Page 38 of Eagle

He released my hand and I tried to stay cordial. “Thanks. Cool name.”

He put his hands up and wiggled his fingers. “It’s perfect because I help you ladies make it rain.”

I chuckled. “That’s quite clever.”

He turned and threw his arm over my shoulder. But I didn’t feel uncomfortable like I did when Butch only touched the small of my back. “What’s your stage name, love?”

“Sapphire.” When I started at the first club ever, I had no idea what to call myself and everyone said I had to randomly pick a name. All the girls said it wasn’t safe to use your real name, even if it did already sound like a dancer’s name. I had no clue who I should be, so I sat at the bar before opening, sipping a diet soda and picking apart a napkin. The bartender, who was a striking woman, came over to clean up my mess and leaned on the bar to ask me if I was nervous. When I explained my conundrum she laughed and said, “That’s easy. Sapphire.”

“Just like that?” I kind of liked it, though I still asked, “WhySapphire?”

“Because those big baby blues are going to make the boys wild.” I’ve used that name ever since.

“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman. It’s a pleasure to have you on board. I need to take care of a few things before shift starts. Good luck today, Sapphire.”

DJ Rayne was definitely giving safety vibes. That made me feel a little better. Too bad he wasn’t one of them.

“Rayne switches shifts with Jodeci so you’ll meet him soon,” Butch said, breaking me from my comfortable haze.

“Jodeci, like the group?”

He grinned. “No, but he likes to think he’s as popular. Anyway, that’s the grand tour. Be sure to visit them at the end of your shift.”

“Got it. Pretty standard. Am I free to go?”

“You’re free to do whatever you want,Sapphire.” His grin melted into a serious line, and his eyes bored into me. He didn’t let them roam, but instead locked them with mine.

“I need to go get ready. Thanks for the introductions.” I turned and power walked to the hall where the dressing rooms were without looking back. What a weird way to start my first shift.

Chapter 18

Eagle

After tossing and turning all night, I dragged my ass out of bed. Lacy’s scent was already fading from the pillow. All I could think about was her. It had only been a few days since she left, but it felt like an eternity. And the thoughts that ran through my mind all night only tortured me.

I didn’t think she would ever allow it, but visions of Butch with his grubby hands all over her kept flashing in my mind. Even if she didn’t allow it, fuck him for his little comments. She was stripping when we first found her and Daisy, and I knew it would be fucked to want to never allow her to do it again, but I couldn’t help how I felt. She should only be for my eyes, for my hands. It was bad enough strangers could ogle her there, but at least ten brothers worked there at various times, including Butch. He was there a lot because he was Mama Hen’s precious boy and he ran security. He was nearly ten years older than all of us but the story we’d all heard was that she found him shortly after she met Raven and saved him from a dangerous home life.I could never remember if that was before or after Hawk was born. Either way, she treated him like a son but coddled him way more than Hawk.

Hawk was raised to be like Raven. So far, I think Raven would’ve been proud of him. I was out of line trying to storm off to Mama Hen’s the way I did. I wasn’t sorry for what I did to Butch, though. He asked for that shit. He was a big mother fucker and had been an Enforcer for the longest time, so he was cocky and thought he couldn’t be taken down. Maybe on a normal day that would’ve been true, but something about him talking about Lacy that way set me off.

After a shower, I headed downstairs for coffee and breakfast. I needed to mainline caffeine to get through the day. There was also the issue of seeing Daisy again at work. I didn’t want to further piss her off because it would just get back to Lacy but she was being obnoxious. I needed to get my head straight before I got there.

It was pretty empty besides a couple of bunnies, so I took a seat and one of them came over. “Need something, Eagle?”

“Coffee and if there was any food left, that would be great.”

She smiled and walked away. At least she didn’t flirt. Glancing around, none of them seemed to be looking my way. Stark contrast from the other day. Apparently everyone but me knew she was gone Sunday when I was on my rampage. But they also seemed to have gotten the hint that I wasn’t interested.

My phone buzzed and it was Keys. He confirmed Lacy was on the day schedule at Destiny’s Desires, but Jeannie was late shift. Lacy didn’t have a car and I’d be damned if she would be taking a ride share, or worse, be on another man’s bike. Until shit simmered down with Butch and I, though, I couldn’t go inside or Hawk would put me on grunt work. But I could be inthe parking lot.

My chances of getting her on the bike were slim, but I could probably talk her into the cage. Plus, she probably wouldn’t have good riding gear on. My tension was through the roof and an open ride would be best, but I wouldn’t have time to leave the shop, come get the truck, then get all the way to the club. I’d just have to ride with the windows down or something.

The bunny brought me a sausage biscuit and some coffee and promptly left to join some of the other girls. I ate and downed the coffee, then headed to work.

Falcon and Daisy were walking inside as I pulled up and I didn’t miss her eye roll. But Falcon pulled her close and said something before pushing her ahead. I parked and caught up to him since he was waiting on me.

He glanced over my shoulder. “Did I miss a memo?”

“No. I got something to do after work.”

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