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I stared at myself in the large mirror, still unable to believe what I was seeing.
“You look beautiful, babe.” I looked over my shoulder to see Hadley smiling at me from the doorway. Hadley was another of the strippers here atThe Backroom. She was a sweet girl and had done my hair and makeup.
After talking with Iris and Skins, they had disappeared to talk security. We needed to have a backup plan if for any reason these men got suspicious of who I was or what was going on.
Hadley was the only other one who was given information about what was happening since she would most likely be the closest to me at all times. Skins would have to hide in the background because the second he was seen, a shit storm would more than likely start. And Iris still needed to run the club like it was just another ordinary night.
My dark hair was curled and flowed around my shoulders and my makeup was fierce. Dark smoky eyes and red lips to match the black and red themed outfit I had on. If you could even call it that. It covered the main parts, but the bonus was that while you’d normally expect to see strippers taking off their clothes and getting basically naked, Iris said with the lack of clothing I could get away without having to remove anything as long as I gave a good show.
I tried to remember everything Kat and I had practiced. It was vital I made this shit look perfect.
“You’re shaking,” Hadley said stepping up behind me. She placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be right there to take over if something goes wrong. Skins will be right behind the curtain the whole time to whisk you away.”
I nodded, trying to feel some kind of comfort.
“What you’re doing is so brave,” she told me softly, her hand squeezing me with encouragement. “I know Lane. I know she will be forever grateful for you risking yourself to bring her back.”
My eyes caught hers in the mirror. “What’s she like?”
Hadley smiled thoughtfully. “She’s quiet, softly spoken. She has a huge heart and cares about everyone she meets. She’s strong too, but I hate to think about how scared she is right now.” I sighed. “Light has been her everything since they were just kids. I don’t know what will happen if she doesn’t come home.”
My heart raced but her words just confirmed for me that I was doing the right thing.
Everyone needed someone who was willing to fight for them. It didn’t matter how big or small the fight was, knowing that someone was there with you could make all the difference.
I just hoped she hadn’t given up yet.
The door to the room burst open and I jumped out of my seat. Skins appeared in the doorway, slipping through and quickly shutting it behind him. “You’re up beautiful. I snapped a pic of your target so you know who you’re looking for.”
He handed me his cell phone. The picture he must have taken from the security cameras as the men walked in the door. It wasn’t super clear, but it showed three men wearing club vests stepping into the bar area out the front.
Skins reached over and pointed to the man on the left. “That’s Edge. He’s our best way in at the moment.”
Hadley looked over my shoulder and nodded. “I remember him. The other men were always sleazy and crude with their comments, but he was quieter… polite even.”
“Okay, so I need to make an impression,” I said, more to myself than anything.
“Yeah, babe, you’ll get your private time with him also. Iris specified it was only a dance, though, that there would be nothing else going on in the private room. And we will have eyes on you the whole time,” Skins explained.
I memorized the man carefully. It would be easy to pick him out. While the other two guys were slimmer in their build, Edge had broad shoulders and thick arms. His hair was blond and cut short while the others were longer, shaggy and untamed.
A ding filled the room. “That’s your five-minute warning.” Hadley gripped my arms and stood toe to toe with me. “You’ll do great.”
I took a deep breath, tossing Skins his phone and holding my head high as I moved to the door.
The walk to the stage was a blur. Music thumped loudly in the space, girls rushed past, some half naked, others with silk robes covering their bodies. When we reached the curtain, both Hadley and Skins gave me quick hugs before they disappeared.
Iris’ voice sounded loud and the hum of voices seemed to quiet as they listened. “Gentlemen, I have a special treat for you today. Her name is Lily, and boy is she a stunner.” We had decided to change my name just for safety purposes, I was relieved but also nervous because it was another lie I had to remember. “She’s here for one week only, all the way from the bright lights of New York City.”
The curtains in front of me drew open slowly and the music started. I took a deep breath and stepped out into the light, trying to remember what Kat had told me about swaying my hips every time I took a step.
Sexy, sultry, beautiful.
I needed to be all three.
I let my body feel the music. It started off slow and built dramatically so I mimicked it with my movements. We’d gone over my routine to this song so many times it had become almost second nature. My eyes closed as I let the lyrics fill me. Gripping the pole, I swirled and ground, using my hair as a prop and flicking it around.
Open your eyes.
