Chapter Eleven
Olivia
T he walk to Jessica’s car is a short way from the back entrance. I notice that one of the security guards still follows us out and watches us until we get in and close the car doors.
“That’s Ben.” Jessica says putting her seat belt on.
Grabbing mine, it clicks in place, and I nod. “Does he always walk you out to the car?”
We get out onto the freeway before she answers. “Yes. Mr. Ricci has had some run in with Ashton’s men causing issues with us girls. A few tried to attack us a few weeks ago so he beefed up security. Ben is the head of security for the Club and always does the best job making us feel safe.”
I let our conversation pause while she navigates the roads, zooming in and out of the cars like a bat out of hell.
“Jesus, you sure you got your license?” I laugh.
“Yeah, I’m just tired and ready to be home. It’s been a long week, and I am ready for bed.”
After a fifteen-minute drive, her car pulls under a parking deck of a luxurious brick apartment building.
“You make enough to live here?” I know my voice gives away how shocked I am.
“Mr. Ricci is very good to us, Livy. You’ll see in no time.”
Opening the car door, it beeps when she locks it after we shut our doors, and I follow her to the parking garage elevator. “Thank you again for letting me stay here.”
“I didn’t have much choice did I, dear?” She winks at me. “In all seriousness, I am glad to have some company for awhile. It gets lonely in this apartment just me, myself, and I.”
The elevator stops on the third floor and opens to a hall full of unit numbers. “You can get in from the front, too. There is an elevator and staircases in the front of the building that leads to the units.”
Stopping at unit number 315, she takes out a key and unlocks the door. Swinging it open, the first thing I notice is how big the place is. A spacious living room with a couch and recliner, coffee table, television, and an open kitchen to the side of it with an island and counterspace.
Sitting her keys on the bar she walks to a hallway. “I’ll show you where the bathroom and your room are. I can find you some clothes to wear until we get you your own, too.”
I smile and follow her; thankful she is being so nice after the shitty twenty-four hours I’ve had.
“This is your room.” She gestures to the first door on the right in the hallway and opens it.
Peering inside, it’s a cute set up. A small bed sits back on cream-colored walls, a white vanity, small television – oh, and a nice sized closet.
“I’ll go grab some bed sheets to make the bed for you.” Jessica says walking down the hall. “You can use this bathroom. The larger one is in my room that’s at the end of the hall.” she states.
Once she is out of sight, I release the breath I had been holding and let it exhale slowly through my nose; my new normal starts now.
An hour later, I have taken a shower, washed my hair, cleaned my nose ring, and Jessica let me borrow some of her pj’s for the night.
I am laying in my new bedroom for the first time and hear the air conditioner turn on but everything else is silent and my mind wanders.
Mostly thinking about my mother, who was she and how did this become her life.
She must have been scared.
Did she even want me in the first place or was she forced to have me?
So many what ifs play through my head.
Then, my mind roams to Hayes. He is hard to read; one moment he is a gentleman and then next he is staring at me like I am his next meal.
One thing I do know for sure, I need to find Gloria and ask her questions.
Life as I knew it is no more; and I am afraid neither am I.
***
I AM WORKING MY SECOND shift tonight and right now, keeping up with Jessica’s long legs in these heels I have on is nearly impossible.
Alan brought over my clothes I left at Haye’s home. He was in and out as fast as he came.
Stepping off the elevator into Club Rose, Rachel’s eyes connect with mine and she smirks, “Back again new girl?”
Jessica huffs, “Her name is Livy, Rach. It would be in your best interest to be nice to her before Mr. Ricci finds out.”
Rachel laughs. “I am just making sure she is going to be tough,” she says walking around the counter she is behind. “You got to be tough in here or you won’t make it.”
I smile, trying to keep my composure, it seems I must be tough everywhere or I won’t survive anything.
“Clock us in.” She gestures to Rachel’s computer behind the counter, and Rachel nods. “By the way, Ellie will be late tonight, so it is just you two behind the bar. She is having babysitter trouble again or something.”
Jessica huffs but neglects to speak, leaving me wondering if this is a normal occurrence I need to get used to.
Following us down the hall, I glance in the direction of Hayes’ office door. The red light is on so he must not be here, or he does not want anyone bothering him.
Jessica catches my eyes, in the dark, I don’t know how, but she grins. “He is a busy man. Most of the time if he is here, we have no idea. Though there are times when he will make himself known if men are causing a ruckus, of course.”
The hallway we are on finally opens to the Club floor.
“How often does ruckus happen?”
She shrugs, “You know how men are. Add liquor into the mix and some pretty women, it become a pissing contest.”
She walks behind the counter. “Although, most of the men who have memberships know the rules and don’t give us many issues. It’s Ashton’s men you have to watch out for.”
Goosebumps spread over me and my heart rate accelerates. “Ho-How often do they show up?”
“What can I get you?” she asks one of the men sitting down at the bar.
“A whiskey.” he answers her, but I don’t miss the sinful grin he gives me, making me uncomfortable
I am amazed at how fast Jessica can pull the glasses out, pour the liquor, and take his cash.
He nods to her, “Keep the change.”
Pulling off his seat he grins at me one more time before leaving us alone.
“See?” She gestures to the guy who just left. “That’s Anthony, one of Mr. Ricci’s buddies from college. He is a well-known billionaire who owns a few different companies.” She pauses and looks at me to make sure I am listening; when I nod, she continues, “He may come to these types of things, pay for lap dances,” she smirks, “I have given him a few; he pays well.” she winks.
“But he has never made me feel uncomfortable or went against Mr. Ricci’s rules. Ashton’s men do not give a shit about rules, and they will hurt us women if they have the chance. That is why Ben walks us out every night.”
I nod, understanding. “How can some men be so cruel?”
She shrugs, but I can tell she is fighting back what she really wants to say.
“Honestly, I think it is because they were never taught how to care for a woman in the first place. They learned what they do from the people that raised them or lack thereof.” She says honestly.
“Hey girls!” A voice gets our attention, and I see Marcus grabbing a seat by the bar. “Y’all look beautiful as ever.”
My body relaxes from the talk we just had, seeing a familiar face. Jessica throws her head back in a laugh and walks up to the bar, leaning a forearm on it. “Let me guess, trying to find some dick tonight?”
He winks, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
I feel like a third wheel until Marcus turns to me; my heart rate starts to rise realizing he does not know I am technically undercover.
“Jessica,” one of the girls calls out, “You are needed in booth 12.”
She huffs. “Okay. I’ll be right back. This should not take long.” she assures me walking off from us.
Now, it’s just Marcus and me.
“I am so glad we did the money pieces. Girl, you look absolutely gorgeous. I just know there are men lining up for you, too.”
I lean into him at the bar, looking around to make sure no one can hear me. “No one knows I am technically undercover.”
His eyes sparkle with an emotion that makes me feel stupid; of course he knows that. I’m sure Hayes told him.
Marcus laughs, “Honey, I have been in this industry for a long time. Mr. Ricci has paid me a lot of money over the years to keep my mouth shut for things. I am appalled you don’t think I am smarter than that.”
He clutches at his chest playfully.
I let out an exasperated exhale and my smile turns soft, “You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that.”
“I think I may literally pass out right now if you don’t give me another shot on the house.” He is still clutching his chest, and I give him a look of ‘you are so dramatic.’
But I give in, grabbing the same bottle I saw Jessica grab before she left and pour him a glass.
His eyes widen with delight, “Damn, I did not think that would work so easily.”
I lean into him, “Be a good boy and I may be able to help you find some dick tonight.”
“I knew I liked you!” He winks and I chuckle.
***
“A RE YOU SURE THIS IS not too . . . slutty?”
I question Jessica standing in front of the mirror in her spare bedroom where I have been staying this week.
I am slowly getting the hang of my job bartending at Club Rose. We have not had many issues with my father’s men coming in, other than a few times, and the men who do come in, who have memberships, are actually really nice and polite.
Tonight is Halloween and the night of the Halloween contest at Club Rose for us ladies who want to enter. At first, I was not going to sign up but after hearing Jessica say it would be a good way for me to cut loose plus Marcus’ comment of “experiment and have life experiences,” assured me that I needed to do it for myself.
Jessica has been so kind to me this week offering up her extra bedroom in her apartment. I know she was told to do so by our boss, whom we have not seen or heard from this week, but still, she has been so kind.
Security has been tight at the club, but Hayes has not shown his face and honestly, it’s most likely for the best seeing how my body reacted to him the night he threw my father’s men out.
Which I don’t care – but I often catch myself wondering where the man is that I met at the bottom of the stairs the night of the auction. The man who wore the white half-mask and seemed like a gentleman. He seemed like someone I could be friends with— or more.
“Slutty is the idea.” She laughs, “You want to be the talk of the town tonight.”
I look down at the little black dress I am holding up in front of me. It barely touches my thigh and the straps are thin.
“Here,” She leaves the room and comes back saying, “put these on with it.”
Jessica hands me black angel wings and some bright red heels.
I chuckle, “Am I the angel of death?”
She nods, grinning like a damn fool. “Bingo.”
I look back into the mirror, “All this black will clash with my hair.” I sigh.
“Nah, got a fix for that too.” She waves me off and starts digging in a box that is in the closet in the spare bedroom we are in. After a moment, she pulls out a platinum blonde wig; it is long and board straight.
“Here!” she says handing it to me. “Put this on too. It will make you stand out even more.”
My stomach suddenly feels nauseated. Tonight, we will be open like normal and at midnight, all the gentlemen at the Club will be asked to find a seat around the main stage where all of us ladies who entered the contest will parade around in our costumes.
It is truly outside my comfort zone.
Live a little. Marcus’s words replay in my head like a broken record I wish I could shut off.
Apparently, it is just fun for us and the winner gets to go on a date and shopping with Hayes—I mean, Mr. Ricci.
Whatever you want to call him. I still don’t call him Hayes unless we are alone – which has not happened in a week.
“Do your makeup with a smokey eye and just a little bit of a crimson lip.” Jessica says walking out of the room to get ready in hers.
“Did you enter the contest?” I ask before she gets all the way gone.
She giggles, “Honey, I am too old for the nonsense now. I’ll be waitressing tonight while all of you babies get out there and strut your stuff.”
She pauses and looks at me. “You better win.”
I don’t miss the wink she gives before walking out the door completely.
Turning back to the mirror and looking at my outfit all I can think is, I hope I don’t make a fool of myself.
***
I STEP OFF THE ELEVATOR with Jessica as we enter Club Rose. The music throughout the club does not do a good job drowning out the sounds of my heels and heart beating in my chest.
I feel like the blood in my veins could make me fly away at any moment. The irony that I currently have wings strapped to my back is making me grin internally.
“Don’t worry about coming behind the bar tonight,” Jessica says to me as we enter the open area of the club, “just go ahead and go up to the stage, it’s only fifteen minutes until the contest anyway. Get yourself signed in and take a breather until show time.”
She winks at me, “You are going to do fine, Livy. You are hot. Own it.”
She gives me a reassuring smile and walks off toward the bar.
I turn toward the door that leads back behind the stage and my eyes widen when I notice the eyes on me. The men sitting around the tables and booths are staring lasers into me.
I’m thankful they are at least not cat calling like the way my father’s men did.
“Good evening, gentlemen.” I say politely as I walk past them.
“I hope you are entering in the contest with that.” One of them grins.
“Maybe.” I wink back and walk a little faster.
Finally reaching the door that leads backstage, I run inside and shut the door behind me and lean against it for a moment to take a breath – or two.
Walking the staircase that takes you up behind the backside of the stage, I see a group of women dressed in the sluttiest Halloween costumes.
“Livy!” Ellie greets me in her maid of the manor costume, “Look at you.”
She eyes me up and down, “Let me guess, the angel of death.” But something on her face tells me she wishes I was not here.
I nod but don’t speak.
“Oh, that dress looks so good on you!” Another woman I’ve come to know named Penelope says and I smile at her. “Thank you.” She is wearing a sexy cowgirl costume.
“Don’t worry,” another girl says in a little red riding hood outfit. I think I remember her name being Bethany; she dances on the stage sometimes. “This is just a fun thing Mr. Ricci does. You are going to be just fine, Livy. It’s just a fun act we get to put on. Just enjoy it out there and put on a show.”
“Thanks.” I tell her and the music playing around the club starts to slowly turn down, making my stomach flutter with nerves.
“Alright ladies may the best slut win!” Ellie says to us, and I notice a few of the other girls roll their eyes at her.
It’s become known to me this week that Ellie is the girl most stay away from around here.
Bethany leans over into me. “After the announcer says his spiel, they will call us out one by one. You just strut the stage in your costume. You can entertain or whatever. After the music stops playing for you, just circle back around behind the curtains. Simple and easy. The judges will be judging from their seats out front by your costume and entertainment.”
“Will Mr. Ricci be in the crowd?” I ask curiously.
Not like I truly care.
She smiles, “Sometimes he is and sometimes he sits in his office. He is a busy man.” She pauses, “But he takes the winner on a date and spoils her for an evening.”