Page 117 of Arran's Obsession

“A few times. Know her?”

“Not really. We spoke once, but that was it.” I scrunched up my nose.

Natasha continued her rant, targeting a group at a table. She’d called me out for having another agenda with the game. Was this hers?

“Pipe down, girl,” one man snarked back.

“Don’t you dare talk to me, you whore user. Go find a real woman.” She wheeled around to the stage. “As for all you sluts on the poles, I hope you slide down on your diseased juices and break your necks.”

Outrage filled me. I snapped my focus to Alisha. It was on the tip of my tongue to challenge her on doing something about this, but her expression pulled me up short. The chief of operations appeared afraid.

“Where’s Shade?” She wrung her hands. “He’s second-in-command. He needs to be here.”

I summoned a smile. “I’ll handle it.”

Alisha’s shoulders crept up. “You want to play boss and be the woman in the manager’s seat, go for it.”

I stepped forward, sensing Manny moving with me. “Natasha? What the hell are you doing?”

She sought me out, her focus wide and her classy appearance a shambles. “Genevieve, there you are. Should’ve known your thief and liar self wouldn’t be far from these parts.”

“Wait up. What’s going on?”

“What’s going on is this place is a sickening hellhole filled with filth and needs to be shut down. All of you are sinners.”

“Watch your mouth.” I glowered at her, my blood hot. “Don’t you dare come in here with that shitty attitude and abuse the people who work here.”

“Me dare? How about you daring to take the place that should’ve been mine? You stole that from me. I would’ve been his, and I’d be the queen of this club, taking control and cleaning up shop. Hear me?”

“Unfortunately,” I intoned. “But there’s one problem with that. You didn’t get him, and your thoughts on what happens in this business are irrelevant.”

She made an angry sound and stamped her expensive heel. “You’re the one who’s going to be irrelevant.”

I gave her a soft, deadly smile. “Is that a threat? Out loud in front of all these good people? Let me tell you something, Natasha. Every single one of the dancers and staff members in this club are worth a hundred of you. You lost out because you deserved that fate. I really believe that.”

Lara whistled. “Right on, sister. You tell her.”

I glanced over. Even Alisha cracked a smile.

Only a few weeks ago, I would’ve pitied the women who worked here and assumed they were oppressed or had no choice but to sell their bodies. Now, I knew they were businesswomen,working an asset. They had skills I could only dream of, thoughts and ambitions. Fuck her for judging them.

I swung back to the crazed woman. “And another thing?—”

Behind her, a figure crossed the room, a woman holding a Divine drinks tray, the black-and-pink staff uniform nipping tight at her waist. Her hair was loose and forward over her face, but she lifted her head to throw me a meaningful glance.

Moniqua, my brother’s girlfriend.

My words stalled. If she was here, then was Riordan? Or worse, her cousin, Don? My brother would be in danger, but it would be the reverse if Don had decided to pay a visit. He’d be part of a Four Milers revenge act, undoubtedly.

Moniqua gave a single shake of her head and cut her gaze at the side exit of the club. Then she slipped out of sight behind a row of tables.

At the end of the room, the doors to Divine burst open.

Men stormed in.

Chapter 33

Arran – five minutes earlier

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