CHAPTER 6
Shar
After breakfast I walk through to Sharp’s office and knock on the door, only entering when he shouts ‘come in’. Giving him a smile and receiving one back, I take a seat in front of his desk.
“I’ve had a good think about the strip club. It needs a manager who will keep the women in line, the place clean, and who can organize. Because you are losing a lot of money.”
I cross my legs and tap my fingers on my thigh.
“Would you be willing to let me run the place for a week, giving me full say over what happens, hiring, firing, organizing, ordering, etc.?”
I’m looking closely at Sharp and he looks unconcerned about my request.
“Yeah, no problem with that, Shar, as long as you have one brother at the club with you at all times.”
It’s what I expected so don’t have a problem with it. I give him a smile and nod. “Okay, I’ll get started after lunch. This morning I want to go with Bank to see about buying this garage. It’s got to be in my name until the old guy has signed the papers, then we can re-sign it from me to the MC.”
“Yeah, again, that’s okay with me. We all trust you here, Shar. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t have brought you in. But when Mia gave us the green light and told us how well you have organized the Coffee House for them, we were more than happy to have you come here.”
Sharp stands from his desk, walks around to me and holds his hand out. I place my hand in his and he pulls me to my feet. “Let’s go get a coffee and find someone to be with you at the strip joint.”
“Well, it's gotta be someone who can take orders,”
I tell him, and we look at each other and both laugh.
Walking through the rec room Sharp looks around and shouts to two men sitting at the bar, thankfully not drinking beer at this time in the morning. “Ryder, Cord, follow me.”
The two jump up from the bar and follow us through to the kitchen. Neither asks a question which I’m really surprised to see, but pleased too because if your Pres tells you to jump, the response should be ‘how high?’
Two club whores are cleaning the kitchen after breakfast, and I take notice their ears are wagging. Nodding at Sharp, he takes note and nods at Cord, who walks over to the two of them and whispers in their ears. They give me a dirty look and walk out.
“Did you tell them I said they had to leave?”
I ask Cord, giving him a very pointed look.
“No. They just don’t like the fact you’re here with the Pres and they had to leave.”
Cord takes a seat next to Ryder, and Sharp chuckles, looking at me.
“Were you ready to rip them a new one?”
Sharp asks, but I can see his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Well, if I did, I’m sure you lot would ruin it in five minutes,”
I sassily reply, to which they all hoot with laughter.
“Shar is going with Bank this morning to get the papers completed for the purchase of the garage. After lunch, you two will go with her to the strip club, because Shar is going to manage the place for a few weeks to start with.”
Sharp gives me a wink because I only said a week and he’s trying to add more time to that. “The women need to be brought in, as Shar has things to say to them, and things she’s gonna alter in the place's running. You two will make sure they do as they are told and they are respectful. If not, they can leave their thong on the doorstep as they get out.”
I can’t help the giggle that escapes as I imagine strippers dropping a single thong on the back doorstep as they leave. But I know it’s going to be a tough job to get them onboard with the way I want the club running. But I’m always willing to bust some heads to get what I want, if I have to, in any business that I’m given the respect to manage.
Sitting in the lawyer's office, Bank confirms all the details with Ms. Smithe and I sign the document she hands to me. I don’t bother reading it because I know as soon as the garage is in my name, I’ll be signing again to hand it over to the MC.
“Would you sign here and here?”
She asks, pointing to the X marks she’s placed on the bottom of the three-page sale agreement. Giving her a slight smile, I sign where shown and slide the papers back to her over the desk.
Bank takes out an envelope from his cut pocket and hands it to Ms. Smithe, who opens it, confirms the check is the correct amount, and gives us both a smile. “That will conclude your part of the agreement. I’ll contact the bank and make sure the check’s covered, then if it’s queried, I can say I’ve confirmed the money is in that account.”
Shaking hands, we walk out of the lawyer's office and quickly head to the SUV. I turn to Bank once we’re on the road. “Do you think you could take me straight to the strip club? I want to go through some of the paperwork in the office.”
“Yeah, we can do that. I’ll let Pres know, then none of the brothers will think we’ve gone missing.”
Bank continues driving, listening to the blues on the radio and I’m surprised as you’d expect a biker to listen to rock and have it booming out, at that.
Arriving at the strip club, we walk inside and I take out my phone opening the notes app. Walking to the bar area, I walk the full length of the bar, jotting down things that need attention. Something for the bartenders and the cleaning staff to address.
Bank follows behind me as I walk past the kitchen and to the office. Opening the office door, Ryder and Cord are sitting talking and look up as we enter.
Ryder smiles. “Everything go okay?”
Bank responds before I can speak. “Yeah, we’re all done. Shar will need to sign the garage over, but the old fucker has his money now and he’ll have to hand over the keys. He’s goin’ to be spittin’ mad when he finds out what’s happened.”
“I think we’ll need to keep our eye on Shar’s back because he’s damn mean and Wendy lives at the clubhouse and is a spiteful bitch. We’ll need to keep our eye on her, as she’ll cause Shar trouble if she can.”
Cord stands and gives Ryder and Bank a pointed look.
“Look, don’t worry so much. I can take care of myself. I’ve had a lot of hand-to-hand training. I’m pretty damn good with my weapon and handy with a cleaver, too.”
I wink at Cord, who’s giving me a shocked look. “Okay, I’m going to start looking at paperwork, so Bank, can you find me the payroll information for the staff, please? I’ll look at staff before anything else, then move to the cleaning contract. I want to do this before the staff arrives.”
Checking through the staff, there is none I can cut loose unless they give me a reason. They are all needed to cover the rotation on the bar or dancing. The server staff have been with the club for some time so they have to be reliable, but if not I’ll get rid of them and replace.
Cord walks into the office carrying a plate with a toasted cheese sandwich and a mug of coffee. Placing it in front of me and grinning. “You’ve got to stop a few minutes and eat. The club opens at four and you’ve got to deal with all the staff before that. You can’t work hungry.”
“Thanks, Cord, I’ll eat and I’m about ready to see the staff. Has any arrived yet? I asked the bartenders to come in early, then the serving staff.”
“Yeah, Chuck, Nate, and Steward just arrived.”
Chuckling, I lift an eyebrow questioningly. “They’re all cleaning the bar as if their lives depend on it. You’ve got them rattled and they’ve not even met you yet. Do you think it’s because you’re a redhead?”
Laughing along with Cord feels pretty natural, and I feel easy with the club brothers, even though I know what happened with Mia all those years ago. “Maybe so, but I’m mild unless riled, so they’re safe if they do what they’re supposed to.”
Cord chuckles as he leaves the office, and I return to the paperwork in front of me as I eat and drink. Bank disappeared once he’d given me everything I’d asked for, but every now and again I hear him speaking so he’s in the kitchen next door I’m sure.
Once I’ve finished lunch, I take the plate and mug to the kitchen, where Bank is working on a laptop which I’d not seen him carrying, but hey, it’s not really surprising when you know he’s the club treasurer.
“I’m ready to speak to the bartenders now. I’ll speak to them in the bar area, if that’s okay?”
Bank grins. “Yup, the bar is fine. I’ll come with and Ryder is already in the club watching the door and staff.”
Walking into the bar area, the three bartenders look over at me and I see one swallow with a nervous tick on his jaw. I’m hoping I don’t look that frightening if I’m honest, but I’m happy they are taking this seriously.
“Good day,”
I begin and hold my hand out to the first man, who is very tall, has brown short hair, brown eyes, and fit. “You are?”
“Nate. Nice to meet you, Shar.”
Shaking my hand gently.
Moving to the next, who is much shorter, a little under 6’, I imagine. Blonde, blue eyes, a little overweight but not by much, has plenty of tan so either visits sunbeds or likes the outdoors. Holding my hand out for him to shake, he takes it and smiles. “I’m Chuck, pleased to meet you.”
The last is around 6’4”
and has a man bun, black hair, and gray eyes, he’s a bit more muscled than Nate, but he has a softness about him that has you liking him before he speaks. I hold my hand out again for a shake and he takes it in both his hands, lifting my knuckles to his lips and gives them a gentle kiss. “It’s great to meet you, Shar. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you. My name's Steward, but most call me Ward.”
I extricate my hand and give him a smile before looking at the other two once more. I take a seat at the bar and fold my arms on top of the bar counter. “Okay. Let’s not mess around, wasting either your or my time. The bar area needs work. Shelving needs cleaning. We have fridges not working correctly and I want you to list everything that is wrong that we don’t cover now, and give it to me by the end of tomorrow. Anything you don’t normally clean, I want to know what it is and why you don’t clean it.”
In the next hour, we discuss the bar area. It seems much of the bar problems are the cleaning staff. Rubbing my neck where I feel tension building, I throw out an idea. “What if you all are responsible for the bar area? That will include the cleaning along with giving me a list of what needs ordering stock-wise, and I’ll arrange extra in your wages to cover for that work. If it works out well, I’ll delegate one of you to be head bartender, and that person will get a pay rise along with the responsibility of making sure everything, and I mean everything, is perfect behind the bar and the stock.”
The three look at each other and have a silent conversation, I’m sure, before turning to me and agreeing. Ward turns to look at the main door as it’s opened and frowns, which has me turning to look and I frown along with him when a woman walks in with what I can only describe as a see-through outfit on her body. She may as well not be wearing it as it’s leaving nothing to the imagination, and although she has a decent body, the vile look on her face is enough to scare off anyone.
Cord walks towards her and I hear him ask who she is and what does she want. When she grips his arm and tries to move him to the side, I see he braces himself before snarling. “Touch me again, bitch, and you’ll not have a hand to use.”
Blinking as I’m surprised at Cord’s response, but Ryder walks over to stand next to him. “What are you here for?”
The woman rolls her eyes, looks at me, then gives me a nasty grin. “I’m here for a job. As you can see, I have the body to get the customers looking and I can earn you all a huge profit, plus, of course, myself.”
I can’t help the laugh that bursts out of me. The woman has a nerve walking in here like she’s God’s gift or something. Standing, I walk over and place my hand on Cord's lower back so he knows exactly where I’m standing. “We have no vacancies at the moment for dancers, servers, or bartenders. You’ll have to look elsewhere for employment, as it’s not going to be here.”
“Listen up, bitch,”
she spits out before taking a step toward me. But when the door bursts open and Sharp walks inside with Trip and Crack behind him, I have to admit I’m surprised.
“Oh, well, look what we have here.”
Sharp snarls, stepping towards the woman who, for a second, shows a little fear. “Little Theresa Tits, as you’ve been known, or should we say, whore of the year?”
“I’m here to work, and I can make this place money,”
she says, but Sharp steps into her, nearly going nose-to-nose.
“You think we’d let the town whore work here? Not on your life. Get the fuck out and stay out. Oh, and Theresa, cause us an issue, please, because I know where I can bury you where you’ll never be found, and don’t think anyone would miss you.”
Sharp speaks so calmly that goosebumps run up my arms and hair stands up on the back of my neck.
Turning, she storms to the door, but turns at the last moment, giving Sharp a nasty, cold look. “You’ll get what’s coming.”
Slamming the door as she leaves, I turn and look at Sharp, who throws his head back, laughing. “Oh, Shar, don’t be shocked girl. That woman deserves no kindness. She’s been a nasty piece since she was in kindergarten, and she’s not improved since. Her mother came from money and that gave that bitch the idea her shit don’t stink, but when her mother died she was penniless,”
laughing more before he continues, “so Theresa, instead of working like the rest of the population, decided it was easier to stay in bed and earn a living. She’s trouble and she’s the last thing we want here.”
“I didn’t like her attitude as soon as she walked through the door, so you don’t have to worry about me giving her any work here. But who the heck walks around nearly naked? She wasn’t in the least embarrassed.”
I’m shocked because it looked like she was in a nightie with no underwear on.
Ryder steps forward and slings an arm around my neck, leading me back to the bar. “Well, you know she’s trying to go for a world record of sleeping with every man in town. But not one of us will add to that record.”
Crack walks over and pushes Ryder away from me, then wraps an arm around me himself. “Okay, how has the day been?”
Grinning because the look he’s giving Ryder is amusing. They are glaring at each other and I look at Trip, rolling my eyes, which has him grinning back at me.
“My day’s been good. I’ve just got to speak to more staff as they come in.”
Looking at my watch, I see the dancers will be here any minute. “Okay, I’ve got dancers here in a few minutes, so you lot need to skedaddle.”
“We’re going. We just wanted to check you were okay and thank you for the garage transfer at the bank. We’ll sort out the transfer of ownership to the club next week,”
Sharp states, looking pretty smug about the garage ownership.
“We can do that ownership transfer next week, no problem. I’m happy to do it whenever you want. Now, off you go, I’ve got work to do.”
I don’t have time to think about anything else as nine women walk into the bar, all talking and laughing apart from one who looks sour as all hell. I ignore her for now, but make a mental note to keep an eye on her.
“Ladies, follow me.”
Making it clear with my tone, they don’t have a choice. I notice Cord walking behind them and when he winks at me, I can’t help rolling my eyes.
Once in the dressing rooms, I turn to the women. They continue talking until I clap my hands to get their attention. “Okay. I’m not messing around when I say this…”
pointing at the state of the dressing room we’re standing in, “is not happening anymore. You all clear away your shit. I don’t want to see a single item of clothing thrown anywhere. You have lockers for your clothing and personal belongings. I don’t care that this is a strip club, it’s a business premise and you’ll all treat it as such.”
“Who the fuck are you to tell us anything?”
I knew this one was going to have an attitude, but she’s not met me yet.
“I’m the new manager, and if you don’t comply with the new rules, you can pack your thong and head on out. The good thing is you don’t have much to carry when you go out the door.”
I eye her strongly and it only takes a minute or two for her to look away. “Now we’ve cleared up I’m your new boss, you will call me Shar and you will be respectful, again if you can’t, then leave. It’s not a problem for me to see you walk out of that door.”
When I get no reaction apart from nervousness I continue. “Right, let’s get down to it, shall we?”
I spend the next hour watching them picking up clothing, cleaning out lockers, sorting through makeup thrown on dressers, and all the while I give them the new rules they have to work with or leave. Be on time, no whoring. We’re not here to run a whorehouse. No lap dances, no bringing anyone behind the stage area. The rules run on and I can see, apart from the one, they are all happy with the rules laid down.
I’m thankful that the club was closed today because no way would I have gotten everyone organized before opening time. Next on my list is the cleaning crew and, of course, the boss of them, who I just know is going to have an issue.
The women are all done and leave until tomorrow when they start their rotation and I quickly make my way to the kitchen, where I grab a bottle of water from the fridge.
Cord and Ryder are still here with me, and the bartenders are still working, so I’m happy I’m not here alone. Cord takes a seat and gives me an appreciative look, which has me blush slightly, much to Ryder’s amusement. I ignore it, as the last thing I need is any involvement in the romantic department.
A man walks into the kitchen and Ryder gives him a blank stare, but Cord snipes, “Shar, this is Mr. Pembleton. He is the owner of the cleaning company we use.”
I get the distinct impression neither of the club brothers like the man, which makes me wonder why they are using his company.
Standing, I hold my hand out to shake, but he looks down his nose at me without taking my hand, then coldly says, “Why have I been called here?”
“Well, let's see, shall we?”
I respond just as coldly in return. “We have cleaning issues that we are not happy with.”
Before I can say more, the man snarls.
“Who are you, and what has it got to do with you?”
“I’m the manager of the club from this morning, and I have full authority to hire and fire, and at this moment, Mr. Pembleton, I’m on the verge of firing your company.”
I can see the shock in his eyes and I go for the throat, so to speak. “You are not fulfilling the contract of cleaning this establishment. The shower areas are disgusting, which, of course, includes the stalls and cubicles. The dressing rooms are filthy and the mirrors haven’t seen a cloth since they were put on the walls. The whole place needs a thorough clean, and let me be clear here, so no mistakes can be made. I’m more than happy to find another company or individuals to get this place up to scratch, you comprende?”
Mr. Pembleton’s face starts to redden, and it goes from a pink to a red, to a purple, and as he’s about to blow his fuse Cord steps in front of me, grins, and waits, giving the body language that he’s ready for anything.
“I’ll get the staff over here and get it done.”
Not waiting for anyone to respond, he storms out. I look at Cord, then Ryder, before we all bust out laughing.
“We’ll see what happens now,”
I grin, and we head out of the bar to the office, where I continue looking over the contract for the cleaning company. I smile to myself when I see a clause I can use if I have to. That’s how I spend the next two hours taking photographs with my cell phone of everything I can find that shows the company didn’t fulfill the cleaning contract.