Page 7 of Fang (Lotus MC: San Antonio #2)

T onight, I’m on edge. I feel a funk settling in to stay, and it pisses me off. I hate when my emotions get the best of me for some unknown reason.

If only I were little again, and a sweet treat could turn my frown upside down.

“What the hell are you wearing?” Venus asks.

“Lingerie,” I deadpan.

Her nose crinkles. “Not very good lingerie.”

Some of the others murmur in agreement.

I bite back my sigh as I study myself in the mirror. My makeup is more natural for the night, and my curls cascade down my back for now. The black lace lifts my breasts, making them look larger than they are. I have a feeling, though, that’s not what she’s talking about.

Attached to my bra is a lace hood that I plan on utilizing tonight.

This set is unlike anything I usually wear, but I love it.

As soon as I saw it online, I knew I had to splurge on it.

I know as soon as the patrons see it, it will pay for itself.

Especially paired with the song I have in mind for tonight.

“Aw, Venus, your jealousy is showing,” I coo.

Her eyes narrow as she scoffs. “Jealous? Jealous of who? You?” She laughs. “Please, you have the body of a ten-year-old. There’s nothing to be jealous of, honey. All those men lusting after you? They are imagining you as a child. Disgusting, right?”

I look down at my boobs for a second before meeting her gaze once again in the mirror. I could point out that her tits are saggy and a total strip club cliché, but I don’t.

I raise an eyebrow. “Last time I checked, ten-year-olds didn’t have handfuls, but what do I know? Besides, those same men lust after you, so what does that say about you when you actually enjoy it? You even let them touch you.”

“Tell us how you did it,” she demands.

“Did what?” I roll my eyes.

Venus rolls her eyes. “Get Fang to sleep with you.”

“Is he as big as I think he is?” Shorty asks wistfully.

“I’m not sleeping with Fang,” I tell them, focusing back on my own image in the mirror.

“I’m not stupid. We all know you are and that’s why he assigned creepy over there.” She jacks her thumb over her shoulder and points at Happy.

Is the scarring on his face a little disconcerting when you first meet him? Yes, but you get used to it. Besides, even with the exaggerated smile lines cut into his face, he’s attractive in his own way. I can’t judge him when I know I have my own scars. Mine happen to only be internal.

It’s a badge to show that you survived. No, Happy doesn’t scare me, and he isn’t creepy. He is another survivor.

One I respect.

My eyes find him in the mirror. His arms are crossed and he looks like he’s checked out, but I know he’s watching and taking everything in.

Could he step in and put Venus in her place?

Yes, but I appreciate the fact that he isn’t.

He’s letting me handle my own shit even if he’s being thrown under the bus in the process.

I pick up my bold red lipstick and apply it slowly. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as annoyance flies across Venus’s face. When I’m done, I cap the lipstick and set it down before turning and giving her my complete attention.

“I know this is a foreign concept for you, Venus, but I don’t have to spread my legs for every guy just to get something in return. Fang knows what I bring to the club, and he’s assigned Happy to me to protect his investment. While all of you are replaceable, I’m not.” I smirk.

I don’t know how, but the words come out more confidently than I actually feel. I know I’m replaceable. We all are, but sometimes you have to be a little cocky to get the point across. I know my worth, where these other bitches have none. As cruel as that sounds, it’s the truth.

Venus steps into my space and hisses, “Why you little…”

“Back up, Venus,” I warn her.

Venus’s eyes gleam. “I don’t think I will. We didn’t miss the way you reacted to the violence.”

I push her back as I take a step back. “Stay the fuck out of my face.”

I watch as her eyes narrow and she raises her hand. My body tenses as I wait for the hit, only it never comes.

“She told you to step back,” Happy grumbles.

I look over and see that he’s holding her wrist.

Venus licks her lips and tries to look seductive but fails. “Come on, Happy. Let me at her, just this once. It can be our little secret. I’ll make it worth your while, I promise.”

This bitch.

She had the audacity to talk shit about Happy and his appearance, now she’s trying to seduce him to get her way? I’m not surprised in the least, but it’s fucking ridiculous.

Thankfully, Happy doesn’t fall for it, though.

He turns his head and looks at me. “You ready? It’s time to head backstage.”

Quickly, I face the mirror and pull my hair forward so it rests across my breasts. Then I pull the hood into place. My face is partially hidden within the shadows of the hood, but my lips stand out like a beacon.

Perfect.

“Let’s go,” I tell him.

Part of me wants to be petty and slam my shoulder into hers as I pass, but I don’t. I step around her and head down the hall. Soon Happy catches up and falls into step next to me.

“Say whatever it is you want to say,” I tell him when I feel him staring.

“You need to learn to stand up for yourself and not let these cunts run all over you. You don’t deserve any of their wrath.”

Don’t I, though? I’m the one they have to compete against, and let’s be honest, they don’t stand a chance. I have motivation to stay on top and earn as much money as possible. I go the extra mile to make my dances worth it. They can’t touch me because they don’t have the dedication I have.

This is their career, while this is only a stepping stone for me.

Exhaustion hits me hard. I’m tired of the constant competition. I’m tired of working myself to the bone. I’m tired of the uncertainty and doing something I hate night after night. I’m just so fucking tired.

As soon as Danny sees me, he frowns. His eyes dart to Happy for a second before he looks back at me. “You ready, Cam?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I tell him with false confidence.

When the dancer before me walks off stage, I head on up. The lights are low as I take my spot. Anticipation grows through the crowd. They all know what’s about to happen, and for some reason my nerves feel like they are going to get the best of me.

Leave.

I need to leave.

The lights come on right as the music starts. When I look up, he’s the first person I see. Everything seems to fall away. I forget about the fight and the crowd of strangers watching.

All I can see is him.

Fang.

I don’t know why, but I want to make him proud. Without looking away, I begin to move. I begin to dance just for him.

She’s upset.

As soon as she steps onstage, even before the lights come up I know. It’s the way she holds herself. Almost as if she’s on the defense.

I don’t know how I know but I do, and I fucking hate that I don’t know what caused it. She seemed fine earlier, so what changed?

I pull my phone out and tap out a quick message.

Me: What the hell is wrong with her?

He replies instantly.

Happy: Just some girl shit. She’s fine. Stop worrying.

Easier said than done.

His nonanswer annoys the hell out of me, but I ignore it for now. I’ll ask him again after she leaves for the night.

Sighing, I slip my phone back into my pocket as the music starts and the lights come back on.

“Unholy” by Sam Smith blasts through the speakers. I can’t help but smile at her song choice. Why am I not surprised she picked a song that probably calls out half the men in the room? A groan goes out through the crowd as she drops and pops it when the song mentions it.

She has us captivated. Spellbound. Part of me feels like shit over the fact I’m watching her. I want her in the worst possible way even though I shouldn’t. I’m too old for her. She’s too young and still in college for Christ’s sake. She doesn’t need to be tied down to the likes of me.

If she were mine, though, the only dancing she would do would be in private and just for me.

The familiar fantasy fills my head.

I’m in my office sitting in my chair when there is a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Cami steps in and locks the door before leaning against it. A lace hood is pulled over her head, and her chin is tilted down.

“Do you have a minute?”

“Of course,” I tell her as I toss the pen down.

“I was wondering if I could get your opinion on a new dance I have.”

“Sure.” I go to stand, but she shakes her head.

“Stay right there.”

She pulls her phone out of the pocket on her booty shorts and taps on the screen. As the song starts to play, I roll back and away from my desk slightly. My heart races as Cami approaches me.

“What are you doing?” I rasp.

She reaches out and presses her pointer finger against my lips. “Shh, just watch and feel.”

I bite back a groan when she swivels her hips and kneels between my legs.

“Can I get you anything, Fang?”

I shake my head to try to clear my fucked-up daydream from my mind.

“What?”

Venus points between my legs. “It looks like you could use some help. I wouldn’t mind.”

I look down and wince. You can barely make out my half-hard cock through my jeans. Fucking perfect.

“I’ll pass,” I tell her coolly. “Now get to work.”

Her face scrunches up. “What? You think you’re too good for me or something? I got tricks that would blow your mind.”

“Last warning, Venus. I’ve made it clear from the jump that I have no interest in you. You need to get it through your head that this will never happen. If you try your shit again, I’m going to let you go for harassment. Now get out of my way, I’m busy here.”

Venus huffs and stomps off.

My eyes move back to the stage. Cami spins around the pole and comes to a stop facing the stage. Once again she drops down, legs spread wide. Right as the music ends, she drops her chin to her chest and the lights dim. Even in the poor lighting, you can see how fast she’s breathing.

The men and even the women in the crowd lose their minds as they start tossing more money onto the stage. Someone even whistles as she gets up and walks off the stage. Clark comes out and gathers up all the money she collected and rushes it back to her.

Only when a new song starts to play do I get up.

Before heading to my office, I stop at the bar. “You guys good up here?” I yell over the music.

Mandy nods. “All good.”

“Where’s Erin?” I ask about one of the other bartenders that’s on tonight.

“Changing a keg. She will be back in a minute.”

Nodding, I leave the floor and head to my office. As soon as the door shuts behind me, the room falls silent. You can still faintly hear music playing from the floor, but it’s nowhere near as loud as it was.

Rounding my desk, I drop into my chair and rub my hands over my face. Okay, it’s time to push Cami from my mind and get to work.

Leaning forward, I grab the pad of paper off my desk and look at the list I have going of things I need to get done.

Make the schedule.

Approve time off.

Payroll.

Put out an ad for another dancer.

Fix light bulb.

Liquor inventory.

Place liquor order.

Shit, this is going to take a minute. Most of it’s shit that I need to do, but there are a few things I can pawn off onto someone else.

I pull out my phone and shoot off a quick text. Setting my phone down, I turn on my computer monitor and get to work. A few minutes later there is a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Prospect Two peeks his head into the room. “I was told you needed me?”

“Yeah, I need you to change the light bulb right outside the back door and for you to do the liquor inventory.”

He frowns but nods. “No problem. Do we have a ladder here or anything?”

I shake my head. “No, but you should be able to reach it. If not, I can have one of the brothers bring one over.”

“Cool.”

“Here. You’ll need this.” I look down at my desk and rifle through some of the papers I have until I find the one I’m looking for.

Prospect Two walks toward me and takes the inventory list from me when I hand it over.

“Do you need me to wait until we close to complete this?” he asks.

“Nah, on there I put down what the bare minimum number we need on hand is. So if it’s right at or below that, then mark it as something I will need to order.”

“Easy enough. I’ll get right on this.”

“Thanks.”

He walks out and shuts the door behind him once again.

Two things done. Only five left to go, then I can get the hell out of here.