My six-inch stilettos click against the pavement of the sketchy entrance. The inky white moon is shining in the sky instead of being hovered by polluted air. Opposed to creepy stalker clients, the crime rates in the club are nonexistent. However, this girlie never left her house without pepper spray, a knife, and a nail finer.

Sergi, our dark bulky bouncer, glances at me. "Good evening, Mika. Mi vida es mucho más brillante cuando estas aqui."

(My life is so much brighter when you're here.)

A flirtatious smirk arises on my face. "Aren't you the cutest thing? Good thing I come here often..." My fingers trail up his shoulders. "I wouldn't want to make you sad."

"Es imposible."

(It's Impossible.)

My fingers dangle down his chest, highlighting his muscle. "When are you going to purchase another night with me? If I remembered correctly, you came while screaming how fucking maleficent my pussy is."

Underneath the milky illumination, Sergi blushes. "Trust me... If I had any extra money to spare, it would go towards you."

"That's what I like to hear." I boop his nose. "I'll see you later, Sergi. I have a big fat date with the pole tonight. If you're feeling adventurous, leave your post and come and see me."

His gaze darkens as they sluggishly wander my body. "I'll make sure to go on break when the time comes."

As I stride through the door, I crane my head back to send him a quick air kiss. The music coming from the first floor vibrates under my feet. A faint smile sticks on my lips like superglue as I pass other staffers. La Diablo's Paraiso is my home, my second nature, something I could trace with my eyes closed. I might've been an employee, but I had everyone in the club eating in the palm of my hands.

Using my knuckles, I knock on his door, interrupting the conversation between him and another client. The stress on his frown lines obliterates upon my arrival. He sticks the unlit cigarette behind his ear, shooing the client in front of him. His customer's attention loiters on my frame as I wave five flirty fingers until he's out the door.

"What did I do to get blessed by this belleza tonight?" El Diablo man spreads on his lounge chair, tapping the empty spot on his thigh. "Get your sexy ass over here."

I roll my eyes, following through with his request. "Do I need a reason to see you?" My lips jut to a pout. "Did you think maybe I just missed you?"

His sculpted chest rocks with laughter. "What day is it?"

My fingers skim over his ear, stealing the cigarette. "It's Wednesday."

Realization rises on his face. "Ahh... Now, I know why you're here."

Diablo raises from his seat, his hold slipping from around my waist as he strolls over to his steel safe. Smacking my lips, I try to peer over his shoulders for the code, but this fucker loves his money more than me. It is an obstacle, but nothing is impossible in life. One day, I will know the key and have more options with a flick of my acrylic finger.

The safe opens to a light bell. "Two-hundred and fifty-thousand dollars, right?"

I spin around in his seat. "Yes, but an extra ten thousand wouldn't hurt."

He clutches the chair's leg with his foot. "Is money the only thing on your mind?"

"No." I innocently bob my head. "I also think about our night together..." His gaze blackens as my heel draws closer to his bulge. "When your cock was buried deep in me... I had you whimpering. An interesting sight." 

Diablo grooves his hand against his stubble, smirking. "Your tactics won't work on me. Just take your money and go get ready."

"Really?" My pluck eyebrows arches. "Why don't you say that to him?"

An aroused gleam flashed in his eyes when my foot pressed into his bulge.

"Mika," he hums with a pompous smile. "I said I don't fall for your tactics. I never said I didn't find you attractive, but we're strictly business. Ignore him."

Jokes on him...

If he finds me attractive, he is already falling into the palm of my hand.

My stilettos clink on the floor. With a righteous pout, I stride closer to Diablo, skimming my fingertips feather-like over his clothed cock. He shivers. There's no doubt in my mind if I brought up his body reaction, he would dismiss it. Instead, I guide his hand to my face, grabbing the wad of cash with my teeth.

Shifting the money to my hand, I whisper in his ear, "It's hard to ignore when he's begging to be unleashed."

Diablo flinches. "He gets unleashed enough when I'm in the shower."

"To me?" I giggle.

"Of course. You're my most prized possession, after all."

My eyes dart at the clock. "Speaking of which, I should finish getting ready."

Diablo's grip dawdles over my wrist like a handcuff. "I have someone special coming tonight. He's a bit skeptical about the underground proportion, so it's in your hands to get him to stay. Can I count on you?"

I nod. "There isn't a guy in the universe who's immune to me."

His lips form a wicked smirk. "You are right. Try to act more pure tonight. He's the type to be into that. From my knowledge."

"Don't worry." I wink, exiting the door.

Red and purple lights stream into the hallways from the bar. The sultry music booms in my ears as I hurry over to the dressing room. Regret seeps through my veins like sweat as the enormous digital clock in the hallway screams at me for being so behind on time. It isn't my fault, teasing Diablo brought me so much pleasure.

"Hey, whore!" I proclaim, swinging my bag onto my other shoulder.

Tania, my raven-hair buddy, prances in her black lace bodysuit. "Talking like you ain't one, too."

I drop my bag on my seat. "I'm very proud to be one. I didn't know you were stripping tonight."

"For a second, I thought you came over here because you missed me." She pouts, batting her extension lashes. "But I always strip on Wednesdays. Are you bored again? When was the last time Diablo asked you to strip?"

I unload makeup, clothes, perfume, and food onto my counter. A gigantic heart-shaped mirror fringe with pink lightbulbs radiated a pinkish color on my olive complexion.

"Yes, I am." I dismiss her comment. "The last time I was required to strip was years ago, back when I was a beginner. It's a good excuse to get some cardio in and earn money. My two favorite things in the world."

Tania scoffs. "Tired of fucking old men? Mika, you're the Reina of this place. You have a whole fucking waitlist. Private room sessions will get you a lot more than stripping."

She isn't wrong. Stripping is for beginners. For women and men who make it out of the dungeon and desire to climb the ranks in this bitch. Performing in the dungeon is used mainly to test our mental captivity before we get closer to becoming established Angeles. This industry isn't for the weak. It's easy to get chewed up and spit on in here. I'm grateful Diablo's Paradiso is an establishment where their escorts came and searched for them.

Not the other way around.

Releasing my hair from my ponytail, I huff. "I'm tired of the private room. Fucking is boring when the people you fuck or fucks you are boring." Carefully, I line my plump lips with nude-pink lip gloss. "None of them excites me. It just moan, ride, come, and repeat. Same old, same old."

"What about..." Tania snaps her fingers, her eyebrows pulsating together. "What's his name... Alberto?"

"What about him?"

Tania squirts her perfume under her neck. "You used to mention him a lot? I thought he was a good fuck? I was kinda hoping to try him out."

I roll my bedazzled, light pink legging onto my thighs. "He was alright for a fifty-year-old! You can have him if you want. He's a good tipper. But I'm in a mood for someone young who I don't have to suck off every five seconds because his dick goes limp."

Her face scrunches up with disgust. "That's super annoying. Sometimes I'm just like come already, so I can go fuck myself."

"Huh? I never been invited."

Tania smirks, grabbing my cheeks and leaving a smooch stain on them. "Because the last time, you ditched me for a client."

I shrug my shoulders. "Can't hate a girl for chasing the bag besides I still ate you out afterward."

She fuzzy up her hair, using hairspray. "I need to pay you back for that epic orgasm."

Using a make-up wipe, I swab away her red-stain lips on my cheeks. "I'm free tonight."

Tania blows a kiss. "Great. I'll be looking forward to our night together." Her platform heels clank as she walks to the exit. "Good luck, Reina. Everyone is going to be blessed for getting to see you at a cheaper price. See you in a boo, babe."

"Kisses!" I yell, unhooking my heels.

Strippers had an organized order so we wouldn't fight over time slots. The list ranks from Diablo's liking. So, if you're in his good graces, a better time slot will come your way. Anyone with an eye could see I am the fan favorite since I always won the best time. It's only logic. I am the one Angele who could rank over ten million dollars per week.

That's lowballing.

"Mika, you have less than ten minutes," Diablo states, poking his head for a millisecond, catching a glimpse of my bare ass. "Only an idiot wouldn't pay two million to see that ass."

I snort, pulling on my flamingo-colored booty shorts, leaving little to the imagination. "Thank god, they don't exist."

Triumphant swells in my chest as I admire my full attire. A rose-colored corset adorned with different size jewels from my straps to my waistline. My pink hello kitty nails mesh against my skin along with the pink gloves. The thigh-high stockings connect to the puffy, pink cloud fitted around my waist, almost like wings, but for my ass.

Lastly, to keep my long, luscious, curly black hair from falling onto my face, I tie a pink ribbon on the crown of my head. My confidence is through the roof from this outfit alone. I stride around the dressing room, practicing my angles before the big event.

Nerves are the last thing on my mind. I don't think I even knew how those emotions felt. I might've been categorized as a human-being organism, but I'm nothing more than a soulless corpse. The organ underneath my ribcage only pumps blood for my existence.

Love didn't exist in my world.

Every single person I interacted with was just a chess piece in my tournament. Diablo, Tania, and Sergi were tools to reach an end. Squirting a whiff of a vanilla-scented perfume on my neck, I walk to the door. The burning red light glow on Tania as her body spin around the pole, clutching it with her legs.

I can see she used the trick I showed her.

It always got the crowd cheering.

"Sixty seconds," a buzz-cut bouncer announces.

I tug at my gloves. "Where did Diablo go?"

The buzz-cut bouncer taps his earpiece. "He had special matters to attend to, but he left you a message."

I arch a skeptical eyebrow. "Shoot."

"Work your magic... for the special client."

Curiosity seeps through my bones like chills. Who could be so special Diablo had to make sure he would come back? A politician? An actor or actress? Diablo's Parasido wasn't for everyone, only the prestigious people in NYC earned an invite. The membership alone costs one hundred grand per month.

"Mika!" The bouncer calls out, tilting his head to the crowd.

Taking a deep breath, I stalk forward, swaying my hips ever so slightly. The key factor is besides being an escort, acting innocently drives the clients wild. Creepy old men like to pretend they are watching underage girls. It's disturbing, to say the least, but I used my looks to my advantage.

With a single motion, I lift myself on the pole, widening my legs to an air split. Sticking my heel to the pole, I twirl and contort until my ass reaches the floor. Remembering Diablo's voice, I scan through the crowd for the special client's gaze. Finally, I meet these dark green eyes.

They scream purity.

They yearn to be tainted.

He should've never walked through the club doors because now, he wasn't leaving until he lost every sense of sanity.

Hey guys, we just met the amazing, wonderful Mika! She's definitely a vibrant character with a mind of her own! Don't expect a woman who is controlled easily by men because Mika is far from that! I honestly love her for that but she does have some negative... I'm wondering if you guys can guess what her big problem is going to be! I'm so excited for the next two chapters because Asiel and Mika are finally going to meet!

Do you guys have a favorite already? Let me know your thoughts! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I really appreciate every vote and comment!!

Thank you, guys!! ❤️