Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“I’m pregnant.”
“Oh, damn.” I leaned back in my chair as I told her, “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Neither was I,” she replied with a defeated sigh. “And I’m trying to work as much as I can now because, in a few months, I won’t be able to.”
I exhaled slowly, realizing the difficult situation she was in . Keeley was one of my best dancers. She was reliable, professional, and good with the customers. But this changed things. “Why the hell didn’t you say something sooner?”
“Because I knew you’d cut my hours,” she said, her voice breaking. “And I can’t afford that right now.”
“What about the father?”
“I haven’t told him yet.”
Fearing it might be one of the brothers, I urged, “You need to talk to him. No reason for you to be doing this all on your own when you don’t have to.”
“I don’t think he’s going to want me to keep it.”
“That’s your decision to make.”
“I know, but I don’t know how I’ll make it on my own.”
“You’re not on your own. You have a family here who is willing to do whatever we can to help.”
“I don’t want to put anyone out.”
“Then, don’t overbook yourself and make yourself sick.” I rubbed a hand over my face, trying to keep my frustration in check. “You’ll burn out before you even make it to maternity leave, and that’s not good for you or the baby.”
“Okay. Understood.” Her lip quivered, but she nodded. “So... what now?”
“I’ll give you four shifts a week but no doubles. I’ll do what I can to give you good hours, so your tips will be good.”
“I’d really appreciate that.”
“And if something else comes up...”
“I’ll come to you.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear. Now go get some rest. You’ve got a shift tomorrow, and I don’t want to see you dragging.”
“Yes, sir.”
She stood up, giving me a small, grateful smile before walking out. I stared at the door for a long moment after it closed. I didn’t have to be out on the floor to know it was hopping tonight. It was a Friday, and we were always busy on Friday. And lately, we’d been even busier. Since we’d started moving the shrooms, business had skyrocketed, and while that was good for us, it also meant my job had gotten a hell of a lot more complicated.
But that suited me fine.
I liked the chaos.
I was still working on the schedule when I heard a raised voice cut through the steady thrum of the music. I paused and strained to hear it again. Shouting wasn’t unusual at the Vault, but something about the tone set me on edge. It wasn’t playful or drunk yelling. This was laced with anger and came with the sound of glass shattering against the wall.
“Shit.” I pushed back from my desk and rushed out of the office.
As I started down the dark hall, the commotion grew louder. By the time I stepped into the bar, all heads were already turning toward the source of the chaos—a corner booth where one of the regulars was standing, red-faced and yelling at Harley.
Harley was one of our newer girls, and she was a cute redhead with a bit of bite to her. She didn’t take shit off of anyone—no matter how big or small. I had no idea what had gone on at that booth, but it was clear she wasn’t happy. She had her arms crossed, and her expression was a mixture of defiance and unease.
Before I could step in, Memphis was charging over to them.
He wasn’t our biggest brother, but he could hold his own, and everyone knew it, especially him. He walked with an air of confidence that drew attention from anyone around him.
He reached the booth in three long strides and grabbed the asshole by the front of his shirt. The guy’s protests turned to panicked pleading as Memphis yanked him out of the booth and lifted him like he weighed nothing. He pulled him close, and once he was just inches from his face, Memphis growled. “You’ve got two choices. You can walk out of here on your own, or I can throw you out.”
“Hey, man, I wasn’t—” the guy started, but Memphis wasn’t having it.
He turned and dragged the guy toward the door, ignoring all his flailing and whining. True to his word, Memphis tossed him out the door.
The dude hit the sidewalk with a loud thud, and Memphis stood in the doorway, glaring down at him. “Consider yourself banned.”
By the time Memphis turned and walked back inside, things had already settled back down, and everyone’s attention had returned to the dancers on the various stages. Harley had made her way back over to the bar and looked completely unfazed. I wasn’t surprised. Our girls knew we had their backs and wouldn’t let anyone fuck with them. For us, it was a blessing and a curse.