My ankle wasn’t broken, but it was sprained.

I had to take two weeks off, and it sucked. I helped out at the bar, which only lasted a night because the men wouldn’t leave me alone. Nicolai decided that was a bad idea, so I got put out back to help with the girls getting on and off stage smoothly. Now my ankle is finally okay, I’m back to work, and thank God, because it is very easy to become accustomed to that kind of money.

And I enjoy it.

A lot.

Yana is going to be a problem for me, I know it. The way she looks at me, the way her eyes follow me when Nicolai talks to me—it’s alarming. Ever since he dropped me off to my apartment, we’ve spoken every day. He calls, to make sure I’m okay, and I don’t know...we’re getting closer. I feel it. I know it. There is something about the way he talks to me, it’s different to the other girls.

Yana isn’t happy with it.

It’s written all over her face. Her eyes flare with rage every time he smiles at me.

I know she’s not done with her little tricks. I check everything now before I go on stage, but it won’t take much for her to try something different. Especially now I’m back and the crowds are coming back in, making her look ... well ... insufficient.

So, I’m basically just waiting for the next shoe to drop.

It’s coming, I know it is.

After my dance tonight, a heap of us girls are staying behind once the club is closed for a few drinks. It’s Harper’s birthday, and Nicolai always allows the girls free drinks on their birthdays for a few hours before we all go home. I’m excited. These girls, this club, it’s starting to feel a little like family.

I like it.

It’s nice.

The night goes quickly, and once my dance is over, I get changed and do a little cleaning up in the back then wait for the club to close. Once everyone is out, we all head out to the bar and take a seat. Harper is chatting, her hair bouncing, her face happy. She’s the life of the party, even if it isn’t her birthday. That’s just Harper. She’s so ... happy. I really like her, and we’ve become good friends in the last few weeks.

She’s the kind of person you want to be friends with. She’s honest, she’s funny, and she’s loyal. I’ve got a lot of time for her, and her me.

“We’re totally going clubbing after this,” she tells me, shoving a shot my way.

Technically, I’m not allowed to drink yet, but behind closed doors, Nicolai allows it for special occasions.

“I can’t.” I frown. “I wish I could.”

“I know a place that’ll let you in. I might happen to have a good friend who owns it, and I always take my underage friends, just please don’t say anything. I’ll buy the drinks.”

I grin. “Well, in that case, I’m in.”

We all continue to enjoy the drinks Nicolai provides for us, and then we decide it’s time to hit the town. I’m excited. I’ve never been to a club. Some of my friends have snuck in, but I’ve never had the time or the need. But right now, it sounds really exciting. I’m definitely in. We all gather our things and head to the club Harper’s friend owns. Unfortunately for me, Yana comes too.

And all she’s doing is glaring at me.

Every single time I make eye contact, she’s glaring at me.

And I hate her. Dammit.

I don’t know why she dislikes me so much, but I no longer care. I want her out of my way as much as she wants me out of hers. Which can’t possibly end well.

We arrive at the club, and as promised, Harper’s friend lets us all in. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen. The club is huge, two stories and filled with people. It has an ice theme, so everything is made of glass or shiny materials, and there are disco balls on the ceiling shining flickers of light over everyone. The bar is sleek and blue, and it is absolutely awesome. We all take a seat and immediately grab the attention of a few men around us.

I flush when one winks at me.

I dance in front of men almost every day, and yet I have no experience when it comes to them.

None whatsoever.

“Drink up,” Harper says, sliding me a shot. “And then we’re going to dance!”

I grin and take the shot that burns my throat. It makes my head warm and fuzzy, and I feel damn good. Then, we dance. We wiggle, we turn, we groove. A group of us, just shaking our hips around the dance floor. We do this for what seems like no time at all, but I know it has been at least ten songs. I’m enjoying it so much it feels like less time has passed. Sweaty and panting, we all find Yana who is sitting at a table. She has another round of drinks. I didn’t think she would include one for me, but when she slides one my way, I’m surprised.

I thank her, and she gives me a smile.

I don’t trust her smile.

I don’t trust her.

But I’m not going to turn down a drink.

I take it and drink it, a little too quickly, but I’m so thirsty. Dancing has taken it out of me. We fall into another conversation, with loads of laughter, but my head starts to feel a little strange. I don’t drink a lot, so I think I’ve had a little too much. I probably just need some fresh air. Standing, I excuse myself and frantically try to make my way outside. Everything is spinning, so much that I can barely feel my legs.

I get out of the club and to the nearest building and flop against it, my head going back way too fast and slamming against the solid wall. I whimper and slide down it, my bottom hitting the floor. Something is wrong. My body is thrumming, my head is spinning, and I feel like I’m going to explode if I don’t run, or scream, or do something.

It almost feels like I need to wear it off. I feel like I could run a mile.

“Hey, are you okay?”

I look up and see Harper, Yana and Pamela looking down at me. They’re a little hazy, and their voices sound strange. “Yeah,” I say, “I think so.”

“Why are you doing that?” Pamela asks, narrowing her eyes.

I blink. “Doing what?”

Harper points down. “Honey, your legs.”

I look down at my legs are twitching and squirming, like I’m kicking them around only I don’t realize I’m doing it. I try to stop them, but my body is thrumming. I want to move. I want to run. I stand up, way too quickly, and have to use my hand to stop myself falling back into the wall. “I just want to go for a run! Don’t you!”

Harper stares at me, and then says, “What have you taken?”

I blink, at least, I think I blink.

“I know exactly what she’s taken, I saw her do it,” Yana says, crossing her arms.

“What?” I squeak. “What are you talking about?”

My head is spinning.

My legs are still twitching, eager to move. But I try to keep my body still. I keep getting distracted by cars, and people walking past, I’m zoning out even though I’m trying really hard to see what’s going on.

“I’m calling Nicolai. Number one rule. No drugs. She obviously has a problem!”

“You call him, I’m going to drop you, Yana,” Pamela snaps.

What’s happening?

“Shania,” Harper says, suddenly in front of me again. I squeal and jerk backward. “Shania, hey. What did you take?”

“Why are you yelling at me, Harper?” I say, blinking rapidly.

“I’m not yelling, honey. Come on, we’re going to get you home.”

I don’t want to go home. I practically throw my body back onto the ground, shoving my back against the wall and closing my eyes. Nope. Not going home. Voices are spinning all around me, I don’t know what they’re saying. Someone is poking me, calling my name, but my mind is spinning, and I’m completely zoned out.

I don’t know how long I sit there, with people trying to communicate with me, jerking me and pulling me and trying to get some sense out of me. It must be a while, because suddenly, two strong arms are going around me, and I’m being lifted, way too quickly, into the air. A squeal escapes my throat and I look around frantically, but I don’t know who has me, or what I’m doing.

I just know I’m being lifted into the air, and I don’t like it because it makes me feel sick.

Everything passes in a blur—I can’t hear, think, or feel anything. My body keeps zoning in and out, and I go from wanting to get up and run, to wanting to sleep for days, to being really, really itchy.

“Sit still, Shania. I’m taking you home.”

Nicolai.

“Nicolai?” I squeak.

“Here. Got you.”

He’s got me. That’s so nice.

“You’re so nice,” I murmur. “I like you, Nicolai.”

“Like you too. Now stay still.”

“Okay.”

“Good girl.”

And then everything goes dark.

Finally.