Page 6 of Bully

She tightened her lips into a line, and she looked away from me, “Because I was going to buy this place.”

I raised my brows in surprise, “Seven grand a night is impressive, especially for this clientele.” I replied and her lips parted in surprise, “But it would have taken you another lifetime to save up enough to buy it, surely you knew that.”

That was the wrong thing to say to her, apparently. Because her golden eyes burned with indignation, and she uncrossed her arms. “Did you keep me back to insult me? That seems like a shitty way to start a professional relationship.” I opened my mouth to reply, but she cut in, “Though judging by the way you’ve got Val acting like a simp at your feet for your attention, it seems you’ve already started building thoserelationshipswith your employees.”

Ooh, my Rainbow had some lightning in her clouds.

“Jealous?” I cocked my head to the side.

“Of you?” She countered, trying to throw me off. “Val’s a splendid girl, but she’s not my type.”

I smirked, giving in to the verbal sparring and the way I bloody enjoyed it. “Lesbian. Got it.” I stated it, and she remained silent, although I was unconvinced that her sexuality was so simply categorized. “That should make working together even easier.” I took a couple of steps toward her. “Because we’ll be working together, Ember. Closely over the next month and beyond. At the end of the day you can hate that I bought this place out from under you all you want, but you seem like a highly intelligent woman and at some point, you’ll have to admit that more money coming in these doors benefits far more than just me. All the changes coming, including the money can benefit everyone here including you. You just have to allow it instead of fighting it.” I stopped a foot away from her. “Don’t fight it, Rainbow. Help me, help you and everyone else.”

I firmly threw down the innuendo between us, and I loved the way she stared at me. She worked in the sex industry, but she wasn’t allowing her instincts to convince her one way or another about me.

Interesting.

“We have our first management meeting later today at three.” I stated, cutting through the tension and rocking her again with my change in direction. “Meet me at this address,” I pulled a card from my pocket and wrote my penthouse address on the back of it.

She hesitantly took my card and read the address, but said nothing else before turning away from me and walking toward the exit.

Would she show up for the meeting? Who knew?

I was an excellent judge of character, having spent years being tortured while I examined case studies on people for my dad’s enjoyment, but my guess was that Ember would show up as instructed.

If for no other reason than to spar with me some more. She was far too feisty to let me have the last word.

“What are you naming it?” She asked as she got to the door, proving my point and keeping it going. “The club. What are you changing the name to?”

She didn’t know it, but I hadn’t nailed down a new name for it yet.

At least I hadn’t until tonight.

“Prism.” I replied, watching her face closely as the single word worked through her big brain. “I’ll offer the world an entire luxurious kaleidoscope of pleasures to choose from.” Her eyes squinted like it offended her, and I winked mockingly. “Don’t be late for the meeting. Tardiness won’t be tolerated.”

The slamming of the door was her only response, and I grinned like a maniac as I finally admitted to myself why Ember sparked an interest inside of me.

Because I couldn’t have her.

At least that’s what she wanted me to think.

Chapter 3 – Sloane

Myphonedingedannoyinglyas I brushed my teeth. I eyed it, laying on the counter next to me and battled whether to open the group chat. I wasn’t sure I had the strength to read what everyone was saying.

Anger still burned in my gut, and I felt like I was going to erupt with it if I gave in and read the messages other girls from The Den were sending.

Last night had beenincredible. Finally, I had convinced Tony to let me run some sort of instruction class in the exhibition room and it had sold out almost immediately. And being on stage,God, it was the biggest rush.

How did my night go from the biggest high in memory to the ultimate low within just a few hours?

Oh yeah, Tony fucking Richards selling The Vixen’s Den after we had been making plans for years for me to buy it. Fucking asshole.

And the new owner? What a prick!

A deliciously sexy, melt your panties and leave your legs shaking prick.

I knew nothing about him, aside from his name on his business card.

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