Serenity

By Mia Jones

Deacon had never met anyone quite like Serenity before, and he didn't quite know what to do with her. Most people feared him, but this little slip of a woman bulldozed right over him, but that didn't take away his determination to have her.

Serenity went through life with optimism, and with such a loving, caring heart Deacon was shocked she hadn't been ground into the dirt a long time ago. Instead, she went about her life just the way she wanted too, no matter how much Deacon tried to protect her.

No matter how hard he fought, he knew he'd have to change his way of thinking if he wanted her to love him and there was no decision to be made. He couldn't live without her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fiery Vision Publishing
• Release date: Feb 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393909880

Book preview

Serenity

Mia Jones

Chapter One

Deacon walked through the door of one of his more popular businesses and nodded at Tommy, the bouncer he employed for the front door. The strip joint wasn’t one of the businesses he was most proud of, but it had fallen into his lap and was one of the most profitable ones he owned.

Hey, Mr. Graham.

How’s it going tonight, Tommy?

Good, Sir. We’ve got a good crowd tonight.

That’s always good to hear, Deacon commented with a smile.

After coming in through the door, Deacon stepped off to the side to let his eyes adjust to the dim, hazy light of the room. His gaze scanned the area and looked for changes or repairs that needed to be made. Like always, Charlie, his manager, and the bartender had everything in top condition.

When he’d acquired the place, he had updated just about everything. Now he had the stage in the middle where the girls danced. He’d placed chairs with small tables around the stage, so more men had a chance at a front-row view of the pretty women. Scattered around the room were over twenty other tables, some fit two people, and others could fit eight. The tables were sturdy maple, and the chairs were all cushioned brown leather.

Deacon figured the more comfortable seating was the longer they would stay, and so far, it had worked.

The whole bar that ran along the back of the room was new. He’d had a friend of his carve the bar top out of one long piece of maple. Deacon always admired the craftsmanship of the wood and all the intricate detail along the edge.

Deacon had the artist make several pieces for his private home and scattered through a few of his other businesses.

Tall comfortable stools ran along the front of it. A long mirror with glass shelves ran along the back wall behind the bar that held inexpensive and expensive liqueurs and whiskeys.

The place had been the run of the mill strip joint, but he knew how to make money on it; he had a knack for turning a business around. He needed the place to be comfortable, but classy.

He knew he had to bring in people that were able to pay for the luxury. But he’d also made it accessible to the average person with on-tap beers and a low cover charge to get in.

As far as the girls he employed to strip went, they had to stay drug-free, and there was absolutely no sex on his property. He couldn’t tell them what to do off the clock or away from the place, but he was very strict when they were in his business. He had too many, what he thought of as, ‘legitimate businesses’ that would be affected if he was charged with prostitution.

Deacon took a seat at the end of the bar and waited. He caught his bartender's eye and lifted his hand.

Hey, Deacon. How are you doing tonight?

Hello, Charlie. I was on this side of town and thought I’d check in with you. You emailed me about a possible problem?

Charlie absently wiped the already clean bar top in front of his boss. Deacon noticed Charlie always had a towel within reach. He carried around a white cloth that he tucked into his front jeans pocket when he wasn’t using it to wipe anything down. He was very picky about how clean the bar area was, and he expected his employees to be the same way which Deacon appreciated.

Yes, sir. One of the strippers was caught having sex outside the back door. Tommy found her and warned her the next time she’d be out of work, and last night, he caught her again.

Deacon gritted his teeth as a spike of anger hit him.

Then fire her, he growled tersely.

Charlie nodded. I would have, but she’s one of the women that make us the most money. A lot of men come to see her. She’s also a single mom. So, I wanted to check with you before I made a decision.

Deacon pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

What’s her name?

Candy.

Deacon snorted at the name.

Is she here tonight?

Yes, she just got off the stage.

I’ll talk to her.

I was hoping you would. Candy’s a nice girl and a great stripper, but we know your policies. I really think she’d straighten up if you talked to her. You scare the hell out of everyone.

Deacon looked taken back at Charlie. He didn’t try to be like that, but he’d always had a dark personality that made most people uncomfortable, but he never intentionally tried to scare people.

Damn, Charlie, I don’t mean to.

Charlie chuckled. Most of the time, you don’t, but all you have to do is scowl, and it has some grown men piss themselves.

Deacon snorted.

Charlie's head jerked up like he saw something of concern. He caught a bouncer’s attention and then pointed.

Tray...Serenity, Charlie bellowed.

Deacon looked around at what had caused Charlie’s anger, but the place was too crowded to see much of anything.

What’s up? Deacon asked.

Our new waitress, she’s good at her job, and the men like her, but I don’t like the way some of them grab at her.

Are the men abusive? Deacon asked, pissed. One thing he prided himself of was making the environment safe for the women that worked there.

Not more than normal.

Charlie, I have an order.

Deacon straightened, turned when he heard a soft, husky voice beside him, and was struck dumb when he saw one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen. She was very short but had curves on her the way a woman should. Her head maybe came up to his shoulder. Her hair was as black as his own and fell in a wave of curls down her back. Her profile was very delicate and feminine with very pale skin and a few freckles scattered over her nose. She looked to have some Hispanic blood in her he guessed. Although pale, there was a darker tint to her skin, much like his own.

Hey, honey. You okay? Charlie asked as he tried to read her expression.

Serenity smiled. Of course. Tray helped me again.

Deacon cleared his throat to get their attention.

Charlie grimaced. Sorry. Serenity, this is Mr. Graham. Sir, this is Serenity, the new waitress.

Charlie looked over his shoulder when someone yelled his name. "I’ll be right back.

Serenity looked up at the introduction and smiled.

Hello, it’s nice to meet you, she said as she smiled and held out a hand.

Deacon was speechless. Not only did she have two of the cutest dimples, one in each cheek, her eyes were a crystal blue and showed an innocence he’d only heard of but had never seen in his lifetime.

He watched in fascination as his huge hand wrapped around her much smaller one. The difference in sizes and color struck him. His hand was clearly twice the size of hers and much darker with calluses and scars. Her pale skin was soft and smooth.

A rush of blood swiftly and painfully filled his groin. It’s nice to meet you, Serenity.

Serenity pulled her hand away and concentrated on the list of drinks she needed.

So how long have you worked here? he asked her.

Serenity turned her attention back to him. Um, a little over two months, I guess.

Do you strip as well as waitress?

Serenity shook her head. No, I’m just a waitress.

Deacon relaxed. The thought of her on stage without clothes and with a hundred set of hungry eyes on her made him want to howl in fury.

Hey, honey, sorry about that. What do you need?

Serenity turned her attention back to Charlie and gave him the list. Within a few minutes, she had a tray full of drinks.

Well, it was nice to meet you, Mr. Graham, Serenity said and walked off.

Deacon turned and waited for Charlie to serve someone before he called for him. Who is that?

Charlie cleared his throat uncomfortably. Her father, Stan, and I were Army buddies and best friends. He died a little over a year ago, and I’ve been looking after his daughter.

Is that her real name?

Charlie smiled. Yeah, and it fits her. She’s a good girl and one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.

Then why in the hell is she working at a strip joint?

Charlie was confused about the wave of anger that came from Deacon.

She’s trying to put herself through school, and this seemed like the perfect way to do it. She can make a lot of money working two nights here, enough to pay for her classes every semester and have her own place, and I am here to watch over her. She can take all week for classes and studying and not have to worry.

But it’s the summer.

She takes them year-round so she can finish early.

Where is her family?

I’m it. Her mother died when she was eleven, and then her dad recently. They never had any other children, and as far as I know, her grandparents and other relatives are dead.

Deacon turned and watched as she moved around the room. She wore a sleeveless pale blue shirt and a denim skirt that hit a few inches above her knees. She was more covered then all the other women in the place, but he still wanted to hide her from all the eyes that hungrily followed her.

Deacon felt a growl rumble in his chest as a man grabbed onto her arm and wouldn’t let her go, even when she struggled. Before he could even stand, one of the bouncers was taking care of the situation.

Deacon had so many more questions, but Charlie had walked off to help a customer. His head jerked around when Serenity laid her tray down. He could tell right away she was trying hard to hide the tremors in her hands.

Are you okay?

Serenity pushed her hair from her face and smiled brightly. What? Oh, yes. Everything’s good.

Deacon’s eyes narrowed.