Page 9 of Briar
“No,” I shake my head. “Bathroom, then maybe I’ll watch a few dances.”
“Okay,” he nods. Maybe I’m seeing things but I think I see a look of longing on his face before his charming smile is back. “Have fun.”
“I will,” I laugh, feeling flustered as I head towards the bathrooms.
After using the bathroom quickly, I decide to step into the back alley for some air.
It’s a warm spring night but it’s a few degrees cooler out here. Taking a deep breath, I lean against the brick wall, closing my eyes as I work on getting it together.
“Stop!” The shout of a woman has my eyes snapping open. “No. Leave me alone!”
Instantly I’m on guard. I push off from the wall and rush around the side of the building.
“You think you can just tease me all night and then turn me down when I ask for more?”
My heart sinks when I see Lacy pinned against the wall, a tall, skinny, sleazy looking man looming over her, his hand around her neck, making her whimper in fear.
“It’s my job!” she sobs out.
“Then it’s only polite to take care of what you caused.”
“Please,” she begs. “Just let me go.”
“Not until you—” He doesn’t get to finish his sentence when Lacy lets out a scream as she brings her knee up and rams it up into his crotch.
The man lets out a choked, pained groan as he drops to the ground, giving Lacy the chance to escape. She takes off towards the side exit, heading back into the club.
My heart is pounding in my chest, a mix of rage and disgust simmering inside me.
He was going to force himself on her, take something that doesn’t belong to him. She said no. He didn’t want to accept that.
Red starts to seep into my vision, and the next thing I know I’m grabbing a piece of two by four from the pile next to the trash and storming over to the creep.
He must hear me coming because he looks my way from where he kneels hunched over in pain.
There's a look of shocked surprise that sends a thrill down my spine before I’m swinging the board upside his head. Witha loud crack, the man goes down, body laying lifeless on the ground.
Chest heaving, I bend down and check his pulse. It’s faint, but it’s there. Shame. But not for long.
Guess tonight I’m painting the town red. Thank fuck. It’s been too damned long.
Chapter
Three
ATLAS
The club is busy tonight.For a business owner that's a good thing. Business means profit. But the whole point of this club is so that the dancers here can feel safe while they work.
Yes, we’re a strip club, but my biggest thing is respect. If you don’t treat my staff with the respect they deserve, you will be asked to leave.
If you don’t listen, then I’ll be forced to do something a little more permanent.
I don’t play when it comes to the people who work for me. I’ve seen enough corruption and cruelty in my life, I won’t allow it in my place of work.
This club is a safe place for all. The respect goes both ways. I don’t allow my staff to be rude or disrespectful unless it’s warranted.
Good vibes, great company and a fun time is what I thrive for.
