Zero Tolerance (Lost Kings MC 12)

Rock throws a quick glare at Teller before addressing the rest of us. “Do we know how similar clubs are doing? Meaning, is this downturn specific to us or is it affecting the entertainment industry in general? I haven’t paid a lot of attention to it since I stopped running CB.”

“I don’t know,” Dex says.

“All right. Call Dante,” Rock says, gesturing toward Dex like he might want to pick up a pencil and write this shit down. “It’s time for us to check in with the Iron Bulls anyway. Let him feel like he’s helping you out. See how their strip club’s operating.”

“Arizona’s not exactly helpful to our market,” Stash says.

“Their place isn’t half as nice as Crystal Ball,” Ravage adds. “I always feel dirty when I leave there.”

“Now that’s saying something.” Stash points at Rav with two hands. “Since you basically wallow in filth all day long.”

“Can I finish?” Rock raises an eyebrow and waits for Stash’s mouth to shut. “Stump’s crew runs a club outside Syracuse. Why don’t you visit and see what business looks like? That market is similar enough to ours to get an idea. You can also contact some of our other charters and see how their places are doing.”

It’s predictably comical how many MCs run strip clubs. Some are disgusting, filth-encrusted hovels used to hide dirtier activity.

We’ve always prided ourselves on running a clean club—no drugs, no prostitution. The girls have always been paid fairly and treated well. That’s why we have some of the best, most talented dancers in the country fighting for spots at our club. Or at least we used to.

“It might be industry-wide, Dex,” Murphy says. “People are fucking lazy. They can get porn on their computers or phones. Maybe leaving the house is too much trouble?”

“Maybe,” Dex says.

Wrath shrugs. “We’re seeing it at Furious. It’s been slow to build back up to where we were, but Sully’s been seeing it at his place too. People can subscribe to all sorts of “work-outs” at home so they’re not going to the gym as much.” Wrath rolls his eyes. “We just need to be creative and come up with something they can’t resist to get them in the door.”

“Like seeing a big, scary Viking and a burly, bearded ginger in the flesh?” Ravage offers.

Wrath laughs. “Yeah, like that.”

“Who you calling ‘burly’?” Murphy asks.

“What are you doing?” Dex asks Wrath.

“Well,” Wrath drawls, throwing a look at Murphy. “Since Murphy’s more in touch with the youth crowd, he’s been doing the research for me.”

Murphy snorts.

“Great plan, you lazy bastard.” Bricks scoffs.

Dex lifts his chin at Murphy, who squirms in his seat before explaining.

“Sully’s girl started a YouTube channel so they earn money that way from advertising. It also gets people to come into the gym more. I don’t think that’s viable for a strip club though. I mean, I guess it could be.” He glances at Wrath. “I want to try something similar for Furious, but someone doesn’t want to star in the videos.”

“He knows that scary mug will break the camera,” Ravage says.

Wrath grins.

We go through a few more issues. Talk about the runs we want to plan for over the summer and then Rock ends the meeting.

“Stay,” he says to me. He nods to Dex and to Teller to stay put as well.

Dex makes his way over to my side of the table after everyone else has left. “I shouldn’t have—”

That’s the thing about our brotherhood, we can be at each other’s throats one second but will usually own up when we’ve been a dick. “It’s fine. You were right.”

“No, I wasn’t. I really should be annoyed with Sway for being such an asshole about the whole thing.”

“True. I’ll talk to him. I’ll fix it.”

Rock approaches and slaps a hand on each of our shoulders. “We good?”

“Yeah,” Dex and I answer at the same time.

Rock squeezes Dex’s shoulder. “You know I appreciate all the hard work you put in, right? We all do.” He jerks his head toward Teller. “While we use the club to give us a legit front, it’s still important that it’s run well and looks good from the outside and inside.”

“Yeah, Prez, I know. Thanks.”

“I honestly think it has more to do with the industry as a whole than how you’re running things,” Teller adds, which isn’t really helpful to the touchy-feely tone our conversation’s taken. Rock’s side-eye seems to convey the same thought.

“Unless you need me here, I’m gonna get back to it,” Dex says.

After he leaves, Rock focuses on Teller. “What’s with you today?”

“What?” Teller’s gaze swings between Rock and me.

“Tact,” I answer. “Have some.”

“Oh.” Teller shrugs. “Isn’t that why you keep me around? To tell people the shit they don’t want to hear?”

Rock tries glaring at Teller but ends up laughing. “Get out of here, knucklehead.”

I’m still shaking my head when the door closes behind Teller. “After that mess with Inga, I hope you’re not about to give me the ‘Never get involved with dancers who work for us’ speech.”

“What?” Rock’s eyes narrow. Maybe I should’ve thought that comment through. Shit, Teller’s mouth-to-brain dysfunction must be contagious. “I was going to say I’ll have a talk with Sway but, after that remark, I might punch you in the throat instead.”

“You don’t have to fix my mistakes. I’ll talk to Sway.” I run my hands through my hair. “Things are going better with Lilly so I’ll be back at CB to help Dex.”

“What’s she doing?”

“I’m not sure. She’s gotta go back to California at some point and pack up her place. I’m probably gonna go with them and help her out.”

“You should.”

“One day at a time, Prez.”