Page 44 of One Wild Night

I was in the locker room getting ready for the evening. My outfit consisted of skin-tight leather pants that were laced at the thighs and had a faux studded belt built in, and a black leather V-neck halter top that tied around the neck and laced up in the back. To top off the outfit, I had on a pair of black, strappy 4 inch stilettos that were adorned with studs that matched my top and pants.

I would be dancing toI Love Rock 'N' Rollby Joan Jett, but my clothes were inspired by the outfit Brittney Spears wore in her music video of the song. I felt so incredibly sexy, and my confidence was soaring as I did my makeup all dark and smoky.

When it was almost time for my song, I took my spot backstage. I would be using the pole for the first part of the song tonight, but for the second part, I planned on engaging the audience a little more—driving them wild, so to speak—to draw in better tips.

When Barbie finished her striptease, wearing only the skimpiest of G-string panties that barely covered her snatch, the club went nuts. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.You just wait, gentlemen...you ain't seen nothin' yet,I thought to myself. I was counting on making over two grand in tips tonight to hide away for when I made my escape, and I was willing to pull out all the stops in order to make it happen. I had to get out of Chicago and as far away from Ryan and Tony as I could. That was one thing Libby and I had agreed on.

The lights died down, and when they did, it was like someone hit the mute button. The boisterous club from moments before was now so silent you could hear a pin drop. That was my cue to take my spot center stage, and I did so with confidence. I had this tonight, andnothingwas going to stand in my way.

Jesse hit play, and the first two notes of the guitar filled the room as the spotlights flickered, casting a strobe-light effect. I began to move with a slight shake of my hips. When Joan's voice filled the room, I added my arms, reaching above my head before sliding my backside seductively down the pole.

As the song went on, I continued to grind myself against the pole, both front and back, driving the men in the club wild. When the chorus started to play, I turned my back to the crowd and reached up high on the pole, my grip firm. I hoisted myself up so I was straddling the pole at shoulder height, and clenched my thighs together so I could release my hands. The pants I was wearing tonight made gripping the pole with my legs a lot easier, so I could do more involved tricks.

When I was sure I wasn't going to plummet to the ground, I leaned my head all the way back and smiled at the crowd, who was going absolutely nuts. Every man in this place knew the muscle strength and control it took to hang upside down on the pole using just your legs; I could tell by the amazed and wanton looks on their faces.

I ran my hands down my body, over my tits, which were practically falling out of my halter, and to the pole below me. Once I had a firm grip, I loosened my legs and, using all my upper body strength, straightened them out above me so I was upside down and parallel to the pole. I held the position for a few seconds, then slowly started to bend my waist and lower my legs back to the ground. When I straightened my back, I was facing the pole once more. The club exploded when I shook my ass at them before whipping around the pole to face them.

Now well into the second verse of the song, and right before the second chorus, I wrapped my knee around the pole and used it to guide me to the ground effortlessly as I twirled around it. Once I was on my knees, I moved away from the pole on all fours, slinking toward the edge of the stage to the beat of the music.

I stopped with about a foot to spare, smiling as all the men started reaching and grabbing for me, and knowing that they weren't allowed to touch me. I felt safe, I felt confident, and I felt so fucking sexy as the bills started piling up on the wooden floor in front of me.

I continued to prowl back and forth across the platform, licking my lips and teeth seductively, and giving the front row my best 'bedroom' eyes so they would fork over more cash. I was taking no prisoners tonight. I wanted all their money, and by god, I was going to get what I wanted.

Just as the song was about to end, all hell broke loose. I felt myself being pulled toward the edge of the stage before I ever even saw anyone move. I tried to fight the guy off, but he was drunk and way too strong for me. Before I knew it, his left hand was on the back of my neck, pulling me closer toward him while his right hand slipped under my halter until he was groping my bare tit. I tried to scream for security, but the moment I opened my mouth, he covered my lips with his and shoved his tongue down my throat. I was powerless to stop it from happening, and scared of what might happen next. If security didn't get here soon, the crowd would probably end up pulling me from the stage and ripping my clothes off, all vying to get a chance at me.

The drunk fucker released his hold on me to get some much needed air, and the moment he did, I let out a high-pitched shriek for security. When I felt the man being forcefully pulled away, I thought they had arrived. I was surprised to look up at an enraged Ryan right before he punched the other guy in the face, causing him to spit blood and probably a few teeth.

I scrambled to my feet and moved toward them as Ryan punched the guy again, this time in the stomach. The rage that consumed his features was something I had only ever seen once—he had the same look on his face in the alley behind Cherries on my first day here—and it scared me. When I saw Ryan reaching behind him to pull out his piece, I knew it was time to step in.

"Ryan Lawson! What thefuckdo you think you're doing? The asshole is drunk. He doesn't deserve to be shot for that!"

Ryan's eyes locked with mine, and I could see the possessive fury lighting up their depths. I knew he was trying to protect me—he told me once he wouldalwaysprotect me—but this was taking it too far. I wasn't his to protect. Carlo had paid for extra bouncers for exactly this reason, and it wastheirjob to watch out for me now.

"Ryan, put your fucking gun away,now, and let security deal with this!" He looked taken aback when I screamed at him. Anyone who knew Ryan Lawson knew that the man had a short fuse, and yelling at him was the last thing a person should do if they wanted to walk away with their life. Yet that was exactly what I had done.

"But, S...Trixie, he was practically trying to rape you in front of everyone!"

I could see the anger flash in his eyes, but I knew I couldn't back down. This needed to end once and for all. "That's not your fucking problem, is it? I'm notyourgirl, Ryan! I belong to Tony. If anyone is going to kill that fucker, it will be him." I gestured to the man now in restraints as security was leading him out of the club. "It was sweet at first that you're so chivalrous, but it's getting fucking old. Stay the fuck away from me and let security do their goddamn job!"

I watched as his eyes widened at my words before they turned hard. Yes, I had successfully pissed him off. The only question was...would it be enough to get him to back away for good?

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