“Misfits, please.” Carly didn’t take her eyes from Stella as she told the driver where they wanted to go.
The driver frowned as he peeked at them in the rear-view mirror. “Are you sure you want to go there? The other clubs in town are nicer. Misfits isn’t somewhere I’d recommend.”
Carly tore her eyes away from Stella, her forehead creased in confusion at his advice. “What’s wrong with it?”
“It's renowned for getting a bit rough at closing time. The bar staff don't know when to say, ‘no more’ to the customers, making it hard for the bouncers to control them. Don’t get me wrong, the door-staff are amazing, but the police always have to jump in.”
Although she wasn’t happy with the answer, Stella thanked him with a small smile. “We'll be sure to leave before closing.”
“Forgive me for being so outright, but are you a couple?” He focused on their joined hands.
“We are,” Stella confirmed and pecked Carly on the cheek.
“Then there is a bigger reason for you not to go there. If you’re planning on dancing together and enjoying yourselves openly, then you’ll be thrown out. The manager doesn't like that kind of behaviour in her club. She doesn’t have a problem if a straight couple get down and dirty on the dance floor.” He snorted and chuckled. “She’s a lesbian herself, but she likes to discriminate against us. My boyfriend and I got kicked out of Misfits a couple of months ago for dancing to a slow song together.”
Stella scrutinized Carly closely and could see the cogs turning in her head. She always got a certain look in her eyes when she was plotting something. “I'll let you do whatever you want to handle this situation.”
“We've got a no discrimination policy throughout all the clubs. Why is this woman going against it? All our other clubs operate the same way and adhere to the rules, and they never have any problems. So why is this one different?” Carly leant forwards and tapped the driver on the shoulder. “Do you have any other friends who’ve been treated this way by Misfits staff?”
“Tonnes of them, and they all hang out at a pub down the road from the club.”
Stella and Carly sat back in the comfortable seat and listened as the driver gave them more horror stories of the club. The landladies of the pub had also been subjected to the manager’s iron ruling.
After the third tale, Carly had heard enough and directed him to take them to the hotel. She needed to collect a few things before she could deal with the manager. “Wait for me here, and afterwards, I’d like you to drive us to the pub so we can meet your friends.”
“Sure, but I don’t know what two women from out of town are going to do.” He pulled the car into the hotel driveway.
“You’ll be surprised what we can do when we put our minds to it.” Carly laughed at her joke.
With a smirk on his lips he parked the car and spun around in his seat to regard them both. “You obviously know something I don’t. Who exactly are you, and why is the beast of Misfits going to listen to you?”
“My name is Carly, and I'm the business manager for the whole Misfits franchise, and this gorgeous creature beside me, is Stella Williams, the owner.”
His eyes bulged at the revelation, and his mouth dropped open. “If that’s the case, I need to make a few calls of my own. Consider me as another partner in crime tonight. There’s no way in hell I’m missing the action.”
Carly slipped out of the car and sprinted through the door as Stella sat stunned at how their night was turning out. The driver made his phone calls, and on her urging called the landladies he’d told them about, to pre-warn them she and Carly were on their way to talk to them. She even offered a free drink to all the people in the pub who’d be prepared to listen to them.
Another text message made her phone vibrate against her leg and reminded her that Trish and Claudia were waiting for them. Placing a quick call to Claudia, Stella told them to go on ahead without them, but not to get too friendly as it would result in them being thrown out.
As Carly got back into the car, another text arrived, it simply read, WTF! Stella’s eyes settled on a bulge in Carly’s bag. “What you got there?”
“Business cards. I’ll give them out so people can reclaim a free drink at the club. Don’t worry, all will be revealed when we get to the pub.”
“Great minds think alike.” Stella explained about her offer of a free drink at the pub.
“For a drink, I can guarantee you’ll have a captive audience.”
The car pulled away from the hotel and headed them back in the direction of the town centre. “I’m Tony Carter. I’m sorry I forgot to introduce myself earlier.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for your help.” Stella accepted the handful of business cards Carly held out to her.
Tony pulled up to the front of the pub where a small crowd was already waiting for them. There were a few grumblings as they climbed out of the car, but they were silenced as a loud booming voice cut through them.
“Clear a path, and let’s wait to hear what they have to say.” A heavy set, small woman pushed her way through the throng of people. “Please, come in, ladies. We’ve a full house waiting to listen to you. My name is Maria Holdsworth.”
She held her hand out to Carly first.
“It's a pleasure to meet you.” Carly shook her hand and introduced herself and Stella. “We've come to make amends for past wrongs. We’ve only just learned what everyone has gone through at Misfits.”
As they were escorted through the doors and straight to the bar, they were introduced to Maria’s partner Olivia. Her tall stature and bubbly personality out shone everyone in the room. “I can't see what either of you can do about this. With the bitch from hell manager running the show over there, nothing can be done.”
Stella took a step back as Olivia’s personality changed within seconds, and her eyes become as dark as night. Okay, a pussycat until she’s pissed off…duly noted.
Carly winked, and her lips spread into a wide grin.
“I'll see your manager of the club and raise you the business manager for the whole operation and the owner.” Spinning on her heel, she made sure everyone within earshot was listening. “This ends tonight! As of eleven o’clock, you’ll be welcome whenever you like. We just need your help accomplishing it.”
“Don’t worry about the manager either. She’ll be history after tomorrow, and Misfits will be under new management.” The roar Stella received for the titbit of information was deafening.
Carly walked to the small stage area and jumped up on it. “All we need you to do is turn up tonight at eleven and have a free drink on us—laugh, dance, and have a great time. We’ll take care of the rest.”
As the crowd cheered and applauded, Stella and Carly handed the business cards out.
A thought occurred to Stella, and she pulled her phone out to call Claudia. She needed her to meet them outside the club and back them up with her legal knowledge.
Striding around like a woman on a mission, Carly grabbed Stella’s hand and led her back to the bar. “Sorry, but you’re going to see my bitch persona tonight.” She rubbed her hands together in glee. “I can’t wait to take the manager down!”
Fucking hell, she’s a feisty one! I guess her red hair should have warned me she was a firecracker.
Handing Tony some money and thanking him for all his help, Stella tightened her hold on Carly’s hand and pulled her back outside into the warm night. The club was on the same road, so it seemed senseless to use a taxi. They also needed the five-minute walk to clear their heads and prepare for battle.
Chapter Thirteen
As they approached the club, Carly pulled out her purse. She removed her identification and motioned for Stella to do the same.
“What devious plan has your beautiful mind cooked up, and why do we need these?” Stella reached into her right pocket of her jeans for her wallet.
With a cunning grin on her face, Carly took Stella’s hand. “I’m going to re
veal who we are to the door staff, they’ll undoubtedly ask for proof. This is the only way I can insure the bitch of a manager doesn't learn we're in the club.”
Stella tugged Carly into her side and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. “Okay, let's go battle a dragon.”
Stella continued to hold Carly as they approached the entrance and joined the small queue to wait their turn. When they stepped up to pay their fee, the way was blocked by a man-mountain, who stood firmly in their path, his rippling muscled arms crossed over his chest.
“You’ll have to release her before you go inside.” He pointed at Stella’s arm on Carly’s shoulder.
Carly kissed the hand hanging over her left shoulder. “If your girlfriend was as hot as her, would you stop touching her?”
“Sorry, house rules. No body contact between same-sex couples.”
Stella’s heartbeat thudded loudly in her ears as her temper rose. She let her arm slip from Carly’s shoulders as she took a step forward to look the doorman in the eyes. “By whose order?”
He backed up from the glare and defensive stance. “Delia Wilkinson, she’s the manager of the club.”
Carly moved up to Stella’s side to show she wasn’t intimidated either. “I thought Misfits had a non-discrimination policy?”
Somewhat confused, the doorman scratched his head and stared at them.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I should’ve introduced myself.” Carly handed him one of her business cards. “My name’s Carly Martin, and I’m the business manager for the entire Misfits franchise.”
The doorman placed his hand on the radio strapped to his shoulder.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you. This visit is to be kept quiet.” She placed her small hand over his bear paw sized one.
The air instantly turned ominous and hinted at something dangerous as a large dark figure came into view behind him. “Lady, you're in the wrong place. Now, I suggest you get your little queer arses off the step and fuck off back to ‘Gaysville’!”
Carly’s brow furrowed as the figure stepped into the light. The person’s posture and muscular frame led her to think the newcomer was a man—she couldn’t have been more wrong. “Sorry? Who might you be?”
The brunette’s hair hung in a French braid down the centre of her back, and she was a few inches taller than Stella’s six-foot frame. Her green eyes danced erratically over the people milling around. Her chest puffed out in a challenge to them. “I'm Gemma Robinson, and you’re not welcome here.”
Carly’s smaller frame stepped into Gemma’s space; a cocky grin changed her features as the corner of her mouth curved upwards. “Is that so? Well, Gemma, I suggest you ask your colleague who I am. However, let me introduce you to my girlfriend first.” She turned around and held her hand out to Stella. Once Stella’s hand was safely in hers, she pulled Stella forward. “Gemma, this is Stella Williams, the owner of Misfits.”
“Show me some identification!” Gemma growled menacingly, looking at the clasped hands.
Stella and Carly held up their pink plastic driving licences and showed them to the first guard who emitted a low whistle and held a thumb up to the female guard. They then turned and held them up for Gemma to inspect.
Carly stood her ground in front of Gemma and held her hand out. “Now, hand me your radio and go home. As of now, you’re suspended for the language you used and breach of company guidelines.”
As it was slapped into her hand, Carly fought the urge to grimace as the force made her hand tingle.
“Be here tomorrow morning at ten o’clock so we can discuss your behaviour.”
With her head bowed, Gemma handed her keys to the male doorman and sauntered down the road away from them.
“That’s one problem taken care of. Okay, onto the next. Under no circumstances is Delia to know we’re in the club.” Her eyes locked with his, unblinking. “Do I make myself clear?”
She handed him the second radio as she issued her orders. His head moved vigorously up and down.
“Good. There’ll be a group of people arriving soon who will show you my business card to gain entrance, let them in, but return the card to them. Tell the other security-staff everything that has happened, and that my orders are to be followed otherwise there’ll be more suspensions tonight. There’ll also be calls over the radios about same sex couples dancing. Ignore them, especially if they’re from Delia.”
The frightened expression on his face concerned Carly, and she placed a calming hand on his arm and gave it a brief squeeze.
“I’m not the bad guy here, we only want the clubs to be run to the right standard, and that includes no discrimination. What’s bothering you?”
He finally broke and the stoicism on his face cracked as he told them Delia had threatened their jobs if they didn’t comply with her rules. After reassuring him, she was now in charge and it couldn’t happen without her say so, he calmed down.
As Carly and Stella strode into the club, Claudia and Trish pounced on them, demanding to know what was happening.
“Stella can fill you in while I go and speak to the bar staff.” Carly left them in the entrance and made her way through the club.
As Claudia and Trish learned of Carly’s plan their laughter reverberated around the walls.
Yet, there was a dangerous glint in Claudia’s eyes as Stella outlined the homophobic behaviour the manager had forced the staff to follow.
“Oh my God, you’ve met your match with her!” Claudia turned to see Carly leaning over the bar to speak with someone. “It’s been hard to compare as I’ve seen you in full business mode but haven’t witnessed anything overly aggressive from Carly. However, I think she’s got bigger balls than you have! It’s her quiet nature and demeanour that lures everyone into a false sense of security. My mum always told me I needed to watch out for the quiet ones.”
Stella couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s assessment. “I know. Isn’t she fabulous!”
Carly waved at them, beckoning them to the bar. Reaching her, Stella stood behind her and wrapped her hands around her hips, gently tugging her backwards so their bodies touched. Carly peeked over her shoulder then rose onto her tiptoes to kiss Stella’s cheek. “I’ve ordered us all soft drinks. We don’t need any alcohol to mar our judgements. If it’s okay with you, I want to handle the confrontation this time.”
Stella’s only answer was to nod her head, which Carly felt against the top of her own. Carly offered Stella the only stool left, but she declined, insisting Carly take it instead. As soon as she sat down, Stella retook her position behind her, placing her arms over Carly’s shoulders. Glancing around, she noticed they were in the direct line of sight of the door, and they’d easily notice when Tony, Olivia, and Maria arrived with their entourage.
As if there was some cosmic energy on their side, their new friends entered the club minutes later. Carly waved her arm in the air to garner their attention, and soon she was introducing them to Claudia and Trish. The bar staff became overwhelmed with the amount of people who’d entered, and the long space behind the large flat oak top became a hive of activity as they ran around, filling each order quickly.
Once they all had a drink in front of them, Claudia spun on her stool to face Carly. “So, Wonder Woman, how are you going to do this?”
“Like this.” A devilish grin spread across her lips as she stood and took Stella’s hand kissing the back of it. “Dance with me, honey?”
“I'd be delighted to.” Stella let Carly lead her out onto the dance floor.
As they got to the centre of it, Carly pulled Stella close. She wrapped her arms around her waist and leant up to whisper in Stella’s ear. “Try and make this as dirty as you can.”
Stella’s eyes bulged, and she bit her lower lip as she leaned back to peek at Carly’s face. “What?”
“We want to get a reaction, don't forget. Besides…” Her eyes roamed up and down Stella’s rock hard physique, savouring each perfect inch of her. “I want to do a spot of dirty
dancing with my girlfriend.”
Carly let out a small gasp as Stella’s hands tugged her closer, and her body moulded into the arch of Stella’s torso.
Stella’s head lowered and their eyes locked a moment before their lips locked together. The feel of each other’s breasts made them both shudder and goose bumps appeared over their arms.
The music pumped out of the speakers, and the base beats vibrated under their feet. Stella moved in time to the music, swaying her hips to a slow rhythm. She slipped her thigh in between Carly’s legs and felt her respond by gently pressing her core down onto her.
There were several glances from the tables around the dance floor. There was still no movement from the office area. Carly moved sensually against Stella and gestured with her hand for Claudia and the others to join them, and the floor was soon flooded with gyrating bodies.
The DJ glanced at them, and a blinding smile lit up his face. Carly’s hand rose, and she waved it up and down, indicating for him to increase the volume. He moved his head in time with the music as he slid the button on the control panel upwards.
As one, Stella and Carly snapped their attention back to the manager’s door.
Carly tightened her hold on Stella. “There’s still no reaction. What the hell is it going to take to get her out of that office?”
“A stick of dynamite wedged firmly up her arse.” Stella threw her head back and laughed as she twirled them once more. “Hang on, I’ve got an idea.”
She turned Carly around so her back was against her chest and moved her hands to her hips. Stella dipped lower and made her moves more suggestive, grinding her pelvis against Carly’s backside.
Carly covered Stella’s hands with her own and closed her eyes, losing herself for a few minutes in the heat and exhilaration that shot through her being. When she felt Stella’s lips on the nape of her neck her eyes flew open. “Jesus!”
Before she could enjoy her touch any further, the blinds in the office cranked open. She tapped Stella on the hand and motioned with her head to the other side of the club.
Absolute Betrayal Page 13
