Chapter 29-Rose
The back rooms were disgusting after being off for a week. My shoes stuck to the floor and caused me to cringe when I moved. They could have, at the very least, mopped. Sly had taken care of the room she worked in, so I couldn’t complain about her. I knew the others didn’t because they felt it was beneath them being, what they called themselves, tickets. They’d never say it to my face, but I was what they called a drain. The non-demon staff; those that didn’t bring in income.
Linus needed to have a non-demon staff. Those of us that were immune to Succubi and Incubi charms were invaluable. I pushed the mop through the caked-on grime. This was ridiculous. There was zero reason to have the floor covered like this.
When I didn’t think it could get any worse, one of the “tickets” pushed his way through the door with a prospect. They fondled each other, utterly oblivious to my presence.
I cleared my throat, but they ignored me. “Cecil.”
Cecil looked at me, rolled his eyes, and flipped me the bird.
My lip tipped up into a growl. “Cecil.”
He stopped that time. His eyes glazed over, and he gave me his full attention. “What do you want, Rose?”
“Can’t you see I’m cleaning? You can’t use this room.” I slapped the mop on the floor.
“It’s the only room open. So you can clean when we’re finished.” He turned back to his client and started lifting her dress up.
“Cecil, get the fuck out.”
His jaw tightened. He tipped his client’s head back. “Wait outside for just a moment, sweet. I’ll give you what you crave once I put her in her place.”
The woman slipped back into the hall. Cecil turned back to me. All his alluring charm faded instantly, and he seemed like an average human. He stalked across the room, movements agitated.
He bumped his chest into mine and glared at me. “Look, I don’t give a fuck that you’re Linus’s daughter. You don’t speak to me that way, especially in front of clients. I make money here, not you.”
I would regret what I was about to do, but he needed to realize that even though I wasn’t his boss, I signed the paychecks. Moving my hand down his chest, I slowly ran my finger along his waistband and then gently cupped his balls in my hand. Cecil groaned. “You see, or rather feel, what I can do? I could easily make money. I don’t want to work like that, though. I’m not interested in sex for a meal.”
Tightening my grip, I squeezed harder than necessary. Cecil’s face went from pleasured to pained. “You forget, if this place didn’t exist, you’d be starving. You also need to remember that I’m the one that signs the paychecks, Cecil. I am in charge of payroll. So, I will be docking everyone’s pay until they clean up after themselves. I’m not cleaning these fucking rooms. You can tell everyone that the longer it takes for the past week’s mess to be cleaned up, the more money I dock.”
I squeezed harder, and Cecil nodded hard. “Good boy Cecil, now clean this fucking room. I want to be able to eat off the floor.”
Releasing him, I walked past and headed for the locker room. Fuck this shit. I ran upstairs to Linus’s office. He was going to be unhappy about what I did, but it needed to be done. His carnal compatriots could wait to fuck.
The door swung open a little too fast and slammed into the wall. Linus looked up, surprise etched into his features. “Rose. What’s going on?”
“Your main line staff sucks.”
He choked on his laugh. “That’s one of their jobs.”
“Dad!” I should have known he’d say that.
“Sorry, Rose. Why are my demons being bothersome?”
“No one cleaned the dungeons up. I swear I pulled dried cum off the floor with my shoes. I told Cecil, who was being a dick, that I was docking everyone’s pay until they cleaned up after themselves. I’m not cleaning up after them.”
Linus set his pen down and bobbed his head. “Fair. They all know that if you are out, then they are responsible.”
I sighed. “They call us non-demon staff drains. We don’t bring in income. We just drain the funds they are owed. I’m stopping the toxic culture, Linus. Just because we don’t have sex doesn’t mean we’re beneath them.”
Linus’s smile was soft. “I’m proud of you, Rose.”
“Why?”
“You’ve become a truly amazing young woman. You used to be timid and lacked the confidence to stand up to anyone. Now, look at you. Dragons kneel at your feet, fae craves you, and incubi fear you. I’m pleased that you have become the woman you are now.”
“Thanks.”
“Why don’t you go home. I’ll deal with the children. And you could take care of the need that’s building.”
“What?”
“You’re a succubus, dear. As much as I dislike knowing, putting Cecil in his place whet your appetite, so to speak.”
I felt the heat spread across my face. “I’ll see you later, Linus.”
“Bye, Rose.” His laugh followed me out the door, and I cringed. Fucking sex demons.