"Emilia, where are you going?" Meg asks, carefully grabbing my wrist as I walk past her dressing table. I look down at my best friend, her thick layer of makeup covering her natural beauty and her dyed blonde hair curling around her shoulders. I like her natural red colour better, but the boss doesn't. Meg is stunning with her slim body, long legs, and perfect features. I used to be intimidated by her when we first met, but she soon made me realise she was no competition. She’s my friend, and that’s that. We have each other’s back, which is something worth a lot in a place like this.

"I want to get a drink and dance, like normal dancing for once. No eyes on me," I admit, knowing my family isn’t in the cage tonight and neither is Arthur. I could pretend I'm no one and dance with the rest of the people here.

"Arthur wouldn't like it. Neither would your brothers," she warns, but she lets me go with a long sigh. "I’ll cover for you. Have fun," she says, flashing a wink at me before standing up and pulling off her long, red silk dressing gown and revealing her lacy corset, and stockings. They leave little to the imagination, much like I usually have to wear when I’m working. I walk past a mirror and look over at myself before walking by, wondering if I look normal enough. My red dress is tight, clinging to my body and showing off my tattoos on my arms. I have tattoos all over my stomach and two at the top of my thighs, which are just about hidden by the dress. My black hair is wavy, covering my shoulders as little strands hang into my face. I look confident, beautiful, and nothing like I actually am. It's just a pretty image, hiding the cracks underneath the surface. It's the innocent, could do no harm image that Arthur likes to sell to horny men to pay to watch. It’s the pretty image he will marry off one day to whoever he wants under his thumb. As much as he loves to use my brothers to protect him, and one of my brothers has already paid the cost of that job; I can't lose the others or any of my family. I shake my head, knowing there is no point to running this over and over in my mind again. I want a night off, and that's damn well what I’m going to give myself. I walk out of the changing rooms and to the back of the bar, keeping my head down. I pass through the doors to the other side of the bar and walk past everyone, only looking up once at Meg as she dances on the stage, noticing that every man in the room has his eyes on her body as she slowly removes her clothes to the sensual beat of the loud music. I walk past a table, keeping my head down in case anyone recognises me, but Meg is doing a damn good job of being a distraction tonight. I slide out of the doors and climb up the stairs, pushing the door open and stepping into the main part of the cage. The loud music blasts against my ears and the warm, sticky heat of the room grazes my skin as I step into the throng of people dancing and head to the bar. I know there was a fight tonight, one of the famous King brothers again. Every time they come here for a fight, they win, and it's busier than ever. I don't know what Arthur has on those guys, but it must be good to have them fighting all the time like they do. I've never watched a fight for more than a few seconds as it really isn't my cup of tea. I keep to the back of the cage, do my job, and that’s it. I slide past a couple who are so busy with their tongues down each other’s throats to notice me passing them before I get to the bar. The bartender finishes serving two guys who are talking quietly to one another on the other side before coming to me as I slide into a seat.

"What can I get you?" the bartender asks, leaning against the bar.

"Martini," I reply, pulling my card out of my bra and handing it to him as he grins.

"Interesting hiding place. Mind if I join you?" a deep, seductive voice asks, and I turn to look at the guy who slides into the stool next to me without waiting for my answer. Like he is expecting me to say yes, which guessing from the look of him, a lot of women don't say no to his company. His hair is dark brown, shaved at the sides and slightly messy on top, though it compliments his strong jawline and dark green eyes that watch my own. He’s wearing a blue button-down shirt, with the sleeves rolled up and showing off tattoos that cover his arms. He’s muscular, his chest pressing against the shirt and leaving little to the imagination. Even in this place, I can smell his seductive cologne; and from the cheeky grin on his lips, he knows how good he looks and smells. He is bloody stunning. I’ve never seen anyone who looks like him before, and I’m a little lost for words for a moment.

"It was a drink for one, actually," I reply, knowing I can't get messed up with a guy tonight. If my brothers found out, they would kill him and ruin his pretty face. Even one dance would be pushing it too far. One kiss would be breaking every rule and risking my family’s lives. I’ve never experienced a kiss because it breaks all the rules Arthur made clear to me when my father sold me to him. I have a role to play; I’m the innocent one until he tells me otherwise. The poor guy in front of me has no clue how dangerous it is to be talking to one of Arthur’s toys.

"Shame. I guess I’ll have to order my own drink and sit here all alone while I look at the prettiest girl in this room," he says, and I laugh as he calls the bartender over with a wave of his hand. "Her drink is on me, and I’ll have a beer."

"So, prince charming, since you're not leaving; what's your name?" I ask, regretting asking the moment the question left my lips. What the hell am I doing?

"Luke. What’s yours, sweetheart?" he asks as the bartender comes back with the drinks and my card. He doesn't ask Luke for payment, which is odd, but I don't think on it as I sip my drink and answer him. I slide my card back into my bra, seeing how Luke’s eyes trace my every movement before I answer him.

"Emilia," I finally tell him.

"That's a pretty name," he says, before taking a long sip of his beer. “Suits you.”

"So, tell me, Luke, why are you here tonight?" I ask, feeling bolder than I usually am, but there’s just something about him. "Sex, fight, or the drink? It’s got to be one of those, that’s what everyone comes to The Cage for." He smirks, leaning closer and placing his hand on the middle of my back as his lips graze my ear.

"I like a little bit of them all. What brings you here then, Emilia?" he asks, the way he speaks my name sends shivers down my arms. My repeated question sounds so much more seductive on his lips.

"Dancing. I like to dance," I admit as he places a finger on my chin, and turns my face to look at him, scanning my face to make sure I’m telling him the truth. I have a feeling Luke is good at reading people. I didn’t exactly lie, I do come here to dance, but it’s not the dancing I like to do.

"Come and dance with me then," Luke suggests, and I pause for a moment as I stare into his green eyes. They swirl playfully, promising so much more than a dance if that’s what I want. I shouldn't want more, but it's just one dance...right? No one will ever know, and there’s no price for it.

"Okay," I reply. Luke links his hand with mine, and I follow him back to the group of people dancing. He leads me through them until he finds space for us. Luke pulls me against his chest, pressing our bodies close together as we sway to the music. I keep my eyes on Luke's as he leans down, and I don't move as he ever so gently kisses me. The first moment our lips touch, it's like an electric buzz spreads all over my body and all the way down to my toes. I gasp, and he deepens the kiss, sliding his hand up my spine and to the back of my neck, pulling me further into the kiss. We kiss until my lips are tender and my body aches for more. I want more of Luke. More of everything about him, even though in the back of mind, I know I shouldn't want more.

"Want to go somewhere?" he asks, after pulling his lips from mine and his lust-filled eyes locked on mine.

"Yes," I reply, knowing I want this. Even if I can never see him again. We can have this moment and then forget about it. I'm sure he’ll forget anyway. Luke smirks before wrapping an arm around my waist and leading me out of the crowd and past the cage. We walk to the back of the club where there are private curtained rooms and walk through the thin fabric covering the entrance. The music just about covers the sounds of women's moans and men's groans as we head past the private rooms, hidden by thick, red, velvet curtains. Luke pushes one of the curtains aside, leading me into the room with a brown leather sofa pushed against the one wall. I suddenly feel a little nervous, a little worried about what I am doing. I know Meg would tell me to go for it. I'm eighteen, and I’ve never been kissed until tonight. And I sure as fuck am never going to have a chance to lose my V card any time soon. No one would know about this, and I have a feeling Luke will give me a good night. There’s just something about him.

"You can leave if you’re unsure," Luke suggests, walking over to me as I stop in front of the sofa, and turn around to face him. I reach out and slowly undo the buttons of his shirt, before pushing the sides open and running my eyes over his muscular chest and down to the v dipping into his trousers. He is gorgeous. Perfect. It makes me wonder why he wants me tonight. He could have had anyone, but I’m not going to second-guess him now.

"I'm not leaving," I whisper, and he grins before kissing me. I slide my hands up his chest and into his hair as he lifts me up, and my legs go around his waist, pushing my dress up. Luke sits down on the sofa, taking me with him before pulling his lips from my mine, and kissing down my neck as his hands roughly pull my dress down, revealing my breasts. His fingers rub my nipples, sending pleasure through me as his lips teasing graze my neck. I run my fingers down his chest, going to his trousers and undoing the belt, before the buttons.

"I want a taste first," Luke whispers to me. I gasp as he lifts me off him and lies me down on the sofa, before pulling me to the edge, keeping his eyes locked on mine as he slowly starts pulling my lacy thong down my legs. His eyes drift down my body before locking onto my core, and a small smile graces his lips. Luke doesn't waste time warming me up before his head is between my parted legs, and his tongue is diving into my core. I cry out from the intense pleasure as his tongue swirls around my clit and an orgasm crashes into me before I moan his name. Luke chuckles as he climbs up me, freeing his erection and I watch in a haze as he slides a condom on.

"You taste delicious," he admits and lies over me, lining himself up.

"Do I?" I ask, leaning up and kissing him, tasting myself and he slowly pushes his way inside me. There is a sharp pain as he breaks through my virginity and starts pounding into me, but Luke doesn't seem to notice as he loses himself in pleasure. It's not long before Luke groans loud, kissing me hard as he finishes and slides out of me. We sit next to each other, quietly catching our breath until I finally shake my head and pick up my thong off the floor as I stand up. I push my dress down and go to walk. away when. Luke catches my wrist.

"Wait, Emilia. That was your first time, wasn't it?" he asks, but I don't look back at him as I answer.

"Yes."

"It shouldn't have been in here. Not with me. I'm a fucked up mess, and I didn't know," he mutters, his eyes filled with guilt.

"Who says I’m any better than you?" I ask him, before walking to the curtain, and pulling it open a little. "Goodbye, Luke." I walk out of the room, and he doesn't stop me as I go. Even though part of me wants him to, even though I feel like Luke took a part of my soul tonight, and I don't want it back.