Chapter four

Lila’s POV

The bass thumped through my body like a second heartbeat as I moved on the dimly lit stage. Neon lights painted my skin in shades of deep purple and electric blue. I wore almost nothing—just a tiny black set that left little to the imagination and a pair of sky-high heels that made my legs look endless. Money rained down around me while men in expensive suits watched from the shadows of the upscale club.

No one here knew me as Lila—the baby sister of the perfect family. Here, I was “Luna.” The girl who danced like she had nothing to lose. I dropped low, rolling my hips to the rhythm, letting my long hair fall over my face. Bills tucked into my garter as hands reached out but never quite touched. The rules were strict. Look, but don’t touch. At least until after my shift. My mind kept drifting back to the family dinner earlier. Evelyn playing the gracious hostess. Claire laughing a little too loud. Marcus watching everyone like he owned the room. They had no idea where I really went when I said I was “meeting friends” or “working late on a project.” I needed the money badly. My part-time job barely covered rent, and I refused to beg my sisters for help. Not when they thought I was the carefree youngest who had it all figured out.

After my set, I moved to the VIP section like management asked. One regular client waited in the private booth—good tipper, respectful enough. But tonight, when I slid onto his lap for the lap dance, something felt different. His hands gripped my waist a little tighter. His eyes, dark and intense, locked onto mine.

     “You’re beautiful, Luna,” he murmured. His voice sounded familiar, but the lighting was too low to place it.

I gave him my practiced smile and moved against him, grinding slowly, feeling him harden beneath me. Heat pooled in my belly despite myself. It had been months since I’d let anyone close. Too risky. But the loneliness gnawed at me constantly. The dance turned hotter than usual. His breath quickened. When the song ended, he didn’t let go right away.

     “Stay,” he said. “I’ll pay double.”

I should have walked away. Instead, I stayed.

An hour later, we were in one of the club’s private suites. His mouth was on my neck, hands exploring every inch of me as he peeled off what little I wore. He was older, huge in that dangerous way, and he fucked like he needed it as badly as I did. I gasped as he pushed inside me, thick and insistent, stretching me open on the silk sheets. He took his time, thrusting deep and steady, one hand pinning my wrist above my head while the other gripped my thigh. Every stroke dragged against that perfect spot until I was moaning shamelessly, legs wrapped tight around him.

      “Fuck, you feel good,” he groaned, picking up speed. 

Skin slapped against skin. I came hard around him, crying out as pleasure ripped through me. He followed soon after, burying himself deep and spilling inside me with a low curse. We lay there afterward, breathing heavy. For the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel invisible. He kissed my shoulder before leaving a thick envelope of cash on the nightstand. 

     “Same time next week?”

I nodded, too spent to speak.

Only after he left did I check my phone. A missed call from Evelyn. And a text from Claire asking if I was free tomorrow. Guilt hit me as I stared at the ceiling, still naked and sticky with a stranger’s release. My family thought I was their innocent little Lila. They had no idea how far I’d already fallen. As I gathered my things to leave the club, the manager stopped me in the hallway.

    “Hey, Luna. That client from tonight? He asked for you specifically. Said your name was Lila.”

My blood ran cold.