Dangerously Yours

The beginning

I force myself to move.

You don't get to be unsure anymore.

—

''Hey—new girl?''

I turn at the voice. A woman stands nearby, her gaze sharp, assessing.

I nod.

''You're late,'' she says simply, like she'd already decided what that makes me. Then she gestures toward a hallway. ''Back room. Get ready.''

''I—yeah. Okay.''

My voice sounds smaller than I want it to.

—

The hallway is dim, the music is dulling slightly as I move further inside. When I push open the door at the end, the noise fades just enough to think.

Girls are everywhere—talking, laughing, adjusting outfits like this is nothing. Like this is just another shift.

I linger near the doorway for a second.

Then I catch my reflection.

And everything stills.

For a moment, I didn't even recognize who I was anymore.

I swallow, forcing my gaze away.

—

''First night?''

I glance up. One of the girls is watching me, her expression softer than the rest.

''Yeah,'' I admit.

She smiles at me ''So what's your name new girl?''

''Amara,'' I replied. She nodded, gesturing to me to go with her. ''I'm Jess, the other girls are bitches. Especially that one, she thinks she's better than everyone in this room.'' she pointed towards a blonde girl. She was beautiful.

When I step back out onto the floor, the music wraps around me instantly, louder than before.

Stronger.

There's no easing into it.

No time to think.

Just movement. Lights. Eyes everywhere.

I take a breath—

And step fully into it.

—

''Relax.'' a voice says beside me.

I turn, startled.

It was Jess, she was dancing as if she was a pro at this, like the music had totally consumed her.

''First nights are always the worst. After that, you kind of just… Stop thinking about it.''

''Is that supposed to make me feel better?''

''Not really,'' she says honestly. ''But it's true.''

Something about her makes it easier to breathe.

Jess nudges my arm slightly. ''Come on. I'll stay with you for a bit.''

—

Time starts to blur after that.

Song after song, movement after movement. I stop noticing the individual faces, the individual voices. It all blends together into something constant. Jess sticks close, showing me small things—where to stand, how to avoid certain customers, when to walk away.

''Rule one,'' she says at one point, leaning closer so I can hear her over the music, ''You don't owe anyone anything. Remember that.''

I nod. Even if I don't fully believe what she says yet.

A voice interrupts. ''Jess. And... you must be Miss Valentine.''

We turn. The boss stands just off the floor, his presence enough to make my chest tighten.

''You can call me Amara,'' I said.

''Okay. We've got a private booking tonight. Important Clients. You two are assigned.''

My stomach drops, Jess's posture shifts slightly, more alert now.

''They'll be here soon,'' he adds. ''Be ready.''

I glance at Jess. ''Is that normal?''

She shrugs, but there's something more serious in her eyes. ''Just stay close to me.''

The music shifts again, louder, heavier. The energy in the room changes, like something's about to happen.

Jess looks towards the entrance.

Then back at me.

''They are here.''