The Alpha’s Rose

Chapter 5

Rose’s POV

The next few days are lovely working in the bakery and coming home to my cat. But before I know it, Friday comes. I tell Flora I have some business to take care of and get off working at the bakery early. I haven’t worked the floor in years and I am actually a little nervous. I pull up as the sun is going down and park in the back. I sit in my car for a moment to collect myself before going inside. I take a deep breath and get out of my car. I grab my bag from the back seat.

“Is there another fight tonight?” I hear his deep voice behind me. Damn, I really wanted to avoid him. I turn around and see his green eyes looking back at me.

“No, no fight.” I close my car door and start heading towards the building.

“Woah woah woah. Did I do something to offend you?” Dean reaches out and grabs my arm. His touch on my skin is firm, but not hurtful. His hand is softer than I thought it would be.

“No, I’m just going to work.” I rip my arm out of his hand. He puts his hands up in a surrendering gesture. I am now annoyed with him. All these guys have no respect for women and it shows. I start walking to the back door and walk into the club.

“What are you doing here? I didn’t expect to see you for another week.” Alton asks.

“Yeah well I needed some more cash. I’m working in the club tonight.”

“Oh, you remember where the dressing rooms are?”

“Yeah I remember. Thanks Alton.” I walk past him and walk through a black curtain. I walk down the hallway to a row of doors. I find one without a name and go in. Inside is a small vanity with a mirror, a couch which I don’t recommend sitting on, and a wardrobe rack. It’s basically a closet. My downstairs dressing room is like a palace compared to this. Before I even have a time to put my bag down there’s a knock at the door. I open it and see Nick. I let out an annoyed sigh.

“What?” I ask.

“My father wants you serving us tonight.” Of course he does.

“Fine.” I say. Nick just looks at me. I can feel my walls going up with every second that I’m here.

“I need to get changed.” I stare blankly at him.

“Right sorry.” Nick backs away and I close the door. It’s just one night Farrah, you can do this. I put on what they have the audacity to call a uniform. It’s a sparkly bra and black booty shorts, like boy short underwear. Unfortunately, to be a waitress you have to do your hair and make up. I sit down at the vanity and apply my moisturizer, primer, concealer, foundation, blush, bronzer, and finish it off with my sparkle powder puff. This is personal too much make up for me. Typically I can get away with blush, some mascara, and shaping my eye brows. But I don’t want to give Frank any reason to b***h at me tonight. I just want to serve my drinks and get out of here. After I finish my eye makeup, I do my hair. I look in the mirror and sigh.

Let’s get this over with.

I step out of my dressing room and head down the hall to the club floor.

“Rose?” I hear my name being called from the bar.

“Star!” I say. Star is the bartender. She’s been here forever, it feels like no one ever leaves this place.

“Nicky told me you were working tonight and I didn’t believe him.” She pours ice in two drinks and then fills them up half way with gin and then tops it off with tonic. She’s gives it a stir.

“Just for tonight. I knew how much you missed seeing my face.” Her laugh is raspy. I can hear every cigarette she’s ever inhaled. She puts an orange peel in each drink and places them on a tray.

“They are on the balcony. Take this up to them.”

“Nick and Frank?” I ask.

“Yeah, and someone else. Very attractive. But he seems stiff. He didn’t order anything.. yet.” Star reaches out for my arm and stops me.

“It’s good to see you kid, but don’t make it a habit.”

“Don’t worry I won’t.” She waves me closer to her.

“Watch out for Morgan, I heard he’s suppose to watch you tonight.” Morgan is Frank’s right hand man and bodyguard.

“Thanks.” I say.

Star tries to protect the girls as much as she can. I wonder how Nick and Frank will repay her for her years of service when she gets too old to be behind the bar. I take my tray up stairs to the balcony. I can see Morgan at the top of the stairs. He smiles when he sees me coming.

Ugh he grosses me out. His gross smile, his gross greasy face, his gross body odor. I try to walk past him, but he steps in front of me.

“Can’t say hello to no body?”

“I’m working.” I try again to get around him, but he blocks me. I sigh.

“Morgan I’m working.” I say a bit louder.

“Morgan, let her through.” I hear Frank shout. Morgan just smirks at me and steps aside. I walk past him and head towards the table with Frank, Nick, Mr.Thomas, and another man siting at. I walk through the cloud of smoke and past the other men in the room. I place the drinks in front of Nick and then Frank.

“Ah Rose. Thank you for the drink. Dean, Rico. Would you care for anything?” Frank slips his hand up my thigh. I need to control my rage. I shift my weight away from Frank, but that brings me closer to Nick. I can feel Nicks eyes wondering up and down my body. I feel so uncomfortable. It has been so long since I’ve felt so violated.

“Sure I’ll take a seven and seven, doll.” Rico says. I glance over at Mr.Thomas and notice for the first time the glare he is giving Frank. I take a step back from the table.

“Dean?” Frank has a smile on his face like he’s found his enemy’s underbelly.

Order something so I can get out of here.

“Old fashion.” He says through his teeth and I walk away from the table and head for the stairs. I’m holding my breath until I get down the stairs and to the bar. I lay the tray in the bar.

“You alright hun?” Star asks. I’m panting and trying to calm down.

“Is serving drinks too hard?” I hear someone tease.

“Jade hush.” Great, Jade.

“No, she thinks she better than us. She left us and never looked back. Now look at her. Looking slutty just like the rest of us.” Jade grabs a few drinks and puts them on her tray and walks away.

“I need an old fashioned and a seven and seven.” I tell Star.

“Don’t listen to her. You don’t need to look back here. How long you got left dear?”

“Three years.” I take a few deep breaths as I watch Star make my drinks. The bar is starting to fill up as the evening continues on.

“Here you are hun. Just keep your head up and smile. And don’t punch anyone.” I give Star a guilty smile.

“No promises.” I say as I put the drinks on my tray and carry them back to the stairs.

The reality is if I did lose my temper tonight the three years left on my contract would double. So I need to keep my cool. I walk past Morgan and place the drinks in front of Rico and Mr.Thomas.

“Rose why don’t you come stand next to me.” Frank teases.

“We aren’t done with our meeting.” Mr.Thomas says.

“No, but it doesn’t hurt having a pretty girl to look at instead of your ugly mug.” I walk over and stand next to Frank. He grabs me and pulls me into his lap. I hear the movement of chairs.

“Easy easy. I just want a little company. Don’t worry there’s enough to go around. Jade! Honey please.” He gestures to Rico and Mr.Thomas. I can feel Frank’s hand on my back and I want to throw up. He smells like smoke and alcohol, it reminds me of my father. I tense up from the memory.

“No. Thank you. Can we get on with it?” Mr.Thomas says. He shrugs off Jade.

“Alright alright. You know, all work and no play.” Frank doesn’t finish the saying.

“Relax, or I’ll make sure you work here every night.” Frank whispers to me. I try to pull away, I don’t like to be threatened, but Frank snatches me back and leans close into my ear.

“Make him jealous and I’ll give you some time off from the fights.” He adds.

I look over at Mr.Thomas, he does look pissed, but maybe that’s how he always looks. So I either flirt with Frank and get time off, or I don’t and he makes my life hell for three years. Not exactly a good choice.

“Paid time off.” Frank adds to sweeten the deal. I would appreciate not fighting all the time. I cross my legs toward Frank and tried to relax in his arms.

“Are we bothering you?” Mr.Thomas says clenching his jaw. Frank goes to speak but I cut him off.

“Not at all.” I say. I pull on Franks’s tie and pull it free from his vest. I’m looking at Frank but I could tell they were all shocked.

“You better not be lying.” I whisper through my smile.

“Not now doll we have work to do.” Frank says. He leans into my hair and whispers. I hate every minute of this and it feels like it’s dragging on for a lifetime.

“One month.” He whispers. I giggle like he said something funny. I hate myself right now, but a month with no fights sounds great. Mr.Thomas slams his hand on the table. Causing me to jump.

“Bingo.” Frank whispers. Frank let’s me get up and I stand back.

“What’s your problem?” Mr.Thomas asks.

“I have no problem. Do you have a problem?” Frank leans forward. They stare at each other for awhile. All the guys in the room are watching. The air is thick and electric. Mr.Thomas finishes his drink.

“Yeah I have a problem.” Mr.Thomas says. He lifts his glass and shakes it.

“My glass is empty.” I finally breath again.

“Old fashioned again.” He says. I make my escape and back to the bar. This is too much for me. This is gonna be a long night.

I get to the bar, it’s definitely much busier and the girls have hit the stage.

“Star I need another old fashioned.” I shout.

“Sure thing love.” I really want to get some fresh air after what happened on the balcony. I lean forward over the bar.

“I’m just going to get some fresh air. I’ll be back real quick.” I tell Star.

“Ok, don’t be too long.” She starts shaking a drink she was making. I squeeze my way past the crowd and slip out the back door sneaking past Alton. I step outside and take a deep breath. I place my hands on my knees. Farrah what the hell are you doing? This isn’t you. You can’t be bought so easily. I am so disappointed in myself, I just did exactly what he wanted. I take a few more deep breaths and close my eyes to center myself. Suddenly I feel hands on my forearms lifting my up and moving me up against the wall of the building. The motion is so quick I take in a sharp breath anticipating to be hit.