Page 12 of Barristers & Bones

Misty turned to me. “His name is Tiny.”

“His real name is Samuel. He said he prefers it.”

Misty glanced back down the hall. “I didn’t know that. You’re here with Roman Fowler?”

“Yes. He’s my law mentor, unfortunately. It's complicated.”

“If there’s a man involved, it’s usually complicated,” she mused. “What can we help you with?”

“I’m curious about how it all works.” Misty led me into the dressing room as we talked. Another woman in shorts, a tank top, and no bra stood in front of a rack of what looked like sparkly strings and minuscule strips of cloth.

“Working in a strip club is like any other job, except the dress code is a bit different,” Misty grinned and slipped her flip-flops off. “It really is just a job. Fiona treats us well, and a few girls do some escort work on the side, but they can’t do it here. You learn the moves and tricks to make the most money with the least risk and effort. And then we go home, live our lives, and return for our next shift.”

Sasha, the other girl, walked over and looked me up and down. She was taller than Misty and had a tight, tan body and violet-colored hair. “Hey, I’m Sasha. You looking for a job? You could work the dirty fairy angle if you know how to dance.”

I mentally sighed. I’d been told I looked like a fairy most of my life. “I can’t dance–at all. I’m also going to school full-time.”

“Yeah? What’re you studying?” Misty asked.

“Law.”

Sasha casually peeled off her clothes as a few other dancers walked in. “It sounds boring.” She pulled a purple thong off the rack and got dressed. It took about two seconds, and her outfit matched her hair perfectly.

“What else do you want to know?” she asked.

“Do you earn a living wage here?”

One of the girls who'd just come in walked over. “Honey, we make bank. But only if we're good.”

“Do you get benefits too?”

“A free gym membership and discounts on food and drinks,” her friend chimed in. “And the occasional life lesson.”

“Life lesson?” I echoed. So, it sounded like no medical or dental benefits.

“Yeah, like never walk out to your car alone at night, and don’t trust a man who says he's just here for the atmosphere.” The girls laughed. They talked to me while they put on makeup and body glitter. Then Sasha and Misty walked out to the floor to start their shift. I followed them out a few minutes later.

“Did you get your questions answered?” Samuel asked over the music.

“Yes, and I think you guys need to ask for health care and dental benefits.”

He grinned and shook his head. “You’re a strange one. Come back anytime.” I waved at him and headed toward the bar to find Roman.

“Are you lost, little girl? You looking to give a little VIP service?” The slightly slurred voice came from behind me. I turned to find a pudgy, balding middle-aged man in a golf shirt and shorts leering at me, his smile wide and his gaze hazy. It wasn’t even one in the afternoon, and this guy was way past buzzed.

“No, I'm not an employee.” I tried to sidestep him, but he moved closer.

“Come on, give me a lap dance,” he urged, reaching toward me with grabby hands. I’d already been mauled by Fiona, but this guy was another story.

I backed up. “Do I look like a dancer?”

He studied me with one eye closed. “Yeah, ‘cause you’re pretty, but you need to lose the clothes. What do you look like in a g-string?” His hands went to my shirt, moving fast for being so inebriated.

I deftly blocked him and stepped out of his reach when someone yanked his collar from behind.

“Back the fuck off,” Roman clipped as he dragged the man away. “She’s obviously not a dancer, you stupid asshole .” Roman shook him a few times then let go, and the man scurried away like a rat.

“Are you done talking to Fiona?” I asked.

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