Christmas Captive: A Holiday Romance

by Isabella Starling

  She was enchanting from the start, with her dark brown hair and the way her body swayed to the music. She looked like a timid little kitten—exactly the look her outfit demanded of her. I was engrossed in her performance, watching her move effortlessly. A natural dancer. You didn’t see a lot of those in joints like Le Cabaret.

  “Are you going to stare at her all night?” Addison piped up from behind me.

  “More than likely, yes.” I took a sip of champagne, never taking my eyes off the dancer.

  “Well, then it seems like you don’t need me. I might as well leave.”

  Prissy little bitch. “Be my guest, Addison. But be careful, those bouncers don’t look like they’ll be particularly nice to any woman, let alone a rich bitch who turns her nose up at them.”

  She huffed and puffed behind me, knowing I was right. She’d have to wait for me to escort her home, and she didn’t like it one bit. I wasn’t done yet, though. My eyes were glued to the stage. I was determined to watch the kitten’s impressive performance to the very end, Addison be damned.

  While my date was glued to her phone, I watched Kitty on the stage. She was a wonder. She was the kind of woman you’d move mountains for. My hands formed fists as I thought of having that sinful little body in them. I wanted to claim her. Hurt her. Own her.

  She danced with ease, smooth moves making her ethereal, like an angel descended on earth. I could have fallen in love with the woman purely from the way she moved. But I stopped myself before that could happen. I’d practiced controlling myself for a long time, and I needed to know more about the mystery woman before I allowed my feelings to take over.

  During her performance, Kitty saw me in the VIP booth. I wasn’t certain how much she could see—we were sitting a little way off, and the lights were dimmed. But she zeroed in on me, and for the rest of her show, I felt like she was dancing only for me. My cock was painfully hard in my slacks, straining against the fabric of my trousers, eager to be inside her.

  Kitty’s dance took all of twenty minutes, and they went by in a blur. She was done too soon, retreating backstage and blowing kisses to her adoring audience.

  I needed more.

  I stood up, Addison scrambling to her feet behind me and murmuring, “Finally.”

  I smirked at her, saying, “Are you always this absent on your dates? I pity the next guy if you’re going to spend the night glued to your phone.”

  Her expression darkened and she shrugged nonchalantly. “Seemed like you were distracted, so I caught up on some texts.” Her eyes flashed with anger as she motioned toward the stage. “You’re obviously more interested in that… stripper, than you ever were in me.”

  “You’re right,” I told her decidedly. “Come on, we’re leaving.”

  She followed me out of the Le Cabaret, to the front of the street where my limo was waiting. I opened the door for her, and she got in, still hopeful that something would happen between us as she gave me a suggestive look up the slit of her glittery designer dress.

  “Have a safe trip home,” I told her, tapping the roof of the car.

  “Wait!” Addison cried out; her eyes desperate as they met mine. “Don’t you want to…”

  “Don’t I want to what?”

  “Well…” she bit her lower lip, making my cock jump to attention. “Maybe we could see each other again?”

  Oh, this poor, naïve girl.

  “I don’t think so, pet,” I told her with a harsh smile. “I would destroy you, and you’d never forgive me.” Her eyes sparkled in the dark. “My advice? Settle down with a nice banker your parents approve of. You’ll be happier that way than with me.”

  “But—”

  I cut her protest short by closing the passenger door. I gestured for the driver to take off, and the car pulled away, leaving me alone in the street. I wasn’t done just yet though. I wanted to see what Kitty looked like when she wasn’t swaying on the stage.

  I waited, hidden in the shadows behind Le Cabaret, where the dancers’ entrance was located. She was bound to appear sooner or later. I couldn’t wait to see her up close, but I was wary of showing my face just yet.

  It took twenty minutes for a figure to appear in the back alley, and I slid deeper in the shadows as she made her way down the dark street. I knitted my brows together. She shouldn’t have been walking around alone like that. This wasn’t the best part of town, after all.

  I watched her closely, remaining hidden in the dark. She was medium height, with an impossibly slender waist and a perfect hourglass figure. Her face, though hidden by a knitted hat, was devoid of makeup and perfect in its natural state. Her coat didn’t have any buttons, so she clutched it closed around her slender body. She had an olive-toned complexion, with sparkling blue eyes and perfect white teeth. Kitty was a natural beauty, and I knew what lay beneath her clothes was just as perfect.

  The temptation to leave my hiding spot was strong, but I resisted. And just as well, because a burly, broad-shouldered figure followed my girl into the back alley, his hands tucked into the pockets of his puffer jacket.

  “What’s the rush, darlin’?” he snarled at her, and I growled out loud when he grabbed her. The bastard was stronger and bigger than she was. She didn’t have a chance in hell of fighting him off, and I hated the piece of shit for using his strength against her.

  I observed their conversation which was quickly turning into the guy intimidating Kitty until she pulled back from him in fear. I had to intervene. Precautions be damned. This bastard was going to hurt her, and I couldn’t just stand back and watch it happen.

  But I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t allow Kitty to see me just yet. I needed to bide my time. I watched the guy bully her until she handed him a thick wad of cash—probably her earnings from the night.

  My fists clenched as I watched her retreat, like prey trying to escape its predator. She used the opportunity when the guy was counting her cash to run down the street and disappear into one of the side alleys. The man, obviously pleased with his accomplishments, pocketed the money, and made his way back to the building. But I was waiting for him, and I was going to make him pay.

  I cornered the guy, stepping ahead of him and caging him between the wall and my broad shoulders.

  “Going somewhere?” I asked him calmly.

  “Get out of my way,” the guy snarled before taking a good look at me, his mind probably still on the cash he’d just stolen. “Who the hell do you think you are?” He raised his eyes to meet mine, and a look of fear crossed his face. “Oh, Mr. Kline, I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was you…”

  “Who was the girl?” I motioned down the street Kitty had disappeared down. “Why’d you take her money?”

  “Just one of the dancers,” the guy shrugged. He had an ugly skull in flames tattooed on his throat. “I took what belongs to me, is all.”

  “How does it belong to you if she earned it?” I demanded, and he narrowed his eyes at me.

  “I don’t want any problems, Mr. Kline.”

  “Then do as you’re told,” I said coolly. “Are you willing to return the money to its rightful owner and apologize profusely for taking it in the first place?”

  The beast in front of me gnashed its teeth together. He didn’t like this one bit, but he also knew how much power I held. I could have his balls crushed with the click of my fingers, and he’d be powerless against me.

  “Just think of how badly I can hurt you,” I told him firmly. “Then think how easy it would be to just start being a decent human being and returning what you stole. And if you do, you have better odds of me letting you live through this.”

  His eyes widened. “I didn’t mean nothin’ bad, I just needed some cash, Sir…”

  “I don’t care.” I backed away, putting a pair of gloves on my hands. I was done dirtying them with scum like this bouncer. He was obviously from the wrong side of the tracks since he knew me by name. “You’ll return the money tomorrow. And you’ll apologize to Kitty. If I find out y
ou haven’t, I’ll make sure your tattoo becomes a real thing. I’d quite enjoy seeing your skull go up in flames, I think.”

  “Please, Sir…” The guy was backtracking, holding his hands up to defend himself. “I’ll give you the money now, just leave me alone.”

  “No.” I scowled at him. “I want a sincere apology out of you. Tomorrow, by midnight at the latest. Got it?”

  He nodded reluctantly, scratching the back of his bald head. “Sorry, Sir. Didn’t know Kitty was one of yours.”

  I smiled, muttering, “Not yet she isn’t. But she will be. She just doesn’t know it yet.”

  Chapter 3

  Amicia

  The next day, Skull was nowhere to be seen. I was relieved to find Le Cabaret safe from its most evil bully—it was a welcome reprieve in my daily routine.

  Evangeline was out for the day, working her other job, but Rosabella was there, dancing hours before me, so we just exchanged a quick hug at the door before she left.

  On days when my two friends weren’t working, I felt lonely. I got along with the other girls, but there was always the underlying feeling of jealousy between us, which I didn’t like one bit.

  A younger girl, Capri, was there though, and I’d gotten along with her in the past, so I set up my makeup station next to hers, greeting her with a warm smile.

  Capri had only been with us for a few weeks, but she’d already gotten a steady following of patrons from the club. They loved her sweet innocence, that porcelain skin and her dark locks—a sharp contrast, like ivory and ebony.

  “You look anxious today,” I said as she dropped her powder brush for the third time. “Everything okay?” I worried it was something to do with Skull, but since he was gone for the day, I figured it had to be something else.

  “I’m just…” she sighed, picking up the brush and applying cherry blusher to her sharp cheeks. “Nervous about something I have coming up.”

  “Oh?” I raised my brows, curling my hair with a flat iron until it shone in the light. “Anything I can help with?”

  “I don’t think so,” she laughed anxiously. “Unless…” She eyed me with a curious look. “I suppose I could tell you…”

  “Tell me what?”

  “I’m doing something to make some extra money.” She glanced around the room before sliding closer to me with her chair. “Don’t tell the other girls.”

  “Oh, Capri.” I squeezed her knee. “Please don’t tell me it’s what I think it is… It’s never a good idea, especially here, with Skull waiting for the first chance to jump down your throat and steal your money.”

  “It’s not here,” Capri spoke up warily. “It’s with a reputable agency. They’re called Couture House. Have you heard of them before?”

  “Couture House?” I tried the name out on my lips, shaking my head. “No, I don’t think I have. What do they do?”

  “They run auctions,” Capri whispered.

  “For?”

  “For…” Her eyes sparkled. “For women, and the services we can provide.”

  “Oh Capri, I don’t know if that’s a good idea…”

  “It’s a lot of money,” she went on defensively. “I get ten percent of the profits.”

  “Only ten percent?”

  “It’s a lot,” she said. “To me, it’s a lot.”

  “I know.” I squeezed her hand for reassurance. “I’m just worried about this being the right thing to do. You’re so young, Capri… Didn’t you just turn eighteen?”

  She nodded, tight lipped as I waited for her answer. “I’m old enough.”

  “And what are you auctioning off?”

  She leaned forward to whisper in my ear, and my eyes widened. “Capri!”

  “What?” she asked. “I’ve held onto it for long enough. This way, at least I’ll make some money.”

  My instincts were kicking in. I wanted to make sure she’d be okay, wanted to come with her if only to ensure no one took advantage. “Maybe I should come with you.”

  “That would be great,” she gushed. “What will you auction?”

  “No, not like that,” I muttered.

  “But Amicia, you could make some money,” she said. “Lots.”

  “How much?” I asked, not expecting her whispered answer one bit.

  “Well, if I sell mine for one million… which they said was the going price… I’ll get a hundred thousand.”

  “What?” I nearly choked. “That’s… life-changing money.”

  “I know,” she nodded eagerly. “You could auction a night with yourself. It could go for five-hundred thousand, and you’d get fifty out of it.”

  Those numbers were staggering and remarkable, making me bite my lower lip as I considered her words. I could do it. It would mean finally being able to pay for dancing lessons. It would mean crawling out of the hole Margaret had dug for me. My life would change.

  “Who do I need to contact?” I asked Capri, my voice a low whisper.

  She smiled, digging in her pink backpack, and pulling out a business card. “Here. His name is Dmitri Sokolov. He’ll tell you everything you need to do.”

  “Thank you.” I pocketed the card with a guilty expression. I shouldn’t have been as excited as I was about this. It meant going against everything I stood for, going back on my own promise to never sell myself. But what choice did I have? I was twenty-two years old, with staggering debt left over from Margaret’s death and dance lessons I desperately needed but could never afford.

  I danced in a blur that night, my thoughts preoccupied with the business card stuck in the pocket of my jacket. I wasn’t sure whether I’d call Dmitri Sokolov, but a little nagging voice at the back of my mind insisted I should give it a go.

  ***

  The next day, the thought of Couture House was still front and center in my mind, but so was the guilt I felt every time I thought of the opportunity Capri had offered me.

  Nasty little thing, Margaret’s voice echoed in my head. Nothing but a cheap slut. I knew you’d end up like this. Like the whore you are.

  But the bright side was, I had another audition that day, for a production of Romeo and Juliet that I was extremely excited about. I had spent hours getting ready for it after work, staying up late until I was convinced I had the moves down pat. I learned from a video I’d found online and could only hope it would be enough to convince the casting director I was the right fit for the role.

  As I made my way to the theater where the auditions were being held, Dmitri Sokolov’ business card burned a hole in my pocket. I was painfully aware of it the whole time, even as I got changed into my leotard and a pair of worn-out ballet slippers I’d bought at a consignment store.

  I stayed in the waiting room with the other girls vying for the role. It was always nerve-wracking to see my competition. These girls weren’t just stunning, with expensive clothes and hairstyles, they also had the training I lacked.

  A woman with round-shaped glasses called our names off a list one by one, and the girls disappeared into the room. Some of them came out elated, others looked down, some were even crying. But it was always like this at dancing auditions. It was a cutthroat world in this industry, and it wasn’t an uncommon sight to see the prospects in tears. I’d been told I needed to lose weight, change my hair color, or that I was hopelessly plain plenty of times before. It all came with the job.

  I wasn’t called for ages, making me think they’d forgotten about me. By the end, only two of us remained—a pretty blonde with sparkling grey eyes, and me.

  As we were sitting in the waiting area, a group of people exited the audition room, and the woman who’d been calling us in told us they were taking a short break and would be back in twenty. We nodded, exchanging shy glances as the group left the room.

  “Just my luck,” I muttered. “Being called last when I have somewhere to be.”

  “Likewise,” the blonde smiled at me. “I’m already late for my dance lesson. You too?”

  I tried to hide the shame b
urning my cheeks, giving her a non-committal nod. “Is this your first audition?”

  She nodded with a nervous smile. “That obvious, huh?”

  “It’s the nerves,” I laughed. “But trust me, those never go away, not even after years of doing this. You just get better at hiding them.”

  We chatted easily, but both of us went quiet the moment the casting team walked back into the room. One of them, a tall man with blond hair, stopped and stared at me.

  “You look familiar,” he muttered. “Do I know you?”

  I looked up at him and a feeling of dread settled in the pit of my stomach. Fuck. He was one of the regulars at Le Cabaret. I could only pray he wouldn’t recognize me.

  “No, I don’t think so,” I chirped.

  “Strange,” he muttered. “I rarely forget a face.” He gave me an appreciative one-over before adding, “Especially one like yours.”

  I flushed, looking away to hide my embarrassment. He kept staring at me until the group went into the theater, and he followed behind them.

  In minutes, the woman who’d been calling out names reappeared.

  “Kensington Waverly,” she called out, and the blonde stood up.

  “Oh God.” She swallowed, pale with nervousness.

  “You’ll be okay,” I smiled at her. “Good luck.”

  “Thanks,” she whispered before disappearing into the room. Her audition took the longest. By the time the door opened again, I was an impatient mess, eager to get the casting call over with. I had a shift at Le Cabaret that night again, and I couldn’t miss it. Maybe this time, Skull wouldn’t take my money away from me.

  I had twenty minutes left before I absolutely had to leave to make it to my shift on time before she reappeared, her face a blotchy red mess.

  “Is everything okay?” I asked, furrowing my brows at the sight of her.

  “No, it’s not!” she cried out.

  “Amicia Romano,” the woman called out. “Come on, no dillydallying, we don’t have all day.”

  I flushed. They didn’t care about my time, but their own was precious enough to rush me along.