Chapter Nine
Carly
As soon as the door closed behind him I sat in the chair and heaved a sigh. Being alone with him, even briefly, was torture because I was so fucking attracted to him. The temptation to offer him more than a lap dance was strong.
Looking around the office I grinned. Holy shit. I was manager. I could get Eli that game he wanted after all. Once I promoted Camille to assistant manager and coordinated the schedule with her, I wouldn't have to be here until the wee hours of the morning every fucking night I worked. I couldn't wait to tell Eli the news. He was going to be so excited.
I spent a little time organizing my office but fifteen minutes before the doors opened, I walked into the backstage area.
“Where you been, Lola? I was beginning to think you were going to be a no-show.”
“There have been a few changes, Chablis.” The puzzled look she gave me almost made me laugh. She and I didn’t always see eye to eye and I couldn’t wait to see her reaction to the news I was about to share. “Listen up, girls. By now you've all heard that Harry is gone, right? Well, so are Nick and Terry. We have a new bartender and a new bouncer, effective immediately. The bartender's name is Tony, the bouncer is Frankie. There won't be anymore fucking customers on company time. What you decide to do on your own time is your business.”
“What gives? Where'd you hear that?” Again, it was Chablis.
“I didn'thearit anywhere. The first part of it was a decision made by the new owner, Gio. The second part? Not fucking on company time? That's all me. I made an executive decision.” I could see them giving me confused looks. “You're looking at the new manager of Dangerous Curves.” I waited for all the 'holy shit's', 'no way's', and 'congratulations' to stop before I spoke again. “If any customer tries to force you, or puts his hands on you in any way that you don't want, I want to know about it, right away. Effective immediately, everyone who works here also got a pay raise. You will also have full medical coverage for anything that you need to get taken care of, and full benefits, including paid vacation and sick pay.”
“Holy shit, Lola. Is this for real?” I looked over at Camille and nodded. “Yeah, girl, it's for real. Also, I am no longer going by my stage name, since I won't be out there performing anymore. You can all call me Carly. I have been given free reign to hire an assistant manager. Camille, I want to offer it to you. You've been here longer than any of us and you have those two angels to take care of since Jack took off on you. It'll give us both the chance to be home more with our kids, because we can rotate the later nights between us. What do you say?”
“Oh my God. You're going to make me cry. Are you sure? I've never managed anything.”
I laughed at that. “And I have? We can figure this shit out together.”
“Count me in.”
I stood back while she was congratulated. I saw the dark look Chablis had and arched a brow. “If you've got a problem, Chablis, spit it out.”
“I'm just wondering what you did for him to get the position. I've got some manager experience, so you must have really gone all out to convince him to give you the job.”
I laughed. It wasn't the reaction she was expecting and she looked startled. “Chablis, I am only going to tell you this once. Get the chip off your shoulder or get the fuck out. You might be good up on that stage, but there's a reason you're here instead of still working as a manager. You couldn't stop pocketing money that wasn't yours. You do not want to piss me off. I grew up in the Lower 9thWard. We ate snobby bitches like you for breakfast.” My voice was laced with mock sweetness. “Now, get your asses in gear. The doors are open.” I motioned to Camille. “Change and meet me in Harry's old office. It's ours, now.” With that, I turned and left. I had a feeling I was going to end up having to fire Chablis, but I would give her one chance to knock her shit off. If she didn't, then she was gone.
An hour after the doors opened, I sauntered across the floor to the bar. I got more than a few odd looks from some of the regulars who were used to seeing me in some skimpy little outfit instead of the snug fitting jeans and bustier I had on, but I ignored them. “How's it going, Tony?” I slid onto a bar stool and arched a brow at him.
“So far so good, Carly. What can I get you, boss lady?”
“Bourbon.” At the look he gave me I turned fully to face him. “Problem?”
“Not at all. Just a little surprised. I was expecting some fruity thing.”
“You must have me mixed up with Chablis. Miss Priss is the fruity drinker. If it doesn't burn going down, it's not worth drinking.”
“Woman after my own heart.”
I turned to find Gio standing just a little too close for comfort. “I'm not surprised you like bourbon, Gio.” I flashed him a grin. “I'd have been shocked if you asked for a Leg Spreader.” I winked in Tony's direction. If he was any kind of bartender he'd know what I was talking about.
“Do I even want to know what you're talking about,Bella?”
Tony's chuckle told me he knew. Before I could say anything Gio turned his glare at the other man.
“What's so funny, Tony?”
Tony chuckled again. “It's a drink. It has Captain Morgan, peach schnapps, and Malibu coconut rum in it with some pineapple juice. One of those fruity little drinks.”
I watched Gio's face while Tony explained the drink to him. “You should see your face right now.” When he turned those dark eyes on me, it made my panties wet. Fuck.
