n's

phire," Amanda called throug

e knew something I didn't. The outfit clung to me like a secret I wasn't m

be lowered onto the stag,

ght my hand and dragged me along

d the rope until your feet touch

t ro

to a small room where two men waited beside a contraptio

feet up. When the music starts,

ghts," I muttered,

unkindly, then added darkly, "If you drop, y

run, but Madam Green's voice echoed in my head

ed hard a

kin, and the crowd below erupted into cheers. I could barely breathe. The song began, the on

," someon

y, I let go

anded in som

r a heartbeat, everything stopped: the crowd, the mus

he said softly. His voice had a calm w

mmered, caught betwee

"I'm Ethan Grey.

n Wh

Gwen... good luc

tepped away, leaving me

taken control. I danced like I'd been doing it my whole life, my eyes locked on the spot where Ethan st

oked for Etha

excitement. "Girl, you were on fire!

ke something inside me had awakened, s

her phone at me. On the screen, I watched my

that guy?

at

He was right there, be

ge with you. You were lowered, the spotl

I insisted. "He was

ricks on you," she sai

t I'd seen and

rner for Ethan. He was nowhere. The night went on, but my excitement had faded

when I returned for more drinks. "Madam

do you

ivate dances. Maybe more

t sank.

six figures for full entertainment.

could ask more, Jack appear

Madam Green was smiling, an

you're no longer a serving girl. You're our crown j

od ran

m, I.

anda makes hundreds every day. You cost me money. Food, clothes, a roof, and what do

curling around her face like a dark hal

e door. "Do what she says," he whispered. "

pped my but

glaring at him as he sh

ing. What kind of contract had I signed? I cou

owhere, her expression b

nt for me

ed. "What di

dancing t

se moves, I'm not surprised. It might

exactly?" I as

he grabbed my hand. "Come on, th

curved booth. The air around them was he

announced. "The amazing

ece of jewellery. One of them, a large

" he said.

her, beaming. "Frank likes

"Thanks, but I'm

n. He could take care of you, no more

I said, stand

ing my wrist. His fingers we

. "Or I scream. And you know Ma

kered, then h

und of his laughter f

ter me, angry now

what?" I

ney on the condition that you'd sit with h

lief cutting deep. "Yo

she said weakly, bu

No, Amanda. It starts with sitting. Th

urned, pushing through the smoky haze of the club, pa

him, Ethan, watching me from the shadow

sn't sure if I wanted him to be real...