Her Dark Protector

Chapter 5

That night Velvet danced as usual. The crowd seemed larger tonight especially just for a Thursday night. But she didn’t care she came to dance and let her body move. Tonight, she wore a dark purple outfit, basically just a crop top and boy shorts, with a matching colour lacy thong underneath. The shoes however were new. Another gift from Thomas. When she arrived at the club there was a box waiting for her. Inside were another pair of grey Jimmy Choos. They matched her outfit, so she wore them. They weren’t exactly dancing shoes, but she was a trained ballerina, she was used to dancing on her toes. She knew Thomas would be in the audience which is why she wore them.

After she danced, she made her way through the audience. She wasn’t there to wait on anyone, just to interact with the audience. Make the know she was real, hopefully get bigger tips maybe a private dance or two. Though now there was Thomas it would be less likely she would get more private dances. It meant less money, but he was paying for almost everything so she could afford it for now.

Velvet was determined not to fall in love. She had only been in love once and it had not turned out very well for her and she refused to let that happen again. This arrangement seemed the best for now.

When she saw Thomas, she stopped and talked for a time. Smiling, thanking him for the shoes and hoped that it was okay she had worn them on stage.

‘You were amazing up there, I’m glad you were able to wear the shoes. I didn’t think you would.’

‘I trained in ballet; I am used to dancing on my toes.’

‘Lovely. I wish I could have seen you dance like that.’ Velvet smiled.

‘Perhaps one day they might let me dance like that here.’ Thomas stared at her as though trying to gauge if she meant it. She stood up to finish her rounds. She smiled and touched his shoulder as she left his table. The men at the table with him gave him high fives and she suddenly felt cheap.

Further around the floor there was a man sitting on his own, with a single glass in front of him. As she went to walk by, she released it was the man from the restaurant. She almost stopped, but she also knew Thomas would be watching. He leaned forward as she approached. It took all her strength to ignore him, but she could feel him as she did. It was like his aura was trying to pull her in towards him. The sensation was surreal, like everything in the club fell away and it was just him.

For half a second, she lingered by his table. She could feel the pull, and the darkness. It was intoxicating. Some how she managed to pull herself free and kept walking. She turned back to Thomas and the look on his face said it all. He was angry, not at her, he was staring at the man at the table.

She was relieved when she made it back to the dressing room and could feel like she could breathe again. A few of the girls were there.

‘Do you guys know the guy at the back sitting on his own? Dark hair, beard, black suit.’

‘Yeah, that’s Julian Black. He is the hottest guy to ever come through this place, but he never wants a dance, doesn’t talk to anyone. He just sits there and watches.’ Gem answered, it was obvious in her voice how disappointed she was he never wanted anything. It was clear she had tried. ‘Why?’

‘I was just wondering. I saw him out there tonight and Thomas didn’t like it when I walked past his table.’

‘Not surprised. Julian could squash Thomas like a bug. Julian is his boss.’

‘Oh, that explains the look then.’ The conversation didn’t make her feel any better.

Suddenly there was a commotion at the door and Thomas came striding in. He walked right up to her. The bouncy followed him, seething that Thomas managed to get past him.

He grabbed her arms. ‘Are you okay, did he touch you, did he talk to you?’ Velvet was confused for a second and then realised he was talking about Julian.

‘No, I am fine. He didn’t touch me or talk to me. Why, what’s wrong?’ Thomas relaxed then. ‘Thomas what is the matter?’

He let her arms go and took a small step back. ‘Everything is fine, I just wanted to check you were okay. You just looked a little shaken as you walked back here.’

‘Oh, no that was nothing.’

‘Wonderful, I will leave you ladies to it then. I will message you later, I need to return home.’ He kissed her cheek.

‘Of course, good night, Thomas.’ With that he left the room as quickly as he arrived. All the girls watched him leave.

‘Okay, that was weird, right.’ Kiki asked looking around at everyone.

‘Was he asking about Julian?’ Gem was not happy.

‘I guess so. I had a weird moment when I walked past his table. But it was barely a second, I am surprised Thomas even noticed. I mean it is dark out there and I was a few tables away at that point.’

Mike the bouncer came back in. ‘I am so sorry girls, I don’t know how he got by me. He is so much stronger than he looks.’ Mike looked directly at her while he said this.

‘Its okay Mike, he was just worried. But no one got hurt, he wasn’t angry, it was all very civil.’

‘I know, but he still shouldn’t have been able to get back here without your permission first.’

‘I’ll talk to Carl, I’ll explain what happened. Its fine.’ Mike looked relieved. ‘I’ll go see him now actually.’

‘Thank you.’ She squeezed his hand as she left the room and made her way upstairs to the manager’s office before knocking on his door.

‘Come in.’

She went inside to find Carl on the phone, looking concerned and relieved to see her at the same time. He held his finger up while he acknowledged her. She sat down and waited for him to finish his conversation.

‘Are you okay?’ He asked, genuinely concerned.

‘Yes, I am fine, all the girls are fine. This was not Mike’s fault.’ Carl watched her for a moment.

‘Are you sure? Thomas was livid when I saw him.’

‘Yes, everyone is fine, and please it wasn’t Mike’s fault.’

‘I know, I don’t blame him. I blame Thomas, the guy is an i***t, he flies off the handle for no reason at all. There was nothing to indicate Mr Black made any kind of move, and it is well within his rights to talk to you. Thomas doesn’t own you.’

‘He doesn’t?’ Velvet was pretty sure that in some aspect he did.

‘No, not technically, but I know how it seems. But I can’t keep Thomas out after his behaviour. I will have to talk to him though. If he can’t adhere to our rules, then I can revoke his contract with you.’

‘Thank you, Carl.’

‘Of course. You are my best dancer; I can’t have anything happen to you. I will have you watched more closely here at the club and escorted home after each shift.’ The phone chose to ring then. Carl answered and his face dropped as he turned to her. ‘Um, okay, I’ll bring her down.’ Velvet raised her eyebrows. Carl hung up the phone.

‘What’s the matter?’

Carl was quiet for a moment, as though contemplating how to tell her something.

‘Ah, Mr Black ahs requested a private dance, with you.’

‘With me.’ There was genuine shock and surprise in her voice.

‘Yes. But he never requests a private dance with anyone.’ He shook his head and stood from his desk. Velvet followed him from the office and to the bar. Mr Black was waiting for them. He smiled as she looked up at him, but it was a smile from someone who thought he won, it didn’t seem genuine.

‘Mr Black, let me take you to one of our rooms while Velvet gets herself ready.’ Mr Black watched Velvet as she left and nodded to Carl. He turned and followed the manager to one of the private rooms. It was a small dark room with dark purple lighting. There was a black leather sofa against one of the walls and a small stage with a pole on the opposite side. Enough room for a girl to swing around and entertain a client.

Carl gestured for Julian to take a seat. A waitress arrived within moments and placed a glass of whiskey on the armrest of the sofa. They were adapted to be almost like small tables.

It wasn’t long before Velvet arrived. She had changed into a short silver dress that had a slight sparkle to it. She also changed her shoes, not wanting to wear the shoes Thomas gave her.

As soon as she walked into the room, she could feel Mr Black fix his dark stare om her. He never took his eyes from her as Carl nodded to her and left them alone in the room.