Page 59 of Ethan's Sky

There are several grumbles and groanings heard around the room. We’re all in shock.

“Sufficed to say, George was working for Parisi when shit went down that night.” Jameson states the obvious, calling out the elephant in the room.

“Does anyone else think it’s odd the way Vincenzo sounded on the phone? Almost like he expected this outcome. Not the least bit surprised that George was in the predicament he was in.” This comes from Cash, who’s been quietly observing the room while listening to the calls.

Does he think one of knows anything about this shit?

“Vincenzo is a man of few words. Unless your family, he’s not known for showing any emotion. He’s all business. If George had an arrangement with him, like he obviously did based on that conversation, Vincenzo’s primary concern would be on any repercussions that may befall him and his empire.” Ghost answers. Something in what he’s saying tells me this isn’t the first time he’s been around Vincenzo when a deal went sideways.

“Looks like we need to set up a meeting with our friend, Vincenzo. In the meantime, everything stays the same. I always want a brother with Skyler. Hawk I want everything you can find between George and Parisi. Phone records, emails, anything. I won’t go into this meeting unprepared.”

“On it, Pres!”

11

SKYLER

The curtains are drawn. I take my place center stage. Deep breaths. Close my eyes and listen to the sounds around me. The sound of people chatting, glasses being placed on tables, the shuffling of chairs all filter through the room behind me. A few catcalls are off in the distance, probably the large party I saw in the VIP section upstairs.

The place is packed. I peeked at the room before taking the stage. I like to know who’s here. Who else is hiding amongst the crowd?

Our regulars came early to claim their usual seats. Three parties fill the VIP section for various celebrations. Vincenzo Parisi is entertaining guests in his private seating area. I pay them no mind.

This is my time. I get to let myself go and get lost in the music, let it carry me away to a place far, far away from my reality. This is the perfect place to get lost. No one would ever think to look for me in a place like this. Especially not Ethan.

When I take the stage in full costume, everything about my true self is disguised. From my hair to my eyes, to the silky-smooth appearance of my skin. Any hint of my identity is buried beneath make-up and accessories. Hidden to the natural eye. Up here, I am Lady Scarlet, everyone’s fantasy made real. Even mine.

Even Ethan’s.

The way his hypnotic brown eyes follow every movement of my hips as they sway with the beat. The way he licks his lips as my hands slide down my torso following the full length of my body and back up again. My fingers gracing over my skin from my ankle to the curve my ass where his heavy-lidded eyes linger. The hunger I see when his gaze meets mine speaks of all the dirty things, he wishes he could do to me. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I want him too. Especially after I watch the way the pink tip of his tongue glides over his bottom lip after each sip of whiskey, not wanting to let a single drop of the golden liquid go to waste. I find myself feeling jealous, wishing for a moment I could be the glass and he would run his tongue over me so thoroughly.

I shiver knowing he’s sitting there, patiently, nursing his glass of whiskey, waiting…for me.

For Scarlet.

Tonight, I’ve decided to break my own rule and have asked Vincenzo to prepare a private room where I’ll dance for him. Just him. I never do private lap dances or mingle with the audience, it’s generally against my contract, but Vincenzo agreed as a personal favor to me.

Just this once. I’ll give Ethan what he wants. What we both want. Just this once. He just won’t know it’s me. But I’ll know it’s him and that’ll be enough.

It has to be.

He wants me, but only because he has no idea whoIam. I know it makes me a sadist. It’ll only make my heart ache more in the end, but I want his hands on me again. I want to feel his desire for me one last time, without all the anger and hurt between us.

“Ladies and gentlemen. The Velvet Pearl is proud to present for your viewing pleasure, our very own…Lady Scarlet,” the emcee announces my stage name riling up the crowd. This will be my first solo performance. I chose the song specifically for Ethan. My own littlefuck youmoment.

It’s rare I put clothes on when I’m dancing. Usually, it’s the other way around. But tonight, I want to drive him insane. Make him so hot with need that he won’t be able to turn down my invitation to some one-on-one time with Lady Scarlet. I went old school for this one.

Tonight, I’mGiving him something he can feel.

The house lights go down. I feel the heat of the spotlight through the curtain. The chattering stops. A few men whistle, more catcalls go out around the room. Then everything ceases when the curtain goes up and the stage lights pop on with the first beat of the bass. The bass starts pumping through the speakers and my hips snap and sway with each beat. The fringe pieces on my barely-there skirt swish across my ass keeping time behind the white screen. The rhythm in sync with the beating of my heart as the music and I become one. I focus on my movements, the music, andhim.

I take a seat in the chair behind the screen, the reflection of my mask-covered face and bare shoulders in the make-shift vanity mirror, surrounded in large white bulbs the only thing anyone can see clearly. My shadow moving behind the thin white paper screen the only clues they have for what I’m doing.

I stand, still swaying to the beat, unhooking my skirt, I let it drop to the floor, spinning so the reflection in the mirror is now of my bare back down to the dimples just above my ass. There’s no question I’m nude behind the screen. Or so they think.

The men in the crowd whistle and call for me to come out where they can see me. But that’s not how this show is going to go.

I pick up a long red dress, holding it in front of my body in the mirror, then spin again as I shimmy it up by legs, over my hips, all the way to the top of my breasts, zipping the back slowly as they all watch in the mirror.

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