Savy

Working at The Jungle isn’t what I planned on doing with my life, but it pays the bills. Not all of the bills, but most. I never imagined I’d be working in a club, let alone a strip club, but I do whatever my family needs and we need money to survive. I’m the only person my sister can count on, so the plans I had for my life are on hold. One day I’ll do all the things I always dreamed of doing. College, career, who knows, but right now I need money, so The Jungle is my foreseeable future.

The Jungle is your typical strip club. It’s dark, dank, and filled with girls willing to grind on a stage for money. The main room has several small stages surrounding one massive stage in the center, the large stage features three gold poles and neon lights, a lot of neon lights. There are several small private rooms along the left wall. Behind the main stage, mirrors stretch from the ceiling to the floor. The mirrors make the room look bigger, and many of the dancers use them to their advantage during their dances. Against the far right wall, there is a large bar with comfortable black leather stools lining one side.

Like any strip club, The Jungle is filled with horny men who will try to sweet talk the girls into sleeping with them. Most guys are decent enough, they just come to watch the girls dance, but some think they can treat all women like shit because they are paying to watch them take their clothes off. The bouncers at the club make sure the customers keep their hands to themselves unless they’re paying. If someone is willing to pay enough, the owner will allow anything. It’s one part of working at The Jungle that I hate.

The owner of the club, Donny, is a total asshole. With his buck teeth, large ears, and beady black eyes, he reminds me of an overgrown rat. His appearance is not lost on the dancers either. They often joke about his twitchy nose, and beady eyes. Despite his appearance, many of the dancers still choose to sleep with him. Donny is known for sleeping with the club girls. He often requires the dancers to have sex with him for extra hours or better shifts. Donny is a massive dickhead and someone I avoid as often as possible.

When I interviewed for the bartender position, Donny stared at my breasts for twenty minutes while I tried to persuade him to hire me. He asked me to be a dancer, but I told him no. I was thinking fuck no! I’m a bartender and nothing more. Despite his unapologetic lecherous stare, Donny seemed to be an all right guy in the beginning. I learned to never be in the same room with him alone. He follows me with his eyes. He’s always watching, not like a boss, but like a pervert. So, like I always do, I protect myself by never being alone with him. I learned at a young age to trust my instincts. Because he makes my skin crawl, I limit the time I have to interact with him. Unfortunately, I need more hours, so I have to talk to Donny tonight. He has been in his office all night.

Shit.

“Donny, can I talk to you for a minute?” I knock on his office door.

“Wait a minute!” he yells through the door. Donny’s office is down the back hall that runs behind the main stage. Positioning myself against the wall across from his office door, I feel the bass from the song playing vibrating through the plain white walls.

I love this song.

Waiting a few minutes until he lets me in, I let the beat of the song seep into me. The music lulls me into a more relaxed state, and I stare blankly at the closed door.

“Come in!” he says.

I push off the wall and open the door. Donny is not alone in his office. Leaning against the wall to the right of the desk is the sexiest man I have ever seen. He is everything Donny is not. Taller than Donny by a head, his long black hair that comes past his shoulders with the darkest eyes I’ve ever seen. They’re almost black. They are also boring into me, seeing straight into my soul. A shiver runs down my spine, and his eyes intensify more. He is wearing well–worn, and faded jeans, black boots, and a black t–shirt that stretches across his muscular chest. His nipples show through his tight shirt, and his two thick tattoo covered arms cross over, covering his barrel of a chest.

A bolt shoots down my belly, right to my core. I lick my lips, but really I want to lick him.

Holy hell! Where did that come from?

Yum.

He is a badass for sure and in this moment, I want him to take me.

Now.

It’s a feeling I have never experienced. I have to stop myself from drooling over this gorgeous man that is, from what I can tell, dangerous. Over his shirt is a black vest. The diamond one–percent patch tells me everything I need to know. He’s an outlaw biker, a dangerous man. I shiver as we stare at each other. This shiver is not of lust like the previous. Outlaw bikers are hardcore and ruthless, something I aim to always avoid. Bikers bring trouble, and I've been avoiding trouble for ten years.

I’m unable to move as my eyes sweep down his body and back up to his face. His chiseled jaw and sun–kissed skin are enticing, and I crave a taste. This biker is the type of man I often read about. Hell fantasize about even, but never the type of man I let into my life.

Remembering why I’m in Donny’s office, I snap out of the trance I’m in and move toward the edge of the desk that Donny is sitting at. My steps falter, but I right myself before I do a full stumble and face plant on the dingy pile carpet. Embarrassment streaks across my cheeks as I right myself, and attempt to ignore the fact that I just tumbled through the door with a sex god standing right there.

Get your shit together, Savy.

“What the hell do you need, Diamond?” Donny is not happy to see me, but it seems he even unhappier at my open gawking at the man standing to my right. I’ve interrupted something.

Fuck.

With some effort, I turn my attention to the man behind the desk, “Sorry, Donny. I can come back later.” Looking to my left, another man is leaning against the other wall. I didn’t see him when I walked in because I couldn’t take my eyes off on the dark eyed devil that captured my attention. I’m normally better at checking my surroundings. Survival usually depends on it. I shake my head to get my thoughts in order. I need to focus. I came in here for a reason.

The man to my left is dressed the same as the man to my right. He is wearing a vest with a matching one–percent patch.

Shit, what did I walk in on?

One foot on the floor and one against the wall, his arms are crossed over his massive chest. He’s sexy too. Both men look alike, but the second man is shorter, he has sparkling gray eyes, and his hair is just kissing his shoulders. They must be brothers. Shaking my head, trying to get rid of the thoughts filtering through my head. I need to get out of here and behind the bar before I say or do something else stupid in front of these sexy men. I have never reacted like this before.

“You’ve already bothered me, what do you want?” Donny says. His face is a deep crimson. I’m not sure if it’s from my interruption or if it has something to do with the two sex Gods standing on either side of me.

“Sorry.” I glance at sexy man number one out of the corner of my eyes. “I, I was hoping to pick up some extra shifts. I can even work doubles. Do you think that would be all right?” Pleading with my eyes, please just say yes so I can get the hell out of here. The man to my right has been staring at me since I fell into the room and he is making me nervous as hell. The way he is looking at me has me feeling exposed. Like he knows all my secrets.

Some secrets can never be exposed.

Feeling his eyes on me, I turn my head to look at him. I arch an eyebrow, letting him know I’m not afraid and I know he’s watching me. He doesn’t move, but I see interest spark in his eyes. Does he like my challenge? Or is he pissed? I can’t tell.

Donny hasn’t answered my question. He has been watching the silent conversation I have been having with the biker. His jaw ticks like he’s trying to stop the words from flying out of his mouth.

After a long, awkward pause, I say, “Sorry I interrupted, Donny. I’ll just leave. Don’t worry about the shifts. I’ll figure something out.” I turn to exit the office and notice that the man leaning against the other wall is smirking at me. My eyes narrow, and I walk toward the office door.

“Diamond.” As soon as he calls my name, I stop. I turn slowly to face Donny again. “You know how you can get those extra shifts.”

Yes, I know exactly how I can get those extra fucking shifts. The vice in my chest tightens even more. Fucking Donny is the only way I’m getting them. Well, he can forget that thought. The idea of letting Donny, or anyone, between my legs makes me sick to my stomach. I’d never sleep with Donny, let alone anyone for more shifts. I’m not that type of girl, no matter how desperate I am.

I raise my chin in defiance. “Like I said, forget about it,” I say. The words are more forceful than I intended. I need this job, so I don’t tell Donny how I really feel about his proposition. Donny can kiss my entire ass! No way will I sleep with him. I’ll just have to figure something else out.

Shit.

The vice tightens again. I can’t catch a break. There is always some creep or life circumstance that I have to overcome. I wish that I could be one of those girls that things seem to be easy for. Nothing has ever been easy for me. As I close the door behind me, I hear the combined chuckling of both mysterious men.

* * *

Diablo

The knock at the door pisses me off more than I already am. I hate this son of a bitch sitting in front of me. Donny is a piece of shit. He’s the type of man to take advantage of vulnerable people. And the girls working at his club are just that, vulnerable. I shouldn’t even be here. Skull, usually handles deals like this, but I’ve heard a lot about Donny, and how he runs his business. I want to make myself clear that when you deal with Havoc, you play by our rules.

Who the fuck is interrupting us?

“Donny, can I talk to you for a minute?” A thick, raspy voice sounds, and my dick is standing at half–mast. It’s a sweet sound.

“Wait a minute!”

“Who the fuck is that?” Skull sneers. He’s leaning against the wall across from me. His posture indicates comfort, but I know better that to trust his faux–relaxed state. Skull is always ready to take action if it is needed.

“That’s Diamond,” the little shit whispers. “She’s the bartender. I’ll get rid of her.” He stands, but I stop him. I want to see the body attached to that voice.

“No, let her in.” He turns to look at me mid–rise, puckering his lips and his eyes dart between Skull and I. The creases in his forehead become more defined. I can tell he’s afraid, unsure of what is coming.

Good.

“Okay, man.” The worry on his face sets in more. “Come in!”

As the door handle twists, I’m not prepared for the girl that walks in the door. She doesn’t look like she’s old enough to be tending a bar in a shitty strip club. Hell, she looks like a teenager. She’s the most beautiful woman I have ever encountered. She stands at about five nine with the curliest black hair I’ve ever seen. The shits unruly, but it suits her. Her golden skin looks smooth, but she’s skinny, too fucking skinny. Just from looking at her, I know she doesn’t eat enough. I don’t like it and I don’t even know the broad. I prefer my women with a little meat on their bones. Sex with skin and bones is no fun. I fuck a little rough, and I don’t want to feel like she’ll break. From across the room, I can’t tell what color her eyes are. The light in here is too dim for that, but they appear to be dark. Probably brown.

“What the hell do you need, Diamond?”

All of the muscles in my body tense. I notice Skull tenses too. I don’t want him talking to her that way. I don’t know why, I just don’t. I’ve always trusted my instincts, and I’ll continue trusting them today. I ball my hands into tight fists, trying to control my anger. I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me, but there’s something about this small woman standing in front of me. I have an urge to protect her.

What the fuck?

My gut twists when she asks about working more shifts. Why the fuck does she need more work? She doesn’t take good care of herself, anyone can see that just by looking at her. I’ve never cared what some broad did. The instant attraction to this girl feels strange.

Strange, but right.

“Diamond, you know how you can get those extra shifts.” His message is loud and clear. Donny will only give Diamond extra shifts if she fucks him. Donny boy is a real piece of shit. I guess the rumors I’ve heard are true. Manipulating his staff for sex doesn’t sit right with me. That shit will change today.

Despite what people think about bikers and motorcycle clubs, most of us are decent people. We want to live by our own rules, without the judgment of society. In Havoc, we take care of our own, and we respect our women. Women may not have an equal say in the club’s business, but all women in Havoc have a say in what happens to their lives.

“Forget about it.” Her refusal makes my dick jump again. She’s feisty, just like I like my women. I do a mental shake. She’s not my woman. Hell, she’s not even the reason I came to The Jungle tonight. I need to stay focused.

Watching her exit the office and quietly close the door, Skull and I chuckle at her refusal of Donny’s offer. The tick of the door closing snaps me back to the reason we’re here. We are here for a reason, but fuck, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

“Sorry man, the bitches here drive me crazy,” he jokes.

Calling women bitches doesn’t bother me, but I don’t like him calling Diamond a bitch. I don’t even know this girl, and I’m already feeling protective of her. I make a mental note to find out more about her.

Getting back to business, I turn my attention to the greasy man sitting behind the desk. He thinks we’re friends. We’re not. I’m his boss, but I prefer him to believe he runs shit. The truth is Havoc owns The Jungle and I run Havoc. Things are about to change at The Jungle, and soon.

Narrowing my eyes, I say, “As I said before the interruption. You better have the missing payment in one week. Seven days, Donny. Don’t make me come back here.” I pause, waiting while the mousy man squirms in the large chair behind the large oak desk. “And find out who the fuck is stealing. If you don’t give me a name in a week, I’ll assume it’s you.”

“No man! I swear. It’s not me. I swear it. Believe me.” His attempts to convince me are futile. Sweat beads on his brow, and his eyes shift between Skull and me. I know a liar when I see one and Donny is lying. He won’t be owner of this club much longer.

Donny came to Havoc several months ago for a loan to keep The Jungle open. In exchange for the loan, he signed over ownership of the strip club to Havoc MC. If Donny can make his payments on time, and he pays all the interest due, he will get back full ownership. If he doesn’t, Havoc keeps The Jungle. It’s a win–win for Havoc, but when Donny came to ask for an extension on some payments because someone had been stealing from him, I came down here to make sure I was clear about the terms of our deal. You don’t steal from Havoc and live to tell the tale. Donny is only alive now because we need his connections in Russia. Once we build our own relationship with the Russians, Donny is dead.

“Seven days. Understand?” My dark eyes squint with intensity. They are near black pools, and I'm used to people shifting their line of sight from mine. On a good day, a brave man shakes in my presence. A man like Donny is pissing his pants and I haven’t moved from my position against the wall.

Donny is sitting in the black office chair, his posture straight and rigid. He’s uncomfortable. Good. Dealing with Havoc is a dangerous business, and I have a feeling Donny will find out just how dangerous we are. I just hope he doesn’t make me kill him before I get what I need from him.

“Yeah, man. I got you. I’ll have it.”

Just before leaving the office I lay out the final term of our deal. “And,” I pause, “don’t forget the extra twenty percent, Donny.” His face pales. “And give Diamond those extra shifts, without fucking you.”

We leave without Donny uttering a word. He just figured out just how fucked he is. Skull follows me down the back hallway into the main room of the club. I look to my right toward the bar to see if Diamond is there. She is, but instead of heading to the bar to see her up close, I change directions and I walk out the front door. I need to get back to the Compound. I’m drawn to this girl, but I can’t have her. Meaningless sex is all I deserve. She deserves so much more, not the stench that being with someone like me will taint her with. I know nothing about her, but I know she deserves better than me. I need to find, Kris, she can soothe the need I’m feeling tonight.