Revenge Wears Red Lipstick-Chapter 159: Goodbye, Friend

The man on the pole moved with practiced grace, slender body bending and twisting effortlessly as the crowd cheered. Net tights clung to long, delicate legs, leaving little to the imagination. Pink hair so bright it looked like spun cotton candy, fell into his face as he spun upside down, muscles flexing with each controlled movement.

Ryan’s breath hitched.

"Rico...?"

The name slipped from his lips before he could stop it.

He blinked once. Twice. Three times.

The image didn’t change.

That was Rico.

The music thundered on, the crowd hooting as bills were tossed onto the stage. Ryan didn’t think anymore. His body moved on instinct.

He grabbed the nearest jacket he saw hanging off a chair and shoved through the crowd with single-minded determination. Before Rico could even register his presence, Ryan wrapped the jacket around his shoulders and pulled him down from the pole.

The music screeched to an abrupt halt.

A wave of shocked silence rippled through the club as dozens of eyes turned toward them.

Rico stumbled, barely keeping his balance. When he looked up and saw Ryan’s face, his eyes widened so much they looked like they might pop out of his skull.

"Ryan...?" His eyebrows shot up to his hairline, shock written plainly across his face.

Ryan didn’t answer.

He didn’t look at anyone else either—not the angry patrons, not the confused dancers, not the security already moving toward them. His jaw was clenched so tight it ached.

He grabbed Rico’s wrist and pulled.

"Hey—!" Rico gasped, nearly tripping over his own feet as Ryan dragged him toward the exit.

They burst out into the night air, the noise of the club muffled behind them. Neon lights flickered above, casting distorted shadows across the pavement.

Ryan didn’t stop walking.

He headed straight toward the main exit of the neighborhood, determined to put as much distance between Rico and that place as possible.

Then Rico yanked his wrist free.

"What are you doing?" Rico demanded, his voice cracking at the end despite his attempt to sound firm. "Why are you here? And how did you even know I was here?"

Ryan spun around to face him, frustration etched deep into his expression.

"I should be the one asking you that," he shot back. His gaze flicked behind Rico, toward the brothel they’d just left. "What the hell are you doing in there... dressed like that?"

His eyes swept over Rico from head to toe.

The jacket he’d grabbed was thankfully large enough to cover most of him, but Ryan still noticed the way Rico’s hands were clenched around the fabric like it was the only thing keeping him upright. Like if he let go, he’d fall apart.

"That’s none of your business," Rico snapped.

The venom in his tone stunned Ryan.

"You don’t just barge into a brothel and try to kidnap one of the performers," Rico continued, glaring at him. "Do you have any idea how much trouble that could get you into?"

"Why—" Ryan ran a hand down his face, exhaling sharply. "You’re not a hooker."

It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.

Rico said nothing.

He simply looked away.

Indeed, he wasn’t a hooker. But there was no way he was explaining anything to Ryan. Not here. Not now.

"You need to go," Rico said quietly, glancing around. People were already staring, whispers spreading. "This is not a safe place for you, Ryan."

"Neither is it for you," Ryan countered without hesitation.

Rico bit his lower lip hard enough to turn it white, then dropped his gaze to the ground. His shoulders trembled, just barely.

Ryan’s heart sank.

Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed Rico’s hand again.

"You’re coming with me," he said firmly. "I’m taking you out of here."

He pulled.

They barely took two steps before a voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Rico."

Rico froze.

His entire body went rigid, goosebumps erupting across his exposed skin. His breath caught, shallow and panicked, as if that single word had unlocked every fear inside him.

Ryan turned toward the voice.

The man standing a few feet away wore a dark suit that looked far too expensive for a place like this. His posture was relaxed—lazy, even—but there was nothing casual about the way he occupied space.

Ryan recognized him instantly.

The same man he’d seen earlier. The one who had driven Rico here.

His dark eyes shifted to Ryan, cold and unreadable, filled with a quiet, unspoken contempt.

"Do you know this person?" Donnero asked, his tone deceptively calm.

"Donnero..." Rico stuttered.

Rico glanced between them, lips trembling. His hands fidgeted uncontrollably, like he’d been dumped in the freezing cold without warning.

Ryan didn’t answer.

Now that the man was close enough, he could see him clearly. The sharp jawline. The sculpted cheekbones. A scar slicing through his left eyebrow like a permanent warning.

And his eyes—empty and soulless. Like black holes that swallowed light.

He was the perfect example of judge the book by its cover.

Then Donnero’s gaze dropped to where Ryan was holding Rico’s wrist.

"He seems to be a very good friend."

Instinctively, Rico pulled his arm free.

Ryan frowned. "Rico—"

"Come here," Donnero ordered.

The command wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be.

Rico took a hesitant step forward.

Ryan grabbed his arm again. "He doesn’t have to go with you."

Donnero raised a brow, clearly amused.

"And why do you say so?"

"Because Rico isn’t a hooker," Ryan replied sharply.

Donnero chuckled softly. "Oh really?" His gaze slid back to Rico. "But Rico didn’t complain when I brought him here. Did you?"

Rico flinched.

He turned toward Ryan, eyes glossy and pleading. "You need to get out of here," he whispered.

However, Donnero heard every word.

Rico moved to stand beside him, head lowered like a frightened animal waiting for the inevitable.

"I think that answers your question," Donnero said with a faint smile. "Rico, say goodbye."

Rico managed half a second of eye contact with Ryan before turning away and walking back into the brothel.

Ryan stood there, stunned.

Something was deeply wrong and he wasn’t going to walk away and leave Rico in there.

He took a step forward but two massive men blocked his path.

"Going somewhere, buddy?"