Page 11 of Conquered (Highgate Preparatory Academ:y Compendium)

CHAPTER TEN

T he next few weeks continue in the same way, me dancing a couple of times over the course of the night, all while my stomach gets rounder with the baby growing inside of me.

I've started to feel more movements, and the first time Lexi felt my baby kick, we both ended up in tears at the sheer magic of it.

I've also had both my scans and seeing my baby on the screen, watching the baby wriggle around and knowing that it's healthy and where it needs to be, created such a wealth of happiness in my chest, I thought that I might burst. I decided not to find out whether it's a boy or girl.

We get so few surprises in life, I wanted this to be one of them.

I've entered that glowing phase that everyone talks about, and I really do feel great.

My hair is thicker, my boobs are getting bigger and rounder, much to Ryan's appreciation on the nights he’s had coffee .

I generally feel well, and I'm grateful that the need to pee every two seconds has passed.

I also no longer seem to have any queasiness at all, not that I had much but it was miserable when I did.

It's a strange feeling having your body no longer be your own, although there's a comfort in knowing that no matter what, I am no longer alone in this world.

My now obvious pregnancy seems to draw more members my way.

Grey really was right when he said that a lot of men would find it attractive.

The table I dance on is always full, with some members requesting a seat specifically.

Lexi jokes that she needs to get knocked up and that they've all been missing a trick all these years!

I bring in a huge amount of tips, it's crazy really what the rich will spend their money on, and my best tipper is the brooding mysterious guy from that first night.

He's always at my table, watching me with his dark, predatory gaze, his intense eyes fixed on my body the whole time.

I asked Lexi about him, and apparently, he's some kind of billionaire who uses the club for business meetings mostly, though no one is quite sure what his business actually is.

His name is Mr. Black; each member is given an alias in the form of a different colour, and no one but Grey knows who they really are.

I'm not sure whether or not I should be worried by his unwavering attention.

He never steps out of line, only touches me to help me down from the table and to place his wad of cash into my hand.

He's not done anything to warrant the feeling of uneasiness that he inspires in me, yet I feel it all the same.

Ryan doesn't like it, although he's trying to keep his possessiveness in check. He's staying with me a lot in my bed, always leaving before I'm up. He says seeing me dance night after night gives him dickache, like a headache but with his dick, so it's my own fault really. Cheeky bugger!

I've just finished getting ready for my dance tonight, grateful that I'm in the dry and warm club, with the cold December wind blowing and sleet falling from the sky outside.

“You're up, doll,” Justin tells me, then rushes off to help a new girl who's in a muddle with her suspenders.

The baby gives me a little kick as if to tell me to hurry up, and I chuckle to myself at its seeming impatience.

I make my way downstairs to the basement, seeing Ryan as usual once I step past the doorway.

He trails his fingers across my stomach sending flutters of pleasure skittering across my abdomen and into my core.

I see him smirk in a satisfied male way as he hears my breath hitch.

My song comes on, a sensual piece with the rhythmic pounding of drums so I make my way to my table, rolling my hips in time with the beat as I walk.

Dancing up the small steps to the table, I take note of Mr. Black who is here as expected.

I give him a small nod, which he returns with a tilt of his lips, an almost smile.

There are three other men around the table, all in dark suits, one of whom is seated next to Mr. Black, turned to face him as they speak.

My steps falter as he registers where Black’s attention has gone and faces me.

Shit! Fuck! It's Julian Vanderbilt, CEO of Black Knight Corporation and one of Ace’s associates.

I've met this man on countless occasions, spoken to his wife, and sat down to dinner at their house. His eyes alight with appreciation but not recognition, at least, I don’t think they do but my panic is colouring my judgement.

My heart pounds in time with the drums, and I see Ryan heading in my direction, his face wreathed with concern.

I look at him and shake my head, taking a deep breath and continuing to dance.

My eyes catch Black’s, and I can see he's sitting stock still, his own eyes tumultuous and full of what looks like anger which confuses me.

The song comes to an end, and I hurry over to the steps to find Black waiting, as usual, to help me down. My hand shakes as it clasps his, and when I reach the bottom, he leans in close to my ear, keeping hold of my hand.

“Apologies, Aphrodite, he will not come here again,” he whispers darkly before handing me the usual wad of bills and releasing his grip.

I don't say anything in return, my mouth unable to utter a word, then I walk off, trying to appear casual whilst my insides churn with worry and fear.

As I go to step past Ryan, he grabs my upper arm, stepping through the door with me and closing it behind us.

“What happened? Are you okay?” he asks, cupping my jaw, worry shining in his brown eyes. “Is the baby okay?”

“Just a misstep, nothing to worry about.” I try to assure him by smiling, but my heart still pounds in fear of being discovered. I know my smile falls short when he doesn't look reassured and, if anything, looks more concerned.

“One day, I hope you trust me enough to tell me about your past. You're not alone anymore, Laura, and I can protect you,” he tells me vehemently, not giving me a chance to answer before he presses a light kiss on my lips then heads back out the door.

It's not me that needs protecting the most , I think as I stare after him, holding my stomach and feeling the life inside me move.