as I step closer, taking in the young man sprawled on the seat with a rum glass in his hand.

It’s Kurt.

How the fuck did he know I worked here?

What is he even doing here? Does he know about Saint?

“Shocked to see me here?” He chuckles under his breath. He gulps his drink and gets on his feet, walking toward me.

“What the fuck do you want?”

“Whatever you did, undo it.”

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about.” I shrug. But of course, I did. Saint firing Kurt’s going to blow back on me, and he’s not here to protect me when I actually need him. Why the fuck do I even need him to protect me? Why am I even thinking of him?

“How did you know I work here?”

“Saw you here on your first night at the bar downstairs.”

“Look, whatever happened with the boss. I don’t fucking have a hand in it.”

“Oh, but you do.” He moves toward me and grips my hand. “I worked six years for that position. You can’t take it from me just because you’re sleeping with the boss.”

My expression twists with complete shock before it melts into amusement. I laugh, and he watches me in disbelief.

“Goodbye, Kurt. I’m not fucking you.” I snatch my hand from him and head toward the door.

I expect him to follow me, but he doesn’t even as I step into the hallway, and the two men look at me. “He came too quickly,” I yell and cackle. I reach the door on the other end. That’s when I hear his voice, embarrassed and infuriated.

I look back as I step into the vibrant, teeming club, I push through the sea of overstimulated bodies when someone grips me. My head whips around, and my gaze rests on Kurt.

He’s fucking insufferable.