Club Noire

Chapter2

Lace lived up to my expectations and I brought her on to work in my back office as an administrative member of staff. She wasn’t cut out for the front of the house and she spent a long time rebuilding her relationship with her sister and other family members. Most families didn’t have a problem with their relatives working in a club like mine because they knew I cared for all my workers. They had benefits, holidays off, and were protected from harm no matter in what capacity they worked in for me. From security to the kitchen, a valued employee is a loyal employee and I worked to keep them that way. No poaching was one of the number one rules I established in the district. No one could run a stable business if they were always paranoid about their people leaving or running back and forth between clubs. You also can’t protect anyone who goes where the wind blows. It was all too easy for some of the more unsavory factions to pluck off a rogue employee. My influence only spread so far once that happened.

Back to the present and my completely unsuited potential hire. I gave her a bland smile and shook my head. She wouldn’t last a week if I tried to put her on the stage. This wasn’t the Players Club or some movie club sh*t. I was running a real business. She would stroke out if I put her in one of the theme rooms. I couldn’t even say that she would be an effective waitress.

“I don’t think you understand the type of business I am running here, my dear. How about if you worked as a kitchen worker? Or perhaps in the offices? All of my employees make well above living wages plus bonuses and overtime. Full benefits and all. What do you say?” I watched the girl almost sag in relief.

“I would love to work in the kitchen. I love cooking and can cook almost anything you serve,” she gushed. I smiled sincerely and nodded to Phaedra, who had sat in on the interview.

“Get Ms. Moore set up with the chef and let him know he has a new sous chef starting tomorrow night. Tonight, just watch and learn. Tomorrow, I expect you here early to hear the specials and get ready to work. If you work hard, you’ll move up,” I said. Waving off the girl’s effusive thanks, I watched Phaedra escort her to the kitchen manager and return. I had kicked off my Loubatin heels and tucked my feet under me in my chair.

I smirked as Phaedra returned to the office and closed the door. She was my best friend and closest advisor. Built like a literal sss at almost six feet tall, with a full bust and rear with flawless caramel skin, full lips, and sharp brown eyes, she doubled as my muscle when the need arose. People learned early not to underestimate her. She had a dry sense of humor and liked to express herself through her ever-changing hairstyles and penchant for pin-up clothes. Today’s look was wide-leg sailor blue pants with a sheer cream-colored bow blouse and navy stiletto heels. Her hair was dyed a vibrant burgundy and styled in a 40s updo. She rolled her eyes as she plopped down in the chair opposite me. I laughed at her aggrieved air.

“I don’t know how you do it, girl,” she said with a snicker. I would never allow anyone else such casualness, but Phaedra had more than earned the right. We were closer than I was to my blood sister. She understood me and supported me most of the time.

“I hate this part of the business, but I don’t trust anyone else to do it. Some of them are too hard, and some are too soft,” I sighed. I reached in my desk drawer for some Tylenol and grabbed some water from the mini-fridge behind me. I offered Phaedra one, which she declined with a shake of her head. She rose and went to my minibar, pouring herself a Jack and Coke.

“You need to get hitched, and then you could share this burden with someone else,” she commented, peering at me from the corner of her eyes as she returned from the bar. I scoffed at her in good humor. We had had this particular conversation often in the past few years. People assumed, because of my age and s*x that, I required male protection. I was sure every head of the city’s supernatural factions and some from nearby cities had tried to marry me to their eligible sons, nephews, or cousins. A couple had offered up fathers who were widowed or divorced. I wasn’t interested. For now, my business was both my lover and my baby. That wasn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy male company occasionally, but only those who knew that things wouldn’t lead to an altar or them taking control of anything. One or two had gotten clingy, and I’d had to give them a glimpse of what I could do to make them go on their way. I hadn’t left my homeplace to deal with the same issues in a new city. If I had wanted to be married off in a loveless marriage, I could have stayed home. Phaedra knew this; she wanted to needle me into letting someone in my heart. No, thanks.

“Look, if someone comes along who can accept that I am not giving up my career and life to become Mrs. Whoever, then so be it. Otherwise, not wasting my time. I’m headed up to my apartment. Want anything for dinner or do you have plans?” I said this last with a small smile. Unlike me, Phaedra had a steady stream of suitors. She actually had a mate but they were open to expanding their bond. Jas was Seelie court Fae and he loved Phaedra to the moon and back. I envied her a little. I wouldn’t mind a mate or two myself. But I wouldn’t jump into a relationship because someone wanted more power. I knew that I represented an expansion of a power base for many of the factions. I kept abreast of faction politics for this very reason. I wanted to know that someone wanted me because of mutual attraction and no other selfish reason.

“Jas and I are staying in but I’ll call you if anything comes up. I’m on call this weekend anyway. Relax for once and actually stay out of the club!” she added with a laugh and shooing hand motions. I made a show of sighing heavily and grabbing up my purse and computer bag. I put my shoes back on and walked out towards my private elevator, nodding and waving at the staff and clients I passed on the way.