Page 18 of Assassin's Obsession

I'm bound to piss her off because despite my name, I'm more devil than angel.

Chapter 7

CANDI

"The boss wants a word." Nina, one of the cocktail waitresses who makes a habit of kissing Gino's ass, waits expectantly.

Like I'm going to stop getting ready and rush off to talk to the jerk-off assistant manager right this second.

Not happening.

I'm on in fifteen minutes and I still have to apply my false eyelashes. My least favorite part of doing my makeup for the stage, I always leave it for last.

"Did you hear me?" Nina demands.

I hold my breath as I get the second eyelash affixed to my eyelid.

Only when it's in place, do I reply. "Yes."

"He's not going to be happy with you making him wait," Nina says in dour warning.

Rolling my eyes, I turn from the mirror. "Unlike you, Nina, I don't spend my time here trying to make Gino happy."

Kissing up to the smarmy assistant manager might be worth it to the cocktail waitress to get preferential treatment in the schedule and backroom access, but I'd rather find another club to dance in than kiss up to that jerk.

I'm thinking about leaving regardless. Gino is putting pressure on both me and Bianca to offer extracurriculars. Not content with the extra cut he's taking out of our tips, our boss wants us to earn him a percentage of the more lucrative backroom business.

We're the only two dancers who don't and if Bianca gets the job at Amuni, I'm out of here.

"Maybe you should." Nina gives me a smug look. "He's your boss, Candi."

"Leave her alone, Nina. Candi is the only dancer who makes as many tips as I do." Piper, the OG dancer glares at Nina. "Unlike your replaceable ass, Gino isn't going to fire her if she doesn't hang off his dick."

"Whatever. I'll tell him I gave you the message," Nina huffs. "Don't blame me if he's pissed."

I don't roll my eyes again, but I want to. As long as I refuse to sell my ass so he can get a cut of the proceeds, Gino is going to be pissed at me. And I'm more than okay with that.

"He's in his office, if you're interested," is Nina's parting shot.

It's Ugo's office, but if Gino is playing top dog, the GM must not be in. Ugo was a better assistant manager than general manager, that's for sure.

He didn't care about the welfare of the dancers or club staff, but he sure as heck never tried to push me into selling my ass either. He respected our boundaries and no way would he let employees suck his dick for a better schedule.

Doesn't make him a hero though, because he's letting his assistant manager get away with it.

With ten minutes before I have to be onstage, I hotfoot it to Gino's office. Being a Wednesday night, the club's only about half filled.

I knock on the door and wait for an answer, not out of respect for Gino, but because both my biological and foster moms raised me right. I only had Bonbon until I was ten years old, but she was a good mom and Mira is the best.

"Come in," Gino yells after making me wait nearly a minute.

Opening the door, I see one of the other cocktail waitresses rising from her knees as she swipes at her mouth. Smirking atme, like blowing the boss is some kind of badge of honor, she leaves.

Poor Nina might be out in the cold when it comes to next week's schedule.

I stop about midway to the desk. "Nina said you wanted to see me?"

"I'm sorry for what happened last Saturday. You will be paid for a full night even though you left early and without a word to me." The words say one thing, his disgusted expression says another.

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