Page 125 of Ewan

But beyond the red lipstick, hair tumbling down my back, teasing walk across the stage, and shimmying of my chest for the customers in the front row, apprehension grips me.

Everything feels wrong, a disaster.

He’s probably pissed. I’d be. And he’s here to get his revenge. Who cares whether he’s a mafia boss or not?

This situation is dire enough to forget about what he does for a living.

But things are even worse if he’s a mafia boss.

He could do things to me I’ve only seen on TV.

My performance comes to an end, and I appear cool and collected as I sweep my money off the stage and put it in one of the cups of my bra.

I haven’t had so much money on me–and I mean literally on me–ever.

I step out and look for the manager.

He’s not there.

How convenient.

He’s probably fabricating an alibi for later if the police come knocking on his door.

I ask one of the girls where to go for a private dance, and she directs me to a corridor, telling me it’s the second door on the right. I should walk through it, make a left turn, and then a right turn.

That will take me to the most private area in the venue.

My heart beats fast, my palms sweaty.

I don’t stop to refresh my makeup or tuck the money in my bag. Nor do I stop to change my costume.

He has particularly asked for something sexy.

I do expect to have my butt chewed off, and not in the nice sexy way I imagine.

The more steps I take, the farther away I am from the stage and the closer I get to my destiny.

We’ll probably be done quickly. And I’m ready for anything. A quarrel. A heated conversation. Some threats peppered here and there.

He wouldn’t do anything to me. I don’t think so.

Jeopardize my reputation at work and such. But never say never. I don’t know him that well.

I spot a server nearby and ask her if I’m in the right place.

She nods.

“Someone is inside,” she says.

“Thank you.”

The woman pivots––she carries a large tray––and sets drinks on a table.

The customers are only feet away from me. It’s just that they have their back turned to me and are looking at the stage.

The noise is somewhat muffled here, but they’re still very much close to this corner of the room.

Not feeling better in the slightest about what might happen next, I slide my hand around the curtain and pull it slowly to the side.

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