I enter the main space that leads out to the dance floor, aware that I’m covered in blood, but none of my people react, not anymore. They're used to it by now. However, I hear a little gasp, causing me to look to the right in the direction of the bar. Lola is standing there, slapping a younger girl on the arm, yelling at her in hushed tones.
The younger girl, who I'm assuming is Lola’s cousin Penny, looks from me then to her cousin with a look of fear.Good, she should have at least a little.They all should. I don’t harm women, but they need to know that just because I haven't yet, doesn't mean I won’t. Cross me and live to regret it, if you're lucky enough to live at all.
A wicked smile spreads across my face and I give Penny a wink, just to fuck with her. She quickly averts her gaze to the ground. Letting out a cackle, I head down the hall and into my office.
Stripping my clothes off, I toss them in the laundry basket. I have my own personal cleaner for my clothes, so I give her a quick call, letting her know to pick up my corset before the blood sets in and will become a bitch to get out. I take pride in what I wear, so none of my things are cheap, which means I take proper care of them. Like I do with my girls.
Turning on the water, I make it so that it's just a few degrees shy of burning human skin. I love hot showers. The pain reminds me that even after everything I do, I'm still human. If it weren’t for Evie, I would lose myself and just become a different version of the very monsters I set out to kill.
Quickly, I shower and get dressed into something a little more comfy. I love my burlesque outfits. They’ve become like a second skin to me, but sometimes a girl needs some baggy sweats and a hoodie.
I throw them on and pad barefoot back out to the bar. I don't bother with shoes because by now, the floors should be clean enough to eat off.
“Toss me a bottle of water from the fridge, please?” I ask my bartender, Roxy, then turn to the two ladies next to me. “So, you must be Penny?” I ask the trembling young girl.
“Y-yes,” she stutters, refusing to look at me.
“Enough of that now,” I say playfully. “I'm not gonna hurt you.” I laugh.
She looks up at me, still wary of whether I’m fucking with her or not. “I don't hurt women, and definitely not kids. And by the looks of it, you're pretty young. How old are you? 15, 16?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “17.”
“Well, Lola told me about your situation. You are more than welcome to stay with her at her place. Each of my girls has a townhouse to themselves with three bedrooms, so there's space for you. You're too young to dance, not that I'd ask you to if you were old enough anyways. Dancing is completely voluntary. You can’t serve alcohol, so that leaves two options. You can serve food, or you can help clean up the club at night. All jobs pay the same, and it’s good money. Whatever you feel more comfortable doing. As for anyone who may be looking for you, if they come sniffing around, I’ll deal with them.”
Her whole body relaxes, as if I just took the weight of the world off her shoulders. “Thank you.” She smiles softly.
Nodding my head, I continue. “What you saw before, the blood?” I ask, and she nods, letting me know she understands what I'm talking about. “Don't ask questions. Lola can fill you in on what you need to know, but shit like that is an everyday occurrence, so prepare yourself for it now.” I open my water bottle and take a big gulp. When I'm done, I cap it off and look back at Penny.
“There are rules for working and living on my property. What goes on in this club, stays here, no matter what happens.Oh, and nodrugs of any kind are allowed. You do not touch any of the men. You’re underage, and I don't want to make unplanned kills if I don't have to.” Her eyes widen at my words, but I ignore it. “You do not bring outside people into my community. These homes are for my employees only, my family. No one else is welcome.”
“Okay,” she nods.
“Every woman who works here comes from an abusive past. Almost all the girls here were held captive by sick, evil, disgusting men, and we almost died trying to make a better life for ourselves and to be free. You will fit in fine; no one will judge you on how you ended up working here. As for the men, every guy who works for me is gay. We don't trust men as it is, and straight men are a big no-no for employees.” She looks at me with a million questions in her eyes.
“Another story for another time, or Lola can tell you if she wants to. But don’t bug her about it. There is one man who is bi-sexual, but he is an exception to the rule, for one main reason you don't need to worry yourself with.”
I spend another ten minutes explaining a few more things before sending her off with her cousin to get settled in. My skin is crawling with pent-up energy that I didn’t get to burn off with my usual after kill fuck, but I’m too tired to find Garrett and get rid of it.
I hate feeling like this—tired, weak, and in need of sleep. Normally, I’m my bubbly, sassy self. Sure, I can snap at the drop of a dime, but that's nothing new.
Just as I’m almost out of the door that leads to my attached penthouse suite above the club, Connor stops me.
“What do you want, Connor?” I snap.
“Sorry, Queenie,” he says, stepping back. “I just need a quick minute of your time, and I’ll leave you alone.”
“What?” I growl, just wanting him to spit it out so I can go.
“Well, you see, I have this friend,” he says, growing nervous, scratching the back of his head, his shaggy black hair covering half his face.
“And?” I ask in a bored tone.
“Well, he and his cousins, they own this company. And they ended up getting majorly screwed over and are in a lot of debt. Their fathers made it impossible for them to get help with any past business partners, legal or not, and well, they are hoping to set up a meeting with you.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Look, I'm just the messenger, Queenie. If it's a no, I'll call Neo up right now and tell him. I just thought I’d ask for a buddy. They are good men. One has a little girl, and I know how much you love kids. I thought maybe you might be interested in helping. I'm sorry if I overstepped,” he stammers out, growing more apprehensive and disappointed the longer he talks without me saying a word.
At the mention of that name, Neo, my spine snaps straight. I haven't heard that name in years, haven't even let myself think of it or any of their names. They don't deserve to be a thought in my mind.