Hades

Ego says, “Once everything falls into place, I’ll feel peace.”

Spirit says, “Find your peace and then everything will fall into place.”

-Marianne Williamson

I'd spent over half a year trying to figure out the best way to kidnap Teddy's stepdaughter, and here she is, walking or should I say dancing her way into my lair.

"Hire her and have her meet me in the office." I hissed to Mickey, adjusting myself before getting up and walking away.

"Don't you want to watch the rest of the girls, Mr. Boss Man?" Mickey asks.

"I've seen enough. I need to review the books." I reply, watching as Mickey visibly swallows.

I held back my chuckle as the color on Mickey's face drained, leaving him pale and full of panic.

"Err.. okay." He replies, shifting nervously in his seat before turning and watching the next dancer, a butch who seemed out of place and intrigued the audience around her.

I looked over and saw the Princess standing off to the side of the stage, watching the dancer. The way she looked at the new dancer made me wonder if they were together, but when she threw her head back and laughed as the dancer tried to do a knee slide across the stage, I realized they must be friends.

"Hire the butch, too," I commanded before walking off and heading toward the main office.

The main office was a pigsty. Empty cigarette butts littered the floor and the desk; papers were strewn everywhere, and empty beer bottles sat on every shelf. Mickey had no respect for my business, nor did he respect my facilities. His disrespectfulness needed to be dealt with immediately. I took out my phone and texted one of my bouncers a picture of Mickey and the word outside immediately after. The bouncer sent back a thumbs-up emoji indicating the message was received.

I stated around the office, cringing. If there were time, I would have ordered cleaners to come and pick up this mess, but as it was now, the auditions would soon be over, and Persephone would be heading this way. I grabbed the empty trash can and started to toss the papers, cigarette butts, and beer bottles in. The room looked a thousand times better without all the garbage spread throughout it, but it smelled musky. I went to open the window and let in some fresh air, deciding against it at the last moment when I noticed the window pointed toward the back alley. If I opened it, there might be some questionable noises that might frighten the little Princess off, and I couldn't let that happen.

Speaking of the Princess, a quiet knock sounded outside the office doors.

"Come in! "I hollered, sitting behind the desk as the door swung open.

"Mickey said you wanted to see… hey, I know you. "Persephone stated with a frown on her face, "You were at my mother's engagement party."

"So I was." I replied, "Imagine my surprise finding Brutte's stepdaughter dancing on my stage."

"So I guess I'm not getting the job then?" Persephone replied haughtily.

"Woah, there, I never said that," I reply, standing from the desk and walking toward her, surprised when she held her ground, not taking a step back toward the door.

"Well, it's not like I'll be able to work here when Teddy finds out."

"Why would Teddy find out?" I ask curiously.

"Well, aren't you guys friends?" Persephone responded as that was the obvious reason.

"I wouldn't say we are."

"Then why were you at the engagement party?" She asks suspiciously.

"That's a story for another time Princess," I reply, earning a glare.

"Why did you call me back here, Mr. Velimir?"

"Hades will do. And I called you back here to congratulate you on the new job."

"Why only me, Mr. Velimir?" Persephone asks, deliberately ignoring my request.

I can't wait to break her. "Because you intrigue me, why is a posh Princess like yourself auditioning at a dump like Chester's?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Persephone responded with a mysterious twinkle in her eye, "Is there anything else I can help you with, Mr. Velimir? My friend's waiting for me outside; she's my ride."

"I could always give you a ride home," I reply, taking a step closer, smiling at her sudden intake of breath.

"That won't be necessary, Mr. Velimir. If there's nothing else…" she trails off.

"I'll see you tomorrow. If you could be here at noon sharp to fill out your paperwork." I reply, turning and heading back toward the desk, taking a seat.

"I'll see you then… Hades." Persephone purrs, her face lighting up with a smile when I look back at her before she turns and strolls out of the room.

Yes, it'll be fun breaking her.

**********************************************

"So, you understand the problem I am having?" I ask Mickey looking over his body.

Chaz did a number on him. His nose looks broken, his eyes are blackened, and he's walking with a limp, each movement causing him to grimace in pain.

"Yes, sir," Mickey replies; I can see the anger in his eyes, but what person wouldn't be angry at getting a beating.

"I own everything in this establishment, Mickey, including you. If I find that you're stealing money from me again, Chaz will do more than give you a warning. You got off easy this time Mick."

"Yes, Boss," Mickey replies, his eyes cast downward.

"Tomorrow, Persephone is coming in to fill out paperwork. Have her fill her paperwork out in the middle of the floor, where the cameras can capture her from every angle. Escort her out into the lobby once she's done with the paperwork, and make sure every camera is on, from the lobby to the parking lot. I want all eyes on our new dancer."

Mickey's eyes fly up; he looks like he wants to ask why but he knows better than to question me, especially now. "Will do, Boss." He replies.

"Good. You are dismissed." I state, nodding for him to get out of my office.

Mickey slowly makes his way out of his seat, his legs shaking from the amount of pain he's in. He's wobbly on his two feet once he can get in the standing position; as he walks to the door, he starts to walk more in a curvy wave instead of a straight line, indicating that he took a few too many hits to the head. He'll die before the nights over if I leave him like he is.

"Chaz," I call out to my bouncer, "Have a nurse look Mickey over before he leaves for the night."

Normally I'd let it go, but I don't have the time to hire a new manager right now; I need to organize a kidnapping and prepare the house for a visitor.