Page 46 of Devoured
The condensation on the sides of our cups dripped down. Haley nodded slowly to herself, mulling it over.
“So has everyone left then, because there’s no reason to stay? And that’s why you’re here, because you need more people to work there?”
My gut sank even lower. “I haven’t told anyone yet.”
“Oh,” Haley said. “That’s not like you.”
“I’m afraid they’ll all leave,” I blurted out. “I’m sick of everyone leaving. And I’m trying to convince Roland that I can handle the club without him. How the hell am I supposed to do that if everyone leaves?”
But I knew she was right. It wasn’t fair to keep them in the dark, even if they could technically figure it out on their own by checking their accounts. Out of habit, my chin dipped, and dipped, and dipped as I tried to think of a way to save this.
“I’m going to tell them,” I said. “As soon as I can. But I want to talk to a few people to see if I can get any of the club members and servers back.” I shook my head. “We’ve lost some really good women. You were the first to leave.”
Haley raised her shoulders, a hint of a playful smile on her face. “My bad?”
I laughed. “Yeah, why the hell did you start that train?”
She looked back at the house. “I don’t know how Lucas would feel about it.” Her eyes stayed on the domestic structure as if she could see him through the walls, searching inside for him. “But he has a friend who works at the Theater, that strip club in town, and he doesn’t think anything of it. In fact, he thinks sex work is a legitimate job, but it’s still—” She paused, trying to think of the right word.
“Different?”
“Yeah. It’s different when it’s your partner doing it.”
Her shoulders slumped. Haley had always been good to me, and I to her, so I knew that this wasn’t the easiest conversation for us.
“Would I have to have sex?” she asked.
“Absolutely not,” I said. “Ifyouwanted to have sex in the Terrariums,youwould be able to.” I straightened. “If you want to do the girlfriend experience without the sex, then that’d be fine by me. Butyouget to decide.” I took a deep breath. “The important thing to me is that it stays female-owned and operated and that each woman gets to decide how she wants to entertain. If the club member doesn’t like that?” I shrugged. “There are plenty of other women to choose from.”
Haley nibbled her lip. She sat up. “Okay. Sure. I’ll talk to Lucas, see what he thinks. I’ll try it.” She locked eyes with me. “I’ll try it. For you. And remember, it’s a trial period, not a contract.”
“Noted,” I said.
“Most likely I’ll be there as a companion on the main floor, not in the private rooms.”
That was completely fine with me. “No Terrariums then. Got it.”
“And if it in any way affects Nora,” Haley motioned to the teenager studying in the sunlight, “like, they give her a hard time at the academy again? Then I’m out.”
That was fair too.
A small voice inside of me wondered if Roland’s presence would help convince Haley, or even her man, Lucas, to come back. Roland had sway over people. And maybe, just maybe, with his business expertise, he could help make the club better for everyone. Including me.
Could I share ownership of the club with him?
No… That wasn’t an option. But maybe once it was mine, I could ask for his advice.
“Can I ask you for one more favor?” I squeaked.
“What is it?”
“Can you ask Lucas if he’d be willing to do his business meetings there?” I glanced up at the pristine windows of the house. “I know he had a few meetings with Aldrich there.”
Haley crossed her arms at the mention of Aldrich’s name. I had forgotten that they hadn’t been on the best of terms when he was murdered.
“Sure,” she said. “I don’t see why not.”
“Even if it’s just to get drinks. More bodies mean more spending.”
