“I didn’t hurt her. It’s cool, man. I just figured out her real name. That’s all. That’s why she’s upset.”
I hustle through the crowd and toward the dressing room, leaving them behind.
I’m at my locker, throwing a robe around me when the door flies open, banging against the wall. Myself and several of the other dancers jump in surprise at the outburst.
“What the hell, dude?” Velvet snaps.
Cody ignores her, his eyes only on me.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Heather?”
“In San Jose?” I ask, knowing full well what he really means.
“In San Jose… and in this goddamn club, for Christ’s sake.”
The commotion has Ronnie and Tiny both at the door.
“Cody, you need to leave my dancers alone,” Ronnie snaps. “Out. Now.”
Cody shoves him off and stalks out.
When he does, Ronnie turns back to me. “You okay?”
I nod, my eyes sparkling.
“What was that about?” he presses.
Before I can say a word, Tiny speaks for me.
“It was his birthday. Some of the guys were celebrating with him. They ordered him a lap dance and a VIP room with her. He did something to upset her, and she ran out of the Sapphire Room in tears.”
“You’re supposed to be monitoring them. Were you watching on camera?” Ronnie snaps.
“He asked me to turn them off while he was in there with her. I shouldn’t have done it.”
Ronnie gets right in his face. “You don’t turn those cameras off for anybody. Not even the MC. Is that clear?”
“Yes, boss.”
Ronnie drags a hand down his face. “Ginger, get dressed and come to my office.”
With that, he leaves, and when the door closes, all the girls turn open-mouthed to stare at me.
“What happened?” Coco whispers.
“Nothing,” I say, dressing.
“Did he force himself on you?” Velvet asks. “Did you tell him no?”
“No, nothing like that. Just drop it, okay?” I finish dressing and walk out.
When I tap on Ronnie’s door, Marnie is in there and he’s on the phone. He motions me inside, and I close the door behind me, taking the chair next to Marnie.
She reaches over. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Ronnie slams down the phone. “That was Cole. He’ll take care of his guy. That won’t ever happen again. Got my word.”
