Chapter 3

His gaze rested incredulously on me as he blew out a stream of smoke from his mouth. “Consider it done.”

The showroom was now louder than it was when I made my request. My stomach fluttered and my face beamed out of excitement.

My eyes were glittering, a smile plastered on my face as I sat by the edge of the chair. I needed to make a toast for my win.

But as much as I was excited, that was only the first step. A tougher one—getting into his bed—still awaited me. And I had barely a week to live and one night to take the antidote else all this would be in vain.

“You..you can’t just grant such a wish Don Darius,” Mikayla stuttered, cutting through my excitement. Her brows cocked up as she straightened up. Then she continued, “The doctor might have made a mistake with the test result.”

One of her minions nodded in agreement, tucking a hair behind her ear. “Mikayla is right. I’m sure Tess wants something else and it won’t be fair if she goes unpunished.”

Another one stepped forward. They were clearly out for me. She lifted her chin and faced Darius. “Don Darius, I saw those pills with my own eyes. This…” she turned to glare at me from head to toe. “She obviously couldn’t stand the shame of being kicked out.”

My pulse sped up. I wanted to attack all three of them.

Instead, I scoffed and snapped back, “Oh really?” I stood and cracked my knuckles with a tight expression. “You found it in my room or you placed it there?”

A stripper gasped beside me and grabbed someone’s arm. Everyone had a flicker of shock all over their face.

Darius didn’t say a word. He sat with his legs crossed, one brow raised slightly and smoke drifting from his mouth and to the room.

“The last time she talked back and got into a heated argument with Mikayla, she was punished by Darius.” Someone whispered. “Does she think he’ll take her side now?”

I pressed my lips tightly and glared at Darius. He punished Tess for arguing with Mikayla? Why was he so mean and ruthless?

His gaze hadn’t wavered from me even though his expression was blank. He drummed his fingers casually on the couch like none of this mattered.

With a tightened muscle, I tapped my hand against my wrist, mentally promising the previous owner that I would protect her and make sure to destroy her enemies. My eyes moved to Mikayla.

“How could it have been planted?” She finally found her voice again. “Everyone here is a good stripper. So no one would need a stimulant. Unfortunately I can’t say the same about you.” She scoffed, propping her hand on her hips. “And now, you suddenly perform so well after a stimulant is found in your room. Don Darius, she shouldn’t go unpunished.”

I folded my arms across my chest, laughing incredulously. “Only Don Darius can decide that. And with how pleased he looked, I doubt any of you have impressed him that much.”

Mikayla snarled and pointed a finger at me. “You—”

“Why were you in our dressing room?” Kristin interrupted her, clearly mortified. She had been staring from the showroom room. I didn’t even realize when she stepped forward. “That room is for Tess and I. So what took you there?”

“Don Darius?” Mikayla turned to face him, squishing her brows together.

Before Darius could talk, I burst out. “I know you already granted me my request.” My gaze stayed locked in his. “But I’m asking you to make this right…. Don Darius.”

He looked flustered. My heart skipped, that was the first reaction I was getting from him. He held my gaze for a moment then said, “Alright.”

I released a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Kristin too sighed behind me.

He leaned back on the couch, tilting his head to face Star. “Workers aren’t allowed in dressing rooms that aren’t theirs.” His voice had no emotion. “And you have no evidence that she took the pills. Tess is clear.”

My heart jumped. God, I could get used to being Tess If I heard him say the name every day.

“Lock her up.” He pointed his cigar to the stripper who admitted seeing the pills in my dressing room. An armed guard appeared and lifted her like she weighed nothing, totally ignoring her pleas..

The room stilled for a moment then slowly muffled sound filled the showroom. Occasions like this rarely seemed to happen here.

“Since you want to serve me,” Darius started. He dropped his leg down and stood. “Follow me.” My heart raced as I shifted out of the way for him to pass so I could follow.

Just as Darius got to where I stood, I felt shaky and lightheaded. The room tilted upside down and even as I tried to steady myself, my breath began to seize.

My skin went pale as blood rushed to my head, making me dizzy. It had to be either the pills or low iron taking charge of my body.

Whichever one, I couldn’t help but Inwardly curse the previous owner of this body for being so careless to her own self.

My legs gave out. But instead of falling, I felt a strong arm grab my waist steadying me.

The piercing eyes and sharp features glancing down at me belonged to no one other than Don Darius. My pulse spiked before unconsciousness washed over me. Of course I had to fall into the hands of the man who now held my fate.