CHAPTER 5
Nirah
Nirah, my little girl.
I’ve done many things in life that I’m not proud of, wishing I didn’t have to do and this is definitely the worst. Before I explain myself, just know that I love you, dearly, and always will. This has absolutely nothing to do with you, it’s all because of me.
Someone made me realize that my actions have consequences that don’t only affect me, but you as well.
My behavior is causing you stress, and problems, and it’s preventing you from living your young adult life and I’m sorry.
I’m the parent. I should be taking care of you but I can’t even do that right. I can’t seem to do anything right these days.
My vision blurred with tears as my hand trembled. A single tear drop slipped from my eye, landing in the bottom right corner of the paper. Taking a deep breath in, I continued.
I’m going to do the right thing. For you.
I booked myself into a rehabilitation facility in Spain, back home. I need to get better in order to be a better father to you. You deserve that much from me after all these years.
My gasp filled the silence as my hand slammed over my mouth in denial.
I don’t know how long I’ll be there, but I’d spend the next ten years locked in rehab if that’s how long it takes to better myself.
I’m doing this for you. You’re my little girl and seeing all the hurt I’m causing you pains me.
I love you, Nirah.
My eyes frantically darted around the room, and I rushed over to his closet. With a loud thud, I swung the door open. It was empty.
I hurried over to his drawers, the bathroom, the laundry room, the kitchen, the living room. His things were gone. They were all… gone .
Sinking my teeth into my quivering bottom lip, I scrunched up the little white paper in my left hand.
I shook my head, feeling my heart ache in my chest. You can’t leave me like this. You can’t leave me all alone—you’re the only family I have left.
I brought both hands up to my throat as I tugged my t-shirt away from my neck repeatedly. I could barely get any oxygen into my lungs, and my legs were numb. It felt as though my ribs were closing in on my heart.
I’m all alone now. No mother. No father. No Nereus. No one.
* * *
I had let go of last night’s moment with Mr. Jackass , and was finally ready to just get my shift over and done with tonight.
Waking up alone in my father’s bed this morning was all the painful confirmation I needed, that this was real.
Sitting at my dressing room vanity, I yanked my drawer open and froze, seeing three stacks of money with a note. I already knew who it was from without having to even read the note. I sighed and picked it up, nonetheless, trailing my eyes over the piece of paper.
For your performance on the pole, on my lap, and the misunderstanding.
He didn’t sign it, of course. But, misunderstanding ? Was he referring to his reaction? Or him not wanting to have sex? Maybe it was the question he had asked me?
I shook away him—and all the thoughts attached to him—and shut the drawer with the money and note inside.
I trailed my eyes over my face in the mirror, and thankfully, the puffiness in my eyes had gone down. With a deep inhale, I got up and made my way to the bar.
“There you are!” Silvia gasped with a smile that stretched ear to ear. “I saw you heading into one of the private rooms last night,” she giggled. “How was it? Did you make lots of money? Was it good? Did he hurt you?” she suddenly shifted her excited tone to concern.
“No, he didn’t hurt me,” I shook my head. At least not physically.
She grinned mischievously. “Was he hot?”
As I opened my mouth to speak, a strong presence— body —stopped behind me, and I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
“And suddenly, I can hear someone calling my name,” Silvia said, slipping away from us.
“Well, was he?” Mr. Jackass asked from behind me, and I spun around, staring straight into his chest.
I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest and met his usual dark gaze. “Didn’t want your money yesterday, don’t want it today.”
“Why were you upset with me?” he asked, and I could almost laugh.
“I wasn’t,” I lied straight through my teeth.
“Yes you were.”
“Look,” I finally said, coming off more agitated than I had anticipated. “As much as I would love to stand here and waste my time with you,” I quipped. “I can’t. I have a job to do. And I really don’t want to speak to you. So, excuse me.”
I passed him, heading behind the bar to start serving my customers. I tried my best not to look for him and simply focused on my job.
I spent some time with Giovanni before finding myself back behind the bar.
I glanced around the lively club, spotting a customer who needed me and headed over with a smile. When I reached my second table, he was already seated there. Of course he was.
Swallowing my pride, I spoke up. “What can I get you?”
“Oh, good. We’re talking again,” he said, calmly locking his hands on the table, and I dropped my shoulders. “Have a seat,” he gestured toward the empty chair in front of him. Although reluctant, I sat down. He was not going to give up.
“I didn’t have sex with you yesterday because that’s not why I paid for a session with you.”
I scoffed. “Trust me, not having sex with you could never bother me as much as you think it could.”
He brushed his tongue on the inside of his cheek before he spoke again. “I handed you your coat because after I made that clear, I assumed the session was over.”
“Great,” I nodded my head. “Glad we cleared that up,” I got up, but he reached for my hand, stopping me.
“Sit, Nirah ,” he beckoned, holding onto my hand with a firm grip. I looked down at him and yanked my hand from his hold before sitting down.
“How much?” I asked, referring to the money in my drawer.
“Twenty-five grand,” he answered, and I nodded my head. That’s expected. “ Each, ” he clarified, and my stomach flipped.
This man just dropped seventy-five grand on me without sex, a blow job, or me even having to take my clothes off. What —
“I wasn’t trying to offend you last night. And, I don’t see you any differently,” he assured me.
“Why are you explaining yourself to me, you creepy stalker?”
“Because my reaction bothered you.”
“It didn’t—”
“Don’t lie to me.”
I plastered a smile on my face, leaning forward onto my forearms. “You’re full of your own importance,” I shot back.
“Yeah?” he challenged.
“It’s revolting.”
“And what else?” he grinned, leaning back as he threw his arm over the back of the sofa.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Next time, don’t get cocky with me. I eat men like you for breakfast. You’re no different.” Amusement lingered behind his eyes, and my heart leaped in my chest. “What?” Why is he looking at me like that?
“There she is,” he lowered his voice, and my stomach dropped in realization. Damn him.
I scoffed, getting up but stopped, seeing the image of Nic flash in my head. With my newfound bravery, I once again spoke without thinking. “Did you do it ?”
The slight tilt in his head supported my assumption. He knew exactly what I was referring to. “Care to elaborate?”
If he answered yes , I knew I had gotten myself into some serious shit. But, if he said no , would the accusation deeply offend him? I swallowed hard, shaking my head in sudden panic.
“Never mind,” I plastered a fake smile on my face before whipping around but stopped. I grinned, allowing it to disappear when I faced him again. I crossed my arms over my chest. “Hand it over,” I extended my hand toward him.
His tongue brushed against the inside of his cheek, and I could tell he was fighting back a smile.
He pulled his black card out of his wallet and placed it on the palm of my hand.
He spoke as I slipped the card into my bra. “Five-three-nine-zero.” Perfect!
* * *
After a long, exhausting week that included a variety of shopping sprees—courtesy of my insanely handsome stalker—it was finally Sunday; my day off.
I plopped down onto my bed after my shower, sinking into my soft bed sheets.
There was a loud knock on my front door, so I simply stayed quiet, hoping whoever it was would go away. I laid back in blissful silence until the knocking got louder, and I groaned in frustration.
Irritably, I grabbed my cell phone, slowly getting up. I left my bedroom, but the knocking turned into pounding from more than just one person, so I froze. My body stiffened as the pounding echoed in my head.
“I know you’re in their little Nirah.” Sylvester .
Without hesitation, I bolted back to my bedroom, quietly shutting my bedroom door. Locking it, I looked around my room in fear. No, no, no. No, please no.
The front door swung open, crashing against the wall. My heart dropped, and I rushed to my window. With sweaty palms, I slid it open and looked down at the ground. I wasn’t that high up… right?
My body trembled as I clutched the metal bars, climbing through my window.
A thud behind me stopped me dead in my tracks.
I could hear a faint grunt as someone kept ramming into my door.
I hurried to the stairs attached to the side of my bedroom wall, and I rushed down, but when I looked up, Sylvester was looking out my window.
He was with two other men who left the room when he slid the window open. A devious glare appeared behind his eyes, and my lips dried. Adrenaline shot through my veins, forcing my feet to move. Go, Nirah! Go!
I bolted down the road, fighting against the gust of wind. I hurled myself even further with every step I took, not daring to look back.
My heart was pounding. My legs were numb. Sweat dripped down the side of my face. The icy wind smacked against my legs with each step. My eyes darted from building to building. Short, tight breaths. In and out.
I turned back, seeing Sylvester’s massive body charging towards me.
Slipping down an alleyway, I sprinted onto the sidewalk. Looking left and right, I turned right, running up the sidewalk. They were still behind me.