Chapter 25
I sat back at the bar with Lexi. Tess had still yet to appear from her private room - it seemed she was either being given an extra long dance or that she'd paid for another. I wouldn't count against either of those happening.
“So what happened with Kyle?” Lexi asked me from behind the bar. “He sounded really angry on the phone.”
“I don't even know what to say with that guy,” I said, speaking the God's honest truth, “he blows hot and cold.”
“Was he angry about you bringing Tess here?” Lexi asked again. “I don't think they like it when random people come down here.”
“Oh yeah, he was pretty clear about that.” I neglected to tell her about what happened after. “He had to go see his dad so chucked me out. He sounded worried about it. You know anything about that?”
Lexi nodded knowingly. “I haven't met him myself but I've heard a few things. Apparently he's the owner, and not someone you want to cross. He's the reason the set up is so tight down here. As soon as someone knows who runs the place, they wouldn't even consider messing with one of the girls. It's why you don't see any security actually on guard. They're around, but hidden away in the back just in case. It doesn't matter who you are - if you mess with one of us, you get burned.”
“Shit, no wonder Kyle sounded so worried. I guess he didn't realize his dad had seen me bring Tess in here too.” F*ck, what if he fires me.
“Yeah,” Lexi laughed, “Kyle is one thing but Mr Logan is something else. I dunno though, it kinda makes me feel safe working here. You just know they've got your back, which you can't say for everywhere.”
The door suddenly opened to the private area over at the side and Tatiana walked through, several notes still caught in her G-string. Tess followed behind, a beaming smile on her face. She rushed forward towards me and excitedly gave me a hug. “Babe, thanks SO much for bringing me down here! I f*cking love it!”
Bloody hell she really was unique.
“Glad you've got it out of your system!” I joked.
“Out of my system!” she said energetically. “Hell no, I'm not done with this place!”
My tone turned more serious when I next spoke. “No hun, you won't be allowed back. This was a one time thing.”
“What, no, why? What's the problem?”
“It's an exclusive place babe, they don't let just anyone in. Kyle wasn't happy that you had a dance.”
“Well f*ck that,” she said indignantly, “I paid my money. What is it, because I'm a girl or something?!”
“No it's not like that. They just run a very tight ship down here - every man here is vetted carefully before they're allowed down.”
“Well OK, they can vet me. That's fine.”
Why wouldn't she just let this go. She really was a nightmare when she didn't get her way. I didn't like to use the word, but yeah, she was spoiled.
“Look Tess, there are plenty of other strip clubs you can go to if you want. This place is no different.”
She looked glum, a baby who'd thrown it's toys out of the pram. I knew this was just another fad for her, another shiny object for her to enjoy and discard. Her fascination with this place wouldn't last long. At least, that's what I hoped.
“Fine,” she said at long last, her adult side finally coming back round, “let's go.”
I breathed a sigh of relief as we walked from the bar, putting my hand to my ear and mouthing “I'll call you” to Lexi as I followed behind Tess. As we came through the main door Tess stopped. I leaned around her to see Kyle walking back down the corridor towards his office.
He turned at the sound and I saw his face, his eyes shrouded and dark, deepset with worry. He held a paper towel to his lip, stained red with blood that issued from a cut. He smiled meekly at me before turning and continuing through the door to his office, shutting it quietly behind him.
Tess turned to me, her face mischievous. “Is THAT you fancy man?”
“He's not my fancy man Tess, he's my boss.”
“Oh my f*cking God Alice, he's insane. I would strip for him for free any damn time.”
I felt a wave of jealously rush through my body at her words. “Yeah good luck with that,” I said, remembering my failed attempts to do just that.
“I get it now. You said I'd get it, and I do. I'd let him break into my room whenever he wants to, if you know what I mean.” She winked at me and nodded her head down, her cheeky side once more galloping to the fore. She was asbad as him with her mood swings. One minute she's throwing a hissy fit and the next she's busting out some sexual innuendos with a cheeky grin.
I guess the company you keep are reflected by the life you lead. And my life was truly f*cked up right now.