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Venus wasn’t just my star dancer—she was my friend. And I’d be damned if I was going to let her leave without a fight.
My mind was already formulating a plan. I knew her usual haunts, her favorite spots in the city. If she was out there, I’d find her. And if she was in trouble... well, I had connections in this town. People who owed me favors. I’d call them in if I had to.
A knock at my door made me jump. “Come in.”
It was Darcy, looking worried. “Hey, Sienna. I just wanted to check if you um, heard from Venus?”
I forced a smile, trying to keep my voice steady. “No, I haven’t heard anything. But I’m sure she’s fine.”
Darcy nodded, but I could see the doubt in her eyes. She’d known Venus almost as long as I had. She knew this wasn’t like her.
“Okay, well, if you need anything...” she trailed off, fidgeting with her headphones.
“I’ll let you know,” I finished for her. “Thanks, Darcy.”
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. Venus’s address burned in my mind like a neon sign, flashing and impossible to ignore. I needed to find Venus, make sure she was okay. The worry gnawing at my gut wouldn’t let me do anything else.
The taxi ride to Venus’s neighborhood was a blur of signs and honking horns. As we pulled up to her building, my heart sank. The place was a dump, all crumbling brick and graffiti-covered walls. It was a stark reminder of how hard it was to make it in this city, even for someone as talented as Venus.
“You sure this is the right place, lady?” the cabbie asked, eyeing the building warily.
I nodded, handing him a twenty. “Unfortunately, yeah. Thanks for the ride.”
As I stepped out onto the cracked sidewalk, the smell of garbage and stale urine assaulted my nostrils. God, how did Venus live like this? I made a mental note to talk to Gavin about raising salaries. Our girls deserved better than this.
I pushed through the front door, wincing at the groan of rusty hinges. A sign on the elevator declared it “OUT OF ORDER” in angry red letters. Of course it was. With a sigh, I started the long climb up five flights of stairs.
By the time I reached Venus’s floor, I was breathing hard, my calves burning. The hallway was dimly lit, the flickering fluorescent lights casting eerie shadows. I pulled out my phone, double-checking the apartment number before approaching the door.
My heart thundered against my ribs as I lifted my fist to the peeling paint of Venus’s door. I hesitated for a moment, my hand hovering inches from the surface. What if she wasn’t there? What if something had happened to her? I pushed the thoughts aside and rapped my knuckles against the worn wood.
“Hold on!” a voice called from inside. It wasn’t Venus, but it was something. I waited, shifting my weight from foot to foot, anxiety coiling in my stomach.
The door swung open, revealing a woman I recognized as Chelsea, Venus’s roommate. She looked like hell, dark circles under her eyes and her hair a mess. Her eyes narrowed as she took me in.
“Can I help you?” she asked, her tone making it clear that she’d rather not.
I pasted on my most charming smile. “Hi, Chelsea. I’m Sienna, Venus’s manager from Club Privé. Is she here?”
Chelsea’s face hardened. “No, she ain’t. And I don’t know where she is, so you can just?—”
“Wait,” I interrupted, holding up a hand. “Please. I’m worried about her. She quit without any notice, and that’s not like her. When was the last time you saw her?”
Chelsea leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms. “Why should I tell you anything? Venus owes me rent, and now she’s gone and disappeared. I’ve got my own problems.”
I bit back a frustrated sigh. This wasn’t getting me anywhere. Time to change tactics.
“Look,” I said, reaching into my purse. “I get it. You’re pissed, and you have every right to be. But I’m just trying to find out if Venus is okay.” I pulled out a twenty-dollar bill. “How about this? You tell me when you last saw her, and this is yours.”
Chelsea’s eyes flicked to the money, then back to me. For a moment, I thought she was going to slam the door in my face. But then she sighed, holding out her hand.
“Fine,” she said as I handed over the cash. “Last time I saw her was Tuesday night. She came home late from work, looking all stressed out. I was heading out for my shift at Little Kitty—that’s the club where I dance,” she added, a hint of defensiveness in her tone.
I felt a chill run down my spine. Little Kitty had a reputation, and it wasn’t a good one. “Did anyone follow you home? Any clients giving you trouble?”
Chelsea’s eyes flashed. “Hey, I’m out of that life. I just dance now, that’s it.”
I held up my hands in a placating gesture. “I get it, believe me. I used to escort, back in the day. I know how hard it can be to get out.”
