Chapter Seven

Daisy.

Everything happened so quickly that I couldn’t fully grasp what was going on. One moment, the lean man was standing behind me with a gun pressed against my head, and the next, the handsome idiot was throwing a blade my way.

I didn’t react when the man’s grip slipped away or when he collapsed to the floor with his eyes wide open and blood pooling from his head. I didn’t even flinch when the bastard walked over to retrieve his blade, clean it off, and prepare to leave. It was only when he started to walk away that I snapped out of my daze.

“You fucking bastard!” I snarled, watching as he paused but didn’t turn around.

I couldn’t believe what had just happened.

I couldn’t believe this idiot had killed someone in front of me, and now he was planning to leave me alone with the dead body!

“Are you serious right now?” I asked, folding my arms as I awaited his response, but the idiot made no effort to turn back.

Frustrated, I stepped in front of him. He looked at me with those vacant eyes and blinked, his right eyebrow raised slightly, as if trying to figure out what was wrong with me.

“Are you really going to leave me here with his body?” I asked again.

It wasn't that I was scared of seeing a dead body or too much blood (I’m a doctor). I encountered scenes of death and torture nearly every day while growing up, so none of this freaked me out.

He remained silent as he shoved his hands back into his pockets, his lit cigarette dangling between his lips.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” I demanded, feeling my blood boil.

His lips curved slightly, but after a moment of silence, he still didn’t speak.

“You just killed someone in front of me,” I spat, only to pause when he finally replied.

“So?” he asked in a bored tone. Despite the coldness in his eyes, they were strikingly beautiful. His face and eyes were the only appealing things about him; his attitude was a separate issue altogether.

I knew he was rude and indifferent just from looking at him— I’d encountered men like him too often to care.

“So?” I repeated, shocked by his lack of concern. “Aren’t you scared I’ll report this to the police? I’ve seen your face, so it wouldn’t be hard for me to identify you.” I waited for his reaction.

I thought mentioning the police would frighten him; killers are often terrified of getting caught.

He merely shrugged. “You can do as you like.” I blinked, clearly not expecting that response.

I blinked several times. “Did you just hear what I said?” I asked.

He let out a huff, blowing white smoke from his mouth. My nose wrinkled as the smell hit me. I hated the stench of cigarettes and alcohol, but unfortunately, I worked in a place where those two things often went together.

“I did, and I’m giving you the go-ahead, little girl. Now, if you’re done, get the fuck out of my way.” His words made me pause.

‘Little girl!’

Did this idiot really just call me a “little girl” in that condescending tone?

“First of all, I don’t appreciate being called a ‘little girl.’ I’m a lady, and—” I stopped mid-sentence when he raised his hand.

“Well, if you’re done, ‘lady,’ get out of my way.” His gaze hardened slightly, showing that he was getting irritated.

But I was just as irritated as he was. I was already late because he hadn’t done his damn job. If only he’d killed the bastard who thought it was a good idea to point a gun at me inside that building, I wouldn’t have found myself in this situation.

If he hadn’t taken care of the idiot, I would have done it myself.

“I’m not done yet, Mr. Failure.” My words made him pause.

Slowly, he pulled his hands from his pockets, took the half-smoked cigarette from his mouth, and threw it to the ground.

“What the hell did you just say?” His voice was colder now than it had been earlier, as he inched forward. His hot breath fanned my face and his scent hit my nose, he smells of citrus, honey, and something else.

It would make anyone else shiver and retreat into whatever hole they could find, but I was not just anyone.

“I said what I said. This,” I said, pointing at the dead man lying on the ground, “wouldn’t have happened if you’d taken care of him properly. And by ‘taking care of him,’ I mean killing him in that building when you had the chance.”

Again, his eyebrow raised as we stared each other down, neither of us ready to back down.

I had faced many men like this and knew not to flinch. They often feel powerful when they see a woman squirm.

“Fucking perfect,” he mumbled under his breath. Before I could respond, he walked away, this time ignoring all the threats I hurled at him.

Fucking imbecile!

****

I arrived at the club an hour late for my shift, continuing to curse the idiot who made me late under my breath as I walked past the bouncers at the gate and behind the bar.

I almost made it to the changing room when a hand landed on my shoulder. “And where do you think you’re going?” I winced at the sound of my boss’s voice.

I turned quickly. “I know I’m late—”

“You know, if you realize you're late, you should have been here an hour ago, Lily. You are an hour late!” He yelled, his expression hard as he glared at me, causing me to wince.

Josh was a thirty-seven-year-old man who became the sole owner of this club at the young age of nineteen. He’s usually easygoing and friendly, but there are days when he gets moody, and I wondered if today was one of those days.

I put on my most pitiful smile. “I know, and I’m sorry for that. But I really tried to come early, Josh. You see, I got attacked on my way here, and….” His expression quickly softened as he asked, “Are you okay?”

“I’m still quite shaken from the event, but I will be fine. I can work tonight.” I added when I saw the concern in his eyes.

He was contemplating telling me to go back home, and I wasn’t going to let that happen. I needed the money; whatever I made tonight would go a long way in sorting out some of the huge debt I owed.

“Fine,” I said, smiling softly.

“But the only reason I’m letting this slide is that you are one of my best workers, and there are customers waiting for you.”

“Thank you, Josh.” I leaned over and pecked his cheek, causing him to let out a huff.

“Go inside and change. The customers won’t wait for you, forever.”

“You got it.” I blew him a kiss and headed to the changing room.

I let out a breath once I was inside; that went better than I expected. The changing room was a safe space for every girl who entered. They came here with a secret; to be someone else, so this room was designed to give them that. This room was designed to offer protection to the girls, though I still haven't figured out what that truly means. I will find out soon.

Other girls were already getting ready, but I noticed the room wasn’t as busy as it usually was when the club just opened. I looked around, frowning when I didn’t see the one girl who had been nothing but a pain in my ass since I started working here.

“Jess is out there,” a girl said, and my head whipped to the side.

The girl who answered looked familiar; I had seen her around a couple of times but hadn’t bothered to learn her name—I didn’t come here to make friends. If it weren’t for Jess being such a constant annoyance, I wouldn’t have thought about her at all.

“Oh...thanks,” I replied as I walked to my table. Every girl has one in here that consists of a locker and a mini vanity table.

Without wasting any time, I opened my locker and took out my things. I quickly changed and applied my makeup, transforming from Daisy, the girl who walked in, to Lily, the dancer.

When you’re running from dangerous people, you have to do everything possible to avoid being seen or heard. I learned this lesson well, so revealing my real name to Josh wasn’t the best idea. In fact, sharing my real name with anyone was risky.

I stared at my reflection as I wore a hairnet over my hair and then put on a blonde wig. I picked up my signature red lipstick and applied it to my lips, not stopping until I got the right amount. After packing everything back up and locking my locker, I stepped back and looked at myself in the mirror.

The little piece of lingerie always made me look sexy and just a bit risqué. The red high heels made me look taller, and my eyes drifted down to my breasts, which were nearly spilling out of the bra. I looked different—different from Daisy, who nurtures and cares for children. Right now, I was Lily, the dancer who hated her job but loved the money it brought.

“You are up next, Lily!” Josh yelled from outside the room.

I let out a breath, glanced at my reflection one last time to make sure everything was perfect, and then headed for the door.

It was showtime.