I hope I do. Max has let me watch a couple of lap dances from the security room, where he’ll probably be when I’m behind the curtain. He’s got cameras everywhere. I wonder if his customers even realize how much footage he has of them. Then again, I doubt they care. Max doesn’t really cater to paragons of virtue or the finest members of society; those people go to places a lot nicer than this.
I scan the room as soon as I walk out onto the floor. Steve motions to me before I even get a chance to really look around.
“I already have a few drink orders—they asked for you personally.” He smiles and starts putting them on a tray.
My fans. The cheapest way to get to spend a few seconds with me—maybe a full minute—is to buy one of Max’s overpriced drinks. I make my rounds and act like the sweet little schoolgirl my outfit suggests that I am. It’s what they want, and I’ve learned to play the part, even if it makes me feel dirty.
The last drink on my tray is for Bill. I intentionally saved him for last. He doesn’t really care about the act. What he wants, he just might get before the end of the night.
“Good news, Bill.” I put his drink on the table and sit down across from him. “Max says that he’s going to let me start doing lap dances!”
“I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life to hear that.” Bill chuckles under his breath.
“I reminded him that you want to be the first one to take me behind the curtain.” I wink—flirt, maybe. I’ve never really understood how to do it, but I’ve picked up a lot from watching the other dancers.
“Hopefully I can afford Max’s price.” Bill raises an eyebrow. “I bet your first lap dance will be auctioned off…”
“Auctioned?” I blink in surprise.
“Yeah, I’ve been coming here long enough to know when Max is building up to something. It’s the best night for it; the place is packed.” Bill nods, and disappointment registers on his face. “Oh well, it was worth a shot. You’ll be just as pretty in a week when the novelty wears off and the prices drop.”
Now I’m the one who is disappointed. I’m not attracted to Bill in any way—the idea of taking him behind the curtain isn’t exciting, it was just something I came to terms with. Something I expected to happen.
I leave Bill’s table and do my best to hide my displeasure. My first lap dance would be easier with him. The thought of having it auctioned off and going behind the curtain with a complete stranger makes my pulse race in the wrong sort of way.
“One more drink to deliver.” Steve puts a glass of whiskey down in front of me when I return to the bar. “The gentleman in the corner over there.” He points.
“Okay.” I nod and pick up the drink.
I turn to find my customer, and my pulse gets even faster when I see who it is. Bram. He is the last person I expected to see in the club. Again, at least. He never struck me as the type to begin with, but he was with a friend the last time—an annoying friend. Tonight, he’s all alone.
If I’m delivering his drink, he asked for me. The conversation we had at his office obviously isn’t over, even if he let me leave. I really don’t want to continue it in the middle of the club and get upset or come close to shedding tears.
Max definitely won’t like that.
“Bram…” A lump rises in my throat when I get to his table, and I try to swallow it.
“Kiana.” He nods. “Or do I have to call you Lavender Rose when you’re wearing that wig?”
“Kiana … is fine.” I exhale sharply. “Just, keep your voice down.”
“I don’t think anyone can hear me over the music.” He shrugs. “Can you sit for a moment?”
“Okay…” I slowly sink into the booth opposite of him.
Bram isn’t my father, but sitting down across from him—seeing a look in his eyes that mirrors the disappointment I would have expected from both my parents—it doesn’t feel very good.
I went to his office on my terms with a specific purpose, and I hoped that would be the end of it.
Obviously, I was wrong.
This isn’t a conversation I want to have, but it doesn’t look like I have a choice.
Chapter Six
Bram
Another night in a place that I hate. Jack isn’t even here to give me an excuse. I want to find out what is going on with Kiana. Confronting her in the middle of the club isn’t the best plan, but at least she’s my captive audience for a moment. However long an overpriced drink allows.
“I’ve been watching you tonight.” I take a sip of my drink. “Not your show, just how you interact with people.”
“Oh?” She practically blushes underneath her lavender wig.
“I can tell you’re not happy. You put on a nice act when you deliver a drink, but that’s all it is—an act.” I lean forward. “Why don’t you just tell me what is really going on here?”
“I’m making money. That’s it…” Kiana’s voice trembles, and she can’t even keep eye contact.
“No, it isn’t.” I see the owner of the club out of the corner of my eye and motion to him. “Is he forcing you to do this? All you have to do is tell me. I’ll put an end to it right now.”
The owner looks like a bitch. I could drop him with one punch. The bouncers might be a problem, but I still like my odds.
“I’m… Bram, I’m here by choice.” She still won’t make eye contact. “It’s the only choice I have right now.”
That sounds true, but it’s obviously not the full story. I know how Kiana was raised. She might not be the same girl she used to be, but she should be in college, interning at a company that sets fashion trends; those were her dreams before something pulled her away from them. And I want to know what the fuck did that—who the fuck did that. I gave her my word, and I won’t call her father, but I’ll be damned if that is going to be the end of it.
“Just talk to me, Kiana.” I reach for her hand, but she pulls away.
“I’m sorry, I need to go.” She stands up from the table.
One of the bouncers has noticed our exchange. He gives me a glare that lets me know I’ll be fighting my way back into the club if he has to toss me out. I could, but there’s no reason to start a fight unless absolutely necessary.
“I’ll be right here.” I finally get to make eye contact with her again. “All night—tomorrow night too—and the next.”
“Bram, please…” She turns to walk away but stops in her tracks.
I have her on the cusp of saying something that I need to hear, but a commotion on the stage draws both of our attention before she can continue.
The lights lift, the music slowly dies down, and the owner, Max, walks up. He gets a few boos from people who don’t want to see anyone that doesn’t have tits on it.
“I know, I’m sorry to interrupt the show, but I have something very special in store for you tonight.” Max calms the crowd with an even tone and a sleazy smile. “Lavender Rose, would you please join me on the stage.”