Bringing an eight year old along to a worksite is probably not the best idea. Even worse, this building is being renovated into a strip club - sorry, gentleman's club, not that I know the difference, must be an American thing.
All of the women are here and so is Mika, he convinced us all to come down here and have a look at the final stages of the reno. I don't know how he got it done so quickly but it's already looks brilliant. The curtains that lead into the building are a sheer, shimmering gold that make it feel like you're walking into heaven.
The club's logo hangs above the catwalk that has three poles on, far enough away from the seating so that the dancers can't get grabbed. I know that's something important to Mika which I think is sweet. The chairs are a plush grey velvet with ornate handles and the bar is a brushed gold with gorgeous chairs lining it with mood lighting and shelving for the elaborate alcohols that will be served here.
The walls are an off-white that lead up to posh looking cornices and the ceiling is decorated in gold swirls and patterns with an elaborate chandelier hanging in the middle. "This is beautiful." I state, walking across the hardwood floor and onto the plush carpeting that leads to the back of the building where the dressing rooms are.
Everyone follows behind me as we take in the area. Each changing room is blocked off by a light coloured curtain and the main room has twelve dressing tables, six pressed up against each wall, with a storage room at the back ready to be filled with costumes and shoes. Another door leads to a shared bathroom with six showers, eight stalls and four sinks with a laundry chute that sends all used clothes down to the laundry room that is in the basement.
The final door leads to a common room with a small kitchen, coffee machine, a few cotton covered couches and a water machine with a vending machine pushed into the corner that is already filled with snacks. "Damn, you guys outdid yourselves." I look over at the four of them looking cocky, they know they did too. "Do the other places look like this?"
"Similar, but they have different metals. One of them is silver, the other is bronze and we had to change the colours to play off that better but other than that the structure is the same. Romeo came up with a lot of the plans, upstairs is gorgeous though." Marielle replies, rolling one of the curtains in her hands.
"You wanna see upstairs, little man?" I ask Ollie, deciding to tell him that this'll be where the girls will stay not where they will bring clients.
"Yeah!" He jumps on me so I slip him around to sit on my back instead of my hip and hurry up the stairs excitedly. I don't like the whole planning and shopping thing but I do like looking at the finished result, I mean my house looks so good and I had no input on it so I am positive that this will be stunning.
There are eight bedrooms up here apparently, I only need to see one since they are exactly the same, leaving the girls to change them up how they please. "I made sure that people can live up here, if the girls have no safe place to go they can live here for free." Mika says as he brushes passed me into the first room on the left.
The first thing I notice is the bed, it's definitely California king size with a massive head board that makes it look straight out of a five star hotel, it's decorated with red silk and soft cushions giving an inviting feel. The floor is still hardwood but a fluffy grey rug covers the majority of it with standing mirrors either side of the bed and sheer white curtains covering the window and making the room feel taller.
There's a small closet with some drawers in and on the other side of the room there's an ensuite with a shower. It's mostly white with grey accents and gold taps, simple but classy. The girls are never gonna wanna leave.
"Every room is stocked with beauty and sanitary products and a lot of condoms too." Saviour laughs and drags us all out considering I'd been gawking at the room for a good few minutes.
"If you think you'll be able to get the girls to leave then you've got another thing coming." I joke and bump Sav's shoulder with mine.
"Nope, not my problem. Lexie is gonna be the madam for all three and she'll have an underboss or whatever that helps her run the place when she's not there. As soon as Miracle is born and Doc gives me the all clear I'm going back to bounty hunting."
"Reign gonna be happy with that?"
"Probably not at first but he'll understand when I tell him that it would be like taking the club away from him. Him and I aren't built for the quiet life and I doubt our daughter will be either." She gently rubs her stomach as we reach the front of the building where people are still working, the sign needs to go up and the painting needs to be finished but other than that it looks perfect.
We'll be open for business in a week max. I don't know what the other places look like either but if they look anything like this, it'll be the same for them. "Trust me, Miracle is gonna be a badass that makes us all look like complete pansies."
"No doubt about that, she's gonna be wreaking havoc and kicking ass from the day she's born." Lexie cheers excitedly, she's so happy to meet her niece and spoil the crap out of her just like the rest of us.
"Shame she's never gonna be able to date anyone." Mari laughs and Saviour pouts.
"But I want my baby to have someone to look after her when Reign and I are gone."
"You better hope you have a son then because Reign is not gonna let any boy near her." Lexie joins in and Saviour just whines in frustration. Her poor daughter is always gonna have someone cock blocking her, I wouldn't be surprised if Reign brought Ollie into the action.
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Unfortunately my stress free day is brought to a close as Bear announces that we are taking down the first ring today. Romeo, Saviour and Gears are to remain at home with the prospects while the rest of us suit up and head straight into battle.
We put down those who fight back and make sure that future fights are ended before they even start. I just don't think that this'll work, at least not the first one. I slip the kevlar on and strap an assault rifle to my back and knives to my sides and legs. "Okay, you remember everything I taught you?" Saviour asks as she checks my weapons and my vest, tightening the holsters and the straps.
"Of course, you literally beat it into me."
"Dramatic bitch. Use your instincts and for God's sake don't look away just because you think the fight is over because it isn't until you're back here. Understand?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Great! I love you and stay safe." She kisses my cheek after my reply and bounces over her husband, probably to do the same with him but more romantically.
I look over at Mika who is fixing to fight his way onto the mission but I give him a look that says 'please don't'. "Mika, I promise everything will be fine." I stroke his arm and he relaxes slightly, his body still tense and his glare latched on Bear.
"I should be with you."
"No, you need to be here with our son and watching our backs from the computer, okay? I'll come back to you."
"I swear to God, Raphe, I will drag your ass back here myself if I have to." He grits his teeth and shakes his head in frustration.
"I know. I love you, Mika." His blue eyes focus on me, flashing with happiness but ringed with anxiety.
"I love you." Before I even get the chance to kiss him goodbye before Bear is calling out for us to leave. I wink at Mika, following out after my President and readying for battle.
YOU ARE READING
Runner (Riders of Apollo #3)
RomanceI know he's followed me when the door shuts and locks behind me. His breath is on my ear before I can even think about anything and I relax against him as his teeth nip at the lobe. He reaches around me to start the shower and starts undoing my belt...
