Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Chapter 30

TANYA

I stand stock still as I watch all the girls undress. Every one of them, with no exception, has banging bodies. I'm pretty sure they've gotten some work done to accentuate them. I look down at myself once more and swear silently.

Oscar is definitely not going to hear the last of me, that's for damn sure.

Every one of the girls get undressed and stand around waiting, wearing two pieces or a single piece consisting of a bra and panties. Some are shiny while others are satin, and some consist of both types of material. The man in the suit calls some names and five girls move forward and cling to the poles as if they are lifelines.

They probably are.

I of all people know how difficult it is to earn a living and look after myself with meager earnings. If it hasn't been for Mr. Ash, who found me just in time and saved me from those men, I don't know what would have become of me. I suppress a shiver thinking about it. It's easier if he thought I was having a good time and got myself in a mess. I laugh to myself when I realize how it would sound if anyone at all, got to find out I was actually saving my family by putting myself in harm's way.

"Fuck you very much, dad." I look up at the ceiling as if doing so would enable me to see his face there.

Soft sultry music suddenly spills out from hidden speakers, making some of the girls begin to sway to the music. My phone beeps in my bag and I bring it out, my breath hitching when I see a text from an unknown number. I click on it and my blood runs cold when I see who it's from.

So you thought killing my men would help you out of paying the debt your father owes? You told me I should take you instead of your sister, but look at what you did. I'm not going to take it lying down, watch your back.

Even though there's no name at the end, I know it's from Chucho.

So here's the thing - Father owed Chucho, a money lender, thousands of dollars. Turns out he isn't just an ordinary money lender, he's also a lecherous gangster. Also turns out dad was a chronic gambler. When he died, his debt didn't die with him. Chucho came calling, so mum had to sell off all the possessions we had to pay him off. Alicia had to defer her scholarship into nursing school so she could get a job and help pay back the money dad owed.

Unfortunately, nothing we ever paid was enough. According to Chucho, the money had an interest of twenty percent which he kept right on increasing, so mother decided she had had enough. We moved - actually - we ran in the middle of the night, from Nebraska to Los Angeles.

I should have known one can never run from the mob - that's right- Chucho is affiliated with the Spanish mob, which is why he knew exactly where we ran to and sent some men to fish us out from where we were hiding. On orders from him, the men wanted to take Alicia away to settle dad's debt, but I volunteered myself instead.

We didn't know mum was sick. The fear of always looking over her back led to a jump in her pressure. She developed hypertension. She must have died worrying, and me not being by her side. Poor Alicia had to see to her burial all alone. I still don't know where mum is buried. Never even asked.

What a model child I am.

I shake my head as I recall how Mr. Ash found and saved me by killing Chucho's men. I should have known I could never outrun Chucho. How he got my number, I don't know, but it's only a matter of time before he finds us once again. Maybe I shouldn't have told Mr. Ash to stay away from Alicia. He can definitely protect her, but who will protect her heart when he breaks it?

I hear he never settles with one woman. He's the typical playboy going from one woman to the other leaving a trail of broken hearts on the floor. I wouldn't want that for Alicia. She's not yet seen the cruel world because she has stars in her pretty hazel eyes.

"Tanya!"

I jerk my head up from my phone I'd been unknowingly staring at, to see the man in the suit staring at me with an impatient look on his face.

"You're up next." He points towards an empty pole.

My breath hitches in my throat as I turn to face him. Would I really be expected to scale that pole like a monkey?

I don't have such admirable skills.

I jerk my head to the left when I see a girl artfully climbing the pole upside down, her hair hanging in the air. She holds the pole with one hand and my breath almost seizes.

What if she falls?

Never mind that. What if I fall and break my neck?

I'd leave Alicia all alone to Chucho. Devour her, he would, unless Mr. Ash protects her from him. I suddenly can't wait to talk to him, but suit guy looks ready to blow my head off if I don't do as he says. I don't have any pole dancing skills, and I don't feel like embarrassing myself in front of everyone here.

Maybe I could turn around and walk off but I know I would never do that. I would never give Oscar the satisfaction of saying I told you so.

Making the split decision, I look for a place to drop my bag and begin undressing. I remove my blouse but just as I get to my skirt, I stall, trying to remember if I'd worn matching underwear. I take a peak and breath out a sigh of relief when I see my pink panties.

Alright, Tanya, you're a fighter, you can do this.

Without overthinking it, I pull down the skirt and slip out of it, dumping it on the pile of my other clothing. For some weird reason, the other girls - especially the ones that have already gone on the pole, openly turn to look at me, raking their eyes down my body. I jut my chin and stare down at them, imagining I'm wearing an invisible crown.

If anyone should be ashamed, it's them for not being happy enough in their skins to have work done on them.

Soon enough, they turn away, having had their fill, then I confidently strut forward, not allowing anyone to know my inner turmoil. I get to one of the poles and grab a hold of it. It's bigger than I initially envisaged and sturdy too. I dance around it for a bit and then I close my eyes as inspiration strikes. I may not know how to pole dance, but I can still put my ballet moves to use.

Whether they'll be good enough remains to be seen.

I hold tightly to the pole and then do a full pirouette around it twice. I don't stop before I change hands and arch my back, making sure I bend, almost reaching the ground. As I go down, I see all eyes fixed solidly on me, including suit guy. I move back up sharply and then foist my legs against the pole, making sure they're resting solidly against them before I stand on my hands. I do a little jiggle, which I hope stands for a dance before I allow my feet to free-fall away from the pole and down onto the floor.

I do a backflip, then another one, until I land in a perfect split in front of suit guy. From the look of awe stamped all over his face, I'm sure I did okay. A set of claps pierce the quiet, making my head turn towards the direction they're coming from. A tall man slowly walks forward, his eyes never leaving mine, matter of fact, they rove over my body with a predatory hunger. My skin crawls as he moves closer. He's fucking tall, and huge. making me feel like an ant standing in front of him. His eyes pierce into mine and remain.

"Magnificent!" He walks around me, and I resist the urge to cover up. When he finally comes to a stop in front of me, I paste on a tight smile and watch as he extends a hand.

I bring mine out and watch as he takes a hold of it and lifts it to his lips and lingers. My skin crawls and I resist the urge to scratch at an itch that suddenly erupted on my hand. It takes my still-booting brain to realize he's waiting for me to tell him my name. "Tanya."

My voice comes out breathy, and I mentally kick myself for sounding like his touch affects me. To be honest, it does, but not in a good way. Definitely not in a good way.

With my hand still in his, he mouths one word I take to be his name but sounds more like a growl. "Maxim." He waits to see my reaction but when I don't even blink, he continues speaking. "Co-owner of Katva."

This time, I react, but stupidly. "Katva?"

"Yes, Katva, munchkin." His smile is smug as he rakes his eyes all over my body once more.

I recover quickly and paste on a sickly sweet smile, making sure to simper as I bat my lashes. "Mr. Maxim, I'm such a lucky girl to finally meet you." I lay it on thick as I look up at him like he's the only man in the whole wide world. "You're so handsome."

Bullshit! He looks like someone bashed his face in. His nose is crooked and his eyes look mean and beady.

My words seem to do something to him as he straightens even further and looks around. "Lewis!"

He gesticulates to suit man. "I'm taking this one."

Grabbing a hold of my hand, he pulls me towards him as he walks away leaving me no option but to follow.

"Lucky bitch!" One of the girls comments as I pass her.

I don't feel very lucky.

I feel fucked over by life.