RED DRESS, COLD HANDS

ELON'S POV

The club was packed tonight. I walked through the entrance, adjusting the red dress that hugged my frame. The silicon implants felt uncomfortable, but they were necessary for the look I was going for.

Tonight, I wasn't Elon. I was Elena, the hot and sexy lady. I made my way to the bar, weaving through bodies on the dance floor. The music was loud—some remix I didn't recognize—but I tuned it out. I had work to do.

Sliding onto a barstool, I ordered a drink and started scanning the crowd. There were plenty of options tonight. Men in expensive suits, women dripping in jewelry, the usual clientele of Club Azure. I just needed to find the right one.

My drink arrived and I took a slow sip, letting my eyes drift across the room. That's when I noticed him—mid-forties, tailored suit, expensive watch. He was sitting in one of the VIP sections, surrounded by men who looked like they worked for him. More importantly, he had a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist.

Perfect.

I was still watching him when a bouncer approached me. He leaned in close so I could hear him over the music.

"Excuse me, miss." He held out a white piece of paper and a pen. "The gentleman over there would like your number."

I didn't even look at where he was pointing. "I'm not some cheap slut. Tell him I'm not interested."

The bouncer hesitated, then nodded and walked away. I took another sip of my drink, keeping my eyes on my target. The bouncer returned to the VIP section, spoke to someone, then walked away.

I was about to signal the bartender for another drink when I felt someone settle onto the stool beside me. I turned slightly, keeping my expression neutral.

"Hi," he said.

It was him, the man with the briefcase.

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?" I asked.

He chuckled, a low sound that suggested he was used to getting his way. "You're one feisty lady. I sent my guy over and you shot him down without even looking."

He turned to the bartender. "Hey, get her another drink. Whatever she's having."

I watched him carefully. Up close, I could tell that whatever that was in the briefcase that sat on the bar between us was very important.

"What do you really want from me?" I asked.

He smiled, his eyes traveling down to my chest and back up. "You're a very hot lady. I'd like to know you better."

I leaned in closer, making sure he got a good view of the silicon implants straining against the low neckline of my dress. "In what way do you want to know me?

Sexually or what?"

His smile widened. "You get it."

"Fort, by the way." He extended his hand.

I shook it briefly. "Elena."

"Elena." He said my name like he was tasting it. "Listen, there's a beautiful room upstairs. VIP access. Why don't you accompany me? We can have some privacy."

I pretended to consider it for a moment, then nodded. "Lead the way."

Fort stood, grabbing the briefcase—he never let go of it, I noticed—and gestured toward a staircase at the back of the club. I followed him up, my heels clicking against the steps. A bouncer at the top nodded at Fort and opened a door.

The room was exactly what I expected. Large bed, low lighting, a mini bar in the corner. A bit tacky but expensive.

Fort closed the door behind us and immediately reached for my waist, pulling me close. I could smell his cologne—something woody and overpowering.

I eased out of his arms, keeping my voice light. "Hold on. I like to have a drink first. Gets me in the mood, you know?"

He grinned. "I can work with that."

"Do you have red or blue lights in here? It makes it more fun."

"Yeah, the switch is over there." He pointed to the wall near the bathroom.

"Perfect. Why don't you turn them on while I fix us something?"

Fort walked over to the light switch while I moved to the mini bar. I heard the click as the lights changed, bathing the room in a reddish glow. Quickly, I reached into my dress, into the padding of the fake breasts, and pulled out the small vial I'd hidden there. The sedative was fast-acting—he'd be out in minutes.

I poured two glasses of whiskey, adding the sedative to one of them. By the time Fort came back, I was holding both glasses and smiling.

He wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Now this is more like it."

"Drink first," I said, turning in his arms and pressing the spiked glass toward him. "I like a man who can handle his liquor."

Fort took the glass from my hand and downed it in one go. He set the empty glass on the nearby table and pulled me toward the bed.

"Come here," he said.

I let him lead me to the bed. He lay back against the pillows, pulling me down on top of him. I straddled his hips, leaning down to kiss him. His hands roamed over my body, squeezing and grabbing. I forced myself to keep kissing him, to keep up the act.

One minute passed. Two minutes.

His grip started to loosen. His kisses became slower, less coordinated.

"What..." he mumbled against my mouth.

Then his head fell back against the pillow and his arms dropped to his sides.

I stayed still for a moment, listening to his breathing, that meant he was out cold

I climbed off him and checked his pulse just to be sure cause I wasn't trying to kill anyone tonight.

I went through his pockets first—wallet, phone, keys. The wallet had several credit cards and about three thousand in cash. I took the cash and left the cards. Less traceable that way.

Then I turned my attention to the briefcase. It was still handcuffed to his wrist. I'd need to take the whole thing.

I looked around the room and found what I needed in the bathroom—a first aid kit with scissors. They weren't strong enough to cut through the metal, but I didn't need to. I cut through the cuff of his shirt sleeve and slipped the handcuff chain through. The briefcase was mine.

I picked it up, testing the weight. Whatever was inside was worth the effort.

Before I left, I leaned down and kissed Fort on the cheek. "Thanks for the lovely evening."

Then I grabbed my clutch, tucked the briefcase under my arm, and walked out of the room. The bouncer at the top of the stairs didn't even look at me twice—just another woman leaving a VIP room.

I made my way down the stairs, through the club, and out into the night air. Only when I was three blocks away did I let myself smile.

Another successful night for Elena.