The club was just opening by the time we got there. Our flight out of Seattle was in the early morning, but there was a long layover in Phoenix. It gave us the time to let Normal know Max needed a few days off. He bitched and threatened to fire her, but when she got upset, she threw down the phone and walked off, and I talked to him. I explained the situation, and that I thought last night Max was going to be involved in a murder-suicide plot. I told him that her parents had died in the exact same way when mommy caught daddy in bed with another woman, and it was bringing up lots of bad memories. Max might be dangerous if I left her on her own right then, and she needed to get out of the situation. There had been a terrified silence on his end, and then he said she could have two weeks off.
Max was sniffing again when she came back, but finally smiled a little when I told her I straightened things out with Normal. "I have to call Cindy," she said finally. That worried me a bit. Original Cindy was smart, and close to Max. She might be close enough to talk her into returning to Seattle. I had done my best to keep them from seeing each other before leaving, and the last thing I wanted was to have her talk Max into coming back. But, there wasn't a plausible way for me to keep her from doing it, so I just had to trust in luck.
Luck was still with me when she called. "I need to blaze for a few," Max said to Cindy. "Me and Terran taking off to her crib." I couldn't hear Cindy's part of the conversation, but Max's eyes got cold and her voice picked up an edge of steel. "I don't give a damn," she said harshly. Must be about Logan. "If he even dares to ask, then tell him I wanted to get away from him." She was about to explain more, but they called our flight, and said her good-bye and promised to call from New Orleans.
Max didn't say much as we made the last leg of our journey. The bitterness was still clearly stamped on her face, making her full lips press into a grim line. I was not about to let myself feel sorry for her though. She brought all of this on herself. If she really trusted Logan, then she wouldn't have left. She would have wanted to stay; would not have believed her own eyes. But there was a doubt there, a weakness, as Daddy Deck would have called it. If it wasn't there, I wouldn't have been able to use it quite so efficiently.
I wondered if Zack knew what had happened. He wasn't keeping the eye on me like he had been at first. There was a good chance he didn't even know that we had left Seattle. I hoped not. It was going to be funny as shit to drop that little bomb on him, and then let him know what he needed to do. Dumbass. He had no idea what the rest of the plan was. He'd follow through on what I said I wanted because it would sound good, and he'd want to believe it would work. He wouldn't know the rest of it until the bitter end. I knew he'd be pissed as hell and act like it didn't matter and take off with Max anyways, but it would dig into him. It would eat into his memory like acid, and in the end, he would have to lump his precious, pure Max into the same category that he put me in. He wouldn't be able to take it. He used me for physical lusts and knew that I used him the same way. Max was special. He couldn't keep her around just to fuck her. I knew him far better than he could have possibly imagined.
When the cab pulled up in front of the club, it had been open for a whole fifteen minutes that evening. I told Max that I mostly lived at the club, but there was a small flat I owned not too far away. We could stay there for comfort's sake. Plus, I didn't think Zack knew about it. I don't know why I kept it, except for my strays to come and have a place to stay for a few days while they recuperated. It would work quite well for my needs at this time.
Before we got out of the cab, I reminded Max to call me Topaz. "Not a soul here has any clue about me, and us," I explained, very quietly. "The last thing I want is the risk of the wrong attention, you know what I mean?"
Max nodded. "Wouldn't want to drop your stilo," she commented. I wanted to laugh. Her little ghetto slang was as amusing as my own accent.
I looked at her profile for a long moment. "You should pick a name too for yourself," I suggested. She glanced over at me, for the first time seeming to have a real interest in something besides what happened at Logan's. "Get rid of Max for a little while," I added, seeing that I had her full attention. "You'd be surprised at how liberating it is to not have to be you, and someone exotic instead. You get to totally reinvent yourself."
That got the first real smile from her since Seattle. "I just might do that," she replied. I knew what she was thinking. Max was hurt and angry. Someone else might be able to push it away and get on with life. I actually knew the feeling very, very well.
Max got out of the taxi, and headed to the club while I was paying the driver. He asked me if I worked there, and I told him that I owned the place. He was expecting me to offer him some kind of freebee instead of fare. It's a fairly common offer I get from men, spoken or not. Most of the time I just tell them to fuck off. Men like that aren't club patrons. They wouldn't pay my girls what they were worth to go into a back room. They're the type that wants the street girls for a quickie in an alley, or maybe in the back of their cab.
I didn't waste time with him for the simple reason that Max was talking to Jerome, a guy that Victor used to fill in as a bouncer whenever he was busy taking care of my duties. He and Vic were good friends from "way back", whatever that means. Jerome had some "special" businesses on the side, but that just made him more useful. I wasn't exactly sure what Jerome did, but nobody fucked with him and tried to get in if he refused entrance. Well, then there was my sweet little Maxie.
I came up behind Jerome in time to hear him say, "No unescorted women," as he barred the door. Max's dark eyes flared at him. Jerome had no idea what that little thing was capable of doing if she so desired. But letting her get out frustration and anger like this was not in the plan. I needed her frustrated.
"You know," I said behind him, "I certainly don't remember making that rule. You telling me that Vic done went and took all over my place while I was gone?"
Jerome whirled around to see me standing there in my trademark pose with my arms crossed under my chest and a playful smirk on my lips. His dark eyes lit up as he realized that it was who he thought it was. "Topaz!" He half-shouted, sweeping me up in a big bear hug. "You better get your sweet ass in there. Vic's been having a shitload of problems with them street whores trying to jump in while you were gone."
I understood the rule then. I had no problem before with a hooker coming in and getting a drink before hitting the streets, but she better not pick up on my girls' bread and butter. Oh well. I was back in town. Nobody fucks with my club, and that was one thing everyone in the Quarter knew. But still, I laughed at Jerome's exuberance. I had missed this town and it's people. It might stink like hell when it rains too much, and the people can be considered amoral and wild and crazy with weird superstitions, but this was my town, and there was no place like it on Earth.
"In that case I suppose I could forgive you for being rude to my baby sister, just this once," I said teasingly. Jerome's eyebrows nearly shot off of his forehead as he looked back at Max. Nobody ever even thought about me having a family. I certainly had never mentioned one before. This was going to be a learning experience for us all.
Max's eyes widened slightly as I referred to her as my sister, but she recovered quickly, giving Jerome a smile that would have most men on their knees begging for seconds. Quite a few women as well. She held out her hand to Jerome. "Simone St. Claire," she introduced herself. I grinned. There was no way anyone would think we were full sisters, and the half-sister thing worked quite well. It was funny and disconcerting how devious Max could be. If she suspected…but she didn't and that was that.
"Nice to meet you Miss St. Claire," he said as I came around to stand by Max. Jerome's eyes flicked back and forth like he couldn't quite believe it that I was there with a sister. And a hot one at that. This might be a little more fun than I thought.
We walked into the club side by side. I had no idea how much I had missed the place until I saw it again. Being away for a few days didn't give you a chance to really miss a place. After two weeks, I felt like I was coming home as I looked over the place. Chris was pouring drinks, and there was Victor over by the sound equipment. I recognized a couple of regulars near the stage. I was home. Even if this was all nothing more than a master plan of revenge, this was my home, and I would kill to protect it. From the least shot glass to Arianna and Jucinda dancing on the stage. This was my home, and not because I just lived in the area and made money off of the place. This is the world I created; the world I lived for. I almost wished I had left Max in Seattle for Zack. I wanted to get back to my life, but that wasn't going to happen until she was gone. Oh well. I had made my choices in life. Now I had to carry them through to the bitter end.
Jucinda noticed me first, and stopped in the middle of her routine, her hands covering her mouth as she let out a surprised gasp. "MISS TOPAZ!!" She shrieked over the music and the noise from the crowds. Everyone looked over at me, and I grinned, loving being the center of this attention. Ju bounded off of the stage, practically leaping into my arms in her excitement. Madelyn popped out from behind the bar, and Victor was already on his way over, all of them welcoming me back and showering me with affection. Sweet Jesus, I missed them all.
Everyone was talking at once, and for a few minutes all club business was suspended. I would overlook it that time since it was all about me anyways. A second later Madison was leading the charge out of the dressing room with Onyx right behind her. I wasn't sure how Onyx managed to do it, but she had a presence that made a crowd simply part as she got to me, wrapping herself around me and giving me a welcome home kiss that made every client in the room no longer mind that there wasn't stripper on stage at the moment. I could tell Max was a little shocked, but what the fuck. That was the way I lived my life, and some things I was not going to change, even to make her think about me differently. Besides, if I faked too much, she would get her wind up about it. There was a downfall to having a prey that was part animal herself.
"Everyone!" I had to shout over all the questions and talking. "Hold on and I'll explain…" There was no way I was going to be able to out-shout everyone. I grabbed Max's hand and dragged her up onto the stage with me. Vic tossed me a microphone, and I gave everyone a huge charming smile as they cheered at seeing me up there.
"All right everyone," I said, still holding onto Max. She looked like she wasn't sure if she was enjoying this or wanted to run like hell. She wasn't going to get the chance. "Damn, it's good to see everyone of ya'll again."
"We're not seeing enough of you!" a regular yelled out from the audience, getting the crowd to erupt into laughter. I had to laugh with them. Had Max not been there, I probably would have flashed him, but I didn't want her to get too bad of an impression. This was all fun, fun, fun.
"And you wondered why I turned down going to the back with you," I slammed him right back. Everyone howled, and the heckler even had to laugh at himself. "Anyways," I continued, "unfortunately, there were some serious family issues that I had to tend to." I gave them a cutely sad look, eliciting an "awwww" from the crowd. I wanted to laugh. I loved this place. I could play it like a violin and make it sing like an angel.
"However," I said, brightening up, "once those were taken care of, I managed to convince a little someone to come home with me. Ya'll welcome the hottest thing to grace a Seattle stage, my sweet baby sister, Simone St. Claire!" Max gave me an odd look for a second at my introduction, giving her the occupation that I did, but then she shrugged. What the hell, right? She was reinventing herself. For now, she was Simone St. Claire.
She shot the crowd a grin that made them all holler as she took the microphone from me. The sheer pulse of the place was getting to her too. It was hard to feel bad when the good vibes were flowing from all directions. "I thought my sister said her place would rock my world!" she challenged. The crowd exploded with cheers and catcalls. Girl had some talent. Must run in the family. Max grinned wider at her success. "All right, place and peeps *is* kickin'!" she declared.
I took the microphone back. "Okay people, we got some celebrating to do!" I glanced over at the bartender. "Chris, pour these people a round, girls, back up here, and make me glad to be back!" Amid the loud whoops and cheers, the girls jumped back on stage as Victor cranked up the music and Chris started pouring some drafts of beer. The place practically exploded with good times for all.
Max and I were off the stage, and went to the bar where Onyx and Vic were waiting for me. Madelyn had me my scotch and looked at Max boldly. "Pick your pleasure!" she declared, making Max laugh.
"Beer for me," she answered, making Madelyn wrinkle her cute little nose. Beer was regular. She liked learning how to make the more exotic drinks. She was getting very good at it too. A few regulars wanted Sex on the Beach made only by her, not Chris, and not because she put too much alcohol in it either. She was just talented in that way. She poured the beer anyways and slid it to Max as we were surrounded by half of my staff.
I made wild introductions with everyone, not knowing if Max caught all of the names or not. She would have time to get to know all of them better later. Onyx gave her an appreciative eyeing. "Mmm, mmm," she purred. "Girl looking like you should not be picking beer as your pleasure. Too bad you're the boss's sister."
"And you better remember that!" said a little redhead next to her. She was a petite little thing and looked a hell of a lot younger than I knew she was. Onyx never played with kids, and I thought she had mentioned MTV being in her early twenties, but who the hell knew. It didn't matter anyways with all of them there laughing and joking and even Max started to cut up with them, easily getting lost as Simone.
"Dieudonne and St. Claire," Diamond noticed. "What's the deal with that?"
I laughed and finished my drink. "What can I say, momma just had a thing for holy men." God given and a saint. Max did have a warped sense of humor.
"With an international flare," Max added, putting her arm around my shoulder, bringing us closer to better contrast our obvious ethnic differences. "She did more for international relations in a few years than the UN did since it began." That got another roar of laughter. I felt like a sponge, just soaking it all up. There was nothing I loved more than this. The Treasure Chest was everything to me.
I seriously considered just dropping the rest and letting Max go back home later. Maybe she would work it out with Logan. Maybe not. Why should I care? I had hurt her back. Was more just childish? Was it not enough? This was my home, and I didn't want to leave it again. I wouldn't have to if everything went well.
"Miss Topaz?" Miranda said, getting my attention. She had gone back upstairs to organize all of my messages and mail and the like. She was the more serious twin usually. But when she cut up, she stole the show from her sister without any effort.
"What is it Sweet Pea?" I asked, amused at her business-like attitude. Throw her ass in a suit and she'd be all ready for the boardroom.
"You have an important phone call," she said with great dignity. I knew what that meant when she said it was important. There were only two men that were classified as important. One of them was dead. Murdered by the woman with her arm playfully around my shoulders.
I put my drink back on the bar. "I suppose I should take it. You know how the boys in blue are when they think their monthlies might be late." That got knowing laughter from the girls. More people were coming in, and it was getting close to jewel time anyways. I looked over at Max. "Simone, darlin', why don't you go with the girls and get to know them while I take this, and I'll be back down in a second."
"Okay," she said, hopping off the barstool. She was starting to get into this, telling them how she was a dancer at the Cherry Bomb and went to this underground casino and kicked ass at poker there with her tips. The girls were loving her stories and her brightness. They led her to the dressing room, and I got up and headed upstairs, taking one more look at her.
I wasn't going to be leaving here for a while again. I knew that now. Not just because I loved it here. A weekend to myself was needed every now and then for rejuvenation. But why leave now? The person I took off with the most was gone. There had been more than sex between us. Zack was a great lay. But honestly, we could hardly tolerate each other for more than that. Both of us were too determined and too ruthless to obtain our goals to really be friends. Ben was different. He was now dead.
I had thought about letting Max off of the hook. Letting it go. She was laughing and enjoying herself right then because Simone was having fun with the new people she was meeting. Max was deep inside of herself mourning her loss. I knew the feeling. Max didn't know that she had been dealing with Topaz and not Terran for the last couple of weeks. Terran couldn't take the pain of losing the man she loved best.
But Zack was on the phone upstairs, raging at me for not telling him what I was planning on doing. He could be dealt with. I had a score to settle, and he didn't know it, but he was a pawn in my game as well. That was the best kind of ally. He thought he was in charge, but he didn't know shit. One last look at Max, and then I hardened my heart against her. Last time pays for all baby sister. Don't you remember anything from Manticore? It was okay if you didn't. I was here with a little refresher course for you.