Chapter 13 #2
Again, when the dance was over, the dancer scooped up her cash and clothing and then hurried off the stage.
The murmuring seemed to increase as we waited for Aubrielle to come out.
I overheard Astrid telling everyone how sweet she thought Aubrielle was.
I had to agree with her. I was curious to see how our stripper virgin did tonight.
I noted that several men, positioned at the edge of the stage, were leaning forward with hungry and eager expressions. Their hands clutched a stack of bills.
Suddenly, I saw Astrid and the other old ladies removing bundles of money from their purses. “Baby, what is that for?” I asked.
“What does it look like? We’re going to throw some on stage for Aubrielle. No rule says women can’t tip, too, is there?”
I chuckled. “No, there’s no rule. Have fun. If you run out, let me know.”
Her smile was huge after she smacked me on the lips with hers.
The lighting changed, and then the music began to play.
Aubrielle came out, and while her costume wasn’t the most provocative I’d seen, there was something about its innocence combined with her face and body, along with the routine she had, that made it hard to look away from her.
I noted how spellbound many of the men were.
I admired her technique and artistry, but I wasn’t attracted to her.
That wasn’t the case for most. Hell, I even caught the looks Romulus, Remus, and Sandman were giving her.
Shadow was much more reserved and harder to read, though he never looked away.
I’d have to remind the single guys that we didn’t sleep with our employees for a good time.
When Aubrielle finished, the roar of approval was louder than before.
The cash flew onto the stage. She was gathering it as quickly as she could, along with her clothes.
Our wives enjoyed adding to it based on their smiles and laughter.
Aubrielle spotted us, and I gave her a nod. Her smile was tentative.
She was almost through picking up her cash when one of the men along the stage jumped out of his chair and charged the stage.
He tried to grab her arm. Aubrielle stumbled back with an expression of fright written on her face.
However, she had nothing to worry about.
The bouncers who guarded the stage intercepted him.
They circled the guy, and a conversation commenced.
While they had it handled, I got up to see how it was resolved.
Astrid stood as well. “I’m going to go see if she’s okay.”
“Okay, see you in a few. You know where to go. And I know. You’re taking the others with you.” I grinned.
The ladies giggled and nodded. I left them to say goodbye to their old men so I could hear what the overenthusiastic guy had to say. When I got to them, I hung back and let our bouncers handle it.
“I just want her number,” the man was telling my team. Marco and Paul exchanged bored looks. They heard this and so many other lines all the time.
“Our dancers don’t accept numbers or give theirs out. Didn’t you see the signs? Stay off the stage and no touching the dancers or waitresses,” Marco growled.
“Yes, but I need to speak to her. How else can I talk to her if I’m not allowed to approach her or get her phone number?” the man asked.
“That’s the idea. You’re not speaking to her or any of the others. And before you ask, no, she doesn’t give private lap dances or anything more. We’re not that kind of establishment,” Paul added.
“I have a job for her. I’m a talent agent and she’d be perfect for a few of my clients,” the guy babbled.
There was desperation in his voice. I was tired of listening to him. He wasn’t going to settle, which meant he needed to be ejected for the night. Moving forward, I made myself known to him. My bouncers knew I was there and had seen my signal for them to continue when I walked up.
“Sir, I’m the manager. These gentlemen are right.
None of our people gives out their names or information.
Nor are customers to rush the stage or attempt in any way to touch them.
We don’t have private rooms or ‘specials’ in the back.
If you come here to enjoy the show, then we’re golden.
However, you didn’t do that and scared one of our girls.
You’re leaving. In the future, if you return and cause trouble, you will be permanently banned. Do you understand me?”
“I-I didn’t mean to scare her. Please, let me apologize to her. I only wanted to see if she would come in for an audition. I got overly excited. She’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. You have no idea how long I’ve been searching for her.”
He wasn’t going to leave without us getting physical unless I did one thing. It might work. “Sir, if you give me your information, I’ll pass it to her. It’ll be up to her to decide whether to contact you or not. That’s the only way you’ll get to contact her.” I made my tone stern.
He thought about it for a few seconds, then nodded.
“Thank you. Here, let me get my card.” My guys gave me puzzled looks. I’d explain after this guy left. Moments later, I had the card, and the man was saying goodbye as he calmly left. We watched him clear out the door. As soon as he was outside, Marco asked the question on both bouncers’ minds.
“Boss, what was that? Are we doing this now?”
“No, we’re not, but I don’t need a fight tonight, and he was prepared to resist. I’ve got the old ladies here, and nothing is spoiling their fun.
I’m not giving it to Aubrielle. That guy is so full of shit, he stinks.
He’s no talent agent. I’ll hang onto this in case he comes back and causes trouble.
Thanks for the quick response. He scared her. ”
“No problem, and Aubrielle is precious. Not sure why she’s here stripping, but we’ll keep a close eye on her. She’s already gaining admirers. She’s good even if she’s never done this,” Paul said. I heard the protectiveness in his voice. Marco nodded in agreement.
We spent a few minutes chatting about any concerns they had.
It mainly was folks they had their eyes on as potential ones to get out of line.
They knew the signs to look for. The two of them had worked for us for a few years.
After we were through, I let them get back to work.
I then noticed the women hadn’t returned to our table.
My brothers were sitting there talking. I decided to check on them before joining the guys.
Knowing them, the women were back there gabbing and checking out costumes.
I was stopped by a few customers who knew me.
It was brief hellos, but it did slow me down.
Finally, I reached the backstage dressing room.
As I did, I heard a raised female voice.
I rushed in. The women were used to no one knocking, though I usually did and announced myself.
Those who were uneasy about being naked wore robes or changed in a screened area. This time, I wasn’t showing manners.
I found some dancers seated, watching a small huddle of women. Of course, in that huddle were all the old ladies, Aubrielle, and another dancer, Cherisse. She had been the one to go on before Aubrielle tonight. She was the person shouting. Her face was twisted up in anger.
“It’s goddamn unfair! Just because you’re friends with their old ladies, you get a better spot than I do? That’s bullshit. I’ve worked here for two years!”
“I told you to back off. And she’s not getting a better spot than anyone else because she’s friends with us.
This is the second time we’ve seen her. The first was at her audition.
Mayhem told me that it’s the customers who decide the order of the dancers based on their reactions and the money they spend.
If you’d watched her, you would’ve seen that the crowd loved her, she got more money, and her routine was better than yours.
I guess it’s time to improve your game. What worked two years ago no longer does.
It’s life. It happens in every job,” Astrid calmly informed her.
They were so immersed in their argument that they hadn’t noticed me. The other dancers did. I held my finger up to my lips. I wanted to see how they handled this.
“Just because you’re with a Punisher, you think you can come in here and tell us what to do. Well, you’re wrong—the only ones who can do that are Mayhem or one of the other actual members. You have no say here,” Cherisse snapped.
“We may not have authority in the true sense, but we can and will intercede when someone is being bullied, and that’s what you’re doing. I suggest you sit down and shut it before you make this worse than it is,” Alisse told her.
“Go to hell,” Cherisse spat back.
I’d heard enough. I walked swiftly over to them. Before I reached them, Astrid spoke again. “If I go, I’m taking you with me. I don’t tolerate bullies, and if you keep this shit up, you won’t like me even more. I may not be able to fire your ass, but my old man can. Don’t make me do that.”
“Fuck you, bitch! You think he’ll do that? I’m a top earner and we’ve been special friends for a long time, if you know what I mean.” Cherisse smirked.
Outrage hit me at her insinuation. I’d never touched any of the dancers, and no one was going to say that I had.
“What seems to be the problem here?” I asked, masking my anger and the fact that I’d overheard what Cherisse said.
All of them swung around to face me. A momentary look of worry flitted across Cherisse’s face, then it was replaced with a smiling, simpering expression.
Aubrielle was worried. The old ladies were calm, and Astrid smiled.
I held out my arm, and she came over and slid against me. I kissed her temple.