Nova (MorningStar MC Novels, New Orleans Chapter #2)

Chapter 1

Chapter

One

NOVA

“ I ’m out of Viagra.” I stomp into Skull’s office without a hello or other greeting.

“Lad, a man that can’t get it up at your age and profession is concerning. Maybe you should quit fucking all the wrong women and find the one you really want. I’m no fucking shrink but bloody hell, mate, this is not good for your psyche.” Our club medic scolds me yet again, and as always, I ignore every word and wait for him to retrieve the blue pills I’ve been living off of for months.

With a sigh, he walks to his cabinet and unlocks it.

I check my watch but listen to the slight tapping sound of the pills filling the bottle. When the sound stops at three, I snort.

“It’s the weekend. Double it.” Skull adds them, then slams his cabinet closed.

“This is not healthy, Nova.” He slams the pill bottle into my chest and grabs my shoulder so I can’t make my quick escape.

“Nothing I do is healthy. It’s part of my charm. Later,” I wrench myself out of his hold and try to make my exit without seeing anyone else in the club.

No such luck.

“A word, Nova.” Shit.

I turn to look at Seer, who’s standing in front of his office door with his arms crossed. I think about running for two seconds and then growl.

When did I become such a coward?

I follow him inside and close the door. I lean against it and wait for him to sit behind his desk.

“Take a seat.” I shake my head.

“Can’t Prez, I have back-to-back clients tonight.” I glance at my watch for the hundredth time.

“You planning on fucking for money the rest of your life?” Ouch.

It’s unlike him to be cruel or judgmental. Everyone knew my chosen profession. They’ve never batted an eye. I opened the brothel and started the escort app, all with their blessing, so why is he coming at me like this now?

I narrow my eyes at him.

“You have a premonition of me?” He curtly nods, and suddenly, I need to take that seat he offered.

I lower myself slowly and lean forward onto my thighs. I clasp my hands and rub them together aggressively. Whatever he’s about to tell me can’t be good. He only shares what he sees with us if they are life-altering.

“You’re going to get married.” I arch an eyebrow at that.

“Okay?” I always wanted to, so that’s not a huge stretch.

“She’s not going to want to commit if you continue to work.” Ah, I see now.

I nod and stand.

“Thanks for the heads-up. If and when this mysterious wife of mine comes into play, then I’ll retire.” I turn and open the door.

“Simone is coming for you.” Ice slitters down my spine.

“Who did you say?” Hope at the name I think I heard him say freezes me.

“Simone.” I close my eyes, and for the first time in six months, I can take a deep breath.

“When?” I sound way too eager as I turn to face Seer again.

“You know that’s not how it works.” His look of satisfaction tells me he’s holding back important information that I need for his own amusement.

“How much is this gonna hurt me?” I sigh when he chuckles.

“So damn bad, but she’s worth it.” I smile and nod.

She sure fucking is.

I knew it the moment I walked away from her in that bar. By the time I came to my senses and politely apologized to Gladys for having to turn in early just so I could rush back to the bar, she was long gone.

“Thanks,” I say before waving goodbye and heading out into the muggy New Orleans heat.

I walk down Royal to the waiting limo, and the driver opens the door for me.

“Evening, Mr. Deacon,” I grin at the man who’s worked exclusively for me the last two years.

“Evening, Roger.” I unbutton my suit jacket before slipping into my seat.

Roger is a retired car thief who enjoys spending time with his grandchildren. He works weekends for me for a handsome salary—way more than an ex-con could ever make legally. He’s only in his fifties but still as fit as he was in his twenties.

On the rare occasion when I need muscle, he easily slips into that role as well. This is mainly for my girls since I can handle myself.

“Where to tonight?” I glance up at him, watching me in the mirror.

“Head over to HQ, and then we have two events tonight.” He nods and pulls out into the light traffic.

I pulled up the application and logged into my admin account to check tonight’s schedule.

Head Quarters launched eighteen months ago and has been a massive success. It has become the number one downloaded app this year. When the tagline is “The Finest Head in the French Quarter,” I guess it sells itself.

Business has been booming.

“We’re here.” I look up and frown at the line outside.

“Why aren’t the doors open?” I don’t wait for an answer or for Roger to open my door.

I step out and bypass the front door for the private side entrance off the alley. I put my palm on the scanner and waited for the beep to tell me that the door was open.

No beep comes.

“What the fuck?” I pull out my phone and call Glitch.

“I’m already working on the issue.” She hangs up on me, and I curse.

“Roger!” I yell out, and he nods, knowing instantly that I need him on crowd control.

The patrons are getting restless since we should have opened an hour ago.

I excuse myself through the line to a few unfriendly yells until I reach my bouncer at the front door.

“Boss,” he nods once in my direction, and I try to open the front door.

“What’s going on?” I turn to him when that one, too, will not open.

“Sunny got locked out, and I came to find out what happened. Neither of us can get in, and the girls can’t get out.” What the fuck?

Roger lets out a loud whistle, which gets the rowdy people to shut up.

“Good evening!” I yell, so all eyes are on me.

“We’re having a technical issue. As soon as we correct it, we will open the doors, and your first round will be on the house. Thank you for your patience.” That seems to calm them all down.

My phone rings, and my screen lights up with a text.

Fixed

I pull on the door, and it opens.

“Everyone okay?” I call out and hear a few curses and heavy sighs.

“Nova, what the fuck?” I shrug.

“No idea, Betsey, but I’ll get to the bottom of it. Everyone alright?” Six of my girls all pop up from behind the bar.

“Where’s everyone else?” I ask as the door opens behind me.

Sunny comes in, followed by a dozen more employees who must have been outside waiting.

I sigh as I take a head count and check them all over. In this business, you have to be very careful and take extra care of your employees.

“Alright, ten minutes, everyone!” I called out, and a few of the girls laughed and called back to me.

“Yes, Madam.” I roll my eyes at their pet name for me.

“Betsey,” I call her over.

She’s my manager and mentor. I wouldn’t be where I am without her. A few years ago, when the club was first established, I found poor Betsey in the alley, left for dead by one of her Johns. Skull and I nursed her back to health, and I swore any sex worker in New Orleans would never suffer like she did.

“Make sure the girls are all okay. Give the people outside one drink each. I’ve got two clients tonight.” She nods as she watches me take my first Viagra.

“Nova.” I shake my head.

“I already got a lecture tonight.” She sighs and nods.

“I do it out of love, Baby.” She fixes my hair, then my bowtie.

“You look very debonair.” I fucking blush like a virgin teen.

“You ole devil. Get to work,” I slap her ass, and she chuckles.

“I’ll still put your ass over my knee,” She scolds as she walks off.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” I move to the front door and tell the bouncer to allow entrance in five minutes.

I find Roger, and we head to the limo. I give him the address of my first client and close my eyes. It usually takes me twenty minutes or so to get in the right mind space, but tonight, with all the delays, I have about ten.

Tonight, I’m playing the role of devoted husband to a young lady whose boss is harassing her. She lied to get him to back off, and instead he’s doubled his efforts. Cause no means yes to dickheads with power trips. A dear client of mine referred her, and I took the job instantly.

This is a corporate dinner that her boss made mandatory.

The limo stops, and Roger knows not to interrupt me. When I’m ready, I open my door and walk up the path lined with flowers to her tiny cottage-style home.

I knock on the door and wait.

When it opens, I look up into her amber eyes and smile.

“Ready, Jane?” I offer her my arm.

“I can’t thank you enough.” She locks her door and then turns to me with a nervous look.

“No need to worry, Cher. As we discussed, nothing needs to happen between us tonight. We go to the dinner, show your boss that your husband disapproves of his advances, and remind him how expensive a sexual harassment suit would be. Then we part ways.” I nod, and she sighs, finally taking my arm.

“A dance, a kiss, and then we leave.” I pat her hand to reassure her.

“Only if it’s necessary. I’ll take your lead on everything.” I let her slide into the limo first, then follow.

The night goes off without a hitch.

The boss man eyes me all night, and when Jane goes to the restroom, and he follows, I stand to go after him. I grab him right before he opens the women’s bathroom door. Slam him into the wall and inform him that men who don’t know the meaning of no might not wake up tomorrow.

I’m back in my seat before Jane knows what happened while her boss leaves to change his soiled pants. I have the young woman home safe before nine at night, and I” ‘m off to my second client just as the Viagra kicks in.

“Thanks, Roger. I’ll find my way home.” I know I’ll be here for hours, and I hate him waiting around.

“I have a book.” He shakes it at me, and I laugh.

He opens my door, and lights flash as I’m entering the world of Adult Entrainment. I’m escorting a famous Porn star to this year’s AVN awards.

All in a day’s work.