Max spoke into a radio and said, "Take down the rogues when they reach the alley," before pausing.
"The rogues will not be harmed. Capture and subdue them and return them alive and unharmed. I'd like to talk to them."
Cayden gave the order over the radio. He had given the order to capture all rogues in their territory, question them, and find out who was recruiting them. He ran his hand through his hair and waited until Max completed the raid or called for help. He hadn't been away from the pack for over 24 hours. And he wondered what Selena was up to. Did she miss him? He needed to speak with her. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong and hoped that Selena could provide some clarity. He couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency to see her.
Max arrived at the club. A bouncer stopped us at the door and asked for money. He handed him several bills, and he stepped inside. "So, you are looking for something special tonight, buddy?" the bouncer inquired as he counted the crumpled one-dollar bills Max had handed him.
"What are you serving tonight?" Max grunted and stuffed his hands into his jacket pocket.
"Schoolgirl costume, Poppy," the bouncer explained. "She'll approach you if you sit right next to the stage."
Max made it inside. The air reeked of stale smoke. Thanks to the latest pandemic, wearing face masks didn't raise any eyebrows. Max pulled on his mask and walked towards the stage. The entrance hallway was not well lit, but he could see just fine. He sat down at a tiny table near the stage. A busty woman with a see-through outfit approached him and asked for a drink order.
"Whiskey straight," he grunted.
The whisky was delivered, and he took it in one large gulp.
The lights dimmed, illuminating the stage, and a booming loudspeaker announced Poppy's arrival. He stood there, watching as a woman strutted out in her naughty schoolgirl outfit. She wore her honey brown hair in cute pigtails on either side of her head. Her pretty face was caked in enough makeup to make her look a few years older. The tight white top revealed perky breasts. She stood tall, with long legs hidden beneath her short skirt. Overall, she exuded a sense of innocent sexuality. He froze as she got closer. There was no mistake, despite the layers of makeup. It was his friend Kylie.
Several men threw money onto the stage, and as Kylie stripped, she reached out to collect it. Max roared with rage. He wished to demolish the place and kill every male who dared to look at his mate.
He drew a wad of cash and tossed a $100 bill. She appeared in front of him out of nowhere. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of Cash, but she didn't recognise him. She spent a long time grinding in front of him, grinning. He threw another fifty down as she was about to leave. Kylie spent most of her time on stage, picking up the cash. It appeared to irritate the other customers.
A man approached from the side. He looked greasy and smelled worse.
"You've got a lot of guts, man," he said, towering over Max. "You can't hoard her for yourself."
Max simply stood up and laughed. He was tall, like a giant in the human world. The man got the hint and apologised as he backed away.
"What in the world are you doing, Max?" Cayden screamed in his head. "You're there to apprehend criminals, not to stare at a stripper."
"I'll never let her suffer," Max whispered. "She will never spend time with such men again."
Cayden needed a moment to process what he was saying.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I found her. " I will protect her," Max said.
*******************
There was a sizable crowd at the club on that night, and she would act like a fool if it meant earning two nights' wages. She stooped further until she touched the ground and grabbed the money the tall man had been tossing her way. He appeared to be smitten. She used to get lucky on some nights, and the customer would give her more attention and money. Today was one of those nights. The audience hooted and whistled drunkenly.
She threw off her horrendous high heels and collapsed on the chair at her makeup table as soon as she arrived backstage and the curtain fell. This act was getting old, but it was very popular and made them a lot of money. She totalled up the evening's earnings. It was a decent wage, and Kylie was pleased with the outcome.
"Kylie." called the stage manager's cheerful voice, making a short melody of her name. "You're as lovely as ever. They are crazy about you out there. My lovely, you never grow old or change." She stuffed her money into her pocket and turned to face the annoyance. With his hidden taunting, he had a wicked talent for shattering the confidence of the women who worked for him. Age, weight, or something similar were always used to make women doubt themselves. She didn't fall for it; the man was a dimwit, and his insults were nothing more than a cheap way to feel powerful.
She said this while putting on one of her best fake smiles: "And you're as pleasant as ever, Jack."
"My lovely, you know I can't stay away from you. You know I'm like a moth to your flame." Kylie unbuttoned her bra and tossed it on the wardrobe rack, picking up a short top to replace it with while rolling her eyes at him. "I have to tell you, Jack, you are tenacious, but you know how this will end."
"Love will come one of these days."
She felt his hand caress her as she bent over to remove her stockings. It took all of her willpower not to turn around and stab him with the heel of her shoe. Instead, she spun around and swatted his hand away. "Tsk. Tsk. You naughty little man, no means no."
For a moment, the stage manager's sleazy smile wavered, and a menacing gleam appeared in his eyes. Before she defended herself, he grabbed a handful of her hair after giving her a predatory, hungry look over her entire body. He held her close to him while bending her back and giving her a downward gaze.
"I've been putting up with your crap for a while now. You have received the best shifts from me, lovely gifts from me, and excellent treatment from me. But you keep rejecting me. I'll become hostile if you keep acting this way. And you, my dear,"
He held her breast in his free hand and whispered in her ear. " Won't like me very much."
He shoved her away, causing her to fall into the wardrobe rack. He walked away, and Kylie realised she had misjudged him as she glared a dagger into his back. The man wasn't as foolish as he appeared, and her job had just suddenly become extremely hazardous. She would have to quit here. Thankfully, today's tips will be enough for some time.
She grabbed her clothes and purse, not even wanting to waste time changing. Shrugging into the jacket and changing her shoes as she walked, or on some occasions, hopped, towards the back exit of the club. She would not let that jerk get to her.