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She knew it didn’t htest or if you had theand that trusting anyone was an invitation to be screwed over backward

This was the third casino she’d danced at since being du to be her last

“I’ll be fine,” she said, zipping her other boot, then grabbing her purse and backpack out of the locker before sla it shut

She gave Flo a sed

“I knohat I’, and I’ll be fine,” she repeated “I don’t play by any guy’s rules Doesn’t matter how much power he thinks he has He can’t mess with me”

Two h and wonder why life always sent her words back to bite her Did she flip life the bird and tenore hard-learned lessons and traipse down the saain? No, no, a million times no

But life clearly didn’t trust her

Lara walked down the long service hall toward the euard or two, big burly guys posted to keep the lowlifes away and irls when they left

Tonight the door had been left unguarded And she was the only dancer leaving between shows

Rudyhis generous offer But like petty men everywhere, he found a way to slap at her

Message received

And, she deternored

She tugged her denim jacket on over the purse she’d draped from one shoulder to the opposite hip, automatically tucked her keys between her knuckles She shoved the heavy door open

She didn’tthe attention of the creep cadre, as she had disdainfully dubbed the men who littered the back alley of the casino Dealers, dopers and desperate losers gathered in clumps A dozen sets of eyes cut to her, then over her shoulder to the empty doorway The nasty s with the creeps ht make her late At least, that’s what she told herself She wasn’t a fan of lying, but so

For every step she htened around her keys while she shifted her backpack off her shoulder so it dropped to the crook of her elbow, better for swinging

“Yo”

Lara ignored the call just as she ignored the disgusting suggestions and lewd propositions Her feet wanted to run, but she knew better Jackals loved it when their prey showed fear

“Lara Banks?”