Chapter 13 #3
“Mayhem, this isn’t fair. I was telling Aubrielle there had been a mistake, and she should’ve gone first tonight.
I have two years of seniority. Then these women started arguing with me.
I know they’re old ladies in the club, but they don’t have the authority to tell us what to do, or to fire us.
” Her tone held a whine, something I hated.
“Anything else said or done that I should know about?” I asked. I wanted to see how much Cherisse would lie. The small amount I heard was enough to determine her fate.
“Yes, there is. She didn’t just say that to Aubrielle.
She screamed it and grabbed her arm. She shook her and yelled in her face.
When we told her to stop, she didn’t and argued.
I suggested that if she wants to change the order, she should refresh her routine.
Aubrielle received more applause and money than she did, and her routine was much better.
This one didn’t appreciate us saying that.
It seems to me that reciting the rules of who goes in the order that you told me wasn’t enough.
Oh, and she called me a bitch before she told me how the two of you were old fuck buddies,” Astrid calmly explained.
There was no indication in my woman’s expression that she believed the fuck buddy part, which relieved me. However, I would make that clear just in case anyone thought it. The other dancers were busy whispering excitedly to one another.
“I never said we were fuck buddies, Mayhem! She’s lying,” Cherisse wailed. Her eyes filled with tears. I knew when I was being played. Cherisse could turn on the waterworks at will. I’d seen her and many others do it over the years. Bunnies were often good at it, too.
“Cut the crap, Cherisse. You said you were special friends and smirked. We’re not stupid. We knew what you meant,” Troian told her.
Cherisse was opening her mouth, but I spoke before she could.
“Let me tell you this. I walked in, and I heard enough to know you were bullying Aubrielle. You were disrespectful to all the old ladies, especially mine. You stated they had no authority here. You’re wrong.
They do. Just because they just started coming here and this is the first time they’ve interceded doesn’t mean they can’t.
They would consult with me or another brother in cases of terminations, but they can prevent bullying and, if necessary, ask you to leave. ”
The astonishment on Cherisse’s face was amusing.
I continued, “If you had pushed this and gotten physical, Astrid would’ve cleaned the floor with you.
She’s trained in hand-to-hand combat. She was a Navy fighter pilot.
As for us being ‘special friends’, that’s a damn lie.
I have never been with you or any other person who works here.
That includes even a kiss. I don’t do that.
And you insinuating it to my wife is unacceptable.
I should fire your ass right here and now. ”
Cherisse gasped, then she was begging. “Please, please don’t do that. I need this job. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Please, Mayhem.”
“I’m not sure I can believe that. There’s the disrespect you paid not only to the wives, but also to Aubrielle.
She had nothing to do with determining the order.
I do. I have the final say, and I made my decision based on what Astrid told you.
You want better placement? Then improve your dance and maybe your costumes.
And don’t get me started on your ‘special friends’ bullshit. I never want to hear that lie again.”
As we talked, dancers left and returned. After all, the show had to go on. No one out in the audience knew there was a problem, which was the way we wanted it. It was the sound of heavy tread that made me glance over my shoulder. No surprise, there stood all my brothers. They were glowering.
“Is there a problem?” Reaper asked.
“Yeah, but I’ve got it handled. Just finishing up, then we can return to enjoying ourselves,” I informed him.
Our president was giving his signature stare.
The one that scared the shit out of people and made them understand why he was called Reaper.
I heard Cherisse whimper. The other old ladies dispersed and went to their old men.
I noticed the four single brothers came to stand with me and Astrid.
I got back to Cherisse. I glanced over at Aubrielle. She was still uncomfortable.
“Aubrielle, I want to hear what you think I should do to Cherisse. You were the one she verbally attacked and grabbed. Should I put her on probation and make her work the first dance of the night for the next month, or should I fire her ass?”
When I mentioned that Aubrielle was grabbed, I heard a low rumble come from one of my brothers, but I wasn’t sure who. Shadow was stony-faced, and the others were glaring at Cherisse, who had turned pale.
The silence was tense as we waited for Aubrielle’s answer. She scanned our faces, including the old ladies’, and then settled on Cherisse. It was about two minutes or so before she answered. I was glad to see she thought about it and didn’t give an immediate answer.
“Everyone can make a mistake. We all deserve a second chance in most instances. Please don’t fire her.
If you want to discipline her in some way, that’s up to you.
I don’t want trouble, and I’d like to be friends with everyone.
Like the rest, I need this job. I hate the idea of someone being without one,” she softly replied.
I gave Aubrielle a short nod, then went back to Cherisse.
“You’d better thank her for saving your ass.
I was inclined to fire you and will if there is any further fighting, including verbal or physical contact or aggression.
If you’re disrespectful to any of the old ladies, you’ll be out of here.
Remember, I make the schedule, not the dancers.
Now, let’s get back to work. We’ve wasted enough time on this. ”
Before we left the room, all the women had to say goodbye to Aubrielle. They hugged her. I told her everything would be alright, and what a good job she did. She blushed. Leaving them, I wondered if this would solve the problem. I prayed that it would. I detested conflict at work.