His Stripper by Darcy Rose, Isabella Starling
Hazel
Checking the time, I realize it’s already one o’clock in the morning. The night went by fast. The constant influx of people kept me busy and made the hours pass quickly. Myles came by two more times to check on me, and even the girls came to say hi before their sets. I really enjoy this job and not just because of the boss.
However, I will have to get used to working so late. I’d be lying to say I’m not tired. I’m just not used to being up so late. I’m exhausted and ready to fall into bed whenever the club closes.
The door opens, and I perk up, plastering a friendly, welcoming smile on my face. That smile disappears in a blink of an eye when I see who just stepped inside the lobby.
Randy looks up at me, and his face fills with surprise. Clearly, he wasn’t expecting to see me here. His shocked expression quickly turns into a cruel smile and lustful gaze.
“I’ll be damned. Too good to suck my dick, but fine with a bunch of strangers, I see?” He leisurely walks over to my desk.
“I work here.” I grit my teeth.
“That’s what I meant.” He grins, leaning against the desk, and I instinctively lean the other way.
“As a hostess. I take the cover charge. It’s twenty dollars, by the way,” I tell him while Randy looks me up and down. I’m wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a black T-shirt with the Vivid logo on my chest. It’s a modest outfit, but with his eyes on me, I feel less covered than the girl on stage.
“I’m sure you don’t mind covering that for me, sweets. I did take care of you for the last year.”
“Yes, you did a great job taking care of me. Taking the money you get for fostering me to spend on booze while I had to eat expired food that the grocery store throws away.”
“You ate, didn’t you? Only got sick once, so I don’t know what you’re complaining about. I gave you a roof over your head, a futon to sleep on, and food to eat. The least you could do is show some appreciation.”
I open my mouth, ready to tell him how much I didn’t appreciate any of his shit, when the door to the main room opens, and Myles walks in. His eyes fall onto Randy before they ever meet mine.
“Randy. Just on time as always,” Myles greets him like an old friend, and my blood runs cold. Myles knows Randy. They are friends?
“Long time, no see.” Randy nods. “I was just talking to your new hostess.”
“Well, stop talking and get into my office. We have things to discuss.” Only then Myles turns toward me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I shake my head frantically. “I-I just need to go pee,” I lie and rush past both men into the main room. I head straight to the bathroom, not paying attention to anything or anyone. All I can think about is getting away.
I’m so frazzled that I don’t even see someone standing in front of the sink. Without stopping, I plow into her full force.
“Oh my god! I’m so sorry,” I yell, quickly realizing that it’s Holly I just ran over. She almost trips over her five-inch heels but manages to gracefully catch herself from falling.
“That was close, girl.” She giggles, straightening her barely-there mini dress. “You have to go pee that bad? Oh, god, you didn’t just pee yourself, did you?”
“What? No, no! Sorry. I just…” I sigh deeply.
“You okay, Hazel? What’s up?”
“Someone I know just walked in,” I explain. “Do you know Randy?”
“Yeah, he is a friend of Myles. Comes by twice a month to have a drink with him in his office, then he stays to watch a few dances. Little handsy at times, and he tips like shit.”
“I can’t believe he is friends with that guy,” I say more to myself.
“Well, I guess that’s part of being a Hale. I’m sure Myles knows all the scum in this city.”
“What do you mean?”
“Myles is one of the Hale brothers. Didn’t you know that?” She looks at me like I should know what she is talking about, but I have absolutely no clue.
“Ace Hale, Myles’s older brother, is the head of the local mob,” she explains.
Suddenly, I’m dizzy. The world spins around me, and I have to hold the sink to stop myself from collapsing.
The mob? The fucking mob?
My first thought is that she is lying. There is no way, but then I remember all the times people acted weird around him, like they were scared. The random calls, doing stuff for his brother, his busted knuckles. Oh my god.
I turn back to Holly. “Sorry again for running you over.”
“No worries, girl.” She waves me off and starts to reapply her lipstick.
I take one more deep breath, realizing that this bathroom doesn’t smell like a bathroom but more of women’s perfume than anything else. Somehow the scent calms my nerves a little.
Holly leaves a moment later, but I remain in the bathroom for another minute before I finally decide what to do.
I can’t stay here. I have to get away… as far as I can.