Three

ANGELA'S POV

"Awful! Angela, point your toes!"

Sweat poured down my forehead as I arched back over Fred’s arm, trying to hold the graceful line.

The routine was demanding enough on a good day, but after a sleepless night, my body felt like lead.

Those piercing silver eyes haunted me. Every time I blinked, I saw him watching me from the shadows of that private lounge.

"No! No, no. stop!" Our instructor’s voice cracked across the studio like a whip, sharp with disappointment. "Everyone, take five until Angela gets her head together."

The music died abruptly, leaving the entire class standing in awkward silence.

Aria moved to my side immediately, her brow furrowed with concern.

"Are you okay? You look exhausted. And you’ve been so quiet. Did something happen at home?"

"I’m fine," I lied, wiping sweat from my face and forcing a smile onto my lips. "Just didn’t sleep well."

"You know what you need?" Aria’s tone shifted instantly, mischief sparkling in her eyes. "Sex."

“Pfft,” I nearly choked on my water. "What?! No."

"You’ve been a virgin for twenty years, Angela. It’s about time. Besides…." Her gaze drifted across the room. "... Fred has been staring at you the whole session."

"Don't be silly,"

I fought the urge to turn and look at the handsome, light-haired dancer I’d been crushing on for months.

The idea sent a flush of heat through me.

I had imagined losing my virginity to him more than once–something sweet, romantic, and gentle.

But then Hanzo’s deep, commanding voice echoed in my mind…

We’ll meet again… My Angel.

Suddenly the fantasy shifted. The man hovering over me wasn’t Fred anymore. He was dark-haired and powerful, with stormy grey eyes and a body built like a weapon. And it wasn't gentle.

The thought sent an unwelcome shiver racing across my skin.

I shook my head hard, trying to physically dislodge the image.

"I want the moment to be right," I murmured, cheeks burning. "My first time… it’s important."

Aria sighed dramatically.

"I’m just saying…it might help you sleep better."

Our instructor’s voice cut through before I could respond, calling us back to the floor.

The second half of class was even worse. I kept missing counts, stumbling through steps I knew by heart.

By the end, I felt raw and humiliated.

I can't believe I got scolded this bad. The teacher was not happy with my performance. With a competition this close, we couldn't afford mistakes.

"If you want to keep your lead spot, you’d better improve fast," the old witch warned me coldly afterward, "or I’ll have to replace you."

She had always been strict–a retired dancer clinging to past glory. But her words still stung.

Aria tried to cheer me up as we left campus.

"Don’t let it get to you. You’ll kill it tomorrow. Want to grab coffee?"

The campus was buzzing with students, voices echoing across the grounds.

I hesitated.

"I don’t really have spare money right now. I should probably just head home."

"Come on, my treat."

I sighed.

"Alright. But not for long. I need sleep."

Sleep before I have to strip naked for a room full of horny strangers again.

I couldn’t exactly say that out loud.

Aria grinned.

"Perfect, because I’ve been dying to tell you about this guy I met at the bar last weekend…"

She launched into her story as we walked, talking a mile a minute.

Aria was one of those people that didn't need much response when she got excited. She only required someone who would offer an occasional nod.

Religiously, I nodded at the right moments, letting her excitement carry the conversation while my own thoughts drifted far away.

Time slipped by faster than I wanted.

These days, I found myself wishing an hour could stretch into years–anything to delay the inevitable return to that god forsaken club.

But night always came anyway.

—--------

When darkness settled over the city once more, I found myself back at the Red Club, standing near the dumpster behind the building.

Exhaustion clung to me like a second skin as I didn't get much sleep. No amount of concealer could fully hide the shadows under my eyes.

My feet felt heavier with every step toward the changing room.

The familiar voices greeted me before I even reached the door.

"Our Angel is back!" Katie called out, beaming with her lips stretched into a wide grin. "Spill everything!"

I blinked, confused.

"About what?"

“Dog stopped by earlier and said the boss wants to see you again," Bliss added with a wicked grin. "He never requests the same girl twice. So tell us. What did you do?"

"Isn’t it obvious?" Odette sneered, not looking up from painting her nails. "She’s sucking her way to the top."

"Get your fat ass on stage and stop talking shit," Katie snapped at her. Then she turned back to me, eyes wide and eager like an excited puppy expecting to be tossed a bone. "Come on, Angel. Details!"

"I… didn’t do anything," I said softly, hating how small and uncertain my voice sounded.

The news unsettled me more than I wanted to admit.

What does that man want now?

Even in my own head, those haunting silver eyes held me prisoner. The thought of seeing him again pushed me closer to the edge.

"Did he say why he requested me?" I asked.

"Nope," Bliss shrugged. "Boss probably likes your pretty face, that’s all. I wouldn’t worry too much. He pays well… and let’s be honest, he’s the most wanted bachelor around here. Total hunk."

Katie nodded.

"True. But be careful. You already know what he really is."

I swallowed.

"Yeah… I think I do."

He was a man who trapped souls. A man with dangerous money and even more dangerous power. But there was something darker beneath that polished surface, something I felt every time his eyes locked onto mine.

"Then you know he doesn’t like waiting," Bliss said, waving me off. "Go."

"Wait….she’s not going out there looking like that," Katie interrupted.

Before I could protest, she had me shoved back into the chair.

Fifteen minutes later, her magic had worked again. The exhaustion on my face was mostly hidden. She dressed me in fresh red lace lingerie and the same torturous stilettos, then sent me down the hall.

My knuckles rapped against the wooden door of the private lounge. My nerves stretched tighter with every second.

I wondered how much more tension I could take before I simply broke.

A low, familiar rumble came from inside.

"Come in."

I gathered what little courage I had left and stepped inside.

The room looked different tonight. A table had been set in the center with two plates, wine glasses, and soft lighting. The woman from yesterday was gone. It was only the two of us.

Why I stood awkwardly at the doorway, Hanzo sat at the far end of the table, his steely gaze devouring me the moment I entered. He looked more relaxed than before–black shirt with sleeves rolled up, dark jeans, hair styled in a deliberately messy way that somehow still looked perfect.

"Take a seat," The invitation sounded more

like an order as he jutted out his chin towards an empty chair across the table.

I obeyed hesitantly, lowering myself into the chair across from him.

His eyes never left me, tracking every small movement.

I couldn't read what was going through his head, but I noticed the way his fingers curled and uncurled into a fist on the table.

"Are you confused, Angel?" he asked, a hint of dark amusement in his voice.

"I am," I admitted, my voice trembling. "Why did you ask me here if not to dance?"

"I wanted to have dinner with you." He shrugged his broad shoulders, that taut smile playing on his lips.

I frowned.

"It can’t be that simple, Innocent dinner?"

Like hell. Something felt terribly off about this.

His smile widened into a grin, a low chuckle vibrating from his chest.

"True." He leaned forward, powerful arms flexing against the fabric of his shirt. "I have a few questions for you."

My pulse quickened.

"Do you know how much your father owes me?"

"I’m aware," I whispered.

"And you know what happens if the debt isn’t paid?"

"It’s not hard to guess." My nails dug into my thighs under the table, leaving angry pink marks.

"You’re a smart girl, aren't you?." He leaned back with a chuckle, still watching me with that predatory calm. "No need to be so nervous. I won’t do anything… yet."

Yet.

The word hung between us like a threat.

"I want to know more about you. Are you a student? Do you have a job?"

The casual question caught me off guard.

"I’m a dance student."

I was yet to test even the glass of water.

"Ironic," he said, not seeming surprised. "Do you enjoy it? You must have plenty of men chasing after you with a face like that."

My nails pressed harder into my skin.

"No. That’s not true."

"Are you a virgin, then?"

The question stopped my thoughts cold.

He asked it so casually, as if it were perfectly normal dinner conversation.

"That’s… not really any of your concern," I managed.

His eyebrows drew together. His fingers tightened into a fist again.

"Just answer." His voice stayed calm, but the underlying threat was unmistakable.

I bit my lip, fighting the tremble. I had no real choice here.

"Yes… I am."

Satisfaction flickered across his face. He relaxed slightly as he regarded me with ease, letting the heavy silence stretch before speaking again.

"Good. I want you to sell it to me."

"What?"

"Sell your virginity to me," he said evenly, "and I’ll clear your father’s entire debt.”