Page 41 of Vengeance

“That’ll never be a problem. That little girl has me wrapped around her finger.”

“Did you guys hear how much trouble Rocco got into?” Patriot asks, his entire body shaking as he laughs like a hyena. “He tried to get me to let him go in my place, and Autumn overheard. Apparently, he has an issue with strippers, as in, it becomes an addiction, and Autumn lost her shit. Screaming and cussing.”

Heidi shakes her head. “I should teach her how to give him a private show. He won’t need any other strippers if he’s getting what he seeks from the woman he loves.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Gunner says. “During the day, when the place is closed, you could give lessons to women who want something sexy to surprise their husband or boyfriend with.”

“The VIP rooms would also be great photo opportunities for those sexy photo sessions. Erica gave me a book of... shit, what’s it called? Oh, yeah, boudoir pictures. Damn, I could only get to the second page seeing her in those sexy outfits before I had to take her,” Mack says. “She’s been taking photography classes, and one of the other students and her took photos of each other for their collection of work. There were a few I had to have her pull because there are some things for my eyes only.”

Leaning back, Heidi thinks about it. Both are solid ideas. They likely won’t rake in the dough, but it’s supplemental. “Maybe I’ll see if I can get a few of the girls to come in for a class, so I can learn how to best go about it.”

“Erica would love to do a few free sessions for the photos as long as she can add some to her portfolio.”

“It might be the only way we can keep this place afloat. We haven’t had a single person step in here to audition.”

“We’re sorry, Heidi,” Patriot says. “We let you down.”

Sighing, she leans back and shakes her head. “Maybe trying to compete with Christian was a stupid idea. I just really wanted to have a place I loved where dancers were respected and treated fairly. The way I wish I was treated when I danced.”

The door opens, and high heels clacking on the floor echoes in the room. When she turns around, she sees ten women walk towards the table wearing next to nothing.

“Is this the right place for auditions?” a brunette with a crop top torn at the top showcasing her cleavage asks as she snaps her gum.

“Uh, you mean the audition for strippers... in a strip club? Yeah,” Patriot says.

Heidi shoots him a look and turns back. “Wait, don’t you work at the Clam Bake?”

“We are unless you hire us. That place is terrible,” a small girl wearing seven-inch heels says, her long, blonde hair in tight curls around her head. She gives off early 2000s Christina Aguilera vibes, and she can’t be more than five feet tall without heels.

“He acts like he owns us. And the touching is disgusting,” the first says. “We brought our own music. Do you want us to just-”

“You’re hired,” Heidi says and stands.

The blonde gasps. “Wait, aren’t you Starbright?”

She didn’t work at the Clam Bake long, but her reputation seems to have stuck around. “I am.”

“You’re famous! Christian’s been trying to get back to the level he was when you were there, but he can’t accept the fact he screwed up and is the issue.”

“He’s not a bright man, that’s for sure,” Heidi says.

“Why don’t you have any strippers?” the first asks. “Maybe we’ll just be leaving one terrible place for another.”

Hurrying over to them, she holds out her hand. “For the same reason you want to leave the Clam Bake. Christian. Before we get into that, my name’s Heidi. Since I don’t get up on stage anymore, I don’t go by Starbright. Unless I’m dancing for my husband. What are your names?”

“Sunshine.”

“Pixie.”

“Strawberry Desire.”

“Luster Dust.”

“Bunny.”

“The Cobra Wrangler.”

“Lady.”

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