Vincent (Made Men, #2)(31)
The bartender was super-friendly in teaching Lake what drinks were what and how to handle special requests. Lake had even picked up a few tips here and there. At first, she didn’t know where to put the money until Sadie had told her, “Our tits are like purses. That’s the fucking greatest thing about them.” She then proceeded to show her how to shove it down there using her own tips. She explained it was like a mini-show for the men, and Lake figured that was why they had introduced it—to get more tips. Give me more money, and I’ll shove it down between my boobs. Thinking back, she finally understood the long faces when she had only replied thank you to them.
She also understood why it was an underground casino as the night went on. Without a doubt, she knew Dante made most of his money not from the casino hotel, but from down there. The cash drops were so high at one table, Lake could have paid her father’s debt a thousand times over in one night.
She was certain very illegal stuff happened down there, even after only a few hours, because no way was she the only girl under twenty-one. There were also side rooms men exited from throughout the night, most of them coming out drugged up on something. Not to mention, they continued to serve alcohol to some very inebriated people.
Dante was clearly not reporting most of the income, if any of it, or he was funneling in some of the illegal money to the legitimate business upstairs. The boss was clearly ticking some highly illegal boxes of tax evasion and money laundering, and Lake didn’t need to know more or understand how he did it.
She had to give Dante credit, though. The best way to hide an underground casino is to put a legal casino on top of it.
It wasn’t as bad as she thought it was going to be when she had started her first table. Most of the men were concerned about winning or her various co-workers who weren’t as shy as her.
As a matter of fact, the only guy who really creeped her out throughout the night was the red-headed one. Thankfully, he didn’t try to touch her, but she figured it would take a big man with a huge set of balls to try with the security around there. There were suits lined up against the walls everywhere. It’s like the Great Wall of China.
She had seen a few drunken men try to cop a feel, but the suits always managed to escort them out. Like Sadie had said, touching cost extra. The rest of the men must have been too scared to try, seeing they all had to leave if they did. Apparently, they didn’t want to risk going home to their wives and children.
Lake was happy when the red-headed man asked to pay his tab. Going to the bar, she grabbed his card and receipt then headed back to his table.
The man quickly jotted a few things down on his receipt. “When’s the next time you work?”
“I haven’t been added to the schedule, but it will probably be all week.” Lake managed another smile.
“I can’t wait,” he said slimily, handing over the black book which held the receipt and pen.
She didn’t know what it was about him, but he seriously rubbed her the wrong way. Most of the men traveled a bit to other sections and games; however, that man strictly stayed in her work area, constantly eyeing her.
Taking the book, she hoped it was the last smile he would get. “Thank you.”
Lake didn’t linger, quickly going back to the bar. She only hoped that, by looking at his wedding band all night, he wouldn’t be able to make it out the rest of the week. Although, something about the “I can’t wait” told her otherwise.
Her feet screamed in pain from the pumps and walking back and forth. She was going to have to go to the store to buy Band-Aids for all the blisters she was sure to have.
Looking at the clock, she realized she had finally reached the end of her shift. Quickly she counted her tips, seeing she had made quite a bit of money. Certainly more than she would have expected a cocktail waitress to have made. Her largest tip had been from the slime ball, and even though the amount was big, she felt dirty taking it.
Sadie came up behind her and gave her another slap on her butt. “I told you everyone would love you. I’ve received many compliments on you. They just can’t get enough of the new girl. Besides your feet hurting like a bitch, how bad was it?”
All in all, Lake had to admit it hadn’t been that bad. Only one customer had affected her night, and truthfully, she was used to all the waiting around. John treated her much worse than all the men there combined.
“Okay, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” she admitted. “But I am so ready to get the hell out of here and crash.” It had been a hard day for her with all the emotional ups and downs. She was practically dreaming of her pillow and mattress and blanket…
“You didn’t forget your wax, did you? Trust me, you are going to shit a brick when you see all the nooks and crannies which stash hair like a squirrel during hibernation.”
Lake turned ghostly white. “So … I have to get that … today?”
Sadie tried to coax her. “Oh, honey, don’t worry; I’ll hold you down.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
We’ll Be Too Outnumbered
Lake woke up the next day with the pillow plastered to her face. She had cried herself to sleep the previous night from the shame and horror of her trying day.
Reaching for her phone on the scuffed-up wooden chair, she looked at the time and was surprised to see missed calls from Adalyn. Quickly, she dialed her number.