Mae stood in front of the mirror in her dressing room, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves. The harsh fluorescent light did nothing to soften her sharp features, the slight smirk playing on her lips reflecting a decision she had been toying with for days. The weight of the past few weeks had been crushing her—too many unanswered questions, too many threats from the shadows. She had tried everything to regain control, to find some stability. But now, she was ready to do whatever it took to get the upper hand.

Even if that meant seducing the man behind all of this.

She knew it was dangerous, but danger had become part of her life. It had been creeping up on her, surrounding her every time she walked into Hell's Angels, or when she found herself glancing over her shoulder on the dark streets. The game she was playing was more than just surviving—now it was about taking control, about owning the cards she'd been dealt.

Mae glanced down at her phone, her heart skipping a beat as she scrolled through the cryptic messages she had received over the past few weeks. Every one of them carried the same underlying threat—control or be controlled. But she was done being the puppet in someone else's show. She had learned long ago how to use her beauty, her charm, to her advantage. If they thought she was weak, if they thought they could push her around, they were in for a rude awakening.

"I've done it before," she whispered to her reflection. "I can do it again."

The man behind all of this was a mystery, but Mae had pieced together enough to know he had power. He wasn't just some low-level club investor or shady businessman—he had connections, money, influence. He had been pulling the strings at Hell's Angels for longer than she had been there, and from what little she could gather, he didn't let anyone get close to him.

But Mae knew better than anyone that everyone had a weakness. And she was prepared to find his.

Her eyes darkened as she thought about it. Seduction wasn't something new to her, not in this line of work. But this was different. This wasn't about the thrill of a conquest or securing her place in the club. This was about survival. If she could get close to him—close enough to find out who he was, what he wanted from her—maybe she could finally get answers. Maybe she could finally understand why she was being dragged into this mess.

And maybe, she thought with a sly grin, I can take him down before he even sees it coming.

Mae had already made her decision. It wasn't a question of whether she would go through with it—she knew she would. The question was when. She would need to be strategic, careful. One wrong move, and everything could fall apart. But she had always been good at playing a part, at wearing a mask when it was necessary. And this would be no different.

She straightened her back, rolling her shoulders as she studied herself in the mirror. She had the look down—confident, seductive, untouchable. She had played this game before, and she knew how to make them believe she was in control, even when she wasn't.

But something nagged at the back of her mind, something she hadn't been able to shake. What if this was a step too far? What if, by getting closer to the man behind the curtain, she was walking straight into a trap?

Mae clenched her jaw, pushing the doubts aside. She had to do this. She didn't have any other options. Whoever he was, he held all the answers, and she wasn't about to sit back and let someone else control her life any longer.

A soft knock on the door broke her from her thoughts. She turned, her heart racing slightly as she called out, "Come in."

The door creaked open, and one of the other dancers, a girl named Nikki, poked her head in. "Hey, Mae, you good? You've been in here for a while."

Mae forced a smile, her mind still on the plan forming in her head. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking."

Nikki stepped in, her brow furrowing as she studied Mae's face. "You sure? You've seemed... different lately. Like, you're here, but you're not really here."

Mae's smile faltered, but she quickly regained her composure. "I'm just dealing with a lot, that's all. But don't worry, I've got everything under control."

Nikki didn't look convinced, but she nodded anyway. "Alright, if you say so. Just... be careful, okay? You know this place can get weird sometimes."

Mae nodded, her mind already drifting back to the plan. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, Nikki."

Once Nikki left, Mae returned to the mirror, her fingers tracing the edge of the vanity. Her reflection stared back at her, and for a brief moment, she wondered if she was really ready for what she was about to do. But the moment passed quickly, and the familiar determination settled back into her bones.

She didn't know who this man was, but she was going to find out. And when she did, she would make sure he knew exactly who he was dealing with.

That night, as Mae stood backstage, waiting for her next performance, her mind raced with possibilities. The man behind the scenes had been careful to keep his identity hidden, but Mae had picked up on a few things. His control over the club wasn't just financial—it was personal. He had his hands in everything, from the performances to the business deals, and the whispers around the club told her he was far more dangerous than anyone else there.

Mae's pulse quickened as she stepped out onto the stage, the familiar hum of the crowd washing over her. She scanned the faces, searching for someone—anyone—who might be watching her more closely than the others. She needed to find him, to make herself visible to him. If he was as powerful as everyone said, he wouldn't stay in the shadows for long.

The music started, and Mae's body moved with practiced grace. She danced like she always did—confident, alluring, in control. But tonight, there was something different behind her performance. It wasn't just about entertaining the crowd. Tonight, it was about making herself a target. She wanted him to notice her. She needed him to notice her.

Mae twirled gracefully on the pole, the lights catching the shimmer of her costume, the music pulsing through her veins. She could feel the eyes on her, the way the crowd drank in every movement, every glance. But she didn't care about the men in the front rows, the regulars who came night after night, hoping for a glimpse of something they couldn't have. Tonight, all her attention was on the shadows. She couldn't see him, but she could feel his presence. He was watching her. She was sure of it.

Let him come, she thought, her heart pounding. Let him think he has the upper hand.

Mae's body moved with more intensity, each movement designed to draw him in, to make him believe she was just another girl trying to climb the ladder in a world of power and control. But she wasn't just another girl. And soon, he would find that out.

She pushed herself harder, her body bending and twisting in ways that left the crowd in awe. Her eyes darted to the darkened corners of the room, where the important people—the powerful ones—always sat, observing from a distance. She couldn't see them clearly, but she knew they were there. Watching. Waiting.

Her heart pounded as she executed her final spin, her legs wrapping around the pole with perfect precision. This wasn't just a performance anymore. This was a message. She was ready. She was playing their game now.

She had already set the wheels in motion. All she had to do now was wait. Wait for him to make his move.

And when he did, Mae would be ready

-

As the music faded, the applause erupted, and Mae gracefully slid down the pole, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. She flashed a practiced smile at the crowd before slipping backstage, her mind already spinning with what might come next.

The backstage corridor was quieter than usual, the distant hum of the club just a muffled thrum. Mae quickly made her way to her dressing room, her heels clicking against the floor. She pushed open the door and stepped inside, her pulse quickening as she closed it behind her. The rush of the performance still lingered in her veins, but now, in the stillness, the reality of what she had set in motion began to sink in.

She crossed the room to her vanity, staring at her reflection once again. Her makeup was flawless, her hair perfectly styled. She looked every bit the confident, seductive woman she had crafted herself into. But beneath the surface, there was an edge of uncertainty, a flicker of doubt.

Can I really do this?

Mae shook her head, pushing the thought away. She didn't have a choice. If she wanted to survive—if she wanted to take back control—she had to do this. She had to get close to him, to whoever was behind all of this. She needed to make him believe she was just another pawn in his game.

Her phone buzzed on the vanity, and Mae's heart skipped a beat as she glanced down at the screen. It was a message from one of the club's managers.

"He wants to see you."

The words sent a shiver down her spine. He. There was no need to ask who the message referred to. The man she had been trying to reach was finally reaching out to her.

For a moment, Mae hesitated. She had spent weeks preparing for this, but now that it was happening, a small part of her wanted to run. She didn't know what to expect. She didn't know what kind of man he was, or what he would demand from her. But then again, she had never truly known what to expect from this life.

She stood up, adjusting her outfit, smoothing her hair. She had no choice now. The game was in motion, and she had to play her part.

Mae left her dressing room, her heels tapping lightly against the floor as she walked down the hallway toward the private section of the club. Her heart pounded louder with each step, the anticipation building as she neared the door. She was about to meet the man who had been controlling everything—the one who held all the answers.

A man she had never seen, but who had always been there.

As she reached the door, a security guard nodded at her and stepped aside, allowing her to enter. Mae took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever was about to happen. Her mind raced with possibilities, but she knew she couldn't afford to show fear.

The door clicked shut behind her as she stepped into the room. It was dimly lit, with dark leather furniture and rich, polished wood. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cigars and whiskey, and the room exuded an aura of power.

At first, she didn't see anyone. The room appeared empty, save for the soft glow of a lamp in the corner. But then, she noticed a figure seated in the farthest corner of the room, obscured by shadows. He was watching her, his presence palpable even though she couldn't make out his features.

Mae's pulse quickened, her heart hammering in her chest. This was it—the moment she had been waiting for. She had finally been summoned.

"Mae," his voice cut through the stillness, smooth and controlled. It was a voice she had never heard before, but it carried the weight of authority. "Come closer."

Her legs felt like lead as she moved toward him, her breaths shallow and quick. She could feel his eyes on her, studying her every movement, every gesture. When she reached the center of the room, she stopped, her gaze locking onto the shadowy figure.

He remained silent for a long moment, as if assessing her. Then, he spoke again, his voice calm but laced with a subtle warning.

"You've been very... noticeable lately," he said, his tone measured. "That's not always a good thing in this world."

Mae swallowed, her mind racing. She had expected as much. This man didn't take kindly to anyone drawing too much attention to themselves.

"I just want to be the best," Mae said, her voice steady, though her heart was pounding. "And I think I can be useful to you."

The man chuckled softly, the sound dark and dangerous. "Useful? You think you understand what's going on here, Mae?"

Mae hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She had hoped to gain insight from this meeting, but the way he spoke made it clear that she was still in the dark. He knew more than she did, and he was toying with her.

"I know enough," she said, trying to maintain her confidence. "And I know I want to be on the winning side."

The man leaned forward slightly, and for the first time, Mae caught a glimpse of his face—a hint of a sharp jawline, the edge of a smile.

"There's only one side," he said, his voice low. "And you're already on it."

Mae's heart raced as she realized the full gravity of the situation. She had thought she was playing him, that she could use her charm and wit to get close, but now it felt like the ground had shifted beneath her. He had been watching her all along. And now, she was caught in his web.

"Be careful, Mae," the man said, his voice soft but filled with menace. "You're playing a dangerous game. And in this game, there are no second chances."

Mae nodded, her throat tight with fear. She had wanted answers, and now she had them. She was in far deeper than she had ever realized. And now, there was definitely no way out.