Page 2 of Whispers in the Dark
I swallow the truth before it can escape. “I know. But everything is fine. I promise.”
The lie slips easily between my lips.
But it’s for his own good.
Because I can fix this.
Iwillfix this without him ever knowing.
I drag a hand down my face, stifling the sob that claws at my chest.
I just need to get…married.
Chapter one
Alina
TWO WEEKS LATER
“Why don’t you take a seat right here, darling, and earn your tip?”
I recoil as the man pats his lap, spreading his legs wide. His snake-like tongue slides suggestively across his bottom lip in a way that will surely haunt my dreams for years to come.
I can’t believe this is what my life has become.
I once was a girl who spent her days dreaming of being swept off her feet by a brooding, muscular man, like in one of the many romance books I carry an unhealthy obsession with. You know, the kind of man who worships his woman, protecting her from the darkness this world offers as he wraps her into his arms, staring longingly into her eyes.
Hey, a girl can dream.
But now, as a twenty-four-year-old cocktail waitress at Darkest Desires, a gentleman’s club, in the slimiest part of town, wearing the skimpiest black two-piece set—currently red for Christmas—that barely allows me leeway to bend over without showing the curve of my ass, I dream of not accruing an overdraft fee after paying all my bills at the end of the month.
Or, at least the option of splurging on a fancy coffee now and then.
It doesn’t matter that I officially graduated from school a few weeks ago and have a master’s degree sitting in the back of my closet. Or that I’ve spent countless hours training, shadowing, interning, and testing all to pursue my dream of becoming a deaf education specialist.
Because when the economy sucks, and there are no jobs available, you take what you can get.
Even if you despise it and it makes your skin crawl to have all these men leering at you your whole shift, like a piece of prime sirloin fresh off the grill. Not to mention when they go in for a quick squeeze or pinch because they think they’re entitled to it.
But you do what you have to do to survive.
Especially when you have more bills piling up by the day and no freaking clue how they’ll ever get paid.
Most importantly, you do it because you have someone you love relying on you.
And you will never let them down.
With force, the corners of my lips tug up as I place the last glass of amber liquid before the man and his three friends. I’ve seen them all around here before. Several times, in fact. They all work at the governor’s office, and as soon as the clock strikes five p.m., they end up here instead of at home with their wives and children.
“Sorry, sir. Lap dances are not my specialty.” I tuck the tray under my arm. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can getyou, though.” Taking a step away, I’m pulled back by the man’s hand wrapping around my forearm, his fingers digging into my bones.
“I wasn’t asking, bitch.” With a quick tug, I stumble in my heels, falling directly onto his lap, my tray crashing to the floor. His eyes glue themselves to my breasts as he licks his lips. “Fuck, look at these goddamn tits, gentlemen.”
Bracing my hands against his chest, I try to push myself off, but he wraps an arm around my waist, keeping me in place.Please tell me that’s his wallet in his pocket that’s poking my ass.His friends laugh as if this happens every day, and unfortunately, I’m guessing it does.
“Get your hands off of me,” I grit out.
He grins like a serpent that has just ensnared its kill. “Or what?”
