Chapter 6 #4
“Ok.” This hadn’t been what she had expected at all. It was like a present with dog poop inside. It looked good on the outside but was not so great when you had time to consider it.
He wanted to work out this “thing” as he called it between them.
It wasn’t like she believed they would turn what they had into a relationship, but it was weird to put a deadline on it.
Was he only sleeping with her because she was the headliner and after her time was done he would move on to someone else?
Maybe even Sabrina? That was if they hadn’t had sex already.
“Ok, you can go.”
And just like that he dismissed her. She unlocked the door and walked out feeling low.
Everywhere she went in the club that night the other women giggled and laughed at her and the patrons side eyed her. She got half in tips than she had the previous night.
Zoe hadn’t said anything and now it was time to go to her place and wait for Dante. Zoe would have told her if there was a rumor that had to do with her wouldn’t she?
“You want to walk out together or do you need to collect your money? I wanted to talk to you.”
“Sure, I can get it later. What’s up?”
“Let’s get out of here first.” Zoe looked around.
Madison went to the room to grab her stuff. All the girls were in there talking, but stopped when she came in. “See you guys tomorrow.”
“Maybe,” Gina said.
“Not if we have anything to say,” Brittney said and sashayed past Madison and bumped into her and pushed her into the wall.
The other girls followed, until it was just her and Sabrina who gave her a smug smile and walked out.
Sabrina didn’t bother to say anything. Madison was hurt.
This seemed beyond them being upset that there were different rules for her and them.
But she didn’t understand where it was coming from.
It was like everyone knew something Madison didn’t. She wanted to hide away and cry.
Madison headed out to find Zoe. “So, what’s up?” Her voice was shaky, and she kept bringing up what had happened in her mind.
“There’s been a rumor going around for a couple of days now that you’ve been playing innocent, but you haven’t just been on the stage but are sleeping around with others and with Dante and that you have an infection.
The rumor and the infection have spread to the customers.
That’s why there were not a lot tonight and only a few went to you. ”
“Oh.” Fear and panic clawed at her throat. Each fought to get out.
“Yeah, the thing is some of the girls got tested and they have crabs and so do some of the clients. Enzo came around while you were on stage and said everyone needed to get tested and that they would have someone come.”
“Oh.” This was bad. If it affected the business and that meant she wouldn’t be making the money she needed and if she wasn’t bringing in money, would Dante let her keep the headliner position for the three months she needed to get her finances back on track?
“I know it’s not true. But I did want to tell you what’s going on, before you hear it another way.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“I can give you a ride.”
“That’s ok. I guess I need to be alone to process this.” Madison was going to head to the bus stop when one of the bouncers, Ed, called her name.
He walked over to her. “Boss wants to see you in the office.” His tone was gruff, but it always sounded like that. His face was as blank as a mannequin. Madison followed him into the building and up to Dante’s office.
As they reached the top of the steps, Gina, Amber and Brittney were leaving.
“I hope he fires her,” Gina said.
“I know, giving everyone crabs.” Brittney glared at her as the girls walked past.
“Go on in,” Ed said.
Madison’s head was on the chopping block. She hadn’t done anything wrong, and now she was going to lose her only source of income. As headliner, she had made way more than she had expected.
It was a consistent thousand dollars extra which made her wonder if she was getting special treatment and it wasn’t because she was the headliner. The girls worked at other clubs so the rumor would spread and no one would want her to work for them.
Inside the office was a man in a white coat sat on the couch. Dante stood in the corner, hidden in the shadows so she couldn’t make out his face.
“Madison, we’re doing mandatory STD testing on everyone. It seems someone had something and passed it around. Dr. Emory here will take your blood and give you an exam.”
Madison’s eyes widened. She had never been seen by a male doctor. She made sure all her doctors were female and even then getting her yearly pap exam was an embarrassing experience.
“Can’t I have my own doctor do it?”
“I would prefer it to be done now.” His tone said he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Did he believe she had something? Did he have something and pass it on to her? She looked at where she guessed his face was, her voice pleaded. “I’ve never been seen by a man before.”
“No problem,” spoke Dr. Emory, “I have a female assistant who is just finishing up.”
A back door opened, and out came Sabrina with a female nurse.
“She’ll be clean because she’s had it treated.”
“We’ll be able to tell.”
Sabrina’s smug smile slipped, and it looked like she was going to be sick. She hurried out of the room.
“Miss, if you’ll come with me,” the female nurse said.
Madison chanced a look at Dante, he had moved out of the shadows, but his face wasn’t unreadable. It was pissed. She turned and went with the woman.
“Sorry, I know this can be uncomfortable. If you can just undress and put this paper top on and you can use the blanket to go over your legs. I’ll be right back.” The door made a soft click in the room.
Madison was glad to be alone, but she didn’t know for how long and was quick to undress and put on the paper top and lap cover. There was a portable exam table set up and she sat down on it and waited.
The woman came back a short time after Madison had sat down.
“This shouldn’t take long. I’ll do your pelvic exam first and then the blood work. Slide down to the end of the table.”
Madison did as she said and gripped the blanket for dear life.
“It’s ok. I promise I’ll be gentle. Slide all the way down to the end.”
Madison did as she was told.
“Relax and let your knees flop open.”
Madison tried, but she knew she was stiff. She couldn’t relax. She had a routine with her doctor, where she would tell her what she was doing before she did it. It helped Madison to relax a bit.
“It’s ok, I promise not to hurt you.”
“I know, it’s just hard for me. My regular doctor talks me through it each time.”
“That’s easy enough for me to do.”
The rest went as expected, except for the part where the nurse combed her pubic hair.
“Ok, you’re all set. You can get dressed and come out when you’re ready.”
Madison came out to find the room empty except for Dante. She went to walk past the desk when he stopped her.
“Madison.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry, but with the rumors, this was the only way to clear it up. It’s affected the club as well with patrons coming to us with their medical bills requesting reimbursement. I can’t have rumors that il Signore’s headliner has crabs and has spread it to everyone.”
“Right.” This was the part where she got fired for something she hadn’t even done.
“I’m going to clear your name and find the real culprit, who will be dealt with for the rumor and the crab infestation.”
“So, I’m not fired?”
“No.”
Madison sank into the chair like she had been cut out of a too-tight outfit. She could breathe again. But what did that mean for whatever was happening between them.
“I won’t be able to come over tonight. I have some things I need to take care of, but I’ll see you tomorrow night. Come over here please.”
Madison walked over to him and he pulled her into his lap for a kiss that soothed her nerves and washed over her like a soft cashmere robe.
He broke the kiss. “Our deal still stands. We don’t fuck anyone else, and we meet Thursday through Sunday.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Ok.”
“Ok.” Madison assumed it was good that he still wanted to continue their quasi relationship, but why had he stressed exclusivity again. Did he still think she was sleeping around?
Madison walked out feeling confused. Dante called Ed into the office and then the door was shut and she was left alone. She took the bus to see Henry. He was at his own place. He had been released from the hospital.
****
Dante waited to speak until Ed had sat down in front of his desk. “Have her tailed. I want to know where she goes and who she sees.”
“You got it, boss.”
“Have you found out anything more as far as the guy she’d been seeing?”
“No, not yet, but we’re still working on it. The financials have come back. I can leave them here for you to review.”
There was a knock at the door. “Come in.”
Gabe, Lucca, and Enzo stood in the doorway.
“Ed, I think we’re done here.” Ed set the folder on the desk and got up and left.
“So did you clear it up?” Lucca asked.
“Yeah. It’s done. The test results will confirm it.”
“Who was it?” Gabe asked.
“Sabrina. She got crabs and spread it to others before she found out, and she decided to make up the rumor that had to do with Madison.”
“So she’s not seeing some other guy?” Enzo moved off the wall.
“Who?”
“Madison.”
“No.” Well, at least she wouldn’t be now with their deal, but he would make sure someone kept tabs on her.
“So where are we with covering our tracks?” Gabe leaned forward.
Dante was ready to get down to business too. This was what kept him away from Madison tonight. He knew they would finish late. Too late for him to go to her.