“Great. The perfect way to end the week.” I rolled back my shoulders and grinned. “Showtime.”
“Knock ‘em dead, tiger.”
I strode to the floor. Wolf whistles sounded with every step I took. I kept my gaze focused on the stage and my lips in a pout. I acted like a cold bitch, and the customers ate it up.
DJ Dynamite announced my arrival. The club, packed to bursting, erupted. Dita Von Tease had nothing on me. When I reached the stage, Blade and Deke, who resembled human bulldogs, took my hands and helped me up the steps. The lights dimmed, and I got into position.
The place was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The first beats began, and I swayed my hips. The rhythm started slow, and like sex, became faster and rougher near the climax before tapering off for the cool down.
I closed my eyes, swung around the pole, turned upside down, and went through my routine. Every week, I choreographed a new one. Sometimes, I improvised. It all depended on the night and my mood.
Money rained down like autumn leaves. Deke collected it as I danced so I wouldn’t slip. The faster I moved, the more money flew my way. Every now and again, I caught a customer’s eye, winked, and smiled, making him think that maybe, just maybe, he had a chance with me.
In front of the stage, the bachelor party howled like animals. Their glassy eyes and flushed cheeks told me what to expect, but if any of them came near me, Blade would break their hands.
The music reached its crescendo, and as it did, I took off my bra and kicked off my panties. I crawled around, my nipples brushing on the cold stage floor.
A group of four men standing at the bar with Johnny caught my attention. One of them, who reminded me of Chris Hemsworth, glared in my direction. He looked like a colonoscopy would be much more preferable than being here.
The broody disinterested thing he had going on left me wet and horny—something that never happened when I worked. I held his brown-eyed gaze, and for a few beats, it was like I was dancing for only him. I wanted him to look at me the way the other men did. I wanted him to want me.
His eyes held mine, but I couldn’t tell if he was disgusted or enthralled.
To finish my routine, like I always did, I slid into the splits and held my hands above my head. The crowd went crazy.
But he didn’t.
He didn’t smile.
He didn’t clap.
He didn’t cheer.
Blade and Deke draped a robe over my shoulders and helped me stand.
“Johnny wants a word,” Deke said, guiding me off the stage while Blade brushed up the money I’d earned.
“Tell him to come into the dressing room.” I secured the robe around my waist and covered up my nakedness.
Deke shook his meaty, bald head. “He wants to talk to you at the bar.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “That’s not like him. He usually wants to talk in the back. You sure he said the bar?”
“I’m sure.”
I shrugged, more curious than worried. “Who are those men with him?”
“Some kind of VIPs. He said they’re to get whatever they want.”
The bouncer guided me through the club, pushing everyone out of our way. When we reached the bar, Johnny kissed both of my cheeks. “Wonderful as always, Alyssa.”
I nodded and looked at the four men by his side, then looked at him, curious about what he wanted to talk about.
“I was going to wait until we had a staff meeting, but,”—He wouldn’t meet my eyes when he spoke, “—I wanted you to be the first to know. I’m selling, and these guys are buying.”
My jaw opened, but no words came out. I simply stared at Johnny and then at the new owners.
The blonde guy who’d glared at me while I danced dragged his eyes over my body. It was definitely disgust I’d seen in his face.
When I found my voice, I said, “What the fuck, Johnny? You knew I wanted to buy this place. If you planned to sell, why didn’t you ask me?”
He placed his hands on my shoulders, but I shrugged him off. “Alyssa, sweetheart, there’s no way you could ever afford it. I’m sorry. I did what I had to.”
My heart broke, and my dreams drifted away. “You said you weren’t retiring for a few years.” My voice cracked with every word. “I—”
“I’m Liam,” the second well-built blonde said, interrupting me. “We’ll take good care of you and the other, um, talent. We won’t screw anyone over. We’re all businessmen and only want the best for The Bachelor.” I stared up at his large nose, frozen in disbelief.
I wanted to quit. I wanted to tell Johnny and the other cocksuckers standing beside him to stick the club up their asses.