Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“What’s going on?” I ask Minnie, releasing her once she’s steady.
She fixes the tiny straps of her red-and-white polka dot top into place with shaky hands but her voice is firm. “This dude is insane in the brain.” She flings her hand toward the guy who’d been holding her. “Offering me more money if I suck his dick.” She huffs. “I’m done with that shit,” she adds so low I almost miss it.
“I got this, sweetheart.” I tilt my head toward the club. “Go work the floor or take a break.”
“Thank you, Dex.” She leans up, like she’s going to kiss my cheek, but I block her with my shoulder and pull away.
“Go on,” I urge in a gruffer tone.
Behind me, Malik exchanges a few words with her before her heels click away. He cracks his knuckles while I study the two clowns in front of me.
I’ve been working at Crystal Ball and rolling around with the filthiest fuckers long enough to recognize the stench of trouble. It rolls off these entitled assholes in waves.
I’m going to enjoy this.
Am I worked up more than this situation calls for because of my earlier encounter with Inga? Maybe. But who gives a fuck? Purging this violent energy now will calm me for the conversation Emily and I need to have later.
Whatever the reason, I’m about to deliver a painful lesson.
Ever since we voted Rock in as our president, the MC has forbidden any exchange of sex for money inside Crystal Ball. Girls get caught offering anything more than a dance, they’re fired on the spot. If customers try to solicit our dancers, they’re kicked out. This is one reason I hadn’t been thrilled about hiring some of Loco’s girls. Even if they wanted to transition to dancing instead of prostitution, the customers didn’t know that. Crystal Ball isn’t located far from Loco’s brothel. That our customers might overlap isn’t a surprise.
We need to stay off of law enforcement’s radar. Being known as the place strippers will blow you in the back room for a couple extra dollars is a surefire way to have cops in here on the regular. Eventually, that would invite questions about some of the MC’s other activities.
The VIP rooms aren’t big. Z redecorated each one with a different theme in mind. This one must’ve been his version of “sleazy hotel lobby.” At least that’s what I’ve called it since the first time he showed it to me. A curved leather-like couch lines one wall. A low, round table that the girls use as a mini-stage rests in the middle of the small room. The walls are covered in some kind of black-and-white velvet wallpaper. Two cameras in the corners are focused on the couch and table.
Malik’s blocking the door behind me. He’ll make sure no one escapes without punishment.
I stalk around the table, wishing for the thousandth time it wasn’t nailed to the fucking floor so I could kick it out of my way. Shaking out my arms and flexing my fingers, I keep my eyes on the one who’d been holding the girl.
“What part of ‘no touching’ and ‘hands to yourself’ confused you?” I point to the large, red sign on the wall that has those words spelled out in white capital letters.
“It’s a fucking strip club, my dude,” he says in this overly goofy, boys bonding sort of way that irritates the ever-loving shit out of me.
“That means they dance, you watch,” Malik rumbles. “Not touch.”
“Or help them off with their clothes,” I add, slanting a look at the other clown. He grins at me like he’s proud of himself.
You’re gettin’ punched first, smart-ass.
They take in the grave expression on my face and seem to realize I’m not here to congratulate them. The first one shoves his buddy and tries to work his way around the table.
I reverse direction, blocking his escape.
He tries to run the other way.
Not interested in a game of merry-go-round, I end the dance by jumping up on the table and bringing my fist down on the groper’s cheek.
Pain ripples over my knuckles but I ignore it.
The guy falls back on the couch, clutching his face.
Behind me, Malik snickers. “You two fucked around with the wrong dude and now you gonna find out.”
Ignoring him, I grab the other one by the collar, yanking him forward. This one has some fight in him. He throws a wild punch.
Crack.
His knuckles actually catch my chin. My head snaps to the side.
I let out an annoyed grunt as I absorb the blow. Standing on the table is no longer giving me an advantage. I throw the guy who hit me Malik’s way and concentrate on the other one. He rolls off the couch, landing on his feet and springs up with his fists curled, prepared to block any punches.