Page 34 of Deuce

Deuce cocked the gun. “Pay the lady her money.”

“Alright!”

He frantically fished into his pocket for his wallet and pulled out a couple of twenties.

“All of it,” I said.

“Come on!”

“Or I can let him shoot you.”

He huffed as he snatched the rest of the cash out of his wallet and handed it to me. I tucked it into my apron and smiled.

“Much appreciated.”

Deuce let him go and tucked his gun away. He then turned to the guy’s friends.

“Since y’all sat here and watched this shit, run her your cash too.”

They all started to protest until a few other guys dressed in all black walked up to the table. Silence fell as they too fished out their wallets and handed me all the cash they had.

“Now, what have we learned?” Deuce asked, surveying the table. “We don’t let our friends get away with being predators. I’m going to allow you to leave this place in one piece, but if I were you, I would beat his ass. Not only did he ruin your fun, but he cost you money. I say that is worthy of an ass whipping.”

He snapped his fingers and the men in black snatch them up. The crowd watched as they were forced out of the lounge. Deuce turned back to me.

“You good?”

“I’m fine. I need to get back to work.”

I tried to walk away, but he gently grabbed my hand.

“Aye.”

I turned to look at him.

“Wait around after closing. Ima make sure you get to your car, okay?”

“I can handle myself.”

“I didn’t ask you all that. Wait for me. That’s not a request.”

He tipped my chin before walking off and heading back to the section he’d come from. I shook my head as I turned to go to another table. I ended up running smack dab into LeAnn. She stood with her arms crossed.

“Yes?” I asked.

“I see you don’t listen.”

“I know you saw that shit. I was doing my job, and that man grabbed my ass.”

“Get back to work, Salima.”

“I was going, LeAnn.”

I brushed past her and went about my business. I didn’t ask Deuce to save me. If anything, he was doing what a good bosswould have done in defending me. Was it excessive? Yes. Did I care? In this instance… hell no.

The rest of my night went without a hitch. After seeing the incident with the other table, the remaining customers took heed and kept themselves in line. I managed to make over a stack in tips and stayed out of LeAnn’s way. By the time the lounge closed, my feet were on fire, I was starving, and I just wanted to get home. As soon as I grabbed my things from my locker, I was heading for the door.

“Goodnight,” I said to the security guard who stood watch.

---