Page 4 of Promiscuous Lies

“Her shift has barely started,” I remind her.

“I know, sir. She seemed to have an emergency pop up,” she replies, and I’ve worked with Paula for long enough to know when she’s trying to cover for someone. Paula’s a woman in her fifties and she treats most of the women here like her daughters. It’s a privilege they don’t even realize they have, and that’s precisely why I hired her to manage the dancers. I know the women are being looked after emotionally as well as physically. This line of work isn’t easy for everyone.

“What did she say?” I demand. She bites her lip and looks away. “Paula, I expect an honest answer.”

She offers me a nervous smile and exhales heavily. “It was something along the lines of…” she mumbles under her breath, and I don’t quite hear what she says.

“Repeat that clearly.”

“She said, ‘That stupid-ass fucking boss thinks I dance for free. Who would ever do this job for free? He can go fuck himself and the horse he rode in on. I’m out.’” Had I not already been slapped with the aggressive nature of Posie’s sharp tongue, I’d find it entertaining how Paula mimics her attitude.

“Thanks for that, Paula. Please send Maria into the room.” I turn around and head to the office.

“Wait, Mr. Taylor. Please. She’s a good girl and a hard worker, I promise you,” Paula calls out after me, but I don’t respond.

Someone is about to be taught a lesson.

CHAPTER 3

Posie

The moment I pull up to my house, Amy steps outside and says, “He fell asleep as soon as you left. You’re home early.” She pulls on her jacket. It’s been chillier lately as the season is changing.

“Early knockoff. Thanks again for watching over him, Amy.” Someone parks across the road as I watch her get into her car.

I spare a glance at the grass, which is in need of serious cutting. I might have time to do it this weekend. I wave to Amy as she drives away and briefly admire my modest two-bedroom house. It’s a small rental, but it works, and I can afford it.

As I’m opening the front door, someone calls my name. I turn at the sound of the voice and find my boss, Mr. Taylor, leaning against his car.How the fuck does he know where I live?

He doesn’t move to come closer, and for that, I’m thankful. Because my first thought waswhere is my weapon?I have a bat just inside the door, but that’s it. Usually, that’s enough to dissuade someone from entering my home uninvited.

“Why are you here? You do know how fucked-up this is, right? To follow your employee home?” I say, carefully inching my hand inside to find the bat. When I grip it, I feel relief straight away. Holding it but not showing him, I wait for him toanswer. Fuck this, I’m not at work. I don’t have to pretend shit for this asshole.

“You left before the end of your shift,” he says matter-of-factly. It’s two in the morning, the neighborhood seems so quiet, and his voice carries effortlessly.

“Yeah, I have that privilege.” He doesn’t seem to like that response because he pushes off the car and stalks toward me. My grip tightens on the handle of the bat.

“So I take it you don’t want your money, then?”

“You could have called,” I tell him as he gets closer.

I don’t know this man. Yes, he’s my boss, but tonight was the first time I met him, and he seemed anything but friendly. He also has a dangerous aura around him I don’t trust. I’ve stepped away from men like him for a reason. And him being a total ass is another checkmark against him. And I let Paula know that.

He reaches into his pocket, and I lift the bat in response, gripping it with both hands. He pauses at the end of the path. Even in the dim glow of my porch light, I can see the slight tug of his lips before they pinch into a thin line again. He continues coming toward me, unfazed by my weapon. As I raise the bat higher, making a note that I have no hesitation in using it against his striking features, he pulls out an envelope and offers it to me. My gaze dips to the envelope curiously.

“What is that?” I nod toward it.

“Take it.”

“No.”

“Take it,” he repeats.

“What is it?” I ask again.

He sighs. “You don’t make things easy, do you?”

“And do you follow all your employees to their homes?”

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