2. Seduce Us

Lucienne's POV

“Strip?” My brothers and I asked in shock. “Please no,” Ezekiel said something before I could. “I'm not interested in seeing the nakedness of a murderer. She's your mate, she can strip for you in private but not for us,” Ezekiel chuckled like he had some decency in him but I was a bit grateful for his words. I could only pray Daniel would agree. I couldn't bring myself to strip in front of so many people.

“You have a point there,” Daniel smiled, before throwing the dress at me. “You'd strip for me later as the second half of this punishment. For the first half, you're going to dance for us, seductively.”

I felt a mixture of shame, anger, and helplessness. Me? Wear that? How was I even going to fit into that tiny fabric which seemed like it was going to rip with just one move? Then do a seductive dance?

Everyone seemed to like this new plan and with a clap of Ezekiel's hand, a lady dressed in a similar outfit appeared. With a few orders whispered into her ears, she dragged me who was rooted to the ground away and into their changing room, helping me into the gown that barely covered my nipples and lower body area.

"Good luck out there," she said with a pitiful smile then left, leaving me to stare at the mirror, and before I knew it, I broke down in tears. 

"Hey!" Daniel's voice filled my ears before I could even begin to think to myself. "Remember you are still my mate. I can waltz in there and drag you out naked or clothed then do whatever I want to you. Hurry the fuck up and get out of there this instant!" He barked and I immediately wiped my tears, trying to use my hands to cover my nakedness before heading to the door.

Immediately I opened the door, I didn't meet his gaze, but I could feel his eyes peeling off these clothes from my skin, and the feeling of it made me want to throw up.

"Oh Lucienne," he moaned, moving closer to me. "If not that you're a worthless, low-class, murderous young lady, I'd love to claim you this instant, give up my throne just to fuck you hundred times a day.”

I froze at these words even though I already heard him say them a couple of times now. He finally regained his composure after getting angry because he tried to touch me and I dodged. 

Following him to the VIP area once again, the number of men there doubled and they ordered some music to be played, then ordered me to "feast their eyes and fantasies."

I obviously didn't know what to do and just moved my body in a left-to-right movement. It seemed to have angered them further as they weren't getting the satisfaction from this so they told me to stop. 

"What do we have here gentlemen?” I heard a man ask as he walked closer to the three punishers. 

"We were thinking of a bet," Steven responded, giving him a place to sit, and then Daniel continued. "Here we have two newbie strippers. We are betting on who is going to win this dance battle."

"This seems like a fun game," the other guy responded and the rest of the men joined in, cheering. 

"Who do you pick?" Daniel asked and the man looked back at me, who was still trying to cover my nakedness.

"This newbie," he answered, pointing at me but Daniel scoffed before placing his bet on the other girl. He would never bet on me. He just wanted to see me embarrass myself for his pleasure.

Everyone interested brought out their money and Daniel called for the lady who would represent his team. They even gave me a head start before the lady came and the music began. Immediately the lady appeared, I gulped and felt bad for the man who placed his bet on me. I just hoped he also wouldn't get mad and do worse to me after I lost this dance battle because there was no way in hell I was winning against her.

The night ended with me feeling bad for the only man who placed his bet on me because I lost the game even after repeatedly embarrassing myself by falling, ripping my clothes and almost flashing myself in front of numerous men. 

I was surprised I lasted that long without letting the tears that threatened to take control over me, spill.

Immediately I got to my dusty, unkempt, and 'about-to-breakdown' apartment, I fell to the ground, and the clothes finally ripped apart. 

"Why?” I began to sob, hitting the floor like I was hitting the chest of whosoever caused me to be in this situation. "Why didn't I just die with them? Why did I have to live to suffer this much all alone?" I cried, demanding answers from the ghosts who lived with me.

I eventually carried myself from the ground and out of the annoying outfit then onto the floor once again since I didn't have a bed or any furniture. 

"Moon Goddess, I know redemption for my sins is far from me, and so is happiness. If death is the only thing left, stop prolonging my life and just put me out of my misery!" I begged with tears all over. "If truly you hate me, take my life tonight," I said my last plea for the night before closing my eyes.

A loud knock on my door woke me the next morning and I immediately sprang to my feet, my gaze glancing at the already faulty clock.

"Shit!" I cursed. I overslept!

"This woman…" I began to tremble, unable to force myself to open the door but the knocks only got louder and louder.

I didn't have any money to fix a broken door so I prepared myself for another slap from my boss. I opened the door and shut my eyes, expecting to receive the usual slap to my left cheek but it never came so I opened my eyes slowly.

Instead of meeting the cold and frustrated eyes of my boss, I met the amber eyes of a man whose features resembled the man who placed a bet on me yesterday.

Although I was still sore, I fell to my knees to beg him about the money he lost. I already had a lot of punishment to deal with and didn't want more.

"Please, forgive me. I didn't mean to make you lose so much last night. It wasn't my plan to cost you so much but…" I began apologizing but was cut off.

"I have been compensated already," he responded.

"Really?" I asked and he nodded, then I slowly rose from the ground, wondering why he was here if he was already compensated. Does he want to… He couldn't be thinking of doing that to me.

"Look, sir. Yesterday was a mistake, I am not involved in that kind of job," I instantly cleared the air, so in case he was thinking of trying to get a one-night stand from me, he could discard the thoughts.

"I am not here for that either," he responded again and my brows furrowed while my eyes narrowed. "I am here because you have been sold to me, newbie."

"What do you mean I've been sold to you?" I questioned the man standing in front of me with a disbelieving look. I understood that they loathed me, and derived immense pleasure in seeing me suffer but selling me off to some stranger they met at the club? Wasn't that too extreme?

"Get your things. We're leaving now," he ordered but I didn't move an inch. He couldn't possibly be telling the truth.

"Lucienne," he called my name in a low tone that held a familiar resonance to it. "I can't wait forever. Let's go."

"No," I refused. "I would not be going with you. I won't let you use me for whatever sick plan you have!"

"Sick plan?" The stranger scoffed, the same disbelieving look I had on earlier now plastered on him. "I don't plan on using you for any sick plans. Can I at least come in to explain?" 

I looked at the huge man in front of me, his sudden niceness being very suspicious to me. When he saw that letting him into this shit hole called an apartment was not going to be an option, he began speaking.

"Yes, I was compensated and you were given to me as my compensation. No, I do not need to explain what I intend to do with you but I do not plan on using force so I'd explain. First of all, you are a newbie, I do not plan on using you as a club worker or any of that sort if that's what you're thinking. Instead, I plan on taking you with me, giving you a job where you can work for me. That way, I'd get my money back, I have a loyal employee and you don't have to live like this. Isn't that what you've always wanted?" He asked and the shock in me robbed me of speech. 

"A-are you being serious?" I stammered, unable to believe that this man wanted to give me a better life even though it meant having to repay him in the future and I also didn't have to deal with the hateful people here.

"Yes. I don't joke around on matters like this," he responded then checked the time using his very fancy watch. "I will be leaving soon, arrange your things and meet me outside in five." He said and turned around, heading to the fancy black car parked a few walks away.

"I can't believe this," I squealed. "I am finally going to be free!" I beamed then rushed to pack my scattered clothes into one single bag since those were the only things I owned.

Once I was done, I went to the door with a tiny smile at the corner of my lips but it disappeared immediately I saw Daniel at my door.

"And where do you think you're going, young lady?" Daniel asked and I gulped, unconsciously taking a step back. “You owe me a strip dance.”

"I-I…" I began to stammer. How could I forget this possessed mate of mine would rather kill me by his hands than let me be happy?