I shake my head. “Nah, she deserves a second chance. I threw her in the deep end, starting on a Saturday night. Sunday’s are quieter.”
“Amen to that,” Paint puts in.
A tinny voice sounds in my ear. I raise my hand to cover it to hear better. “Got a problem in Room Four.”
Raising my hand in the direction of the closest camera, I give a thumbs-up. “I’ve got this,” I tell my brothers. Then I go to see exactly what type of issue it is.
Colour me surprised,not, when it’s a groom who’s got his hands all over Missy, one of our best dancers, who’s doing her best to fend him off. He’s already ripped off her bra. Seeing red as I notice a palm print on her face, I roar, grab him by the collar, and pull him the fuck off.
Then I teach him what it’s like to be hit in the face by someone larger than him. Only I can hit much harder, and blood flows from his nose with just one blow.
“You fucking broke my nose,” he whines nasally. “I’m going to sue you. I’m getting married tomorrow. Now, how am I going to explain this?” He gingerly touches his nostrils.
Ignoring him for the moment, I address Missy. “You okay? He hurt you anywhere else?” As she shakes her head, I offer, “You want to go home?”
She sends tomorrow’s possibly-no-longer groom – unless he can come up with a damn good reason for his bloody nose – a scathing look. “I’m fine. I’ll stay. I’m not going to lose out on money because of this asshole.”
“Reckon he owes you some cash, sweetheart.” I give the man my best enforcer look.
He blusters, “Me? Give her money? Everyone knows the dancers here are up for anything. And I didn’t get any satisfaction for the money I already paid.” He puts his fingers to his nose again, wincing as he feels the swelling, and whenhe brings them away, they’re covered in blood. “I am going to fucking sue you,” he threatens again.
“Go ahead.” I plant my feet apart and fold my arms across my chest. “Everyone knows prostitution is against the law, and so is attempted rape.”
“Attempted…” he shouts. “You’re trying to accuse me of…”
I raise my shoulders, then lower them. “Got it on camera.” I pause to point at the red light glowing in the corner. “Would make a nice wedding present for your fiancée, wouldn’t it? Royals is agentleman’sclub, and you’re no fucking gentleman. Reckon the sheriff might like to know what you’ve tried to do when we all know our licence is for lap dances, and not full-on sex.”
“My fiancée?” His face has gone white. He seems more afraid of her than local law enforcement.
Of course, he doesn’t know we’d never call the heat down on the club. Or give them access to any recordings. It might not be legal, but some of the girls like to offer the full package. His problem? Missy ain’t one of them.
Again, I’m not surprised when he pulls out his wallet, takes out a few bills, and drops them on the floor.
“There,” he snarls. “Now we’re even.”
Snatching the wallet from him, I take out the rest of his money and hand it to Missy. “Nowwe’re even.” Before he can protest, I advance on him. “Get yourself and your friends out of our club. You are no longer welcome. And consider yourself blacklisted. You won’t be allowed in again.”
To my astonishment, he advances toward me.Fucking idiot.“You think you can steal from me…”
“Recording. Fiancée.” I raise my chin toward the camera again. I listen carefully to the voice that starts speaking into my ear, thanking fuck that Genie’s on the ball and has got our backsfrom his office at the club. “Penny Althrope, I believe her name is.”
“How do you…?” His eyes are wide, and if I thought he’d paled earlier, he’s completely white now.
He stops arguing and leaves.
Turning, I meet Missy’s eyes. She’s grinning at me while holding her handful of money.
“Thanks, Freak.”
“Anytime, babe. You sure you're okay?”
Waving the notes toward me, she nods her head. “Best fucking medicine there is. I’ll just take a moment to put extra foundation on my face.”
“Take all the time you need, sweetheart,” I offer. Then, when I jerk my head toward the door, she leaves.
I start straightening the room, picking up the chair that had fallen over, then notice the blood that’s dripped on the floor.
“Enjoy yourself, Freak?” the security guy’s voice in my ear asks.
