My stomach churned as we moved through the dark hallway, past the VIP rooms, and out into the main club.
Onstage Havana was in her element. She’d shed her bodysuit and undulated to the throbbing beat of the music in nothing but a black G-string and her boots. Her whip was wrapped around the professor. Based on the dazed expression on his face, he’d just found his new religion.
Good for her.
My gaze skipped past the Christmas-light-encrusted bar and garland-wrapped faux Roman pillars to the back of the club. As I suspected, Javier watched my approach with the same intensity he watched my dancing. Some kind of primitive fight-or-flight instinct kicked in and I wanted to run. My knees trembled as I forced myself to walk toward him.
“Come on,” Max said, grabbing my wrist and pulling me forward. When we got to Javier’s table, Max cleared his throat. “Good evening, gentlemen. This is Heaven.”
Unwilling to meet Javier’s forceful gaze, I glanced at the men around him. They were dark-eyed with short dark hair except for the younger-looking man sitting closest to Javier. He had to be Javier’s brother or cousin. The resemblance between the two men was striking, although the younger man’s glossy dark hair was longer, falling free to the middle of his back. His eyes were also darker than Javier’s and they heated as he slid out of the booth.
“You always had good taste in women, Mano.” The long-haired man prowled around me like a shark circling an injured seal. “What a beauty you are, señorita. And such gorgeous hair.” As he grabbed a lock of my hair, his ring-covered hand brushed against the top of my breast.
I reared back.
Max reacted immediately, stepping between us. “Sorry, no touching allowed.”
Giving Max a look that froze the blood in my veins, the long-haired man slowly opened his hand, freeing my hair. “What fun is there in only looking?”
Javier jumped up, his hands fisted. “Luis, apologize immediately.” The barely contained rage in his tone made me flinch.
Luis blanched and stepped away from me. “Los siento, señorita. I meant no offense.”
Max moved aside, putting me eye to eye with Javier.
Even from two feet away, I could feel the power and coiled energy emanating from him. This wasn’t a man to be trifled with. I suddenly remembered the rumors of how he enjoyed torturing his enemies before killing them. I had to clasp my hands together to stop them from shaking.
Javier smiled at me, calling my attention to the sharpness of his even white teeth. “Please ignore my brother. He has no manners.” He glared at Luis and the other men at the table. “Leave us.”
Without a word, the men stood and walked toward the bar.
Javier gave Max a pointed look.
“Ah, I should introduce the next set,” Max said, turning and heading for the stage.
I gritted my teeth. Coward. Max was getting a piece of my mind the next time we spoke.
“Please sit.” Javier gestured toward the booth.
Seeing no other option, I scooted in.
Javier sank into the seat across from me. He was close enough that every breath I took was scented in the exotic spice of his expensive cologne.
“My name is Javier Diaz. I’m a great admirer of your dancing,” he said with a faint accent.
“Thank you. I’m Heaven.” Too late, I remembered Max had already introduced me. My face warmed. It wasn’t like me to be frazzled.
“A pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand.
Once again, I saw no other option but to accept his handshake.
His long, warm fingers curled around mine. He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles.
The sensation of his warm breath on my skin gave me goose bumps. I tried to pull away.
He refused to let me go.
I glanced up to see if Max was watching. Of course not. And my uncle had already left.
I’m on my own.
I broke out in a cold sweat.
Javier stroked one long finger over my palm, making me shiver.
“It’s rare I’m so captivated by a female. From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were meant for me.”
The vinyl seat stuck to my clammy skin as I shifted uneasily. Normally, at this point I’d be channeling my seductive alter ego, trying to work the guy for tips. But no part of me wanted to encourage this man. Just last week, Javier’s last girlfriend had been found scalped and dismembered. A tremor slid down my spine.
“I’m having a private event at my home Saturday evening. I’d like you to attend.”
I shook my head. Even if I wanted to rub shoulders with gangsters, going out with patrons was strictly against club rules. “I’m sorry, I’m working, and I’m not allowed to—”
“I’ve already spoken with Max. He said it’d be fine. You’ll be well compensated for your time.”
My mouth fell open in shock. How could Max put me in this position? Forgetting my fear for a moment, I glared at Javier. “I’m not a call girl.”
“Of course not.” He sat up straight as if I’d insulted him. “All you’d be asked to do is dance as you do here at the club. I’ll pay twenty thousand for the evening.”
My mouth went dry. Twenty thousand dollars. Holy crap. That’d keep Eden, Reed, and me afloat for months. There has to be a catch. “How many people would be at this event?”
His gaze heated and flickered to my bare breasts. “Just me.”
Okayyyy. I swallowed hard. The room seemed to spin. This was one of those life-changing moments. I could feel it. If I chose to go down this road, there’d be no going back. I wasn’t a fool. Javier didn’t want to see me dance. He wanted to possess me. And not just for the night.
Am I willing to put my life on the line and sell what little is left of my soul?
Javier stroked his thumb over my wrist with way too much familiarity. “I’d pay double if you stayed through Sunday.”
Double? Forty thousand dollars? My heart pounded faster than the beat of Havana’s music. How can I turn that down?
“I would never ask you to do anything you didn’t want to do.” His voice deepened. “Look at me, cariño.”
I lifted my gaze and was snared by his amber eyes.
“I know you’re untouched.”
I blinked in surprise. How can he possibly know that?
“But you’re filled with desire. You need to be touched and pleasured.” His voice rang with a strange tone that reverberated inside my head.
Inexplicably heat pooled between my legs.
Javier continued. “You’re attracted to me. You want me. Don’t you?”
Suddenly, I did want Javier.
“Answer me, cariño,” he ordered in that strange voice.
Something made me blurt out, “Yes.”
“Good. Very good.” His silky voice was almost a purr. “Come close—”
He was interrupted by Max grabbing the mic and announcing the end of Havana’s set.
I shook my head, feeling dazed and weirdly turned on. What time is it? Uncle Duncan is probably freezing to death in the parking lot.
I yanked my hand away from Javier. “I’ll have to think your offer over.” Before he could grab me again, I slid out of the booth.
The flash of anger in his gaze told me he wasn’t used to being put off. He pushed something across the table. “Call me.”