Down On the Vegas Strip Page 3

  The manager turned off the bucking bull and hollered, "Hot damn! Sweetie, you get yourself a pair of leather fringe thigh boots, a leather fringe G-string, and matching bra. Oh, and make sure that bra is a push up model. I'll expect you to start work at six." Matt physically restrained Sady from launching at the manager, her fists in balls and ready to swing.

  As they were leaving the manager yelled, "Hey, Matt. You don't have a dominatrix in your stable, do you? My last one quit without any notice."

  "I'll see what I can do," Matt shouted as he pulled Sady out the door, reminding her that getting the job helped Harry.

  Sady swore under her breath the whole trip back to their hotel. When they got out of the cab Matt hugged her and said, "That's my salty little deck swab." She left him doubled over on the sidewalk.

  Sady was still red faced when she entered the hotel suite. "How did it go?" CJ asked.

  "CJ, I closed my eyes and thought about how much I love your husband."

  "That bad?" CJ asked, not realizing the irony of her question.

  Sady closed her eyes. "No, worse. I'll leave it at that. But for Harry I’ll... well, I'll do what I will do."

  Matt poked his head around the corner. "Has she cooled down?" he hissed to CJ.

  "What did you do to her, Matt?" CJ asked.

  "Nothing," he said defensively. "I took her for an audition."

  "Really? And how did that go?"

  "Well, she got the job," he replied.

  “No need to sound so happy about it,” Sady snapped. “And what's with you slobbering over that fake blonde assistant, like she's all that and a bag of Ruffles chips?”

  “She is,” Matt leered.

  Sady lifted a brow and gave him a look straight from Amanda's book. “If you say so,” she said dubiously.

  "Oh, I do. Now, little lady, we have shopping to do," he reminded her.

  "No. You're not going." She wore a stubborn look and placed her hands on her hips.

  Matt refused to take no for an answer. "Yes. I am going. I know what the customers want. You'll lose your job before you even start if I let you pick out your costume." Sady still looked stubborn, but she didn’t protest.

  "Company credit card," Matt said to CJ. "Don't worry, it's deductible."

  "Save the receipts," she reminded him.

  Sady grabbed the card from CJ and stomped out the door. "You'd be proud of our little girl, all grown up," Matt told CJ when Sady left. "Of course, Morrow might not agree. I'll be sure to get a picture for you." Sady yelled from the hall, and he followed her with a grin.

  "You can wipe that smile off your face, Meadows," Sady said as they entered the elevator. She contemplated the floor with a sigh.

  "Hey." Matt waited until she glanced up, and he gave her an earnest look. "I'm sorry, Sady. I know this embarrasses you, but I'm proud of you for looking out for your friends."

  “In other words you're going to pick a smutty outfit, aren't you?” Then she surprised him when she admitted, "I've done worse, believe it or not. It's not something I care to relive though. And no, I'm NOT telling you about it." The elevator doors opened at the lobby, and she stepped out. "Let's get this done."

  Chapter 5

  Two hours and several arguments later Sady had her costume. She almost quit before the show started when she saw the poster advertising her act. "ALL NEW! Come See Sandy-Sue and Her Amazing Bareback Bronco Ride!"

  "It's a wonder the vice squad isn't waiting with cuffs," she complained. "It sounds like a porno movie." Matt thought it was funny until she appeared in her costume.

  "You will get arrested in that outfit," he muttered.

  Her brows went straight. "That's what I tried telling you when you insisted it was perfect! It's a little late to change buses now."

  Once she started the show, she realized she wasn't as bad off as some of the girls. At least she didn't have the unsteady drunks trying to shove their hands in places they shouldn't. If the mechanical bull didn't knock them down, it kept her out of reach long enough for the bouncers to get there.

  She lassoed a few men were there with their wives. Needless to say those poor fellows weren't getting any loving attention from their wives that night. After her first break the manager warned her she'd better start using that lasso on the rich men with money to burn.

  She was sitting in the dressing room with a few other performers, who were waiting for their turn. "Ignore him," one of the women advised. "He'd pimp out his own mother for a few extra dollars."

  "Have you worked here long?" Sady asked the friendly girl offering advice.

  "Less than a month, and as soon as something else comes along I'm outta here!" The woman pursed her lips and applied a layer of shiny lip gloss.

  "Does the boss expect you to get friendly with the customers?" Sady asked.

  "Honey, all the bosses expect that. But he doesn't want you to get too friendly if you're good at what you do. He doesn't want to lose the money makers. Wish me luck. I'm up next." From her looks Sady guessed she was one of the pole swinging melon shakers.

  "Sounds like there's a pretty big staff turnover," Sady commented to one of the other women who appeared older than the one who just left to perform.

  She stretched her jaw and rubbed the makeup that settled into the creases on her face before replying, "Nah. Only with the pole dancers. If you have a good act, and can change it up once in a while, the boss will pay good to keep you."

  "I see. Do you mind if I ask what your specialty is?" Sady asked.

  "I'm the snake girl. I shake, rattle, and roll," she said. "Honestly, all my snakes are harmless, but men have a morbid fascination with girls who play with snakes."

  "I bet. So how many acts does the club put on?" Sady hoped the conversation would lead to Harry’s mystery woman.

  "Besides the pole girls there's usually about five unique acts. We were down one act until you got hired. All the men like to think it's one huge jealous cat fight back here, but really it's not. As long as no one tries to hijack another girl's special customers. If we don't look out for each other, no one else will. Besides, the more good acts we have, the better the crowd, and the fewer hours we all have to work. So welcome aboard, Cowgirl. Everyone calls me Charm."

  Sady shook hands and Charm introduced her to the other girls. "That's Bubbles- she does this acrobat thing with hoops and ribbons. And that one is Aerial- she works the trapeze. Mermaid has the night off, but you'll meet her later this week."

  Sady looked at the walls of photos showing different performers through the years. She tried to identify the woman in the photo with Harry, but it would take a while. There were hundreds of photos, and it was her turn for another performance.

  She looked at the ogling men in the audience and lassoed one, hoping he was one of the big fish the boss was eager to hook. The guy stuffed a twenty-dollar bill down her bra, so Sady guessed she was on the right track. At least as far as the boss was concerned. Matt nearly came unraveled. The more money Sady brought in, the more upset he got.

  She did pretty good that night. Only one guy got carried away when he put money in her boot. He decided to cop a feel up and down her thigh. A quick finger stab to his sternum, and the bouncer dragged him to the door by his feet.

  Finally, her shift was over, and she headed back to the dressing room. "Nice job out there," Bubbles said. "It's customary to split our tips, in case no one told you." Sady peeled off her thigh boots and shook out the bills that had worked their way down. She peeled the money out of her skimpy outfit, tossing it on the table with a yawn.

  "Divvy it up, and give me my share tomorrow," Sady said. She didn't want to touch any of the money without gloves. If she brought a plastic bag tomorrow she'd have one of the girls put in the money, then she'd go back to the hotel and disinfect it. Apparently, they'd been in the business long enough that touching the money wasn't a big deal. They pounced on the pile of bills Sady left.

  She was changing into street clothes when Aerial yelled, "Hey, C
owgirl. A guy out here insists you're with him. You want me to call Vinnie and have him tossed?"

  "What does he look like?" Sady asked with a laugh.

  "Tall, dark, blue eyes, needs a shave. He's really hot, so if you don't want him let me know. Oh, he says his name is Matt."

  "My manager," Sady said. "Tell him I'll be there shortly."

  Aerial shut the door and said, "You'd better make it quick, honey. He looks like he's about to blow a gasket. Let us know if he gets rough with you. We have ways to deal with guys like that."

  "Thanks, I will," Sady replied, telling the women goodnight.

  Matt was pacing in the hall outside the dressing room. "You keep hanging out here, and Vinnie's gonna cap your knees," Sady told him. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to the exit. "Slow down, will you? I'm a little saddle sore, if you don't mind."

  "Did you find out anything?" he asked.

  "Yeah. The club goes through pole dancers like penny slots, and I have to split my tips," she glared. "Just what did you think I could accomplish in one night?"

  "Besides opening a bank account in your chaps?" he asked rudely.

  "Don't worry. I'll need that money for an operation to straighten out my bowed legs. Let me tell you when it comes to mechanical bulls, one size does not fit all! Now shut up, and get me a taxi, because I'm not walking back to the hotel. I doubt I'm capable of walking that far. I wonder if tetanus shots are mandatory in this business?"

  Chapter 6

  Sady was dead on her feet when she got to the hotel suite. CJ wanted to question her, but Harry put his hand on CJ's and shook his head. "Tomorrow," he suggested. CJ didn't argue. Sady waved goodnight and went to bed. Matt stayed up to talk with the Knight's.

  "Well, Sady says there are years of photos hanging in the dressing room. She just needs time to go through them. I hope she can do that before decides she likes the money and leaves us for a Vegas career."

  CJ lifted a brow. "Is she that good?"

  "Unfortunately, yes. I bet she had a couple hundred dollars in tips from her appreciative audience," Matt said sourly.

  "Uh, oh. Someone's not happy," Harry said.

  "Would you like to see your wife half dressed with strange men shoving money down her underwear?" Matt asked.

  "No. And I don't like the idea of Sady being in that position. She's not going back," Harry said with a scowl.

  "Matt, can't you keep your mouth shut for once? Besides, I'm not your wife, and you're exaggerating!" Sady popped out of her bedroom to grab a snack. Her night shirt read If you don't like what you see keep waiting. Someone uglier will soon be along.

  Sady planted herself in front of them and said, "I did NOT go through all this to quit after my first day. Matt's just jealous because I didn't lasso him. I checked his wallet before we left, and he had nothing larger than a ten. Don't be such a cheapskate, Matt. You'll get a bad rep among the girls. They know who the tightwads are." She got her snack and returned to bed, stopping to glare at Matt once more before slamming her door for emphasis.

  When everyone went to bed, Sady sneaked out of her room and hobbled to the kitchenette. She was closing the freezer when Matt said, "Another snack? It's a good thing you're working all that food off."

  She slammed the freezer door, trying to look nonchalant, but Matt knew her too well. "You weren't getting another snack, were you? What's up, Sady? I know a guilty look when I see one."

  "And I know a big mouth when I see one. Now, will you keep it down? I don't need Harry and CJ wandering out to see why you're yelling."

  Matt came closer. "Do I even want to know what you're doing?" he asked.

  "Probably not. And I don't want you to know, so turn around and go back to bed," she snapped.

  Matt's brows went up as he looked closer. "Is there a reason you have an ice pack on your..."

  "Thighs?" she finished in a steely tone.

  "If that's what you're calling it these days," he smirked.

  "That better be what you're calling it, not me," she warned. "And yes, there's a reason. It has to do with the female reproductive system. You see..."

  Matt looked disgusted and said, "Way too much info, Sady. Good luck with that, and goodnight." He went back to his room, and Sady breathed a sigh of relief.

  "You can scare the men off with that line, Sady, but I know better."

  "Doesn't anyone sleep around here?" Sady asked CJ.

  "No one but Harry- go figure. Now, do you want to tell me what the real problem is? I know it's not monthly cramps."

  "Well, let's just say spending a couple hours sitting on a moving piece of machinery, wearing a leather string up your butt, isn't conducive to comfort. The same thing goes for my inner thighs." Sady reluctantly showed CJ the raw flesh on her legs. "Please, don't tell the guys, especially Harry. If I have to wrap myself like a mummy, I'm going back to that club. I'd do anything for you and Harry. You've had my back every time I've been in trouble. It's time for me to return the favor."

  "If you feel that way there's only one thing to do," CJ said firmly. "I'll call Amanda and get her out here for support. I have no doubt that woman could entertain the club for a week straight and love every second of it. It's only eleven in Michigan. I'm going to step into the hall and call her."

  It wasn't quite noon the following day when they heard furious pounding on the door of the hotel suite. With a smile at Sady, CJ said, "Will you answer that, Matt?"

  They couldn't see the front door from where they sat, but they heard the conversation clearly.

  "What are you doing here?" Matt’s voice registered astonishment.

  "I'm an invited guest, Stubbles, so you'd better move aside and let me in. The way I hear it you are here to work. So take my bags and don't get rough with them."

  Amanda must have dropped her bags on Matt's foot because he howled and said, "Are you packing concrete?" There was no answer, and Amanda sauntered around the corner to greet the rest of the team.

  "Did someone here request my special services?" She made the rounds with hugs for everyone, lingering a little longer on Harry.

  Sady elbowed her, and Amanda replied, "He's been through so much. I was just offering a little extra comfort."

  "Don't we have enough trouble on our hands?" Matt asked. "Who invited her, and why?"

  "I invited her," CJ said. "We need another set of eyes in that club. Sady can't do it all, and we can't stay here indefinitely."

  "I didn't see an ad for a cleaning woman," Matt said acidly.

  "Then you don't need to apply," Amanda responded. "I happen to have highly valuable skills."

  "Well, don't call me to bail you out when you get arrested for your skills," Matt shot back.

  Amanda blew him off with a sniff. "Please, Stubbles. Go practice your charm because as my manager you're going to be selling my skills this afternoon."

  "There's not enough charm in this world to do that. Besides, I'm sure pimping is still illegal, Amanda."

  She narrowed her eyes and said, "You might want to find an attitude adjustment while you're at it. Before I give you one."

  CJ cleared her throat and said, "Sady, do you want to tell him?"

  Sady's smile grew, and she said, "Remember how the club manager was looking for a particular act, Matt?"

  His eyes bulged. "Don't make me laugh. Amanda? She might qualify if this was a monster truck rally."

  "I brought the whip, Stubbles, and I'm going to practice on you. After you take me shopping that is. I need a real leather outfit if I'm going to do this right." She strutted around the room, "Look out, Vegas. You've never seen a dominatrix like me."

  "That's because the vice squad is doing a good job," Matt told her. "I bet the state pen has seen a lot, though."

  "Just bring the credit card. It's time for some retail therapy. Your mouth is not required to be in attendance." She headed to the door. "Well, come on! CJ is waiting to kick someone's ass, and I don't want to keep her waiting any longer than necessary."

  "Do I h
ave to take her?" Matt asked, sounding like a little boy.

  "I'm afraid so," CJ said with a grin. "Harry and I will check a couple pawn shops, and Sady is out of commission for now. You're the only other person authorized to use the company card."

  "Sady's not coming? What do you mean, out of commission?" he asked suspiciously.

  "It's the girl thing, remember?" Sady interjected with a raised brow.

  Matt turned red and followed Amanda, grumbling under his breath. Two hours later he was still griping when they returned to the hotel. Amanda was ignoring him. "I keep hoping he'll go away. Maybe it just takes a little longer, like some rashes," she told Sady.

  Matt went to the fridge for a beer. "Don't get too comfy. You're taking me to the Can-Can Club for my audition, remember?" Amanda reminded him.

  "How could I forget? This day will be permanently etched in my brain like a bloody scene from a horror movie." He popped a beer and nearly drained it with one sip.

  Amanda hauled Sady to the bedroom they now shared. "CJ explained your dilemma, so I purchased extra items. I'll explain to the manager the change in plans after I'm hired."

  Sady burst out laughing. "This is priceless. I wish I could take a picture of Matt's face when you audition."

  Chapter 7

  The buxom blonde assistant at the Can-Can Club seemed disinclined to let Amanda have her audition. "I don't think you're what the boss has in mind," she told Amanda.

  Amanda knocked half the items off her desk with the whip. The assistant jumped back with a shriek. The door to the manager's office opened, and he poked his head out to see what was happening.

  "I'm here for my audition," Amanda told him. Her outfit left no doubt about which position she was applying for. Her black leather bustier bordered on obscene if not nearly illegal. She had on leather spike boots, and she wore a variety of metal and leather attachments.

  The assistant tried to intervene. A second later she found herself handcuffed to the filing cabinet. Amanda used a riding crop to poke the manager in the chest. She pushed him back into his office. The assistant jumped in fright when the door slammed, and the lock snapped. She looked at Matt with big eyes.