The Loan Shark's Obsession

As I swirled my hips around the pole, the rowdy hollering from the drunk jackasses blurred into white noise. The swe

way of my hips felt like a hit of p

eds of lust-starved men. As I arched my back and ran my hands slowly down my

s shouts and applause were intoxicating. More than just the easy cash stuff

heir tantal

ff them in waves. Sweaty hardhat regulars straight off the construction site, chugging

d into marrying way too young. For just a few hours, they could pretend I was the smokin' hot mistress they deserved instead of the shriveled-up

y fingers through my dark tresses in that way that drove men wild. These moves were sharpened to surgical precisi

ngle one of those Romeos could ever pu

cicles from exes who claimed they lacked the love I deserv

tev

ack. Not when I was the sluttiest en

tream of kisses into the crowd, watching grown-ass men

t this wildcat. Just don't ever expec

*

ines of that premium-grade coke on the battered makeup counter. My bestie had kicked that habit a fe

ril-full up her substantially abused snout. I shook my head,

elting off her shoulders. "Ughh, I really needed that. This

rundown of her latest "ick's" douchey behaviors - forgetting their date

nce she finally stopped for air. "We both know damn wel

er and lucid than that high could sustain. I brace

defeated shrug. "Deep down, you know we don't deser

ng with an ugly honesty I could never admit out loud. We were both to

years of seedy strip club wisdom. "But who gives a shit? There's always

e ag

ards so far into the gutter, a literal hooker or freaking Virgin Mary 2.0 would be an upgrade for them

, but I wa

s sc

once, something about objectification and l

the moment I first started stripping at 18, I accepted

he really dark nights. But at the end of the day, no amount of talk

and instead turned my thoughts to my usual numbing agent - alcohol. Maybe if I pounded enoug

the deserted sidewalks. I clutched my thin jacket tightly, wishing I could just disappear inside

ke a distant echo. Up on that stage, I was a fantasy made flesh - powerful, untouchable, adored. But

dumpster lid slamming shut. My heart jackhammered in my chest as I strain

get me h

't my litt

g down my spine. I didn't need to turn around. I kn

ut, frozen in place. "W

." His footsteps slowly closed the distance between us.

mine alone - my only hope of finally escaping this nightmarish existe

ating how meek I sounded. "That mon

ite strobed across my vision as I crumpled to the grimy pavement, tasting copper.

th me, girl." Rancid whiskey fumes wafted over me as he grabbed a fistful of my dark locks, jerking my

ut how could he

ust've t

"We can do this the easy way," he hissed, spittle flying from his twisted mouth. "Give me them

...don't

gy trailer. I choked on the memory, bile burning the back of my throat. God, why was this

ing another vicious tug to my hair. "Don't you remember all th

mes had that smug, wrinkled face twisted into those same revolting

e shame, the hopelessness, the self-loathing spackled across every inch of my being in thick, weeping layer

gainst the unforgiving concrete like a madwoman possessed. Or perhaps the tort

unhinged outburst. But that moment of shock mel

hand moved to unbuckle his belt, the harsh clink of the buckle like bone-shudderin

Not

ough his yellow teeth. "Shoulda paid up w

tered the night. Dario's eyes went wide with shock befor

r in ragged gasps. My heart was pounding out of my chest as I whi

red into me at the club a week ago. The man who'd wrapped his cal

lding a smoking pistol. A ghost of a smirk played acro

ed in those icy blues, li