Reborn to Marry My Best Friend's Uncle novel Chapter 214

Annie sat with her back against the wall, her thoughts knotted into a mess. She didn't know how much time passed before the lock clicked and the door was opened from the outside.

Dingo's brutal face appeared in the doorway. He lounged against the frame and jerked his chin at her. "Come out."

Annie's heart leaped into her throat, but her expression remained calm.

Bracing one hand against the wall, she rose slowly and followed him out.

The main hall outside was choked with smoke and reeked of alcohol.

A group of tattooed men were drinking and shouting over dice and cards, their laughter, curses, and gambling calls tangled together until her head ached.

When Dingo brought Annie out, every gaze snapped in their direction.

Dingo clearly enjoyed being the center of attention. He shoved Annie into the middle of the hall, then dropped back into the main seat and lifted his drink.

"Come on, get a good look!" he roared, his rough voice cutting through the noise. "This is the woman who's got Christian risking his life! I want to see what she's got that makes him willing to walk in here and die for her!"

The men roared with laughter, whistling as their stares grew bolder.

"Dingo, make her dance for us!"

"Yeah, dance! Dance!"

The chanting rose and fell.

Annie was undeniably beautiful. Even in this filthy, dim place, in plain clothes and without makeup, she still carried that cool, clean presence.

Surrounded by those filthy looks, she felt like she was being circled by wolves.

It was a trap, but it was also an opening.

She couldn't let herself be humiliated in front of them, and she couldn't let them get what they wanted.

Dingo was arrogant to the bone. She might be able to use that to her advantage. It was the only card she had up her sleeve.

Annie lifted her gaze, looking past the jeering men to the seat at the center. Her eyes locked on Dingo.

A soft smile played on her lips. "Dingo, this kind of dance isn't for everyone."

She held his gaze, drawing him in. She lowered her voice and said, "I'll dance for you. Only you."

The hall fell silent, and everyone looked at Dingo.

Dingo blinked in surprise, then barked out a laugh.

He thought this was interesting. This woman had more nerve than he'd expected.

What could an unarmed woman possibly do?

If she was going to play some kind of game, he wanted to see it.

"Dingo? What's going on?"

Urgent knocks rapped against the door, followed by questioning voices.

Annie's heartbeat slammed in her ears, and cold sweat soaked down her back.

She stared at the door, her mind racing.

She forced her breathing steady, pressed herself against the door, and made her voice sound shy on purpose.

"Hey... Don't... Don't be so rough..."

With that, the knocking stopped.

A moment later came a crude laugh, a few remarks she couldn't understand, and the sound of footsteps fading away.

There was no sound at the door anymore.

Annie sagged against the door, her legs threatening to give out.

She looked at Dingo sprawled on the floor, her gaze hardening.

She had to get out of there before anyone came back.