by Nyx, Angel
For just a moment, our eyes locked, and I swear I felt it to my fucking bones. It was visceral. Watching her up on that stage had me hard as a rock. When the moment ended, I tore my eyes away from the stage and took in my surroundings. I noticed the manager, Harry, talking with one of the dancers. The look on her face told me it wasn't a pleasant conversation and I discreetly made my way over to them to listen in.
“Harry, I don't want to do this.”
“They've paid a lot of money for their special request, Chablis. Get your sweet ass in that room and show them a good time. It's just four of them.”
That was all I needed to hear. It not only confirmed the rumor we'd heard about management allowing the women to be coerced into fucking customers, the bastardo took an active role in the coercion. I knew what Pop would want me to do in this situation. Stop it.
“Don't worry, sweetheart, they'll be getting their money back.”
“Who the fuck are you?” Harry snarled.
I couldn't help but smirk at Harry. “Gio. Marchetti.” At the flash of fear in his eyes, I smirked. “I see you recognize the name. Consider this your termination notice. Get whatever shit you have in the manager's office and get the fuck out of here. Now.”
“I'm confused. What's going on?” the dancer asked as Harry damn near bolted away from us.
“Chablis, is it? What's going on is the club is under new ownership. There are going to be some changes around here. One of those changes is management.” I was going to have to give some thought on who to bring in to help run the place. “You'll have a new manager, but for now, I'm it and I don't put up with the shit he did. There won't be any more 'special requests'.”
“You're serious. Damn, the girls are going to be thrilled. That asshole pocketed most of the extra cash from whoring us out to some of the customers.”
“That's what I figured. That's what scum like him do. Anyone else involved in his side business?” Easiest way to get to the truth was to ask the ones who were used to line their pockets.
“The bartender, Nick, and that shitty bouncer, Terry.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. Spread the word to the other girls. And don't worry about any backlash from tonight.” I winked at her and smirked at the smile she gave me. I saw that coming.
“If you're interested in a good time, I'm free the rest of the night.”
She gave me a 'come hither' smile that might have worked on any other night. “Thanks for the offer but I'm going to pass.”
“Suit yourself. If you change your mind, I'm here ‘til closing.” She put her hand on my arm and gave it a squeeze before she walked away.
I watched as she sauntered off and didn't miss the way she added an extra sway to her hips. Don't get me wrong, she was attractive- she had to be in order to be an exotic dancer- but she didn't get my blood heating the way Lola did. I wondered what Lola's real name was. I was determined to find out before the end of the night.
Chapter Five
Carly
We were just finishing the group set when I spotted Chablis flirting with the Italian stallion. Unreasonable jealousy flared at the way she touched him. What. The. Hell? There was no reason for the jealousy. It wasn't like he was my man or something. I didn't have a man. I hadn't had one since Rico was killed. There was no reason for me to be jealous but that didn't stop the feeling from flaring up at her smile. Fucking bitch. I knew she was propositioning him. It didn't take a genius to figure that much out. By the time we were done and I was able to leave the stage, I was seething.
“You should have seen the look on Harry's face when he was told he was fired. Oh my God, I wish I'd had a camera.”
What was Chablis going on about?
“Did you see that Italian hottie? It seems he's the new owner or something. I didn't even know the club was being sold. Did you, Lola?”
“Hell no. Don't you think I would have mentioned it if I had? I don't think anyone knew. It doesn't matter much. Just because we have a new owner doesn't mean anything has changed.”
“That's just it, Lola. It has changed. Harry took money from these guys who wanted a group thing, with just me, and Gio, that's who he introduced himself as, told me I didn't have to do that shit anymore.”
I frowned. If that was the case, why did he proposition me when I offered him a lap dance? I got dressed, removed the makeup I wore on stage, and headed out into the club. I wanted some answers and I wanted them now.
I spotted Gio near the bar and made a beeline for him. “A little birdie told me we've had a change in management. And ownership. And policy. Interesting, considering you propositioned me when I offered you a lap dance.” I watched as his gaze traveled down my body and back up, taking in the jeans that hugged my curves. “What the fuck was that earlier, Gio?”
“Hello to you, too, Bella. That was me blending in. I couldn't very well show my hand right away. I needed to know if the rumors were true. I'll take this to mean Chablis has already started spreading the word.”
“Yeah. She told us what you did. So, did you take her up on her offer? I know she offered to fuck you. It's what she does.” No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't keep the anger out of my voice. He chuckled and smirked at my question and that just pissed me off even more.
“No, Bella, I didn't take her up on her offer. It's cute you're jealous, though.”
I scoffed at him. “Jealous? Please.” Did he have to be so fucking observant?
“So you wouldn't care if I fucked her against the wall, then? You wouldn't care if I tied her up, bent her over, and took her from behind?”
Oh lord, the images he invoked in my head had me so hot I was going to have to go home and get BOB out. You know who BOB is right? Battery Operated Boyfriend. His is the only attention I've had in years. “Not at all,” I ground out between clenched teeth. This time he didn't just chuckle, he laughed.
“Aren't you amusing, Bella? Something tells me I am going to enjoy working here.”
I tried to glare at him for his teasing but I know it fell short of reaching my eyes. There was just something about the man that made it difficult to be angry with him. “Don't bet on it.” I turned and moved to walk away.
“Not so fast, Bella.” His hand curled around my arm to stop me. “You have me at a disadvantage.”
“Oh? And what disadvantage is that?”
“You know my name but I don't know yours.”
“Sure you do. It's Lola.” He stepped in close and I could smell his cologne.
“No, Bella. I don't want your stage name. I want your real name.”
My eyes widened at that. I didn't tell anyone there at work what my real name was but it wouldn't take much for him to find it if he looked at my employee record. “Carly.” Why did it feel oddly right to tell him my real name?
“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Have a good night, Bella.”
He took my hand, lifted it to his mouth, and kissed it, before he let go. Sweet baby Jesus, the man was going to be the death of me. “I plan to.” BOB was going to get one hell of a work out tonight. Heading home that night, I couldn't help but wonder if he would be thinking about me while jacking himself off.
Chapter Six
Gio
Carly. Beautiful, that was what she was. I'd thought she was a looker all dolled up for the stage, but with her face clean of makeup and those hip hugging jeans showing off her curves, she was smoking hot. I'd seen her half naked already and yet, it was those jeans paired with a tank top that clung to her luscious breasts that really turned me on.
I'd had a bit of trouble earlier with the group that had it in their head they could pay for a gang-bang with one of the dancers, but all I had to do was tell them my name and they were suddenly agreeable.
By the time the night was over, and I was able to leave, I'd made a mental note of the changes I needed to go over with Pop in the morning. I didn't think he'd be pissed at me for firing Harry before talking to him, not once I tell him why. The rest of the changes, howe
ver, had to go through him.
Walking into my home, I can't help but notice how empty it feels. I'd never noticed that before. It's not until later, when I'm in bed thinking about Carly's full, kissable lips, that I realize what's missing. A woman's touch.
I stepped into the home I grew up in and was met by my mother. “Mio figlio, it's been too long.”
“I was just here on Sunday, Mama.” I leaned down to kiss her cheek even as I spoke.
“And it's Thursday now. It's been almost a week.”
“Sorry, Mama, work has kept me busy.”
“You work too hard. When are you going to find a nice girl and bring her home to meet your Mama?”
“As soon as I find one that can hold a candle to you.” Her laugh made me smile. “Pop in his office?”
“Si. Where else would he be?”
“With Pop, you never know.” I kissed her cheek again and made my way to my father's office where I knocked and waited for him to beckon me in.
“Gio. How did it go last night at Dangerous Curves?”
“Hey, Pop. I've got a list of things we need to address.” I take a seat across from him in his office and wait for his response.
“That bad, eh?”
“The club needs a new manager. I fired Harry last night. He was behind some of the girls being coerced into having sex with customers. While I was there last night, he'd taken money from a group that wanted to have a gang-bang with one of the girls.” I heard the disgusted grunt that came from my Pop. The slew of Italian curses that followed wasn't surprising.
“Good riddance. Who do we have that we can put in his place?”
If you were to ask me where I got the idea, I couldn't have told you. All I know is that, all of a sudden, I knew who the perfect person for the position was. “I've already got someone in mind. One of the dancers. Hear me out before you veto the idea, Pop. When I first arrived at the club, some drunk damn near knocked her on her ass. When he said the only women in the club were bitches and whores and then called her one, she didn't bristle or get offended. She handled herself with poise. She then offered me a lap dance and when I propositioned her, she turned me down flat. Who better to run the club than someone who will have the dancers' best interests at heart, someone who has been on the stage?” I waited patiently for his thoughts on it.
“See that it is done. What else?”
“One bartender and a bouncer. The bouncer lets women in without checking ID. And both he and the bartender helped coerce the dancers. The floors need to be redone and the men's bathroom is atrocious. It could also stand to have a fresh coat of paint. Some of the chairs may need to be reupholstered, but most of that is cosmetic. The biggest issues are the bouncer and bartender, and low pay for the employees.”
“I leave the club in your capable hands. See that the changes are made quickly.”
“Will do, Pop.” I left his office and headed right for the club. I needed to go over the finances and see if there was enough to cover the costs of repairs and updates without touching family money. First, however, I needed to replace the bartender and bouncer.
“Frankie, it's Gio.” Francesco 'Frankie' Basile was famiglia. His mama was my pop's cousin which made him my cousin. “I've got a job for you. La Famiglia just acquired an exotic dance club and I had to get rid of one of the bouncers. There are a couple other bouncers, but he was the only one who was a problem. Not only was he helping to coerce some of the dancers into fucking the customers for money, he was letting women in without checking to make sure they were legal.”
“Hey, Gio. You know La Famiglia can count on me. Oh, that's non bene. That can bring the cops down on us. We don't need that shit. When do you want me to start?”
“Tonight.”
“I'll be there.”
“I knew I could count on you. The club is Dangerous Curves. Be here at five. The doors open at six.”
“See you at five.”
That done, I had one more call to make.
“Antonio here. What can I do for you, Gio?”
I chuckled at his greeting. Antonio was Frankie's older brother, by five minutes, but you wouldn't know it by looking at them. Thank fuck they weren’t identical twins. “You can put those bartending skills of yours to work. La Famiglia just acquired an exotic dance club and I had to make some staffing changes.”
“What were they doing?”
“Coercing the dancers into fucking customers.”
He swore before he spoke again. “Just tell me what time you want me there.”
Again, I set it for five then hung up. That would give me time to fire the old bartender and bouncer and fill Frankie and Antonio in before the club opened. I spent the remainder of my afternoon going over club finances with a fine tooth comb. It seemed every single employee, besides the former bartender and bouncer, were underpaid. They would all be getting a raise.
Chapter Seven
Carly
There were days when I found myself second guessing my decision to not let Harry coerce me into fucking the customers. It would have put a little more money in my pocket even if my pride would have taken a huge hit. Today was starting out to be one of those days.
“It's not fair! Ricky has that new game I really want and he keeps bragging! How come I can't have it too, Mama?”
It broke my heart when I couldn't give my son the things he wanted. Like now. “I'm sorry, Vita Mia, you know I would get it for you right now if I could. Maybe next payday.” Even if it meant I went without.
“I know, Mama. I'm sorry.”
His pouting made my heart hurt. “It's all right, Amato. I know it's hard when Ricky brags about the things his mama gives him. I have to leave for work soon, Eli. You be a good boy for Risa.”
“Are you gonna be home before I go to sleep?”
“I don't know, Vita Mia. I'll try.” I kissed the top of his head before I ruffled his hair. “I love you to the moon and back, Amato.”
“Love you to the moon and back, too, Mama,” came his reply.
“Don't worry, if you don't make it home before he falls asleep, I'll have him call to tell you goodnight.”
“Thanks, Risa. Tonight is supposed to be an early night but we both know that doesn't always happen.”
“No, it doesn't. See you when you get home tonight.”
By the time I got to work, I was already dreading the night. Sure, Harry was gone, but that didn't mean much in the grand scheme of things. He wasn't the only one who pressured the dancers into fucking customers for money. It also didn't change the fact I still had to take my clothes off for a bunch of horny drunks who don't know how to keep from putting their grubby hands places they didn't belong. On top of that, there was no telling what kind of boss Gio was going to turn out to be or who he was going to bring in to manage the club.
Entering the club through the employee entrance, my eyes immediately went to where Gio stood at the bar with two other men. Neither man was familiar. A frown creased my brow. Who were they and where were Nick, the bartender, and Terry, who was a piss poor bouncer but he'd been there for years?
“Carly. Just the woman I was waiting on. Come here a minute.”
My frown deepened at the summons and the use of my real name. “It's Lola once I walk through those doors.”
“Not anymore.”
“Excuse me?” I couldn't help but bristle at his words.
“Relax, Bella, it's a good thing. As you already know, Harry is no longer here, which means Dangerous Curves needs a new manager.”
“Which of you gentlemen will we be answering to?” I assumed one of the strangers would be my new boss.
“Neither. They will be answering to you.”
I blinked at Gio. Then blinked again. “What did you just say?”
“Who better to manage the club than someone who has been up on that stage, someone who will have the dancers' best interests at heart? I spoke with some of the dancers last night, after you left. They all said the same thing. Of all t
he dancers here, you stood up to Harry the most, not just for yourself but for them as well. You refused to be coerced into fucking the customers and he wouldn't fire you because you could get him into too much hot water with the cops. That's the kind of person who should be managing the club.”
I stared at him. “You're serious.”
“I'm serious. It's more work but the hours are better. I'll even give you free reign to hire an assistant manager to share the load. You'll of course get a pay raise if you accept the position, and before you say anything, I have already given every single employee a raise because they were being underpaid. They will also have medical insurance, provided by the company, and benefits, including paid vacation and sick pay. What do you say?”
What do I say? As if I'd be stupid and pass up the opportunity? Unless there was a catch. “What's the catch?”
“No catch. This is a straight forward job offer.”
Two things made the decision for me; getting to hire an assistant manager and the raise. “I say you have yourself a new manager.”
Chapter Eight
Gio
I watched as Carly weighed everything I said to her. Having her take the time to think about the position instead of just jumping in with both feet told me I'd made the right choice. “Then let me introduce you to the newest members of your staff. Frankie here is the club's new bouncer. There were a number of issues with the old bouncer.”
Frankie snorted. “Yeah, issues, that's one word for it.”
I watched as Carly arched a brow and wondered what she was thinking.
“Oh, you mean like letting underage girls in if they promised to suck him off? Yeah, that was definitely a problem.”