Chapter 4 — Sugar
"Yes, Master Ezra."
I walked toward the small stage.
My heart was pounding.
I had no idea what I was doing.
I'd never danced for a vampire before.
Actually…
I'd never danced for anyone like this before.
But I couldn't fail.
I needed his sponsorship.
If Ezra became my patron, I could use his influence to find the vampire who hurt Eliot.
That thought gave me the courage I needed.
I walked over to the sound system.
I knew exactly what song to choose.
Eliot had introduced me to Sleep Token years ago.
Their music had always been ours.
So I pressed play.
Sugar.
The first notes filled the room.
I stepped onto the stage.
I wrapped one hand around the pole.
Then I moved.
Slowly at first.
I let the music take over.
My nervousness disappeared.
My posture changed.
My eyes sharpened.
I wasn't little Rita anymore.
I was Rita Rain.
I looked toward Ezra.
He was watching me.
His expression was unreadable.
His cigar burned slowly between his fingers.
I couldn't tell what he was thinking.
But I could see his eyes following every movement.
Good.
I had his attention.
I swayed with the music, letting my confidence build.
I knew I was beautiful.
I knew what kind of effect I could have on people.
And tonight, I was going to use it.
I could feel his hungry stare.
For the first time, I truly understood what he was.
A predator.
A devil waiting for the opportunity to devour me.
His eyes…
I couldn't look away.
They were icy blue, almost impossible to believe.
His long red hair framed his sharp jaw, and his pale skin looked almost unreal beneath the dim lighting.
He looked young.
But he was a vampire.
He could have been a hundred years old.
Five hundred.
A thousand.
And he could kill me without even trying.
My stomach tightened.
He could even be the one who hurt Eliot.
Eliot.
The thought hit me like ice water.
The atmosphere in the room changed.
My movements slowed.
For one second, I almost forgot the music.
Then I remembered why I was here.
My eyes hardened.
I wasn't here to fall under his spell.
I wasn't here because I thought he was beautiful.
I wasn't here because his voice made my skin tingle.
I was here for Eliot.
I had found my first target.
And I wasn't going to fail.
I let the music take over again.
My confidence returned.
I smiled.
De-stress, huh?
Fine.
If Master Ezra wanted a night to forget his problems…
I would give him a night he would never forget.
I tightened my grip on the pole.
My eyes met his.
I'll leave him begging for more.