~𝙼𝙾𝙳𝙴𝚁𝙽 𝙳𝙰𝚈 𝙱𝙾𝙽𝙽𝙸𝙴 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙲𝙻𝚈𝙳𝙴~

𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕪-𝕖𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥

Bellatrix sat in Lyla's office at Redwoody, legs crossed, a cigarette dangling between her fingers as she stared at the absolute clusterfuck of paperwork in front of her. Three of Lyla's girls—three—were out of commission for the next nine months because one Scottish bastard couldn't be bothered to wrap his dick.

She exhaled a slow, frustrated drag of smoke, tapping her fingers against the desk. "I swear to God, Ly, you need to start issuing condoms like a damn HR department."

Lyla, who was leaned back in her chair, sipping an iced coffee like this wasn't her problem, just smirked. "Oh, please. You and I both know Chibs would just laugh and throw 'em away."

Bellatrix rolled her eyes so hard she almost saw the back of her skull. "Yeah, well, now I've got to find three replacements because someone couldn't keep it in his pants." She tossed the papers down on the desk. "And before you say it, I know it's not your fault, but this is a business, and right now, I'm running damage control."

Lyla sighed, setting her drink down. "Okay, so, what's the plan? 'Cause unless we're hiring some new girls, the schedule's about to get real thin."

Bellatrix took another drag, blowing the smoke toward the ceiling as she thought. "First of all, we need to find out if these girls are planning to come back after they pop those babies out or if they're calling it quits." She grabbed a pen, tapping it against the armrest of her chair. "If they're leaving, we start looking for fresh talent. If they're staying, we figure out who can fill in the gaps until then."

Lyla nodded. "I might have a few names. Some old friends who are still in the industry, but I don't know if they'd be willing to relocate."

Bellatrix arched a brow. "We've got money, we've got security, and we've got a fuckin' loyal fanbase. If they're smart, they'll take the deal."

Lyla smirked. "You're really invested in this, huh?"

Bellatrix flicked ash into the tray. "Of course I am. This place makes money. And I like money."

Lyla snorted. "And here I thought you just liked bossing people around."

Bellatrix grinned. "That too."

Lyla stretched, cracking her neck. "Alright, I'll start making some calls. And maybe sit Chibs down for a little chat about family planning."

Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "Please. That man's damn near fifty. He's never gonna change."

Lyla laughed. "Yeah, but I bet I can make him regret it."

Bellatrix smirked, taking another slow drag before standing up. "Now that I'd like to see."

She paused in the doorway, one hand on the frame, cigarette smoldering between her fingers. She exhaled a slow ribbon of smoke, her multicolored eyes flicking back toward Lyla with a smirk that could only be described as devilish.

"Oh, and Ly?" she drawled, tilting her head. "Invite the expecting mothers to Fight Night."

Lyla blinked, sitting up a little straighter. "You serious?"

Bellatrix grinned. "Dead-ass. That way, our dear resident Scotsman has no choice but to interact with them." She took another drag, exhaling through her nose. "And let's be real, we both know Chibs is gonna have that 'oh fuck' look on his face the whole night."

Lyla snorted. "You're an evil little thing, you know that?"

Bellatrix gave a mock-curtsy. "Thank you, thank you."