Chapter Three

Evelyn’s POV

The VVIP private rooms were nothing short of exquisite. I had only been in here once or twice to help out a colleague whenever they needed someone to cover their shifts. Despite my assured safety and the prospect of getting more tips, I preferred performing for more than one person in such a closed space. So, I stuck to working on the stage and around the regulars in the club. Now, I was being forced to entertain this man.

I changed into a most expensive black set, redoing my makeup and applying red lipstick on my pouty lips. I was doing all of this under duress; My manager was explicit in his words - if I didn’t do as asked, I would be out of the club on my ass. I couldn’t afford that right now. Even though I had saved up much money, I still knew I needed this job for at least my living expenses and some. I was also saving up for a trip; I couldn’t leave the club now. This job was important to me, and I knew I wouldn’t find a club quickly that would give me good treatment like here.

It was like a deal with the devil, and I loathed the idea of selling my soul, even though I would only be dancing for him for a few minutes tops.

The devil in question—Antonio, who looked like a mafia boss—was seated, his coat lying on another side of the couch. His eyes felt like hot iron was seared into my skin. The music was playing, creating the perfect sensual atmosphere. And though my heart wasn’t in it, I silently cat-walked to the pole right in front of him and began my performance, movements I knew by heart.

I tried not to look at him as I did so and kept my face impassive.

“Leave the pole,” he said, his voice a deep baritone that was rough around the edges of his statement. “Come here, Eve.”

Hearing him call my stage name (and real-life nickname) made me swallow and my knees wobbly as I walked to his side.

“Tell me, are you here by force or your will?” he asked as if this wasn’t a strip club but a cafe and we were on a date. I was silent. I needed to remember my job—dancing for this man—dancing and nothing else.

I was under no obligation to tell him anything, only to smile and give sultry looks and be a body willing to provide visual stimulation to him.

But Antonio didn’t get the gist, it seemed. He continued to talk.

“I doubt that you’re here by choice. Rather, maybe you don’t want to get thrown out like the man you defended had been. Tell me” his voice went even lower, if possible, as if he was asking for a secret. “Who is he to you? That man left with a broken nose and bruised face. Is he a friend to you?”

Be quiet, Eve, I told myself over and over again. Focus on doing your job—your job and nothing else. Remember that.

I twirled, undoing my bra clasp and letting the straps slip from my shoulders. I skillfully removed it from my body in one swipe and swung it like a lasso before tossing it at the other side of the couch. It landed near his coat, but I paid no mind to it other than that.

My chest was bare, and I hoped it would get him back to focus on the matter - I was only here for a few minutes to perform and then leave. He shouldn’t take any interest in me. I was just like the other girls.

“Is he your lover then?”

I swallowed, trying not to look at his eyes, and shut my mouth. The sooner I finish my set here, the sooner I can leave. The sooner I can get away from this dangerous, handsome, annoying man who had gotten my boyfriend fired and nearly beaten to a pulp.

“I asked you a question, MI Carino. Who is that man to you?”

I still didn’t reply.

Oh, let me finish here and leave this place. I prayed to whatever God would be listening to me as I saw the sparks of danger in his eyes that made alarm bells ring in my head.

I continued to dance, closing my eyes to the beat. I tried to remember why I enjoyed the job enough to continue it for over two years now.

Then I was jerked back to earth as I felt a hand around my waist, and I opened my eyes, gasping as the man tugged me towards him. I nearly fell on top of him and could barely keep my balance, finding myself straddling his lap.

I realized his eyes were grey, as our faces were so close to each other now. Every part of his body felt warm, complex, and intense. I tried to free myself, but his grip on my waist only tightened.

“You aren’t doing a perfect job of pleasing me, are you?” he murmured.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t take this. Not from this man who attacked my boyfriend that badly.

“Please don’t touch me. It’s not right for a customer to do so. And besides, I am only doing my job,” I snapped back. “Nothing more and nothing less.”

He smirked.

“Got you to speak, didn’t I?” The devil in human form grinned, and I huffed, trying to stand up. But he didn’t let me, and I was trapped under his grip and his gaze.

Damn it.

“You’re here to please me, Eve,” Antonio Bernoti said with an underlying warning tone. “I advise you to do so, or you will test my patience more than you already have.”