And maybe another little hope that Axton is too busy being a policeman to do a damn thing over here. Even though I’m pretty positive he’s the one who has been stalking me, another thing about this situation that I want to hate but don’t.
I like the idea of it being him watching me. I like the idea of him being here, being forced to see me on stage. I like the idea of him being so close and yet so far away. I like the idea that he will lust after me but can’t have me…
He can’t have me…
Except heprobablycan.
No… the reality is that there is noprobablyabout it…
He can.
CHAPTER SIX
PIGGY
As I stepup to the club, I smirk at the sight of the neon sign in the window. It’s an arrow that makes anLshape, with letters that spell outLIVE NUDESand a girl sitting in it, clearly naked. There are some others, too, but that stands out to me.
Everything has been ironed out with Lorenzo. His men will be reassigned elsewhere by the end of the week while we take over security here. I was honestly surprised he agreed to everything without much pushback. I think it’s because he wants to use us for other things, and he knows that this is just the beginning.
Maybe I should care. Maybe we shouldn’t be getting into bed with him and the Front mob family. But then again, maybe it will be nice to just work and not focus on building a business. We’ve gone through a lot of changes and drama lately, and I can’t deny that I’m ready for a bit of calm in our storm.
The bouncer at the door jerks his chin, likely recognizing us from the sting operation we did not long ago. I ignore him as Iwalk past. He doesn’t make a move or even call out for me to stop. Which is good, because I wasn’t going to.
The lights inside the club are dim, the music is loud, and I keep my focus straight ahead. Although that’s hard to do, because all I want to do is look for her.
See her.
Every part of her.
Just a glimpse.
Bullet, Viking, and Goose are with me. The four of us make our way straight to the office in the back of the building.
Instead of being the first to reach for the office door, I let Bullet do that. He’s the president. Anything that is negotiated and agreed upon needs his approval. He’s the one in charge. Even though I want to be the one in the middle of this, it’s not my place.
“Oh, good,” Bennet calls out as soon as we walk into the room. “You’re here.”
Goose, being the last through the door, closes it behind him as we move farther into the space. Spreading my feet, I cross my arms across my chest, dipping my chin slightly as I look down my nose at him.
I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about any of this. I want to be pissed that Millie is here, but I know it’s not Bennet’s fault. Even if I want to hate the guy, I can’t, at least not yet. I dislike the way he’s allowing Lorenzo’s men to run security here. It’s insufficient. They are disastrous, really, and going to get someone killed.
“Have a seat and let’s get down to business. Lorenzo gave me a heads-up about the changes that will be happening around here regarding security. The only issue I have is the way you look.”
“The way we look?” Bullet asks, even though he knows exactly what Bennet is referring to.
He’s made it clear in the past that we are too rough to work here. We’ll scare the clients or some such shit, bring down the value of the place. I personally don’t give a shit, but I understand what he’s saying as well.
He wants to charge these guys a fuckton of money for drinks and private rooms. He wants the clientele to be willing to pay even more than a fuckton for dances, too.
“The leather and jeans aren’t going to work for me,” he states.
It’s a simple statement. I understand it, but at the same time, the way he says it is a bit much. As if he truly has the final say, which he doesn’t. But I know that Bullet isn’t going to tell him to shut the fuck up, not on this.
Bullet clears his throat, shifting in his seat slightly, then leans forward a bit. I watch in silence, waiting for him to speak. I can’t tell if this is going to be acome-to-Jesusmoment or if he’s going to be more agreeable and levelheaded.
“As much as I want to tell you that I don’t give a fuck what works for you and what doesn’t, I do understand business. I understand what you’re building here and how you want your club represented. Any man who is in the forefront of the club will be wearing a uniform of sorts.”
“What type of uniform?” Bennet asks.
