Chapter Seven

Eva's POV

The moment I stepped into the main floor of the club, the air shifted. Conversation dipped and gazes flicked towards me. I haven't gotten used to it even though it was my second day here. Though no one directly challenged me, they had their eyes on me.

The scent of alcohol and expensive colognes mixed with their foul pheromones was one thing I couldn't get used to yet but I tried my best to keep myself steady from all the waves. They all assessed me, both alphas and betas like I was some prize but no one dared approached me.

And I did look different from the day he introduced me in my comfy outfit. The clothes were clinging to my body, outlining my curves but that wasn't why I was being stared at.

I knew why.

It wasn't because of who I was. It was because of who I belonged to. The man whose existence is enough to scare people in a fraction of seconds, Dominic Vaughan.

Dominic hadn't refuted the rumors that I was his woman. That meant something here. I wasn't sure if it was protection or a target painted on my back. Maybe both.

I ignored their gazes, lifting my chin as I forced myself to move forward. “Stay focused.” I whispered to myself. I couldn't afford to look weak.

I clutched the black folder Dominic had given to me– financial records, employee logs, transaction reports. My job was to ensure everything was ran smoothly and to do that, it meant understanding every inch of the club, from the front-end bar operations to the underground dealings woven into it.

A bartender– a beta with sharo green eyes– leaned against the counter as I approached. “You're here, Miss Eva.”

I met his gaze steadily, humming with a smile.

He huffed a laugh as if knowing I was struggling with the pheromones. “What do you need?”

“Financial summaries for the last two months including purchase prices. And a rundown of how things are managed in the bar.”

He nodded once before gesturing to another helper, a tall omega with short hair, who immediately went ahead to do as he was asked. “I'm Theo by the way. Lead Bartender. If you have any questions concerning our operations, I'm your guy.”

I took note of his straightforwardness. He didn't seem to be laid back like the others because of my proclaimed position. Just business.

“Noted. Thanks Theo.”

The papers were placed before me and I sat there flipping through pages. It was overwhelming because a lot of these liquors I haven't heard of and damn I couldn't count the zeros for some of them in a glance. I was good with numbers and it never changed even after years.

An hour passed in a blur. I went from station to station, checking on their current situation, ensuring I understood everything. Employees observed me but didn't interfere. Some looked skeptical, some… amused.

I knew what they were thinking.

She won't last.

From my records of past managers, they never lasted before disappearing after getting on Dominic's bad side.

But I didn't care. I was different and I would do this to the best of my ability so my father could continue his treatment and maybe in a few months, he would fully recover.

By the time I made my way towards the dressing room, my feet ached, my head spunned with too much information. The club workers– especially the women– needed to be addressed. Dominic made it clear that I would be overseeing everything, and that included making sure there were no… disruptions in the flow of busines.

I pushed the door open, stepping into the lavishly decorated dressing room. This was as expected of a luxury chain of business. The space was where club dancers and prostitutes prepared for their nights.

The room smelled of mixture of beta and omega pheromones, mixed with the smell of perfumes and body glitter, soft music playing in the background as women lounged in silk robes and lingeries.

The conversations immediately died when they noticed me.

I had expected tension but the sheer hostility radiating from some of them made me nauseous.

One of the women, a tall brunette with striking features and an aura of confidence, leaned back against the vanity and smirked. “So the boss's new pet finally shows up.”

Laughter filled the room, low and biting.

I met her gaze, trying to keep my voice as steady as possible. “I'm here to manage things if you don't know.”

Her smirk didn't fade. If anything, it grew sharper. “Sure. And what does Dominic's wife know about running a club like this?”

The way she said “wife” dripped with mockery.

I swallowed the unease rising in my chest. I had expected this. Maybe this much but I hadn't prepared for this. But I couldn't let them know that at all. I let out a breath before squaring my shoulders. “I know enough to make sure things keep running, and that you'll keep making money.”

“And if we don't like the way you deal with things?”

I forced myself to hold her gaze, even as my pulse hammered in my ears.

“Too bad then, I guess we'll all have a problem.”