Chapter Eight
The week passes by way too quickly and before I know it, it is already Friday night: reopening night.
The bosses who brought The Throbbing Knot still remain a mystery to me. They did, however, send out a group message letting us know the ins and outs of the new runnings of the club.
When Ivan oversaw the club, he demanded a nightly fee be taken. After speaking to a few of the other girls, we quickly found out that he was taking well above the regular going club fee.
It was a shock to be informed that no fee will be taken under the new management. That every single cent that we earn will be ours.
The relief I felt was immense. Never again will I allow myself to stress out about bills being paid on time. Maybe I might even be able to spend some of my earnings on spoiling myself for once. Maybe get my hair and nails done. Maybe even a new outfit.
The possibilities feel endless.
The biggest one is the knowledge that I won’t need to live week-to-week anymore. That I will be able to actually open a savings account.
That one day, I could move Amity and I out into a bigger home. One where we don’t have to deal with Joe, the resident drunk. Even though he is harmless—unless you are a bush—I still want better for my daughter. I don’t want her to ever be burdened by the evil of this world.
Not like I was subject to.
After receiving the good news from my new bosses, it felt like I was actually able to enjoy my few days off with Amity.
It was impossible to not treat her to a new princess dress that she has been eyeing off for what she tells me has been forever.
What I didn’t expect was the delivery man knocking on my door the next morning with boxes and boxes filled with princess dresses and an array of toys that I know Amity had begged me for the day before.
The delivery company didn’t seem to care that I didn’t order the haul that would have cost thousands.
To them, the boxes had my name and address on them.
They were delivered to me and that is where their job was done.
No matter how much I tried to backtrack to try and find whoever sent this stuff, I was met with brick wall after brick wall.
In the end, I decided to just narrow it down to some kind of miracle. Or maybe we won some kind of mystery raffle.
The surprise packages aren’t the only different thing I noticed that week.
Every single time I walked outside, it felt like someone was watching me. Following me even.
It didn’t matter if it's the grocery store or if it's the park, I couldn’t help but constantly checking over my shoulder to see if anyone was there.
Each time I came up empty.
My knife has become my new best friend. I haven’t let it out of my sight since the eerie feeling first began.
While the eyes watching me don’t necessarily make me feel uncomfortable, I can’t allow my guard to slip.
There is too much at stake.
I just want to know who it is and why they are following me.
A part of me suspects that it is Victor.
Yet, that doesn’t feel possible.
He wouldn’t have followed me all the way to my home would he?
Surely not.
My jaw drops the second I walk into The Throbbing Knot.
Gone is the tacky red carpet that had been nearly devoured by carpet worms (it's a real thing, I googled it) and in its place is a black wooden flooring that elevates the look of the room.
The worn leather couches have been replaced with couches that look ridiculously comfortable. The main stage remains in the same spot but it is clear it has been renovated, making it actually look inviting.
Two new poles on smaller platforms have been added to either side of the main stage. Low lying leather couches surround each pole making it the perfect spot for us to dance while we are waiting for a private or stage set.
The bar has also received an impressive face lift. Rows and rows of shelves behind the bar are completely stocked with some of the best alcohol that money can buy. I have never been a big drinker but I know that some of those bottles of whiskey are priced in the hundreds.
What also comes as a shock is the fact that Ben isn’t the only security guard on the floor. Four more men, equally as big as each other stand around the room, watching each of us as we stand in a mixture of shock, awe and excitement.
I step further in the room, walking over to the stage that is clear of gouges and scrapes from years of high heel abuse.
It is a dream to work in a club like this. For the club to not make us feel like our job is dirty. To have a space to work that is clean and elevated. Where we can be respected for our work versus criticized.
“Afternoon, ladies. Thank you so much for coming in early. Welcome back to The Throbbing Knot. I hope you guys like the changes that we have made over the past few days.”
The familiar voice has me shooting around to where I hear it behind me. My mouth drops in shock as I stare in disbelief at the three men that have been haunting me for the past few days.
Victor, Conall and Olis.
The three Alphas that have consumed my every waking thought are my new bosses.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
It all makes sense now as to why I stumbled into Conall in the hallway on Sunday night. I was too flustered to have given it a second thought but now I know better.
What is even more surprising is the fact that Olis is standing with Conall and Victor. It's clear that they are a pack. They have this air about them that makes it clear they formed while they were younger. Like each of the men knows what the other is going to do before they even do it.
That kind of relationship is both fascinating and fucking insane to me.
I couldn’t imagine becoming that accustomed to having known someone that long that I would know each of their tells.
Although, there is a small part of my brain that wishes that I could have that. Even once.
I disregard the thought before I even allow it to blossom.
Pack life isn’t for me.
Those motherfuckers ensured that.
Victor continues to talk to the group as I continue to stare daggers into the side of his head.
The asshole knows that I am staring at him too yet he doesn’t give me the time of day, unlike his twin who is smiling at me, near begging for my attention.
I don’t give him it though. My focus is completely locked on the Alpha that can’t take a hint.
I told him to leave me the fuck alone and this is what he did instead? Bought my place of work out from under me, firmly solidifying a place in my life. A place that I don’t want him or any other Alpha anywhere near.
Letting in my best friend was hard enough. Ben and his partner felt like I was stepping out of my skin.
But this?
Yeah, no. No fucking way.
The instinct to run is strong but I can’t allow myself to do what my suppressed Omega wants me to do.
Beta’s don’t run.
Beta’s face their shit head-on and don’t cower, so that is exactly what I will do.
Even if I would prefer to shit in my hands and clap.
Maybe even stab forks into my eyes.
Honestly, I would rather be doing anything other than what I know I will now have to.
I drown out everything the silver-haired Alpha is saying, unable to focus through my anger.
Eventually he smiles at the group of us, nodding before turning to Olis and Conall who also nod before dismissing everyone so they are able to get ready.
I don’t move from where I am white-knuckle gripping the side of the main stage.
I don’t want to see the aftermath of a furious Valentina.
The club doesn’t need that kind of disaster; not when it looks so fucking stunning.
“Valentina.” My name rolls off Olis’ tongue like it has been dipped in chocolate. My knees threaten to weaken at the sound but I don’t allow them to.
Instead, I give the Alpha a pointed stare. “Olis.”
“I promise you right now that I had no idea that you worked here before we brought your old boss out.”
He seems so sincere, standing with us arms awkwardly at his sides like he doesn’t know what to do with them.
I almost feel bad for him but I can’t.
He is an Alpha.
That is enough for me to know that he is a big fuck no.
I hum quietly but just enough that the sound reaches the three of them.
“He is telling the truth, dolce ciliegia.”
My head snaps towards Victor, my eyes instantly narrow on him.
“So what, you are the only one that is stalking me? The only one that can’t take the hint that I’m not fucking interested?”
I raise an accusing eyebrow, hardly surprised when he remains silent; as do his other two packmates.
I scoff, “Just as I thought. Take the hint, boys, because I would hate to have to repeat myself.”
Hitching my bag up on my shoulder, I storm past the three men and make my way to the dressing room. Enough time has already been wasted and I refuse to get up on that stage flustered.
“Fuck, did she just threaten us? God, that’s hot. Come back, Little Devil. I want to know more about your devious plans for us.”
Conall has a smile threatening to curl my lips, even more so when I hear a hand slap his stomach and his responding grunt.
Is that one to Valley, zero to the Alphas?
It feels as though every exposed bit of skin on my body burns as I spin around the pole. I know exactly who the sets of eyes belong to.
Victor, Conall and Olis.
I make sure to add a little extra spice to my dance knowing that they are watching me as intently as they are.
I try to not let their focus disrupt me though, instead keeping my attention purely on the way my body moves and contorts as I work the stage.
The vibe tonight is completely different.
Gone are the men that used to hoot and holler at us as we danced. In their place are Alphas and Betas in suits, brown liquid on the rocks and stacks of cash in their hands.
Instead of throwing dollars, they are throwing big bills.
I don’t have to count what is currently sitting on the stage waiting for me to know that I have already exceeded what I would normally earn in a day. Well past last week's takings.
I have to hold back the tears. Breaking down and crying on this stage in a skimpy outfit would do terrible things for my night.
Instead, I work myself to the bone, spinning, dipping and shaking my ass like my life depends on it.
If these guys are going to pay this well, I don’t mind going the extra mile.
By the end of my stage set, I am exhausted. Not only is my money sack completely full, but so is the garter I am wearing around my leg that is full of hundred dollar bills.
I all but collapse into the brand new chair at my dressing room station.
It wasn’t only the front of house that the new owners renovated.
They also completely transformed the back area.
Instead of the dancers having to fight to get a station, we were each given one of our own.
Our stage names have been engraved into plaques above the mirrors.
Lockers with actual working locks sit behind us well stocked with makeup, toiletries and all the hair tools that we could possibly need.
No matter how much I despise our three new owners, I have to cut them a bit of slack for how thoughtful they have been towards us. Ivan didn’t give a single fuck about us apart from how much money we could make him earn.
There is a small whisper in my head that maybe not all Alphas are the same. It's only small and quick, a fleeting thought, but it was there.
I can’t be that wrong about them can I?
All of the Alphas that I have dealt with, especially since I emerged as the ’inferior designation have been exactly the same.
Aggressive, abusive assholes who think way too highly of themselves.
Which is why the doubt has slowly begun to creep in.
Because as far as I can tell, these three Alphas are nothing like that.
If anything, they are the complete opposite.
While they have shown me that they do have some stalkerish tendencies, they haven’t forced my hand at anything.
When I feel their eyes on my skin, I don’t get that icky feeling that I normally do. It's the polar opposite.
I instead feel safe. Like nothing in this world could hurt me ever again.
I know that is just the Omega side of me that refuses to stay suppressed. Which is why I can’t trust it.
I can’t trust anybody.
Because the moment I do, the script will be flipped and I will be back to where I was four years ago.
Trapped and hopeless.