CHAPTER 17
The bar was alive with pulsing lights and heavy beats that vibrated through the floor. I walked in behind Calix, keeping my pace measured. Blake followed close behind me, his wig perfectly styled and his fake lashes fluttering unnaturally with every blink. We split off into different directions ast planned, but Blake and I stuck together, our heels clicking on the polished floor as we moved toward the bar.
Blake leaned closer and whispered, “Stay close to me. We’re going to look like we belong here.”
“Got it,” I replied, adjusting my dress.
Daniel’s voice crackled in my earpiece, low but firm. “Find a seat at the counter and stay put. No drinks, no drawing attention to yourselves. Juice only, understand?”
“Copy that,” Blake muttered under his
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breath as we reached the counter.
The bartender approached with a sly smile, but I cut him off before he could suggest anything. “Orange juice for me. Same for her,” I said, nodding toward Blake.
“Coming right up,” the bartender said with a smirk.
I glanced around, pretending to admire the décor while discreetly scanning the room. “Daniel, any sign of Gregor?”
“Not yet,” came his reply. “But he’s expected. Stick to the plan and wait.”
Minutes later, a commotion near the entrance caught my attention. Gregor Fitzburg strode in, flanked by two burly men in suits. He radiated arrogance, and a cluster of women immediately swarmed him, laughing too loudly and clinging to his every move.
“There he is,” I whispered.
“I see him,” Blake added, his voice tight.
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Daniel spoke again. “Don‘ t approach yet. Too many people. He’s guarded, and the room’s full of eyes. Just observe for now.”
I frowned. “This isn’t going to work. There’s no way we’re getting close to him with all those women.”
Blake nodded. “Yeah, he’s got a fan club. What now?”
Daniel paused for a moment before responding. “There’s an auction coming up tonight. Males bid on women, and the highest bidder gets a private room. Gregor participates in it regularly. That’s your way in.”
I froze. “An auction? Seriously?”
“Relax,” Daniel said. “We‘ Il bid on you ourselves if needed to keep you safe.”
Chlyrus‘ s voice cut in, laughing. “Blake, don’t worry. I‘ ll bid a penny for you. You‘ re worth that much at least.”
Blake groaned. “Not the time, Chlyrus.”
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I rubbed my temples. “Fine. We’ll figure it out. Just guide us when the time comes.”
The music shifted, an upbeat afro rhythm filling the space. The host, a man dressed in a flashy sequined suit, stepped onto a small stage in the center of the room.
“Alright, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to heat things up!” he announced, his voice booming through the speakers. “Show us what you‘ ve got! Tonight, only five of our finest will make it to the stage!”
The crowd erupted in cheers, and women flooded the dance floor, swaying and spinning to the beat.
Blake nudged me. “Guess we‘ re doing this.”
“Let’s hope your moves are as good as your disguise,” I shot back.
We joined the throng of dancers, the lights flashing erratically around us. I forced myself to move with confidence, shaking off the nerves. Blake, to my surprise,
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wasn’t half bad, though he looked more like a cheerleader than a seductress.
The host strolled through the crowd, selecting dancers one by one. My heart pounded as he approached.
“You,” he said, pointing at me.
I
ced plastered on a sultry smile and stepped
forward.
And you,” he said, pointing at Blake.
I bit back a laugh as Blake gave a half- ethearted twirl.
“Good luck,” I whispered as we followed the host to the stage.
The stage lights were blinding, and the crowd roared as we lined up with the other es arthosen dancers. I swayed to the music, acktrying to stay in character, but an
unsettling feeling crept over me. of danc
undsomeone was watching me.
infidex
> my su
scanned the crowd, my heart racing. A
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shadowy figure in the back seemed to be staring straight at me.
“Focus,” Daniel’s voice snapped in my ear. “You‘ re in disguise. No one recognizes you.”
I nodded subtly, forcing myself to keep
moving.
The host raised his hands, silencing the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, our top five!”
The applause was deafening as the names were announced. Both Blake and I made the cut, and I could feel his nerves through the earpiece.
“Bidding starts now!” the host declared.
My stomach churned as the first bids were
called out.
