6 📽️ DANGER AT SEVENTH SIN…

LORIAH — FOUR YEARS LATER (NEW YORK CITY)

“Ouch, ouch, ouch…!! Take it easy, Mackenzie!”

My brows are creased with pain as my best friend presses a hot towel to the scratches on my face.

I had to call her to pick me up from the alley. I was sure I’d die if I tried to stand on my own.

I was walking home from my night shift when I was attacked by Darius’ men. So far, I have a few broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder as evidence of my debts.

“That’s what you get for being a stubborn ass mule.” She sprouts, brushing back my hair with gentle fingers.

Finally done, she steps back and plants both hands on her ample hips, her gorgeous hazel eyes shooting sparks.

“Didn’t I tell you to come to me if you ever needed anything? How the hell did you get entangled with the motorcycle gang?”

I look away, my cheeks reddening with shame.

“You’ve done enough for us, Mackenzie. I’m not even done paying you back for the last time. Lola needed a new procedure and I was out of options. I didn’t want to bother you anymore.”

Mackenzie lets out a huff.

“Girl, I have the mind to slap that pretty face of yours into next week.”

One thing you need to know about my best friend, she’s very big on tough love.

I met her three months after we escaped Zakari.

With the wealth and influence the Von Hale family commands in London, I knew Lola and I would’ve never been safe there. So I brought us to NewYork the last of my savings, hoping my aunt would accommodate us.

The woman took one look at our hungry, exhausted faces and asked us to leave and never return. Apparently, she only had enough space for herself and her drug addict boyfriend.

The first three months in New York were hell. We had no place to live except the few women shelters that opened their doors to us.

Lola was sick all the time. I worked four jobs at once and almost killed myself with exhaustion, just to make sure I could afford her medicine.

Then one fine day, Mackenzie found me at a diner where I worked the night shift. We got talking and things started looking up after that.

She’s a dancer. A midnight ballerina.

She took me under her wing and taught me the ropes. I was a fast learner, and a desperate one at that.

Within a month, I started earning good. I could afford a nice apartment for us and good clothes. Nothing expensive, but it was ours.

Until tragedy struck.

Lola’s condition worsened. She ended up needing urgent surgery.

My savings got depleted within days. Mackenzie chipped in but it was not enough, and I never wanted to be a burden.

So I borrowed, and borrowed and borrowed, but the hospital always seemed to need more.

Right now, I am neck deep in debt. I have no place to live or good clothes to wear, but I don’t regret any of it.

I will do it all over again if I have to. For Lola. She’s my baby. Nothing can happen to her. No sacrifice is too great.

“Since you feel asking your best friend for help is such a big burden, I have a job for you.”

I perk up at that. “Really? A job?”

“Yup. It’s a midnight ballerina position that just opened up — a five day gig. The pay is ten thousand dollars per night.”

I shoot to my feet in surprise, then proceed to regret it when my stitches sting.

“Fuck! Ten thousand dollars?”

“Yes, baby. Ten thousand to shake that golden ass.” She waggles her brows at me. “I was supposed to take it, but you’re qualified and definitely need the money, so you’ll go in my stead.”

My heart melts;

“Mackenzie, you don’t have to…”

“Girl, my decision is final. You’re taking it.”

I siddle over, as fast as my wounds let me, and give her a tight hug.

Mackenzie doesn’t like physical touch so she’s as stiff as a board. But at least she pats me on the back.

“Alright. That’s enough touching for one month.” She steps back.

Just to annoy her, I plant a big, wet kiss on her cheek. She makes a comical gesture of throwing up and we dissolve into fits of laughter.

“There’s a catch though.”

“Oh?”

“You’ll be half naked.”

At my gasp of shock, she rushes to add;

“You’ll get something to cover your… private areas, of course. But no worries, you’re dancing in the private VVIP section for a select VVIP guests.

Think about it, Loriah. Fifty thousand bucks to dance for a couple of rich, horny men.”

“Half naked!”

“What does it matter? We’re always half naked anyways.”

I heave a sigh. “What kind of club would even pay that much?”

“Seventh Sin. It’s a new exclusive club in the heart of the city. Only the top five perfect of the wealthy have access.

Their grand opening is tomorrow night. The owner will be there. I heard he’s an international business tycoon.

If you’re able to impress him, who knows? You might come home with a little extra cash…”

***

THE NEXT DAY

Mackenzie made the understatement of the century when she called Seventh Sin a luxury club.

I look around, my lips slightly parted in awe as I take in the god-level display of wealth. This is luxury and class in its rawest, finest form.

Marble veined with gold gleams beneath my feet, reflecting chandeliers that shimmer like liquid diamonds. The walls are velvet luxury, no doubt created to swallow sound. The air smells like rare liquor and money fresh from the ATM.

Just then, the door to the dressing room opens and one of the suited attendants walks in. According to the name tag on his shirt, his name is Abel.

I’m pretty sure that suit costs an arm, leg and intestine.

“Miss Steele, you’re up. Shall I escort you to the VVIP lounge?”

I force a smile, despite the nerves that poke my belly.

“Yes, of course.”

The process of getting this job was surprisingly easy. Mackenzie and I showed up, she introduced me as her replacement and I was hired on the spot.

I did sign an NDA though. The rich really love their privacy.

“Remember, Miss Steele, according to the NDA, you are not to speak about the identity of any of our exclusive guests within and outside these walls. Breach of that agreement comes with very severe consequences.”

Chills slither down my spine. He makes it sound like a cult.

“Of course. I understand.”

“Great.” He comes to a stop before a heavy oak door. “We’re here. I wish you the best of luck. Give me your robe.”

I take off the silk robe and cold air instantly hits my skin.

Mackenzie was right about one thing. I am definitely half naked.

The only form of covering I have on is two strings of white pearls. One to cover my nipples and the other for my hooha and ass cheeks.

Thankfully, I was made to wear a mask. I don’t think I’d be brave enough to do this otherwise.

I’m just about to walk into the room when Abel stops me;

“One more thing, Miss Steele. The boss will be here tonight to inspect the new employees. Any mistake on your part and you’re out. I hope you understand.”

***

I kid you not, the VVIP section of Seventh Sin sports a fucking chocolate fountain and a slow spinning bar.

Oh, and the bar attendants are gorgeous women dressed in costumes so skimpy, they might as well be naked. Just like me.

My audience is already seated when I arrive. My chest tightens with nerves as I take them in. These are men who control the underground strings that run this city. Men who break laws with signatures.

Their gazes are sharp as I sashay to the stage, like sharks circling in for the kill.

The music comes on through hidden speakers, soft and melodic.

For a second, I shut my eyes and remind myself of the reason I’m doing this.

For Lola. Always for Lola.

The next few minutes are a breeze.

I love dancing, so it’s very easy for me to fall into rhythm. I tweak and whine and gyrate on the pole with an expertise that oozes pure sexual aura.

The men’s gazes reek of lust and sex as they rove over every inch of my skin. Soon enough, the drinks start pouring in and money starts flowing.

One of the guests is in the middle of pressing a hundred dollar bill between my sweaty boobs when the door suddenly swings open.

As if a switch has been flipped, the air shifts, becoming tighter, more strained.

The men rise to their feet, their expressions suddenly schooled into masks of composure.

I don’t stop dancing, but goosebumps pebble my skin as I watch a man dressed in a black trench coat and turtle neck glide into the room.

He’s tall and imposing, an image of pure class. He has the room under his command even without saying a word.

I have never seen grown ass men behave themselves so quickly.

Who is he?

A second passes. Then another.

Finally, he looks up… and my entire world collapses into a pile of rubble.

Steely grey eyes find mine, sharper and darker with age.

My limbs cease functioning immediately. Right there, in the middle of the stage, I freeze.

Something painful explodes behind my ribcage — panic.

When his lips curl in a smirk that doesn’t quite reach his dead eyes, I finally realize that I’m not hallucinating.

He finally found me.

Zakari Von Hale found me.

The angry tilt of his head tells me two things; He has not forgotten about four years ago, and this time, he’s ready to drag me all the way to hell…