Page 32 of Deuce

She sighed heavily. “Listen, I really need this job. You stay out of my way, and I’ll be your best employee. I’ll make sure the girls are on their toes. Just… please don’t make this hard on me, Stanley.”

“Please stop calling me that. My name is Deuce.”

“Your mama named you Stanley. I’m calling you Stanley.”

“You hardheaded.”

“I am. I’m not a lil’ baby that’s gon’ listen. You don’t run me. I may not trust you, but I’m not afraid of you.”

I cocked my head to the side as I watched her. She had this fire in her eyes that told me she meant that shit. I respected that.But more than anything, it intrigued me. Most women I came across were quick to do whatever I said. It was easy, but a nigga like me loved a challenge. Ms. Navarro, seem like she would make me work for the opportunity to even breathe her air.

“You can go back downstairs. I’ll be keeping an eye on you. “

“I’m sure you will be.” She turned and walked back toward the stairs. Stopping on the top one, she looked back at me. “I hope you have a successful grand opening.”

“Thank you.”

She left me with a smile. I walked over to the railing and watched her as she made her way back to the group. She looked back up at me, and I could’ve sworn she had a little extra sway to her hips. I smirked to myself. She could play hard to get. But before it was all said and done, I would have her right where I wanted her.

Stanley Dillinger was goingto drive me absolutely insane. As bad as I wanted to hate his smug ass, every interaction with him left me wondering about him. It was the shit he said and the way he looked at me. The whore in me wanted him to fuck the shit out of her. The good girl in me, the bitch with the common sense, was telling me to run for the hills. I wasn’t ready for a man like him, but I was dying to know more about him.

LeAnn sat pretty at the bar, nursing her drink while she surveyed the packed lounge. I was waiting on the bartender to fill an order. Casually, I slid over to her. She looked at me and crossed her legs.

“Can I help you, Salima?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“That depends.”

“How long have you known Stan— Mr. Dillinger?”

“Long enough to know not to call him by his government name because he hates it.”

I smirked. “So, I’ve gathered.”

She sighed. “Six years.”

“Are you privy to all of his dealings?”

“You’re in my business, Ms. Navarro. Tread lightly.”

“I’m just asking. I mean, his last name rings bells according to more than a few people.”

“Salima, sweetheart. Deuce is a friend. I don’t discuss my friend’s business with his employees, no matter how bad he wants to fuck them. Take my advice. Don’t get caught up in trying to get more than a couple of nuts out of men like Deuce. Their lifestyle isn’t for the faint of heart. You look like a nice girl. Don’t let chasing a bad boy get you in some shit you can’t handle.”

She finished speaking just as the bartender returned with my drinks. I stood there for a moment before she shooed me away.

“Go on. Get back to work.”

I rolled my eyes as I turned back to grab my drinks. She said that like she knew firsthand what it was like to fuck him and get fucked over. I wondered if there was something more between them at one point. LeAnn was a bad bitch. She was beautiful, and she had the type of body these girls went running to Dr. Miami to get. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d fallen victim to Deuce’s arrogance.

As I made my way to my table, I scanned the crowd. My eyes landed on Deuce, who I now knew to be his siblings, and a group of several other people. They were laughing, drinking, and seemingly to have a good time. He was really enjoying himself because some chick with a fat ass was throwing it back against him. I felt my brows furrow and quickly had to dial that shit back. He wasn’t mine and whoever he wanted to dry jump was his business.

He looked up, and our eyes met for a moment before he smirked and winked at me. I rolled my eyes and focused my attention back on the table I was approaching.

“Here you go! One Jack and coke, one Hennessy, one Scotch on the rocks, and one Whiskey neat. Can I get you fellas anything else?”

One of them looked me up and down as he smiled.

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