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“You’ll do fine, babe.” She beckons me close so Trino doesn’t hear. “Just keep an eye out for Britta. She can be nasty when new girls get some attention. And judging by that shapely ass you got, she gonna be knockin’.”

I try my hardest not to let my persona slip. “Thanks for the tip.”

Trino nods for us to get going, so I follow through the next door, past a metal detector that both gives me a sliver of comfort and scares the shit out of me – how dangerous does this place get?

We’re greeted by another monstrous bouncer. The lights inside are so dim they’re almost like blacklights. All of the strippers’ attire is glowing.Ah!I’m glowing too.

There’s a gigantic wraparound bar in front of us, guarding an elevated stage with three poles attached from floor-to-ceiling. No one’s working them at the moment, but the dancers are everywhere talking to patrons.

From what I can tell, cosmetic surgeries run rampant in here. Fake boobs, manmade butts. The hell am I doing here? Oh good, there’s one or two who are like me – little-to-no work done. Maybe I should gravitate to them.Ormaybe they’ll look at me as competition.

All eyes cling to us. Trino isDaddy, after all. And I’m the fresh meat.

Mentally preparing for this moment does absolutely nothing now that I’m in it. All internal systems tell me to jump out of my heels and sprint in the other direction.

Channel Misty,I keep reminding myself.

A pit grows in my belly despite my stoic appearance. It’s like the first day of school all over again. Albeit, a very different,tits outkind of school. But jeez, catty central.

Trino leads us to what I can only assume is Bruno – a stocky gentleman with a receding hairline and a streaky combover – and Chestnut, a tall woman with at least D-sized breasts that I’d love to fall asleep on right about now.

“Evening, Knots.”

“Belly Stunad,” he greets back, giving the man a hug.

Doesn’t that meanstupidor something?

“Hi, Daddy.” Chestnut breaks away from Bruno and slowly opens her arms wide to smother him. I’d be lying if the green monster wasn’t rearing its head a bit. His hug is less warm than hers, though. Good boy.

“Chestnut.” He gives her a kiss on the cheek to break the embrace. “Des said you wanted to see me?”

Bruno’s face cracks into a smile, rubbing his hands together. “Your little marketing stint worked, y’know. Passing out flyers by the new Eastbound corporate headquarters brought all the suits and ties in to play. I’m talking accountants, lawyers, day traders. Hah. This place is going to be the big one for you, hot shot.Flagshipbaby.” He slaps Trino’s arms.

My whole body tenses at the word ‘lawyers’ though. If someone from J. Witt shows their environmentally friendly face in here, I might die of a heart attack on the spot. Not sure my firm is an affiliate of Eastbound, but you bet your ass I’m going to look it up as soon as I get out of here.

Trino likes what he hears. “That means tonight is going to be a strong weekly update?”

“Bet your fuckin’ ass, boss. By the end of the month, you’re going to present your case to the pit-boss and for sure make cap—” Bruno adjusts his glasses. “Whoa, my, ’scuze me, hun. You lost?”

My eyes flick to Trino angrily. He gets the hint.

“Bruno Belly Stunad, Chestnut, this is Misty.” He thumbs toward me. “Picked her up on a recruiting couch today.”

“Ha, ha. This the one?” Bruno winks at me.

“That joke never gets old,Stuny,” Chestnut says sarcastically, rubbing his arm.

My blood boils. Not only am I a throwaway here, but Trino is a goddamn celestial-level man-whore.

Chill, Capri. Can’t get mad at the man for his past. It’s not like he tried to finger Chestnut in front of you.

“Hi, Misty, nice to meet you.” Chestnut offers her cheek, still holding onto Bruno.

Bruno offers his hand, which I guess is a sign of respect for Trino.

“Bruno runs the books, Chestnut wrangles the girls when there’s an issue. You two, treat her well. I’m taking her.”

Taking me? Is that code for something?