“Good evening!” I yell, so all eyes are on me.
“We’re having a technical issue. As soon as we correct it, we will open the doors, and your first round will be on the house. Thank you for your patience.” That seems to calm them all down.
My phone rings, and my screen lights up with a text.
Fixed
I pull on the door, and it opens.
“Everyone okay?” I call out and hear a few curses and heavy sighs.
“Nova, what the fuck?” I shrug.
“No idea, Betsey, but I’ll get to the bottom of it. Everyone alright?” Six of my girls all pop up from behind the bar.
“Where’s everyone else?” I ask as the door opens behind me.
Sunny comes in, followed by a dozen more employees who must have been outside waiting.
I sigh as I take a head count and check them all over. In this business, you have to be very careful and take extra care of your employees.
“Alright, ten minutes, everyone!” I called out, and a few of the girls laughed and called back to me.
“Yes, Madam.” I roll my eyes at their pet name for me.
“Betsey,” I call her over.
She’s my manager and mentor. I wouldn’t be where I am without her. A few years ago, when the club was first established, I found poor Betsey in the alley, left for dead by one of her Johns. Skull and I nursed her back to health, and I swore any sex worker in New Orleans would never suffer like she did.
“Make sure the girls are all okay. Give the people outside one drink each. I’ve got two clients tonight.” She nods as she watches me take my first Viagra.
“Nova.” I shake my head.
“I already got a lecture tonight.” She sighs and nods.
“I do it out of love, Baby.” She fixes my hair, then my bowtie.
“You look very debonair.” I fucking blush like a virgin teen.
“You ole devil. Get to work,” I slap her ass, and she chuckles.
“I’ll still put your ass over my knee,” She scolds as she walks off.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” I move to the front door and tell the bouncer to allow entrance in five minutes.
I find Roger, and we head to the limo. I give him the address of my first client and close my eyes. It usually takes me twenty minutes or so to get in the right mind space, but tonight, with all the delays, I have about ten.
Tonight, I’m playing the role of devoted husband to a young lady whose boss is harassing her. She lied to get him to back off, and instead he’s doubled his efforts. Cause no means yes to dickheads with power trips. A dear client of mine referred her, and I took the job instantly.
This is a corporate dinner that her boss made mandatory.
The limo stops, and Roger knows not to interrupt me. When I’m ready, I open my door and walk up the path lined with flowers to her tiny cottage-style home.
I knock on the door and wait.
When it opens, I look up into her amber eyes and smile.
“Ready, Jane?” I offer her my arm.
