AllFreeNovel
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One Week Later
“Jasmine, I couldn’t give a shit,” I say as I face the half-naked blonde woman who’s trying to make her problems mine. “Rules are rules. And you signed a contract. Your boyfriend lost his mind in here last night because you were giving a lap dance.”
“But…”
I cut her off with a raised hand. “He caused thousands of dollars of damage, not to mention what he’s done to our reputation. You’re fired.”
Tears stream down her cheeks as she runs from my office. I hate being the bad guy but there are rules in place for a reason. No boyfriends or husbands are allowed in the club because they can’t handle seeing their women doing the job they’re being paid for.
“That was harsh,” Sparrow says as he walks in. “Can’t you give her a break?”
I roll my eyes at him so hard I fear they might get stuck in the back of my head. “That’s why you don’t have the big desk. You are too nice.”
My words have him laughing maniacally. “No one has ever called me soft.”
“Just calling it as I see it. As it stands, the damages are being shared half and half by Preacher and the Gypsy Bastards. If you want to keep her on the payroll the Gypsy’s can pay the full amount and have any further damages billed to them.”
He glares at me as he takes a seat on the other side of my desk. “I hate when you get all logical about shit,” he grumbles.
“Now that we have that settled, what brings you to my corner of hell?”
A smile pulls at his lips. “It’s the big guy’s birthday tomorrow.” I nod. “And we want to have a party.”
“I’m not his wife or his mother. You don’t need my permission.”
“I know that. But he would be happy to have you there, and the rest of us would love to have you too,” he says. I appreciate the gesture, but whatever they decide to do doesn’t have to be run by me first.
“I’m on shift tomorrow night. Preacher is going to see his dad,” I explain. “I can drop by after I’m done.”
Sparrow tilts his head to the side as he considers me. “You really don’t mind, do you?”
Taking a deep breath, I try to explain as best as I can. “I love spending time with all of you. I just can’t give him what he wants.” Sparrow nods and I watch the sadness in his eyes that he tries to hide from everyone.
“You really have adapted well to us assholes, haven’t you?” Sparrow smiles.
“It was easier than I thought it would be.”
“Meaning?”
“You guys are better than most civilians I know, and I wasn’t expecting that. You all welcomed me with open arms and didn’t ever make me feel like I was a burden. Most other people would have shown me the door.” I shrug.
“You have a very dark view of life.” He chuckles as he stands to leave. “I’ll save you a piece of cake.”
“Thanks.”
For hours I sit in my office interviewing new dancers, waitresses, and even a bouncer. The day wears on and before I even realize it. Beast is standing in my doorway looking fine in his dark-wash jeans and a t-shirt.
“You look stressed,” he says.
“Wow. A compliment.”
Beast and I have come to this weird standstill in our non-relationship. We are friendly enough with each other but that’s all. We don’t hug and we never spend time alone. He still sends me flowers every day and brings me coffee when he can, but he doesn’t ask for more. I know he will eventually, and I honestly don’t know if I have it in me to push him away again.
I don’t know if I even want to. The memory of our last kiss in the storeroom is seared into my mind.
“I just meant that you need a break,” Beast says with a shrug.
“I have a week off next month. I’m going to visit Lane.”
