Chapter 9
Nine
ROME
I’ve been through the hours of footage of Lulu from last night, with audio, and listened to her conversations with Scarlett, Rita, and Loveland. She mentioned several times that she didn’t know her salary, and based on the motel she’s in, she needs money.
I’ll take care of that.
However, I need to have a conversation with Loveland, my general manager, because she did everything wrong last night.
I’ve had a long fucking day with no sleep. Luke and I stayed in the parking lot of that fucking place until Bruno, our replacement, arrived at seven, so I could come home and shower and get ready for my busy-as-fuck day.
“Where is she?” I ask as soon as I see Bruno’s name on my phone’s screen.
“Shopping, boss,” he says. I scowl when he gives me the name of the cheap department store and pull my hand down my face. It makes sense that that’s where she’s shopping, but again, it’ll be the last time.
Where did you come from, my firefly? And why are you here in Vegas with so little when you deserve the world?
And who the fuck hurt you because only those recent bruises were from a mugging.
Why am I so enamored with her? Why do I have this deep-seated desire to claim her?
I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter. I took one look and knew in my soul that she belonged to me. Then I heard her voice, smooth like whiskey, and it became an ache in my chest.
She touched me and cemented her fate.
“She keeps looking over her shoulder,” Bruno continues.
“Are you staying out of sight?”
“Of course, but she’s paranoid about something.”
I tighten my jaw. I want to know everything there is to know about Lulu Monroe.
“Keep me informed,” I tell him. “She’s going to walk to the club tonight. Let her. Follow her.”
“That’s a hike, boss.”
“I know.”
I check the time. Lulu’s shift starts in three hours. Just three more hours until I get to see her. I’d have my men put cameras in her shitty motel room, but she won’t be living there after tonight, so it’s a waste of time.
“Don’t let her out of your sight. I’ll see you when you get here.”
I end the call just as Loveland walks into my office and closes the door behind her. She strides to the chair across from me, sits, and crosses her long legs.
“You fucked up last night,” I inform her.
She swallows hard, but her gaze stays on mine.
“You didn’t even tell her how much she’d earn?”
“I’m not her manager.”
“No, but Rita was swamped, and you knew it. I told you to hire her. That includes getting her paperwork, informing her of her benefits and salary, and all the other shit that goes with it. You’ve been here for almost ten years. What the fuck?”
“You’re right, and in those ten years, you’ve never once threatened to kill me over the way I do my job.”
My eyes narrow, but she doesn’t shrink away. “I’ve never heard you speak to someone the way you did to her. Ever. We hire people of all shapes and sizes, and you know it.”
“Not true.” She shakes her head adamantly. “I’ve never hired someone who looks like her.”
I go still, and now she won’t look me in the eyes.
She’s jealous.
I’ve known this woman for a long fucking time. Once, in the beginning, we thought we could be in a relationship, but it failed spectacularly. I caught her fucking a member and killed him on the spot.
I’ve never touched her since.
Or any other employee. I learned that lesson the hard way.
“I’m going to make myself clear, in case you weren’t listening last night. You will never speak to anyone the way you did to Lulu in your office. I don’t care if we wouldn’t employ them if the world was falling apart, you will be respectful.”
“I was simply honest.”
“If you choose to defy me in this, you’re done.”
Her eyes jump to mine now.
“You can’t fire me—”
“I can do whatever the fuck I want to you.” I stand and circle the desk, dragging my hand over her perfect hair. “Fire you. Kill you.”
I lean down until my mouth is next to her ear.
“Are you jealous, Sarah? Jealous that I might want to fuck that woman when I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole?”
She stills and takes a sharp breath but doesn’t look my way.
“She’s beautiful. And she’s mine. And if you so much as hurt her feelings, I’ll destroy you without a second thought. She’s everything, and you’re nothing. Don’t push me on this.”
She clears her throat as I stand to walk away.
“I need to get to my office.” Her voice is strained.
“Go.”
She doesn’t pause. She’s on her feet and out the door before my ass is back in the chair.
My phone rings, and when I see that it’s Julian, I answer.
“We have a situation,” he says. “And it needs to be handled tonight.”
“Have you called the others?”
“They’re my next call.”
I pull my hand down my face. “When?”
“My plane leaves at midnight.”
“Where are we going?”
“LA.”
“I’ll be there.”
I hang up and immediately stride out of my office and down to the control room, where I get to work setting up the camera feeds on my phone. I won’t be here for most of my firefly’s shift, but I’ll be able to see her.
By the time I have my work squared away and have briefed Rita on what I want for Lulu, I see my girl walk through the front door and smile at Beth, who’s working reception tonight.
“Hi, I’m Lulu,” my girl says. “I’m the new bartender.”
“Heya,” Beth says. “So you’re the cool new girl I heard all about. Welcome aboard. I love that dress.”
Lulu glances down at the black dress that hugs her tits and ends just north of her knees. It’s basically a nun’s habit compared to what the other girls wear, but it’s sexy and classy, and as long as she’s comfortable, that’s all that matters.
However, it would look better on the floor next to my bed.
“Thanks. I have to be comfortable behind that bar, you know?”
“Oh, totally,” Beth agrees. “Go on in, hon. Rita said to send you straight to her office. Third door on the left.”
“Thanks, Beth.” Lulu grins, then pushes through to walk the hallway to the offices.
She’s going to pass right by me.
I want to pull her in here, boost her up against the door, and fuck her until she can’t remember anyone before me.
But not yet.
I listen as Rita outlines the salary and benefits for my girl, and judging by the quick intake of breath and the lift of her hand to her chest, Lulu’s shocked.
That’s nothing, firefly. You’ll never want for anything ever again.
It doesn’t take long for Rita to finish everything. Lulu moves on to the locker room, and I’m distracted by work.
Determined to look in her gorgeous green eyes before I have to go take care of business in LA, I leave my office.