Chapter 1

Iris's Pov.

“Put a goddamn smile on your face, Iris,” Ethan grunted, his words flowing through gritted teeth.

“Stop fucking embarrassing me. You offered to do this, remember? And Harry is already expecting you so don't disappoint me.”

I swallowed.

I looked around me before turning back to Ethan, almost robotically placing the fake smile on my lips even when it completely killed me on the inside. I know I offered to do this, but standing backstage at the club, where the air smelled like sweat and cheap perfume, it dawned on me how much I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to be anywhere near this place.

But it was too late to tell Ethan that.

I remembered vividly the conversation that brought me here.

“Yes, baby. I know a friend who manages a club.” Ethan had said.

“It's just dancing, nothing more. Just until I clear this debt, I need this, Iris. Don't you want us to be okay?”

How could I have said no to that?

I wanted us to be okay more than I cared about my pride. I loved Ethan so much that I didn't want to admit to him how wrong it felt from my very first step through the club's doors.

“They don't pay to see you sulking,” Ethan said, irritation flashing across his face. “They pay to see you smile. I need this money, baby.”

I nodded, looking at his handsome face, a face I could never say no to. I forced my lips upwards in a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes but he seemed satisfied enough.

The music swelled suddenly and someone called my name from the other side of the curtain. I stood still, not even recognizing my own name until Ethan practically pushed me forward.

I took in a deep breath and started walking towards the curtain.

The lights hit me all at once, hot and blinding. The loud noises became even louder but my only focus was on the pole and I moved my body as if it belonged to someone else, someone much more braver. I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes, too embarrassed at what I was doing. What if someone recognizes me? The campus is not exactly far from the club and this was a Friday night!

But when I remembered how Ethan's debts were beginning to attract dangerous people to the apartment we both shared off campus, I knew I was dancing because I had to. I was dancing to save someone I was hopelessly in love with. I was dancing because he assured me that this would only be temporary.

So, I opened my eyes.

Soon enough, money started hitting the stage with loud whoops and shouts from sweaty men and even women alike.

I hated how easy it all was.

By the time my set ended, my legs burned and my chest felt hollow. Applause followed me off the stage as I stumbled into the dressing area where I reached for my robe.

“Wow! Nice work Iris! Girl!” One of the stripper ladies whose name I've come to know as Tara screamed over at me and I faked a smile at her, too embarrassed to even speak.

I walked over to where I knew Ethan would be waiting for me.

“How much?” He asked, as soon as he saw me approaching.

I looked at him, shocked at his total disregard for my well-being.

“Hi to you too.”

He scoffed.

“Don't start, Iris. I'm serious. How much?”

Sometimes, I wondered if he even loved me.

I gave him the tiny stack in my hand.

“That's everything.”

He counted quickly and his mouth tightened.

“This is everything?”

“You do realise that I only get half of everything I make right?”

“This is not enough.”

My stomach dropped. “What do you mean it's not enough? This is even more than you said I'd need to make tonight and it's only half!”

“Good. That's why you need to go back because plans change.”

I laughed humorlessly, not believing the crap coming out of his mouth.

“Plans always change with you, Ethan. You got yourself into this mess and I'm just trying to help you out so don't you speak to me like that.”

His eyes darkened.

“Watch it, Iris.”

“No.” I snapped, surprising myself and Ethan looked taken aback as well. I've never raised my voice at him or told him no before.

“You told me that I wouldn't have to do this twice and now you're telling me that what I made is still not enough? How much debt are you in exactly?”

I stared at him, really stared, and wondered when the man I loved turned into someone who looked at me like I was a solution instead of a person.

Ethan leaned closer, lowering his voice.

“Do you think I like this? Do you think I enjoy other men looking at you like that? You know I love you baby and I'm so grateful you're doing this for me.”

And just like that, the anger seeped out of me.

“Iris.” He called again, way softer now as he reached for my arm. baby. Just trust me.”

“We're almost there.”

“Okay,” I said quietly.

“Good.” He replied too quickly.

“I already talked to Harry to arrange another set for you. We need the money baby.”

I turned away before he could see the tears burning in my eyes as I walked off hurriedly.

The second set was way worse than the first.

Harry, my boss, tried to talk me into doing more than shake my ass for his sleazy regulars but I vehemently refused until he told me the amazing pay that comes with it and assured me I would only be offering a private dance.

It was that or I would go back to Ethan empty-handed and I didn't want to see the look of disappointment on his face again.

So right now, I was dancing my ass off with two of Harry's best regulars. They looked to be in their early to mid-thirties and they were wearing some really expensive Armani suits. The rich cashmere wool hugged their muscular bodies in all the right places. A shiver ran down my spine from their arrogant and ruthless faces and although I knew absolutely nothing about them, they appeared to be both rough on the inside and on the outside. The power surged out of them in strong frequencies.

What the fuck have I gotten myself into?

Something about these men just doesn't sit right with me and I can't place my finger on it.

As I started dancing awkwardly, my gaze trailed to the brown-haired man on the left. He had a brawny physique and his hair was in an undercut hairstyle. He sat, sipping on his bronze liquor looking bored out of his mind.

Just then, the man with the brown hair stood up and started walking towards me. My panic turned to anger when he literally just started groping my boobs as if I were a specimen in his perverted lab.

“Sorry boys, but I don't do more than dancing.” I insisted as I tried to walk out of the room but he quickly grabbed my arm, forcing me to face him as he had a wicked smile on his face and his breath smelled of stale cigars and the old whiskey he had been drinking.

“Oh? Is that the bullshit Harry fed to you? We paid for more than just a dance and that's what you're going to give us.” He said in a creepy voice.

I stood my ground and sweetly smiled back before kneeling him as hard as I could between his legs. He hunched over in pain and I quickly ran out of the room before his other friend could reach for me.

“Iris, get back in that room right now!” Harry screamed following me down the hallway.

Like hell I will!

I ran towards one of the restrooms and locked myself in one of the stalls as I pressed my forehead against the cool metal.

I told myself not to cry but I failed.

I didn't know how long I stayed there but it was long enough for several pieces of music to change and just when I started wondering why I hadn't heard from Ethan yet and if he knew about Harry's plan to turn me into a prostitute for the night, I heard heavy footsteps pile up outside of the bathroom stall.

“Iris! Get the fuck out, now.” I heard Harry's voice and of course, I stayed still. “You messed with the wrong people, bitch!” I heard the familiar voice of the man I kneeled between his legs and the next second, the door came bursting open.