The club was quiet, AC hum, polish fumes. Blane found Mira on the stage edge, scrolling her phone, brow furrowed.
She jumped, locking her screen. "Oh Blane. I was just taking a break."
"I know," he said, leaning against the rail, gaze flat. "You work hard. Early in, late out."
Mira managed a small smile. "It's my job. I have to."
"Have to?" Blane's tone was cool, observational. "Or want to?"
"Both, I guess." She hesitated. "You asked if I was comfortable here. I am. Mostly. The girls are nice and the money it's good. Better than anything else."
"Your brother." It wasn't a question. "That's what it's for."
Mira's eyes widened. "Yeah. Accident a few months ago. Hospital bills pile up. Parents are gone. It's just me. I have to take care of him."
Blane stared. He saw the fear, the love, the weight, all just data. All leverage. He felt nothing. His body had been dead to lust since Hell, even now, looking at her, he felt as detached as if staring at a mannequin. Humans and their desires were tedious.
"You're a good sister," he said, words hollow. "Most run from that burden. You stayed."
Mira flushed. "I just do what I have to."
"Indeed." He stepped closer, air turning cold. "But what if you could make more? Much more. Pay those bills in half the time. Make sure he never worries again."
"How?" Her eyes lit up with tedious hope. "I already take extra shifts."
"Not just shifts." Blane's crimson eyes glinted sharp. "Private events. Special requests. The men here like you, Mira. Your shyness. Your honesty. They'd pay a fortune for real time with you, not just a dance. I can arrange it. Put you with the best clients."
He watched the conflict flash across her face, love for her brother warring with hesitation. It was a crack and he knew how to widen it. But first, there was something else.
"Speaking of clients," he cut in, voice dropping. "Kato. Last week."
"Kato? What about him?"
"Kato wants you again," Blane said smoothly. "Offered a million yen for the night. Same arrangement."
Her eyes went wide, horrified and desperate all at once. "I… I don't know if I can—"
"Can't or won't?" Blane tilted his head, cold and predatory. "Because here's the truth, Mira. If you say no, you struggle. You scrape by. Your brother gets better slowly, maybe. But if you say yes you get what you need. You take care of him. But you give a little more of yourself away every time."
"Think about it," he said, turning to leave. "Your brother's life depends on what you're willing to sell and Kato? he's just the first offer. Or he's the last. Your call."
***
The club thumped. Mira walked in, leaning against Blane's office doorframe, arms crossed, eyes dragging over him.
"Blane."
He didn't look up. "Done for the night?"
"Just finished," she said, moving closer, voice low and sultry. "Paid double just to hold my hand. Men are easy. I'm good at faking it."
Blane glanced up, flat. "You adapted fast."
"Had to," she said, rounding his desk. "Bills are almost paid but I've been wondering about you."
"Oh?" He turned back to papers.
She stopped beside his chair, fingers brushing his neck, no reaction. She leaned in, chest near his arm. "Why don't you ever take anything for yourself? What do you want?"
"I have what I want."
She stepped in front, hands on his armrests, trapping him. "Are you single or is someone waiting for you?"
"Single?" He sounded bored. "No."
Her smile widened. "So you're free?"
"I suppose," he said. "But that's not what you're asking."
"I'm asking why you haven't tried me," she blurted, hand sliding down his chest, still no reaction. "I sleep with others for money, but you? I'd do it for free. I want to. I bet you know exactly what to do. I could make you feel good. Just say the word."
Blane grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand away. "You want to sleep with me?"
"Yes."
He laughed coldly. "Waste of time, Mira. I don't fuck. I don't want to and certainly not with you."
He pushed her back, stood up. "You sell your body well, but don't try selling it to me. I have no use for it or for you, except what you bring me. Remember that."
He walked past her. "Get out. Go make more money for your brother. Or did you forget why you're here?"
Mira stood frozen, shamed and confused, as he left without looking back.