Shape Me

I've spent my whole life surviving men like him.

Men who take.
Men who control.
Men who think they own you.

So I made my rules simple:
Keep my head down.
Make my money.
Get out.

Stripping at a biker-owned club wasn't part of the plan-but it's what's paying my way through nursing school... and my ticket out of this dead-end town.

Until he walks in.

Cy Gilliam-guitarist for Once Upon a Riot.
Quiet. Intense. Watching everything.

He doesn't touch.
Doesn't flirt.
Doesn't act like the other men.

But he sees me.

And that's worse.

Because the more I try to keep my distance, the more he shows up-watching, protecting... understanding things about me I never shared with him.

Like he's studying me.
Like he's figuring me out.

Like he already knows how to break me.

I don't trust him.
I don't need saving.
And I sure as hell don't need someone like him digging into my life.

But the truth is...
the closer he gets, the harder it is to walk away.

Because for the first time in my life,
I don't know if he's the danger...

or the only thing keeping me safe.

CONTENT WARNING: This story includes descriptions of sex work, sexual harassment, threatening behavior and mild violence, references to childhood trauma and sexual and physical abuse, kidnapping, emotional trauma and mental health struggles, and mild violence. Please read with caution.