In The Devil's keeping

k, staring at

ays flatly. "Using your real nam

liding onto the edge of t

ays with a smirk. "But every costume I wear ties into it. Th

nce again. Chains hang from her outfit, a leather holster

snaps, rolling her eyes

ocked on me like I'm a puzzle he just solved.

ally squealing. "You're a genius.

e room. Dante and

gerie, lace knee-highs, rhinestone stilettos, an

she says

l. I stand stiffly while she dresses me like a doll. The outfit bare

immering powders and highlighters across m

in the mirror. Glittery lids. Glossed lips. Jewels like

acks my a

was th

t. If it's not on display,

op. She's right. This is what I s

me to a pole I hadn't noticed until n

remember from watching mus

tles. "Damn

phone. "Let's ta

a pole sit, then something called the Martini-not the drink. My bod

a hug. "Look at you.

o hours since the park,

rday," she says, dramat

h laugh. For a seco

slices through th

nutes to showtime. Get make

hallway-only to return seconds l

wrist. "Time to

faded poster. Dante stands on it, giving a thumbs-up i

this?" I

hing. If he could do i

s. Don't let them get to you. You don't owe anyone your backstory. Stick with

lowly.

ens th

eat, and smoke floods my sens

girls turn

ick Southern drawl grins,

er mouth, but

y, giving Andrea a quick gl

't you a pretty little thing. I'

. The name fits. Still, the way she giggle

hey call y

e. "Di

irls gather around, some smiling, others watch

one in a nurse costume

ht, Nancy," A

r," Nancy repl

ffering me silver con

hem in while Andre

was already d

his is the final boss version. You're ab

tell if I'm sca

!" Dante bellows from down the h

glass of something a

it in o

like to see," she lau

e glowing lights

t is po

hums benea

th

hat's m

ut behind me, s

an storming toward us-hee

s smile

" she