Ignite (The Disciples #4) - Cassandra Robbins Page 0,2
at the table placing her notepad on top. She crosses her leg to rub her ankle. Her large fake boobs nearly spill out of her slip of a dress.
“Crystal?” I bellow as my eyes scan the VIP area. Thank fuck it looks clean and the smell of booze from downstairs is undetectable up here. The upstairs is a huge moneymaker. It’s designed so that all booths can see the stage and the downstairs stage.
Someone has set up a card table like we’re getting ready to judge a beauty contest. A line of aluminum chairs face the stage.
“I’m coming, keep your panties on.” Crystal sashays out of the side dressing room with the girls trailing behind her.
“I’m only one person. I can’t be in ten places at once,” she snips, dropping down next to me. Her perfume would be fine if she didn’t douse herself in it.
I almost laugh at her. Crystal at her best is tolerable. At her worst, she can be a fucking cunt. But I guess she’s trying and at this point I need her.
I cock my head at her. “Coffee. Get me some.”
She ignores me and pulls out her phone. Looking every bit the queen bee of all strippers, she’s dressed in a leopard-print catsuit with black high-heeled stilettos. “I’ve been here since six a.m.” She glares at me as if that should explain everything.
“Does that mean you’re not getting me coffee?”
“God, Axel.” She rolls her eyes like I’m such an ass, then snaps her fingers at Deedee.
Crystal used to be Chuckie’s girl and Blade’s whore. She’s our oldest stripper. So instead of taking away her stripes, we made her a manager. Train the girls, do the schedule, handle all the shit I have no desire to do or know about.
“Coffee,” I demand. “Who the fuck is gonna get me a venti Pike?”
“I’m here.” Destiny comes barreling up the stairs, panting like she’s been doing a marathon. She carries a huge box of Pete’s Coffee and a mug saying “World’s Best Boss” for me in her other hand.
“I’m so sorry. I had to go back to my place because I forgot this.” She holds up the white mug. “I bought it for you.” She stops in front of me, her brown eyes full of adoration.
I grin and take it from her. I’m sure she’s too young to know that she bought me the mug Steve Carell used in The Office. Poor Destiny. If she only knew that the character who used the mug was a moron.
“Thanks. I love it, darlin’.” She lets out an excited squeal and pours some coffee into it.
Nodding, I ask, “How long is this gonna take? I have business to finish before I come back tonight.” Destiny and Crystal look at each other.
“What?” I sip the bitter dark coffee and light up a cigarette. Besides sex, this is my second favorite thing to do in the morning.
“Axel, we have no idea how long this will take. You can’t rush these things.” Crystal puts one elbow on the table so that she can turn to face me. Her flowery perfume is too much—not even my cigarette can conquer it.
“Some girls are easy to spot. They’re masters at eating up the pole.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” She opens her mouth to respond, but I barrel over her. “Whatever, it doesn’t matter. Just start.” I set my coffee down, clenching my teeth on my cigarette.
She huffs and straightens her clipboard. “I want you to know that I’m taking my managerial position in this magnificent place seriously.” She glares at me like I’m not.
“I don’t care, Crystal. If you don’t—” She sighs and takes my cigarette.
My cigarette.
No one gets to smoke my cigarette. I’m not a sharing guy.
“What?” She takes a huge drag. “Oh, for God’s sakes.” Smoke escapes through her nostrils as she rolls her eyes and thrusts the cigarette, now covered in gooey red lipstick, at me.
“Keep it.” Impatient, I reach into my pocket for another. “Is Ripper here yet?”
“Yes, I think he’s with Porsche.” Destiny demurely sits down to my right smoothing her hands on her short black skirt. I eye her and lean back in my chair, propping my feet on the table.
“Ripper?” I bellow.
“Yo.” It’s not far away. My head swivels to the right. Sure enough, I spot his blond hair in a dark corner of the club.
“Hurry the fuck up. Something tells me this is going to be a long day.”