Sweet Taboo

So, I stretched and decided to grab some food on the way out of the house. Downstairs, I could hear Camilla talking loudly on the phone, right near the foot of the stairs.

“Oh, baby, you so funny.” She squealed with laughter. Then she glanced up the stairs to see if I was watching.

I waggled my fingers at her to show I wasn’t jealous in the least, then I made a beeline for the fridge. After opening the door and examining the contents, I realized there was nothing good in there. Looks like I’d hit a drive thru on the way.

I’d barely made it to the truck when my phone rang. When I peaked at the screen, I coulda thrown the phone. “What, Camilla?” I growled. “I ain’t even made it out the driveway yet. What you want?”

“I was just wondering how late you were working tonight,” she murmured coyly.

In moments like this, I found it hard to believe I’d ever been attracted to this woman. “Same as always. When the bar closes, I come home. I don’t date. I don’t do nothing but eat, sleep, breathe, and work.”

“Okay. Thanks.” She ended the call and I drove down the road, feeling calmer the further I managed to get from the house.

Things were already tense by the time I stepped inside the club. “What’s up?” I asked Tommy. He stood there eyeing the place nervously already.

“We already had two girls ready to go at it in the back. Raven split them up.” He jerked his thumb to the door and I knew my female guard had to be in the changing room trying to keep the peace.

“Some guy?” I guessed.

“Worse. Some bikini.” He chuckled briefly before growing serious and hiding behind his ruthless demeanor. The man stood at six foot two easily and was built like a fridge. A commercial fridge.

“A bikini?” I made a face.

“Yeah. They were both wearing the same one, an argument ensued, some words were thrown, and I’m pretty sure there was some hair pulling.” He shrugged. “Nothing I’m not used to, but girl fights are scarier than guys, especially when they’re barely dressed.”

I nodded. “I get it, buddy.” Slowly, I scanned the room. The place was still only about three quarters full. Of course, the show was set for thirty minutes from now. Things would only get more crowded. “You got the counter?” I frowned. “The last thing we need is the fire department closing the club down for a violation tonight.”

“I got you, boss.” He showed me the silver counter hidden in the palm of his hand. “I figure we get shut down by the police this time.” His nostrils flared.

“I can see that,” I muttered. “Our job is to prevent it. Got it?” After he nodded from behind the dark glasses, he moved to the door. He’d be outside running it. “Hey, send Marcus to see me when he get in.”

“Done.” Then Tommy disappeared out front.

I started my round of the club, making sure all exits were free and clear, the stock rooms were locked, and there were no weapons hidden in the bathroom. Slowly, I wandered down the hall to the dressing room. As I neared, I could hear some raised voices, one of which was my guard Raven. Alarmed, I knocked once and then entered. “What you don’t want seen, you best cover,” I announced as I stormed into the room. Then I assessed the situation.

“They’re at it again.” Raven gestured to the two women she was trying to separate. They were wearing the same teeny tiny bikini.

“Why they still here?” I asked with a frown. “Throw their hostile orange asses out.”

“It’s not orange. This is Tahitian Melon.” The taller of the contestants glared at me, hands on her hips.

“I care.” My brow shot up. “You have two options: hold it together, or me and a couple of my associates will be escorting you to the door. You’ll be done. Got it?”

I could practically see the flames shooting from their eyes. Still, they reluctantly nodded, even though body language suggested this would still end badly.

“I’ll call if I need you,” Raven assured me.

“If you wait until then, it’ll be too late,” I reminded her. “You call at any hint of trouble.” Then I backed out of the room.

From that lecture on, the night seemed to go smoothly. By ten at night, we had survived the bikini contest and had to coax the girls back into their clothes. “If you want to stay, you gotta be dressed.” I could hear Raven explaining through the door. Must be she got through to them because soon they all returned to hang out and enjoy the free drinks they’d been promised for competing.

Marcus was my undercover guy. No one knew he worked with us. Mostly. A few regulars had probably caught on, but because of his ability to blend in with the more questionable element, we’d managed to keep drugs out the club…for the most part. He’d quietly checked in hours ago. I usually didn’t hear from again until after everyone left. Tonight, however, I had text just before eleven.

Marcus: Stabbing in the men’s room. I called 911. We need EMTs.

Me: The guy gonna make it.

Marcus: Not sure. Also I got the guy. He’s cuffed and tucked in a stall.