Chapter 1
Velvet Shadows had always been my favorite nightclub. Maybe that’s why I ended up working there.
Dark. Romantic. Intoxicating in a way that sank into your bones. Red velvet drapes lined the walls, swallowing the light, while black ceilings and carpet made everything feel endless—like the night itself had no intention of letting you go.
It wasn’t just a place I worked. It was my sanctuary.
…until I met him.
“Hey, Lucien—any idea when we’re getting an order in?” Marc asked, leaning against the bar like he’d already given up on the night.
“No clue,” I muttered, drying a glass that didn’t need it. “Rafael’s been off ever since Jamie died. Barely comes out of that office anymore.”
Marc scoffed under his breath. Place is falling apart. Jamie kept everything running—inventory, the queens, all of it. Six months, man. He can’t just disappear forever.”
I shook my head. “I get it, alright? Ten years together… that kind of loss doesn’t just pass because the calendar says it should.”
Marc exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah… I know. Just—something’s gotta give.”
“Lucien! I need you!” Rafael bellowed from the office.
My eyes shot to Marc glowing purple with pure frustration. “Damn, dude did he here you?”
Marc whinced at the idea. “Hope not, but at least it is you he is calling for not me.”
“On my way, Sir!” I called back. “So help me dude I get in trouble because of your mouth I will eat you alive.”
“Promises!” Marc said with a gleem of excitement.
I slowly made my way to the office door, and gently slicked my hair and clothes down. Great now I get to be someone’s chew toy and not the other way around. Gotta love it. I slowly reached for the door to enter the office.
“Good afternoon Lucien” Rafael called with very little expression on his face. “Please sit.”
I took a seat in the chair across from his desk. The room was cold and stark. With papers covering the desk. You could tell that he was not himself, he hadn’t been for the longest. “Lucien, do you know why I called you in here today?”
I swallowed hard, and shook my head. Yeah your gonna fire me aren’t you. “Not really, Sir.”
He smiled a knowing smile. “Don’t worry my boy your job is safe. I actually have a side job that I need for you to take care of.”
“A side job?” I started to remember the old rumors that went around about side jobs in the bar. Those side jobs ended up nine times out of ten with your ass up in the air and screaming: “Harder DADDY!” Not my cup of tea to be honest.
“Yes, as you know Jamie passed away about six months ago, and since then things at the bar have not been the same.” Rafael said with a grimice.
“Well, they haven’t been horrible, Sir, just a bit different.” I said with a bit of hesitation.
“My boy, you are the worst liar in the world. This place has gone to shit and we all know it.” He smiled. “That is why I am looking for a new partner to take Jamie’s place.”
The fuck you say? Then why the hell are you calling me in here? I thought, just smiled and nodded.
“And I would like to talk to you about that, but at a later time. This conversation is about something a little bit more personal.” Rafael said smiling.
“Personal, Sir?” I started to run my fingers through my hair a bit nervous.
He started to laugh. “OH GOD NO! I am not going to ask you to do anything like that. Well unless you want to…” He got up smiling.
“Oh, huh, yeah no that is not my thing. Work and pleasure do not mix.” I said softly.
“Well to be honest this is somewhat mixing work and pleasure, but I figured you would be the best person to ask. Do you remember that Jamie had a nephew named Eli?” he questioned.
I did remember Jamie mentioning him quite often. Thirty-something, if I remembered correctly. Shy kid from the way he described him. “Yes, Sir. He is in his thirties if I remember correctly.”
“Yes, well he just moved into town, and is staying with me while I adjust to my life without his Uncle, but the boy doesn’t have a life outside of the house. I need someone to take him under their wing, and honestly I would like for that someone to be you.” He said slyly.
“Me? Why?” I said curious.
“My boy, you have lived a life. Do I need to remind you what all I know about you?” he smiled “Plus you have no life outside of this bar, I get really sick of seeing you around here not living your life.”
A bit brutal don’t you think? I thought.
“Plus, I don’t trust any of these other assholes as much as I do you. You are the only one that has defended me and my grieving process. Or do you think I don’t hear what the bar is saying about me?” He said with a grimace.
“Well I mean I will be honest Sir you have been quite off since Jamie passed. But I understand that I have lost a few loves over my life.” I said.
“Oh yes you have my boy, yes you have…” He said with a smile. “Now back to my request. You work tonight correct?”
“Would I be hear… Wait don’t answer that” I said with a bit of a laugh.
“Right, we won’t go there. Anyways, Eli will be coming to the bar tonight, after I did some coaxing and prodding, and I would like for you to keep an eye on him. The boy is thirty, but has never experienced the scene before. I am afraid that one of the Queens might be a bit persuasive with him if you catch my drift.”
I nodded knowingly: “The Queen.”
“THE QUEEN” Rafael said rolling his eyes.
The Queen is the one constant thorn in my side at Velvet Shadows. Watching her perform is less an experience… and more an endurance test.
“What exactly would you like me to do?” I questioned something somewhat suspicious.
“Just watch him. Don’t let him leave with anyone he shouldn’t, and treat him to a good time. Whatever that might end up being.” He said with a smile.
“Whatever that might end up being?” I was a bit nervous, was he hinting towards me taking him home?
“My boy you are to careful. Just keep an eye on him, and let me know if anyone gets out of line. There is a lot that can happen here, and I do not want to see Eli hurt.” Rafael said.
“Sir, there is a lot going on for me here, how am I supposed to watch after him? I mean I only can do so much.” I said hesitantly.
“You will be fine. There is no will you do this, it is more you will do this for me. Now that all being said the bar is close to opening. I need you to be ready. Eli is coming in around 7:30 tonight, right before the first show. For now, go get things ready. I will be watching.”
“But Sir…” he cut me off
“I said you will be fine. Now go!”
“Yes, Sir” I said meekly. I slowly turned around and headed out the door. As I entered the main bar floor I could smell the alcohol in the air, and could see the drag queens running towards the back room. “Well here we go time to meet the nephew…” I said.