Slade (The Protectors #6)

“Yeah, hon.” Sid’s voice turned serious as if he was there if she needed him.

“Shut the fuck up.” The laughter made her feel better, as if they were in the room and everything was going to be okay. “And, Sloan, I want a raise…a big one when I start getting paid.”

Laughter echoed in her ear as she opened the door and walked out. More women, who Jill figured had been out the front dancing when she came in, filled the back dressing room. A large man stood in the middle holding a sheet of paper, his eyes scanning the women.

“Hot damn, Lola.” Cherry pulled her over after Jill shoved her clothes in her bag. “I love that outfit. Where’d you get it and what colors did it come in.”

“You can talk girl crap after your shift, Cherry.” The man had walked up, his eyes checking Jill out as if she was his next snack. “Who are you?”

“Lola.” Jill kept her voice firm. She knew this guy’s type. He fed on the weak.

His eyes grossly ran over her body again before searching his paper. “You take table six. Everybody else has their regulars except for Monica who is at table three, and Pepper you’re at table eight.”

“Ah, sorry about your luck.” A woman, with short black hair patted her on the arm. “He’s in rare form tonight.”

“George?” Cherry frowned, shaking her head. “Well, hey, he might be good for your first night to break you in. He doesn’t demand much other than talking.”

“Talking?” Jill acted like the newbie she was. “We didn’t do much talking with the customers at the other clubs I’ve worked for.”

“These men are rich and pay good money, so if they want to talk…we talk. They want us to dance…we dance and if they want us to fuck…we fuck, but after hours and away from here.” Cherry laughed at Jill’s face. “Got to pay the bills, honey. But that last part, the fucking part, is not required.”

“Good to know,” Jill nodded, following the women and wondering briefly if Sloan somehow managed for her be at George’s table. If so, he was damn good.

“Hey, don’t knock it,” a woman who was walking past grinned. “And Monica, you’ve got a gorgeous vampire at your table. I tried the fucking thing after hours with his hot ass, but he didn’t bite. No pun intended.”

The women laughed. Jill joined in, knowing she was talking about either Duncan or Damon.

“I’m up for the challenge.” Monica pushed her boobs up, fluffed her hair and licked her lips. “Once you go vampire, it’s hard to find a good fuck with your own kind.”

“You ready?” Cherry smiled at her.

“Yes,” Jill replied, smiling back, but her hands were clenched so tightly, she felt one of her press-on nails bend.

“You’ll do great, girl, and remember security is thick out there, so any problems, just let them know.” Cherry squeezed her arm before they exited the back room and walked onto a stage.

Jill followed, but stopped when Cherry did. The women were all positioned on the stage. A man’s voice filled the room and Jill had no idea what he was saying, nor did she care. She did, however, place a sexy smile on her face as she scanned the room. She found Duncan and Damon right away; they were both looking at her. She followed Damon’s eyes as he looked away toward a man, George Groper. The tables they sat at were round and large, with a gold-plated stripper pole going through the center to the ceiling. Every table had one chair with one man. Small steps were placed for the girls to climb up on the table.

As the women moved, Jill once again followed. She watched closely and imitated Cherry, swaying her hips provocatively, praying she didn’t fall on her face. She really should have been trained to walk in the damn shoes.

“Just follow me. Your table is to the right of mine,” Cherry said over her shoulder with a smile. Soft, sexy instrumental music played as they walked down the steps from the large stage and to their tables.

Jill sashayed to her table, her eyes meeting George’s for the first time. He picked his glass up, taking a long drink, his eyes looking her up and down. He looked younger than in his picture and actually handsome, but there was something about his eyes that bothered her. A somewhat haunted look.

Climbing the three small steps carefully, Jill glanced to see the other women posed on the pole and stand perfectly still. She followed, doing the same thing. Looking down at George, he had his phone out sending a text. Her eyes shot to Damon, who glanced away from the woman at his table to her, but for a brief second, his eyes shot to George then away. Within seconds, the music started. It was a seductive beat of music. Jill began to move her body, but she felt like she was going to hyperventilate.