PROLOGUE

WYNTER

I watch the clock shift to nine pm as I sip my coffee. I’d give anything to be tucked up in bed right now, but like usual I have to work.

Club Onyx isn’t exactly where I saw myself working full-time. I should have graduated and found a job halfway across the world by now. Instead, I’m twenty-six years old and working behind the bar at a strip club.

Life goals achieved: zero .

It may pay well, but the hours are awful, meaning I can’t be here at night for my little sister, Summer.

With my third coffee of the night in hand, I head to the bathroom to finish getting ready for my shift. After taking a long sip, I brush my hair out and lament how my blue highlights have almost completely washed out, leaving just plain black behind. I can’t afford to get them redone anytime soon.

I fix it up into a high ponytail, then touch up my makeup. Heavy black eyeliner and bright red lips. I wish I could tone it down just once, but it’s expected of all the employees to put on a pretty face for the customers.

Makeup used to be a hobby of mine, but now it’s become a part of the uniform along with the tiny black shorts and tank top I have to wear no matter the season.

Tomorrow is my day off and I plan on wearing my pajamas all day with zero makeup while my sister and I have a girl’s day.

If I earn enough tips tonight we can get pizza as a treat and play video games on the couch.

Once I’m ready and my coffee mug is washed up, I poke my head into Summer’s room.

There’s a large glowing mound in the middle of her bed where she thinks she’s being sneaky hiding under the sheets as she plays on her handheld console.

Tiptoeing inside her room, I whip the blanket away. “What did I say about gaming this late?” I raise an eyebrow as I stare down at Summer with false disapproval.

It’s hard to stay mad at her. Especially when her smile shows off that cute little gap in her front teeth.

“But, Wynnie, I’m so close to finishing it!” She bats her lashes at me.

“That's a great big fib! I know there’s no actual end to that game. It's hours and hours of fishing and collecting bugs,” I tease her as I put my hands on my hips.

“There’s more to it than that.” She rolls her eyes at me and I give her the stern big sister look that I’ve managed to perfect over the years.

“Hand it over.”

“Ugh, fine.” She gives in, passing it over and flopping back down onto the bed. I set it down on her desk, then pull the covers up to her chin and perch next to her. As usual, I’m reluctant to leave. My shift starts in twenty minutes but Charlie, my best friend, is running late to babysit.

The restaurant she works at is on the other side of the city and we’re always cutting it close like this, but we somehow manage to make it work.

Her apartment is just across the hall from ours and we became friends when we helped her move in three years ago. Summer took to her straight away and didn’t give Charlie much of a choice in becoming part of the family.

Unfortunately, our shifts don’t always line up and I sometimes have to leave Summer by herself for a bit. She’s almost ten and likes to assure me she can look after herself, but I still feel guilty anytime I have to leave her.

“Charlie will be here soon and you better be asleep when she is. You know she’ll tell me if you’re still up and you know the rules.”

“I know. No video games past bedtime. I’m just not tired.” She pulls the covers up higher to hide her yawn.

“Sure, neither am I.” Stretching my arms above my head, I pretend to yawn and it turns into a real one. If only there was enough time to grab another coffee before leaving.

Quickly, I bring my arms down, taking Summer by surprise and making her squeal as I tickle her.

“Promise me you’ll at least try to sleep?”

“I promise,” she giggles.

“Pinky promise?” I hold my little finger out and she hooks hers around mine. Leaning in, I kiss her on the top of her head. Her soft brown hair smells like strawberries after her bath earlier and it brings a smile to my face. It reminds me of the good days with Mom and Dad before everything changed. “Is there something keeping you awake? Other than the video games?”

“I worry about you.”

Pushing down the heavy lump in my throat, I manage to keep my emotions in check. Summer doesn’t need to know what those four words do to me.

“I’m the one that’s supposed to worry for the both of us. All you need to do is get some sleep. After all, you need to be fully rested to enjoy a day of gaming and pizza tomorrow.”

Summer’s eyes light up and all her worries seem to vanish instantly. If only all my cares would disappear with the mere mention of food.

“We’re getting pizza?”

“Yep! With every single topping.”

“Ew, no, that means you’ll get one with vegetables on. I just want cheese. Oh and pineapple.”

“Cheese and pineapple? Nothing else?” I should be used to her random food choices by now, but she still manages to surprise me.

“Nope.” She smiles.

“Then that’s exactly what we’ll get.” I give her another kiss before tucking her in. “Love you, sunshine.”

“Love you, Wynnie.”

Once I’ve pulled the door closed, I check my phone for the time. Crap, I’m cutting it fine today. I’m not usually late, but my boss is a jerk and I can’t risk jeopardizing this job. It’s what’s keeping a roof over our heads and most importantly, Summer by my side.

I’m about to call Charlie when she bursts through the front door, her face flushed and chest heaving.

Holding my finger to my lips, I shush her.

“ Sorry, ” she whispers as she kicks her shoes off and lets out her hair, the red locks tumbling down her back. “I tried to get out on time, but the kitchen was swamped and I had to run between there and the bar for the last four hours.”

I slip past her where she’s leaning against the wall catching her breath so I can grab my heels and jacket.

“Have they still not hired anyone new?”

“Nope, you know how picky my boss is. Is Summer asleep?”

“She’s probably still playing her game. Give her another half hour then check.”

“I wish my mom was as laid-back as you. When I was growing up I’d have gotten a smack if she caught me staying up late.”

Guess that’s what happens when you have to be Mom and big sis. It’s hard to juggle it all sometimes. I’m constantly worried if I'm being too strict or not strict enough. Whether I’m doing any of it right or if she’s better off without me.

Shaking off the doubts, I force a smile back onto my face. Might as well get used to wearing it now since it’ll have to stay all night. “There’s some leftover pasta in the refrigerator if you want it. Summer set the sofa bed up for you and looks like Mister Unicorn is joining you tonight.”

“Ah, perfect, he’s a way better cuddler than my last boyfriend,” Charlie jokes, then her forehead creases as she catches the bags under my eyes. She pops her hip out as she looks at me and I already know what she’s going to say. “You look exhausted, honey. Please, just come interview at my place. It doesn’t pay as well as the club, I know, but at least you won’t have to be away all night. You can get some rest.”

If only it were that easy. “I can’t risk the pay cut. I’m just about making rent on this place. If I miss one payment then she’ll be gone.” I make sure to keep my voice low so there’s no chance of Summer overhearing. I never want her to worry about the grown-up shit.

Charlie squeezes my shoulder, but it doesn’t do much to reassure me. “If that happens, which it won’t , you can stay with me. Wynter…you’re not going to lose her like that. You work your ass off and child services will see that, if it ever comes to it. I’ll make sure they do.”

“Dammit, Charlie, don’t make me cry. I don’t have time to fix my makeup. Speaking of, I really do have to go. Let me know—”

“If anything happens, I know. I’ll keep you updated like always.” She winks and brings me in for a tight hug. “Oh, honey. I hate seeing you so tired all the time.”

“It’s honestly fine. I’m fine,” I lie, breaking away from her. I’m out the door before she can say anything else.

My coworkers, Kara and Stef, are both already swamped with customers when I get to work.

Neither of them look like they’re having a good night.

The club’s packed again. It has been for the past few weekends and I see the reason for it.

The large group of guys that have consistently taken over the VIP booths are back again.

“Sorry, I’m late,” I say as I rush to help get the crowd down. Stef waves it off and gives me a smile of understanding. They both know about Summer and I’m lucky they’re supportive enough to not give me shit for being late or needing to leave early for her.

“Did you manage to slip past Jackson?” Stef asks.

Our boss isn’t the patient type. Well, he is if he’s being swayed with drugs or sex. Then he has all the time in the world for you. I’m not willing to give him either of those things, so I do my best to avoid him.

“Thankfully, I didn’t see him.”

Our conversation is cut short as a large man in a neat-fitting suit saunters up to the bar, looking me up and down as he rests one elbow on it. Great, I've been here for what, one minute? And the sleazeballs are already trying their chances.

“What can I get you?” I give him my best customer service voice and smile.

“We ordered drinks and still don’t have them.” His Russian accent is just as heavy as the alcohol on his breath.

I bite my tongue and nod politely. It’s hardly my fault they’re still waiting, but I have to act like I care. “Sorry about that. What was it you ordered? I can sort it out for you right now.”

He scoffs at me as he runs a hand over his overly-gelled blond hair and I bite my tongue harder. “Your service is terrible. You expect me to keep waiting? Your boss should hire someone that actually knows their way around a bar rather than fill it with pretty hookers that only know how to prop it up.”

“If it’s that bad then why don’t you go somewhere else?” I jeer, my nails digging into the bartop so I don’t dig them into him.

Kara comes up next to me, putting a manicured hand on my shoulder as she gently pushes me back. “We really are sorry. I’ll make sure you get your drinks right away and I’ll throw in a round of complimentary shots.”

He stares straight past her, towards me and a cold shiver runs down my spine. His eyes linger on my hair for an uncomfortably long second before he mutters, “Fine.”

“Seriously, Wynter?” Kara whispers harshly as he walks away. “You don’t want to get on any of those guy’s bad sides. Plus they're friends with Jackson, so don’t piss them off.”

“They’re just a bunch of entitled creeps. How bad can they possibly be?”

Rather than answer my question, she goes to fix the guys' drinks and I follow suit, serving another customer so she doesn’t tell me off again. I don’t need her acting like she’s my mom tonight.

“Why is she so worried about them?” I bluntly ask Stef as I open the mini fridge next to her to grab some cranberry juice for my customer’s cocktail. She almost drops the bottle of scotch she’s pouring as I accidentally startle her.

“Keep your voice down!” she whispers loudly, then leans her head in close and asks, “Don’t you think it’s odd? They’ve been coming here for a month now and in that same month we’ve lost three girls.”

We’ve had a couple of new hires recently who turned up for a few shifts and never showed up again. I assumed they just didn’t want to work here.

“What are you talking about? Lost?” I take the bottle from her once she's finished and place it back on the top shelf that she always struggles to reach. She’s barely five foot whereas I’m close to six four in my heels.

“There's a rumor that they’re mafia.”

“Mafia? That shit’s just in books and movies.” I look over at the guys again and don’t see anyone that looks like the stereotypical old mafia type. All I see is a bunch of rich pricks.

Another customer pulls my attention away and I get back to work, but Stef’s words play over in my head.

I'm sure they’re not actual mafia, but they’ve been showing up here enough to make me think they’ve got money to burn. As long as I bite my tongue, I can probably squeeze some good tips out of them.

From here I can see their lack of boundaries that I’ll have to be wary of. I’m sure everyone working the floor would be ecstatic for the tips if they weren’t so handsy.

I only work behind the bar, but Onyx makes most of its money from being a strip club. I’ve heard rumors that some guys have paid for sex here, but no one’s allowed to talk about that. I don’t want to push my luck so I keep my mouth shut and my head down.

“Wait, why are you working tonight, Stef? I thought it was Evie’s shift?”

She answers me as she opens the register, “Apparently Jackson fired her because she called in sick again. I’m picking up her shifts until he can find someone to replace her.”

“He fired her because she’s sick?” I knew he was strict, but that’s just harsh.

Evie’s such a hard worker and she’s so nice. I’m going to have to be extra careful about turning up late if Jackson’s ready to fire us over crap like that.

“Yeah, but no one else has heard from her. The same happened with that new girl that was barely here for two days,” Stef says, quieter this time.

“You honestly believe something’s happened to them?”

“Babe, you have seriously got to stop watching true crime documentaries,” Kara chimes in. “Not only do they keep us both up all night, but now you’re coming up with unhinged theories about missing people. I’m sure that girl just decided she didn’t like it here and Evie is probably at home too sick with the flu to pick up the phone. Now can we please focus on getting this crowd down.”

I shrug Stef’s wild theory off. Kara’s probably right and there’s no point worrying about shit like that.

“Are these for the assholes in VIP?” I point to the tray in front of Kara as she finishes pouring a shot of vodka.

“Yes, and yes you can take them over there. I don’t want my ass felt up again tonight. At least they’ll be scared of you.”

I snort out a laugh as I take the tray from her. It’s one of the downsides of being so tall, a lot of guys find me intimidating. It works in my favor here though. The guys with a fetish for tall women end up tipping me extra.

Men are so weird with what gets them off.

As I carry the drinks around the outskirts of the crowd, one of the dancers almost falls into me.

I lift the tray just in time so she doesn't knock it out of my hands. She manages to right herself and I place my hand on her elbow to help steady her.

“Cassidy, are you alright?” I shout over the music. When I look behind her I see the culprits that caused her to stumble.

Two guys sit at a circular table, smirking and laughing at each other like a pair of assholes as they cast glances towards Cassidy. Their eyes linger too long on her curves in her little pink bikini top and shorts. Her uniform for working the floor and the poles here.

Both men are good-looking and they clearly know it. One is admittedly a little scarier than the other. He’s wearing a black, short-sleeved t-shirt that shows off his toned physique and his scar-riddled arms. Just looking at them makes me wince. I can’t begin to imagine how he got that many.

The other guy catches me off guard. His long hair and sharp cheekbones make him stand out. Or maybe I noticed because he’s definitely my type? I dated plenty of guys like him in high school. The tall, broody, pot-smoking bad boys, and I already know that he’s bad news.

As if they can sense me watching, both men look up at the same time.

The scarred guy looks at me without a hint of expression on his face before turning away.

However, the long-haired guy looks me up and down smugly. His eyes hover far too long on my chest. Not that there’s much there to look at, but he doesn’t seem to care.

Even from this far away I can tell he’s high. There’s a sheen of sweat on his forehead and his eyes are pitch black under the neon lights where his pupils have blown out.

Signs I know all too well from my dad. He was in recovery for most of my life, but when he lost his job he slipped back into his old ways.

Mom was never the same after he overdosed. She did everything she could to get him to stop using, but it wasn’t enough. In the end, she became so lost in her grief that she started fading away.

Most days she forgot Summer and I existed.

When it all became too much for her she left us. If she had only let someone in she might have gotten through it. If I had been a better daughter and helped out more at home rather than focusing on college, then maybe she would have stayed.

I was the one that found her.

My lecture ended late and I came home to Summer screaming her lungs out in her cot. It was already too late when I found Mom in the bathtub. When I close my eyes I can still see the blood-tinged water so eerily motionless as she lay there staring at the ceiling.

If only I got home earlier. If I hadn’t hung about talking to my classmates then I could have been there in time to save her.

I’m just grateful Summer can’t remember any of the bad times. Since then, I’ve made sure she smiles and laughs every single day.

“Like what you see, darling?” The man’s voice draws me out of my thoughts. It’s like silk caressing my mind. A voice I could easily get lost in.

I quickly look away as my cheeks burn.

Why do assholes like him have to be my type?

I look back at Cassidy who’s fixing her blonde waves back up into two pigtails. “Do you need me to sort those guys out while you go and get security?” Hopefully one of the guys on the doors tonight gives a shit about what happens to the women here.

“No!” Cassidy quickly says, grabbing my arm and leading us both away. “Don’t you know who they are?”

I shake my head and try to look back at the men, but my view is obscured by more people filling the space.

“That’s the corpse fucker and his playboy friend.”

“The what ?”

She can’t be serious .

“You’ve worked here longer than me, Wynter, but you get it easy hiding behind the bar. Spend some time out here and you’ll quickly learn who to steer clear of.”

“Don’t act like I’m not on your side,” I snap at her, yanking my arm back.

“I’m sorry.” She groans as she cups her forehead. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just been one of those nights. You think it’s rough pouring drinks when it’s this busy? Try being out here getting pinched and pulled by every guy you pass. And I’m not saying that to be a bitch. You seem nice, well, you’re always nice to me. Get a job at a normal bar, not a strip club or soon enough you’ll be out here with me.”

I straighten my spine. “A few handsy guys aren't going to put me off providing for my family. If it came to it I’d be able to handle myself.”

She waves her hand through the air dismissively. “Keep telling yourself that.”

“Cassidy!” Our boss, Jackson, snaps as he catches us talking. He’s shorter than me, but the man makes up for it in the intimidating way he carries himself with his bulky chest puffed out and gold teeth on display. “Back to work, both of you, or do I need to find you new roles?” One of his eyebrows raises slowly like he’s imagining just what he wants us to do and I’m not about to hang around to hear what vulgar thing he’s thinking of.

“Just be careful, okay?” I whisper to Cassidy as she reluctantly follows after Jackson who’s pointing out a guy for her.

I’m tempted to go give corpse fucker and the playboy a piece of my mind, but I need to focus on my own work and hopefully get some good tips from the VIPs.

Most of the guys in the booths are rowdy, way past their limit. I aim for the least drunk one to give the drinks to. He tosses a handful of bills my way and his friends laugh as they hit my chest and flutter to the ground.

Ignoring their laughter and sexist remarks, I pick them up. I'm not about to let dignity get in the way when it looks like the guy just threw me half my rent for the month.

“If you want a dance, you’ll have to flag down one of the dancers and not the bartender next time.” I flash him a smug smile as I stuff the bills into my bra. “Thanks for the tip though.”

The men laugh again and the one that gave me the money grunts angrily, “Careful with that mouth, princess. Wouldn’t want us to get any other ideas about what you could do with it.”

I scowl at him, opening my mouth to hit him with an insult, but the guy from the bar catches my attention. He’s sat at the other end of the booth and still looks like he wants to murder me, but there’s something else in his eyes now. Something that tells me to leave well alone.

With a wide smirk on his face, he starts speaking in Russian, thinking I can’t understand him, but I studied languages in college. Back when I had dreams of being a translator and traveling the world. We were covering Eastern European languages along with Russian dialects before I dropped out.

I only recognize a few words of the conversation he’s started with the other men, but I pick out black hair and need another one.

Stef’s anxious thoughts pop up in my head and I decide it’s best to not hear anymore.

As I take their empty glasses back to the bar, there’s a loud crash of smashing glass from across the club.

I perk my head up so I can check out what the commotion is and can’t help but laugh when I see the two assholes from earlier getting escorted out.

The scarred one looks even more pissed off than he did before. Probably thanks to the drink that’s been tossed over him. The long-haired guy is doubled over, laughing so hard he’s crying as security drags him out by the elbow.

“Thank you, karma,” I mumble under my breath.

“We’ve got it here if you want to head out,” Stef says as she kicks the mini fridge shut with her heel. Kara comes up behind her, resting her chin on her girlfriend’s shoulder and hugging her waist.

“You sure?” I ask as I quickly finish wiping down my side of the bar.

“Yeah, we’re pretty much done here anyway. Get home to Summer and we’ll lock up.”

“Thank you. I’ll make it up to you next week!” I hug them both before heading out back to grab my bag.

In the staff room, I count out my tips and tuck them securely into my purse. It’s a decent amount tonight. Enough for pizza with Summer and to not have to stress over groceries for a week or so. As I leave through the back door, I send Charlie a quick text to let her know I’m heading home. It’s almost dawn and I’m sure I’ll be home by the time she wakes up and reads it, but I like to check in anyway.

My walk home feels longer than ever. It doesn’t help that my heels rub painfully on my feet and my lower back aches.

A large black car passes by and I clutch my bag tighter to my side, the bills inside feeling like a big red ‘ come mug me’ sign.

The streets are quiet at this time of day. Too early for anyone to be up for their day jobs yet so if someone does decide to jump me I’d be on my own.

I spot the sign for the subway just up ahead. Usually, I wouldn’t waste money on it, but spending a little on it is better than losing everything if some guy rushes me.

I’m almost at the steps down when the same black car pulls around the corner again. This time it comes to a stop. Something in me tells me to keep an eye on it. I’m probably being paranoid and they’re lost. Still, I end up picking up my pace as the doors open and two large men step out. I don’t look long enough to take in their faces.

The steps are just ahead. So close. But my stupid heels are slowing me down. I take another glance over my shoulder and the men are coming this way. Black ski masks cover their faces and in each of their hands is a gun. Fuck.

The sun’s coming up and they stick out in the morning light, but that doesn’t stop them from chasing after me.

Kicking my heels off, I run for it.

I only make it a few feet before a wall of muscle slams into my back, knocking me to the ground.

“Help!” I scream out. My chin bounces off the concrete and pain shoots up through my jaw as blood fills my mouth. I have to spit it out so I don’t choke.

The man’s weight bears down on me. There’s so much pressure on my upper back and all the oxygen is gradually expelled from my lungs as he keeps pressing me down.

I try to call out for help again, but two hands close around my throat and squeeze until it feels like my brain’s going to burst out of my skull.

Through the pounding in my ears, I can just about make out the sound of someone talking.

I try to push up off the ground but the man squeezes my neck tighter. “ Stop ,” a Russian voice exclaims. I recognize him instantly from the club.

He switches to English to say, “Don’t damage her too much already. These ones need to come in clean.”

The fact that he purposefully said that so I’d understand him tells me I’m not getting out of this alive.

The hands disappear from my neck and I gasp in a lungful of air. “Please,” I choke out, turning my head to look at the men. My cheek is smashed against the ground before I can get another look at them. “I have money in my purse, just take it.”

“You’re going to make us more than the measly tips my friend tossed you.” The man on top of me chuckles close to my ear.

The next thing I know there’s a sharp prick in my neck and the cold realization of what’s happening sinks in.

It only takes a few seconds for whatever they injected me with to work.

Summer’s face is the last thing I see before the world tumbles out from beneath me.