Page 9 of The Stallion (Men Under Revue #2)

Dallas

After completing the initiation, every dancer is given the opportunity to select their day job from a list of those currently available.

There is no restriction on where you can choose to be placed on The Strip, as long as the position is open. There were thousands of job opportunities, ranging anywhere from basic bartending to hotel management—my father’s choice.

Day jobs were not a full-time commitment. Most picked up shifts when bored or had time to waste. As long as they met the eight-hour weekly minimum, any other time they dedicated to their position was voluntary.

The hours didn’t need to be spent all at once—two here, three there, and so on—but the jobs were necessary to keep our eyes and ears where they needed to be—focused on The Strip .

Most of the dancers in their early twenties often choose service industry jobs, loving the additional attention and easy opportunities to get laid that came with them.

I knew exactly what I wanted to do even before taking that first test.

Isla was a luxurious day spa catering to all guests, regardless of their social status—a business I had long wanted to own and operate, and it finally became a reality the night I put on my ring.

Out of respect for the organization, a private section of the retreat was reserved exclusively for the MUR members and their dependents.

My mother was the sole influence behind the day spa.

Over the years, her sunroom had become a sanctuary where she spent most of her time relaxing, listening to music, and escaping from our busy, complicated world.

When I was little, I would lie in that room while it stormed, the clear glass ceiling allowing me to stare up at the sky as lightning struck through the clouds. It was a sight I would never forget, no matter how much time had passed.

With a reliable staff I had hired over the years, I only ever needed to come in once or twice a week to check up on operations and handle any outstanding paperwork.

While I was out, my staff would alert me if anything serious occurred, and I would head in to rectify the situation.

Luckily, nothing has ever escalated past a few disgruntled guests complaining about our services or pricing, but these days, you just never know what people are capable of .

Closing my books for the evening, I left the spa, got into my car, and drove over to Stardust to prepare for my next shift.

Leaving one office for another.

I loved the contrast in my careers, and tonight would be just like any other.

Fun.

At Red Magic, we work all day and work it all night.

Over the years, Red Magic has undergone many changes. Once they were handed the position, every leader implemented their own spin on the show, and I would be no different.

I had a few rough ideas for changes to our latest rotation that Alec had established during his time. He had choreographed the water dance as a tribute to his wife.

While I was more than ready to start modifying the show, I still needed to work on the routine’s mechanical aspects to ensure that it would be possible with the theater’s current setup.

Reaching the third floor of the theater, I made my way down the hall and entered my office, half closing the door behind me. Alec didn’t stick around much longer once all parties had signed the paperwork, and I didn’t blame him.

He had done his time, paid his dues to the MUR, and was ready to live the rest of his life as a free fucking man .

I’ll follow in his and my father’s footsteps when I hit that golden age, but for now, I had a show to lead and a name to pass on long before that time came.

As I approached my desk, I dropped my bag to the floor before rounding the edge and collapsing into the black leather office chair. I looked down at my ring, spinning it with my fingers as I admired the symbol that had given me everything I’d ever dreamed of.

“Chase said you wanted to see me?” Noah popped his disheveled brunette head through the door, pressing his shoulder against the frame.

“Yeah, let the bar know I’ll be working a few tables before the show starts tonight. I want to try something different.”

“You’re going to serve tables tonight? Like for real?

” He pushed off the doorframe and stepped inside the room, face contorting into a mocking smirk as he arched a brow with suspicion for my motive.

“Hate to be blunt but that sounds fucking ridiculous. You’re the boss, and you— fucking you —want to wait tables instead? ”

I had a plan—one that required me to seem less intimidating to the female guests. While they would gladly offer up their laps to us throughout the show, casual conversation would be more likely for the men serving them drinks.

Not to mention, my name carried a great deal of weight around here. There wasn’t a single woman who entered through those doors and didn’t know who I was by now.

It had been over ten months since Alec left me in charge, and I still hadn’t found the right woman to claim as mine. So now, I had to work even harder to find my soon-to-be bride as the sand in my hourglass was quickly running out.

“Noah…” I sighed, rubbing my thumb along my brow in agitation. “Get the fuck out of my office and just tell the bar I’ll be down there in an hour… Open your mouth like that again, and you’ll be waiting tables for the entire show indefinitely.”

“Okay, okay, Christ…” Noah winced with his palms up as he backed his ass right back out the door.

He always loved the attention he got from performing in the show. Noah was one of the better dancers who had a gymnastics background, and his flips were some of the best I’d seen in years.

I would never permanently remove him from the stage, not when he was one of the bigger fan favorites.

In order to maintain the highest degree of respect among the dancers, I needed to wear my authority and reputation for discipline like a badge of honor.

In Noah’s own words, I was the boss, which meant I made the fucking rules here.

I couldn’t be everyone’s best friend. I needed to look out for myself first and foremost.

Checking the time on my phone, I stood from my chair, grabbed my gym bag, and left for the locker room to change.

Along the way, I quickly stopped at the uniform closet to pick up a shirt and apron. If I were to play the role of a waiter convincingly, I’d need to look the part as well.

Let’s hope I choose the right table tonight.