New Story - written exclusively on Steemit - WiP - Bouncer Part 51

This is obviously going to be a full novel (almost there already).

I'm listening to the feedback and if something resonates, I've decided that I'll go with it (thanks @kiwideb).

Feel free to give feedback on characters, storylines etc - even if you think it's harsh.

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Catch up on the full story with the links below.

Full list of previous episodes
Part 50

Pictures from Google free to use search

Please note: This is the FIRST DRAFT, no editing, written straight onto paper. I don't know how to highlight that any more than it is. I'll NOT be making any alterations to what's already been written. As a good friend and excellent author has said, First draft is a race to get the story down before it decides to stop telling itself to you. Thanks Glenn. @alienbutt

105 pages, 44,547 words so far.

The cover image needs work (thanks everyone for the feedback, please keep commenting) and I'll get it sorted soon. Things are still hectic with family in hospital etc so stories etc have to come second-place in the priorities race.

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Liz came around the bar from the direction of her office. A woman wearing a smart suit followed her. The woman stood a few feet behind Liz and waited while she spoke.

“I’d like to introduce Sonja, she’s to be our new door supervisor to handle any problems with women,” Liz said.

Sonja moved forward and nodded at the curious team.

Liz looked at Zack and gave a slight nod. “Don’t worry, Zack, we’re still planning on making Jackie our door supervisor on a permanent basis. Sonja is here for the time being until Jackie completes her training. Sonja has been with Viktor’s team for a few years now and she’s accomplished in a few skills we believe may be useful for this evening.”

Zack nodded and smiled at Sonja. He stepped forward and held out his hand for Sonja to shake. She glanced at Viktor before accepting his hand.

“I’m Zack, head of security,” Zack said.

Sonja nodded and returned his smile, but she didn’t speak.

Liz beckoned to Zack for him to follow her to the office. He closed the door behind him and stood waiting for Liz to speak.

“I didn’t have time to tell you about Sonja, and I was curious to see how you handled the situation, if I’m honest,” Liz said, a smile playing on her lips.

“I have no problem with you bringing in extra staff, especially under these circumstances,” Zack said.

“I sense there’s a ‘but’ coming,” Liz said.

Zack shook his head. “No, not a ‘but’,” he said. “I’d like a hint on when you’ll finally be stopping the tests on me, though.”

“Fair point,” Liz said, folding her arms and looking at the floor. “It’s not me that was testing you on this point, though, it was Viktor’s call. Sonja has been with him since she left university. He put her through a rigorous training regime and she is one of the most accomplished martial arts experts in Russia. He thought she’d be an asset in the present situation.”

“That’s awesome,” Zack said. “But her accomplishments don’t alter the fact that you’ve brought in a new member of my team without telling me. I now have to introduce her to the rest of the team and explain why I didn’t know anything about her before five minutes ago. That’s not going to be easy because they will see that I’m not actually the boss of this company, you are.”

“Oh, I see the problem,” Liz said.

“Finally?” Zack said. “It’s not taken long, has it?”

“Oh, you’re annoyed,” Liz said.

“Kinda. I’ve worked hard at getting this company up and running, building the trust with my team and now you’ve gone and undermined all that work. Now, they’ll all start to wonder if they’d be better off going straight to Viktor or even you if they have a problem or an idea. I’m in danger of being seen as a figurehead at best and a joke at worst,” Zack said. “So yeah, thanks a lot for that.” He opened the door and left the office.

Liz followed him out. Zack went to find Joe and Liz went across to Viktor. She caught his attention and beckoned him away from his bodyguards.

“We’ve messed up,” she said.

“He doesn’t like Sonja? I didn’t take him to be a chauvinist,” Viktor said.

“No, he’s not, and from the way he looked at Sonja, I think he likes her a lot. The problem is we underestimated him. He’s a professional and has a great deal of pride. We’ve parachuted Sonja in without discussing it with him. He feels like his firm is being taken from him. We should have told him Sonja was coming. In fact, we should have asked if it was ok.”

Viktor looked at Liz and studied her for a moment. He nodded and turned away from her.

Viktor took Liz’s radio and called for Zack. “Please would you meet with me in the office?” he said.

Liz heard his request and nodded. Viktor was not a man to ask nicely for anything unless he had a great deal of respect for the person he asked.

Zack arrived at the office moments after Viktor.

“I have an apology to make,” Viktor said.

“Never apologise,” Zack said instinctively.

Viktor tilted his head in curiosity. “Explain please?”

“It’s something my father drummed into us. Never apologise, it doesn’t make anything better, it just shows the other that you have a weakness. The best thing to do is learn from it and move on,” Zack said.

Viktor nodded. “I have learned,” he said. “Now, what would you like me to do?

Zack thought for a moment.

“It would help if I refused to have her working for me for the time being. If I see how she works, or better yet, Joe or Crackers sees how she works and tells me she’d be a good addition to the team, that may work better,” Zack said. “And if she is noticed and recommended by Joe or Crackers, she may have to stick around for longer than just a few days. After you’ve sent your team back, I mean.”

Viktor nodded. “And I shall pay for Jackie’s training if she is willing. To make amends for my... faux pas,” he said.

Zack nodded. “I agree.”

“One more thing,” Viktor said.

“Yes?”

“I shall bring you into the discussions on the security of this club and the others in the group. I trust you, Zack, I’m not very good at changing my ways. I am not used to having an outsider competent or trustworthy enough to override my instincts and judgement. I would like to have you and Taylor in my team of advisors if you agree?” he said and reached out his hand for Zack to shake.