"You got a really cool club here," Dean said. "And the ladies are mighty fine, I might add."
Dean whistled as one of the women walked past him. Mark felt proud. It looked like he had finally found a partner that felt right for the club. Someone who appreciated everything he had built up, and who would continue in his spirit once he was gone.
"I don't wanna change a thing," Dean said.
"I love to hear that," Mark said.
Dean opened his briefcase and took out a contract.
"I had my lawyer write this up. Take as much time as you need to read it over," Dean said. "I even added... Hold on."
Dean went through some of the pages and pointed at a segment.
"Mark William Calaway cannot be fired as long as Dean Ambrose is the owner," Dean read out loud. "I'm not here to get rid of you, Mark. I want you here. No, screw that. I need you here to help me run this place. This is your baby. I don't wanna change a thing. I just wanna help you make sure it survives in the future."
"I love the way you talk, Dean," Mark said. "Please, have a drink on the house while I read it through."
Mark whistled to get the bartender's attention and pointed at Dean.
"Serve him anything he wants on the house!" Mark yelled.
Dean grinned at Mark, got up, and walked over to the bar. Mark stayed in his booth to read the contract. Everything was exactly like he wanted it to be. He waved Dean back. Once Dean sat back down, Mark took out his pen and signed the contract.
"Welcome to the business, partner," Mark said.
"Thank you, partner," Dean smirked. "I'm gonna do this place justice. You have my word."
Dean showed up at Roman and Lola's house next afternoon. He walked in and sat down on the couch.
"Well?" Roman asked.
"I own a strip club now and after really thinking about it, it's not for me after all," Dean smirked.
Dean took out a contract and handed it to Lola.
"Sign it and it's yours. The contract Mark signed says he can't be fired as long as I'm the owner. If you buy it from me, you can fire him all you want. The club will be yours," Dean said.
Lola picked up the contract and looked over at Roman.
"Are we really doing this?" Lola asked.
"It's your call, chipmunk," Roman said. "I'll support you either way. The club is doing great. We'll make back the money in no time. You can make whatever changes you feel will make it even better. You know the business inside out. I trust you."
"I am gonna need a job as bouncer for a month. Well, I don't exactly need it but I wanna try it. My other businesses are easy to run without me there. It's just one of those jobs I never got to try but always wanted to just for the fun of it," Dean said.
"You're hired," Lola chuckled.
Lola signed the contract and grinned at Roman. He pulled her up from her seat to hug her and kiss her.
"He never fucking saw that one coming," Roman said. "I'm proud of you."
"He was there, by the way," Dean said.
"Who?" Lola asked.
"That Seth guy you showed me a picture of," Dean answered. "He was there looking for you. Mark said you were sick but would be back as soon as you feel better. He still has hope you'll return."
"And I will," Lola held up the contract. "Just not the way he thinks."
"Shall we go take a look at your new club right away?" Roman asked.
"Oh, we're going," Lola answered. "I can't wait to see his face."
Mark looked surprised when Lola, Roman and Dean entered the club together. His stomach started hurting as they walked towards his booth.
"Get up," Lola said.
"What's going on?" Mark asked.
"You're in my seat. I own this club and you're not welcome here anymore. You're fired," Lola said.
"No, Dean bought it," Mark tried.
"After long consideration I've realized I don't want to own a strip club after all so I sold it," Dean said.
"But you bought it yesterday!" Mark raised his voice.
"And I sold it today," Dean said. "To Lola. You know her, right?"
Mark stood up and bared his teeth.
"You can't fire me!" Mark growled. "It's in the contract I can't be fired."
"Correction," Dean said. "It's in the contract you can't be fired as long as I own the club. I don't own it anymore, Mark."
Mark looked from Dean to Roman, and then finally over at Lola.
"You tricked me," Mark said.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I bought this club fair and square from its owner," Lola smirked. "Now get out before my two bouncers here throw you out."
"After everything I've done for you!" Mark growled.
"You mean, staring at her naked in the shower while growing up?" Roman raised his eyebrows. "I would stop talking and leave if I were you, you fucking pedophile."
Mark bared his teeth one last time, then rammed his shoulder into Roman as he stormed out of there. Roman chuckled as he watched the angry man run out of the club. He turned to look at Lola who was smirking.
"Right on time," Lola said. "Seth's here."
Roman turned back around to see the man he already hated despite never having met him before. He cracked his head from side to side and walked up to stop Seth from entering further. Dean placed himself next to Roman a second later. They were blocking the smaller man from taking another step.
"Is there a problem here?" Seth asked.
"A small one from what I've heard," Dean dropped his eyes to Seth's crotch. "A really small one."
Seth cleared his throat. He was feeling uncomfortable. Last night this Dean guy had seemed fun. Today he was standing next to another big guy, and neither of them looked like they were having any fun.
"Where's Mark?" Seth asked.
"He doesn't work here anymore," Roman said.
"What?" Seth asked.
"My girlfriend owns this place now," Roman said.
"Can I talk to her then? There seems to be a misunderstanding here," Seth said.
Roman looked over his shoulder. Lola smirked at him and stepped up between the two men.
"Lola?" Seth asked.
"You're banned from my club, Seth," Lola said.
"Your club?" Seth asked.
"Yeah, I bought it today," Lola said. "Throw him out, boys."
"With pleasure," Roman said.
Roman and Dean took a step towards Seth, grabbed an arm each, and dragged the smaller man backwards out of the club. He didn't try to fight it. He accepted it in fear of getting beat up. He landed on his ass outside but jumped up and ran away as fast as he could.
"And stay away!" Dean shouted.
They walked back inside where Lola was still standing.
"I need to go talk to the girls in the back to let them know what's up," Lola said. "You should come along."
They all walked out in the back where the women working there were. They all looked up at the three people entering. They were used to Lola but not the two men.
"Ladies, listen up!" Lola said loudly. "I bought this club. Mark will no longer be coming around."
"Cool," Alexa said.
"I know he's made some of you do other things than dancing. That stops right this second. If any of you want to do that line of work, you know where the door is. It won't happen in this club anymore. I will be watching the security cameras in the back to make sure all that goes on back there is dancing," Lola said.
Lola looked around. All the women were nodding. None of them seemed to want to leave.
"These two here are Roman and Dean. Roman's my boyfriend," Lola said.
"I'm single," Dean said.
"And clearly in the mood for a date. I won't stop you," Lola chuckled. "You will be seeing them both here from time to time. Roman more than Dean properly. You can always come to them if you need help with something. They are your friends."
"Your single friend," Dean grinned.
"Go to Roman if you got a problem with Dean," Lola said.
"Hey!" Dean laughed. "I promise I'll behave."
Dean and Lola smirked at each other. She nodded and looked at the women again.
"Any questions?" Lola asked.
"Not a question," Alexa said. "But thank you for taking over and setting some boundaries. Mark wasn't always easy to work for."
"He won't ever come back here. I promise," Lola said. "You know me, girls. I've been one of you for so many years. You know you can always come to me with anything."
Lola clapped her hands together and smiled. Times were changing from today, and it was going to be good.
"Alright, back to work, ladies," Lola said. "You're all getting a bonus next month for sticking around for this long with that asshole boss we had. And I'm so throwing a Christmas party this year like some of you have been asking for the previous years."
"Finally!" Alexa said loudly. "I wanna help decorate."
"You got it, girl," Lola said.
Lola, Roman and Dean walked back out in the club. They walked to the booth that used to be Mark's but was now Lola's. She sat down and patted the spot next to her. Roman sat down, placed an arm around her shoulders, and kissed her temple.
"I'm so proud of you, chipmunk," he said. "I love you."
"I love you too," she said. "Remember when you said the other day that no one owns me?"
"I meant it," he said.
"What if I want you to sort of own me?" She asked. "Not like the true sense of the word, but..."
She looked at him to see if he got the hint. He furrowed his brows, clearly not understanding what she was trying to say.
"I don't follow," Roman said.
"Will you marry me?" Lola asked.
"Oh!" Roman broke out in a grin. "Yes, I will. Right this fucking second if I could."
"I call dibs on being best man," Dean said.
Dean and Roman chuckled at each other. Roman leaned in and placed another kiss on Lola's temple.
"Small or big wedding?" He asked.
"How about the girls in the back as bridesmaids and a party at this club afterwards?" She asked.
"That sounds perfect," he said.