Chapter Three

Devil

FOR THE LAST week shit has been upside down and all over the place with me. Work is the only thing that makes sense and even that's different. Instead of staying in the office and doing paperwork or using whatever other excuse I have to remain in there away from the staff and customers when Enchantment is open, I find myself on the floor sitting at the bar. Just before the doors open, I make my way out to the end of the bar and take the stool that's against the wall because no one ever sits there. Gavin brings me a shot and beer and I nurse the beer after downing the shot. The entire time I sit there, my eyes are constantly locked on Genesis as she moves around the floor taking care of her tables and the tables of everyone else around her. She won't take the tips from the tables that aren't hers, but she's entitled to them because she's the one doing the work. I know why the waitresses are doing it—they want the bigger tips Genesis earns every time she works. Too bad I've told the customers to tip on the lower end because it won't be going to Genesis.

Genesis hasn't been coming into work early anymore either. She shows up right before she has to clock in, leaving everyone to scramble around to get things ready to open the club. For the first time everyone is truly seeing everything she does to help them out and it's pissing them off. Gavin is the worst because he actually has to set the bar up and make sure everything is ready to go. He can't stand to work when the doors are open so having the duties he should've been taking care of since Genesis started working here is really pissing him off. We've already gotten into one fight about it because he was trying to demand that Genesis stock the bar instead of getting her section of the club ready to open. I stepped in that time despite Genesis holding her own against the fucker. She won't talk to me and hardly looks at me when I'm on the floor. If she does look in my direction it's with a glare and only to see where I am so she can avoid the area.

The thing that's really thrown me for a loop is Raptor. Our situation has reached a boiling point and I haven't talked to him in the last week since I told him once again that I don't want to tell anyone about us. He opened up completely to me and I just shut him down. The thought of him not thinking that we're together even if we haven't put a label on our relationship guts me. Raptor is the only man I'd ever be with and I know I can say the same when it comes to him. Wade wouldn't be with another man no matter how much I piss him off. Now, anytime we enter the same room, he leaves and won't even look at me. The only time we're ever in the same room is when we're in church because there's no way to get out of that. In all the time we've known one another, we've never gone more than a few hours without talking. These days, he can't get away from me fast enough. It breaks my heart because I know this is all caused by me and I'm the only one who can change things.

I have never once thought of Wade as my dirty little secret or any of that bullshit. He's my best friend and the man I've started to fall in love with. Wade's had my back no matter what's happened in my life and I've been there for him every step of the way. I thought he understood why I'm not ready to tell our family and friends that we're together, that I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready to take that step. It has nothing to do with Wade and everything to do with me. I've never been the guy who can stand to upset or disappoint his family. This is something major and I'm honestly not sure how my family will deal with the news that Raptor and I are together. The relationship Wade and I will have with a woman in the future is different from any we've seen growing up. With his dads and mom, they aren't together. Wood and Boy Scout are best friends who enjoy sharing Jennifer. The two men don't have sex or anything. It's all about Jennifer.

The last seven days I've hardly slept. My bike has seen me more than anyone else in the clubhouse. When I'm not at work, I'm out riding around Pine View just to get away from everyone and to try and clear my head. Instead of clearing my head, the only thing I accomplish is giving myself a headache because I'm trying to figure out what to do about Genesis and Wade. Something has shifted in the way we both feel about the curvy, sassy waitress and I'm not sure when it happened. All I know is I find myself drawn to her and I've watched Raptor follow her when he thinks no one knows what the hell he's doing. At work I'm obviously watching her closely. This entire situation is not like anything I've ever been through and it's driving me fucking crazy.

King got the cameras up in the bar area at the strip club late last night after we closed and everyone was gone. He made sure to capture every single angle and Valor let him know if he was missing something from the clubhouse. They worked together in order to check the angles and audio as King was putting them all up around the bar. He even put a few more by Deegan and in the breakroom in case any conversations go on in there relating to the theft. Not only is money being stolen, but bottles of alcohol are being taken. I discovered that when I did inventory last night. It's not Genesis because the theft is still happening even though she's no longer stocking the alcohol and hasn't entered the storeroom since the day Raptor went off on her to keep our secret. It's either Gavin, which my money is on him, or one of the waitresses. Hell, it could even be a dancer at this point. The only reason King didn't put a camera in the storeroom is because I refused it. It's one of the few places Wade and I can be together and I'm not about to lose it. Plus, we've got cameras in the hallway so we don't need them in the storeroom.

"Devil, what time are you headin' into Enchantment?" Vault asks me, walking up to the bar where I sit.

"In a few minutes. What's up?" I return, shaking off the last of my thoughts and looking at my President.

"Who has keys to get in the club besides you and me?"

"Genesis. I gave her one when I kept findin' her waitin' outside for me to get there. She hasn't used it in the last week though. She's not goin' in early to set the club up like she was," I answer Vault as he sits down next to me.

"What happened there?" he questions me, confusion on his face.

"We got into an argument and she stopped comin' in early. Can't say I blame her. Everyone is feelin' the strain of havin' to do their own work and I know Gavin's been treatin' her even worse than he was previously. I'm ready to fuckin' fire him after I beat his ass," I say, not exactly lying to Vault as he stares at me and accepts the bottle of water Kat hands over while continuing to ignore me.

"You need to fix that shit. I've been hearin' some shit and I thought it was just rumors. Guess not with what you just said," Vault says cryptically as a smirk covers his face.

"What the fuck you been hearin'?" I bark out, my voice hard and cold that people are talking shit about Enchantment and not coming to me.

"Had a customer at Hound's say the club has been shit over the last week. Had to take his own seat off the table, his waitress was barely there to get his group drinks and Genesis didn't step in to serve them as she's done in the past, and that the bar was barely stocked makin' everyone wait longer for their drink orders," Vault states, his face turning serious as Raptor enters the common room and practically runs to get to the stairs to disappear into his room until I leave.

"Fuck!" I growl, closing my eyes with the knowledge that I'm going to have to have a fucking meeting with all the staff about this shit. "I'm headin' in now. Guess it's time for a fuckin' meetin' over this bullshit. I want to see how they'll treat Genesis once they realize they're gettin' one shot to fix this or they're out on their asses. Hopefully we can catch the thief before that happens. Already know Gavin will be gone first. He's a lazy fuck and hates havin' to work."

"Why does he still have a job there then? From what I've been told, he treats Genesis like shit and it's only gotten worse over the last week since she quit doin' his job. If you need to fuckin' get rid of him, make it happen. There's more than enough of us here to take over the bar until you can hire someone else," Vault states, knowing everyone will step up to help me at Enchantment.

"If you need someone, I'll take the job," Kat speaks up, addressing me for the first time in a week. "I mean, if that's okay with you, Vault. I don't want to leave you short here."

"It's fine with me. The Prospects can step up and handle the bar if you go to Enchantment to work. You'll still have a place here, Kat. That's not gonna change at all," Vault assures her as I stand from my seat and make sure I have everything I'll need for the night before taking off and heading to the club.

Everyone has shown up a half hour early to work today. I sent them all a message informing them if they didn't show up, they'd be fired no questions asked. The threat of losing your job is an excellent motivator. Deegan is here with me and he informed me Genesis was the first one here even though she was the last employee through the door. She sat in her car until the last possible second before slinking in and hiding in the background of everyone else. My eyes land on hers to find her once again glaring at me with a hint of fear filling her eyes.

"Why the fuck are we here early?" Gavin barks out, his voice full of anger as he glares at me before turning his attention toward Genesis.

"Been gettin' a lot of complaints over the last week. Vault is concerned about the club and I have to admit that I'm pissed the fuck off. Genesis has been pullin' more than her fair share of the workload around here and you've all taken fuckin' advantage of it. Now that she's no longer doin' the same shit, you're all not pullin' your weight. I'm ready to fuckin' fire every single one of you and start over. The club won't give a fuck if Enchantment is closed for a few days to bring in new staff. Hell, I've already got a bartender who volunteered to take the job and I know she'll do the job properly and not treat everyone like shit," I state, returning Gavin's glare as his face pales and he drops his eyes. "Genesis has been gettin' treated by shit from everyone in this room with the exception of one or two people. This is not on her and I won't let a single one of you make her feel any kind of way for choosin' not to do your jobs for you."

"What I want to know is why the fat bitch gets all the tips when she's ugly as fuck. Even when she works our tables, we don't get the same tips she does. I know I look better than her," Athena the other waitress states with a sneer on her face.

"You don't get larger tips because I've told the customers the money won't be goin' to Genesis and they're to tip you according to the job you're doin'. I see everythin' that happens in this fuckin' club and so does everyone else workin' here and associated with the Phantom Bastards. Genesis makes the tips she does because she does a great job and takes care of the customers in her section. They respect her for standin' up for herself and not lettin' them treat her like a common whore. The dancers even show her respect because she takes care of them even though it's not her responsibility to ensure they have water and other drinks," I inform Athena as she glares at me while standing up and placing a hand on her bony hip.

"You're telling me that I'm a common whore? At least I can get laid. Genesis is so fucking fat and ugly I'm surprised you let her walk through the door of this club. She drags every single one of us down just from breathing the same air as we do. Get the fuck rid of her, Devil. If you don't, I'll quit," Athena tries to threaten me with a smirk on her face thinking I'll choose her side over Genesis.

"Clean out your locker and get the fuck out of my sight. The club will mail you your last paycheck. You no longer have a job here. And I suggest you leave the uniforms behind or the cost will come out of your last check. Just a word of advice, you won't find another waitressin' job in Pine View. I think it's time for you to move on from the city and find some place to live that suits you better," I state as the entire room goes quiet and Athena's face pales.

No one stands up for her as she finally gets the hint I'm being serious and races from the room screaming, crying, and shrieking like a damn banshee. With a look at Deegan, he follows her and makes sure she doesn't trash anything in the locker room while cleaning out her locker. I don't trust this bitch or anyone else in this club. Genesis is the only one I could ever think of trusting and that's because I know she's kept her mouth shut about our secret when she truly has no reason to at this point.

"Anyone else got somethin' they wanna say?" I question the group in front of me as the room goes back to being dead quiet without Athena's shrieks filling the building. "From now on, you all will leave Genesis the fuck alone. She's not your fuckin' maid and it's not her job to make sure your bar is stocked, you have drinks in the dressin' room, or anythin' else she's been doin'. And if I see her bein' the only one to clean the bathrooms, private dance rooms, and everythin' else in here, you'll all be fired. Dancers are a dime a dozen and I could get all of you replaced in minutes. Gavin, your job is on the line as it is. One more wrong word or you doin' somethin' I don't like and you're fuckin' gone."

"You can't do this, Devil. Genesis isn't a fuckin' goddess here. She's a fuckin' waitress who's fuckin' the customers off the clock to make the tips she gets every night. You think we don't know she's more than likely fuckin' you as well?" Gavin states, his voice hard and cold as he glares at Genesis.

"I don't fuck the customers and I'm not fucking Devil. What I do when I'm not at work is none of your business, Gavin. Why don't you tell Devil about the bottles I've seen under the counter of the bar that disappear nightly. Or why your drawer is always short and you fix the numbers so it looks right and as if someone else made an accountin' mistake?" Genesis finally speaks up and returns the glare toward Gavin as the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place.

"You fuckin' bitch!" Gavin roars, jumping out of his chair and racing toward Genesis with murderous intent in his eyes.

"You take one more fuckin' step toward her and I'll end you," Raptor roars, appearing out of nowhere as he steps in front of Gavin, a lethal look on his face and a coldness I've never seen filling his eyes.

"I don't need you to defend me," Genesis says, holding her head high as she moves to the side of Raptor so she can glare at Gavin. "You wanna hit me for blowing your secret, go ahead, Gavin. I'm not the one stealing from my job. You've been doing that shit since I started and it took me less than a day to figure it out. You're not slick and I'm surprised no one else caught on to your ways. Though I guess having a drug habit and gambling addiction will make anyone desperate to get their hands on money. Since the club more than likely makes thousands of dollars a night, you got greedy. Get the fuck over yourself."

"Looks like we caught our thief," Vault says, stepping through the front door with Ghost at his side and most of the other members of the club. "Call in Monroe. I want to press all the charges we can against this fucker. Genesis, are you willin' to testify against him?"

"I am. I don't want to see the club continue to lose money because of one greedy fucker. Can I get ready for work now? It's gonna be a long as fuck night since Athena was just fired and I'll have the entire floor by myself," Genesis asks, more than a little sass in her voice as she moves her gaze from Vault to me.

Nodding my head in response, I watch as she leaves the main floor while the dancers remain in their seats until I release them. Gavin is surrounded by Raptor, Ghost, Valor, and King. He's trying to assure them Genesis is lying as I make my way over to the bar and look under the counter. Sitting there are two bottles of top shelf liquor. They're behind some boxes and if I didn't know to look for anything, I would've never found them. Turning my back on the room, I open the register and count the drawer. I make sure it starts at two hundred dollars at the end of the day. It's already sixty dollars short as I turn to face King. He gives me a nod and pulls out his phone.

"Got it," King says after a few minutes before he locks his phone again and slides it in his pocket.

"I haven't done anythin' wrong!" Gavin yells when Vault steps up in front of him.

"Yeah, you have. You've stolen from my club, been a fuckin' douche to Genesis, and your days of bein' a free man are over. Someone in jail will make you their bitch and it's the better solution for you. If I were to let my guys have you, they'd rip you to shreds before buryin' your body in a shallow grave. Thank anyone you can that we're turnin' you into the cops instead of dealin' with you ourselves," Vault says, his voice low and deadly as I make my way back to the center of the floor.

"Girls, get ready for the show tonight. If you're not scheduled to dance, get dressed in a uniform because you'll be helpin' Genesis on the floor. I'd highly think about handin' over any tips you make to her tonight because she's done everythin' for every fuckin' one of you since she's been here. It's time for you to repay the fuckin' favor. You'll get paid the same amount she does for waitressin' and you aren't to give lap dances or go into the private rooms. Tonight, you're a fuckin' waitress. Any of you got an issue with that, you know where the fuckin' door is. Until I get a few more waitresses in here, you'll all take turns helpin' Genesis. Listen to her and do what she tells you to," I inform the dancers as they all nod their heads in agreement.

No one says anything as they make their way to the locker or dressing room to get ready for the night. Kat walks through the front door just before Monroe. King meets the cop by the door and pulls his phone back out, showing him the video of what was already recorded. Gavin has no clue we caught him and didn't need Genesis to spill his secrets. He's going to deny everything and try to pin this shit on her or someone else. I already know how he fucking operates. I look toward Gavin and my eyes immediately land on Raptor. He's standing tall and his eyes are locked on me with hurt and confusion filling them. My heart hurts because I'm the reason for that look.

Monroe gets Gavin out of the club and the girls who will be helping Genesis on the floor make their way over to her as she looks up wide-eyed at them. Dream, our head dancer, lets her know what's going on and Genesis turns to look at me. Tears fill her eyes as she starts to blink fast to hold them back. I've seen it happen from the girls in the club before so I know what's going on. Offering me a small smile, Genesis turns back to the girls and starts telling them what needs to be done. Dream and Mandy quickly get to work and start preparing all the tables on the floor. Kat heads behind the bar and Deegan makes his way back to the front to let me know Athena has left the property. Nix stops by to talk to Genesis for a minute and I glare at him before he laughs and heads toward his area to get ready for the night ahead. Everyone in the club quickly leaves so I can get ready to open. Raptor doesn't even stay behind for a drink or anything. He's still fucking pissed at me and I can't blame him.