Page 6 of Deuce

“I’m coming, I’m coming. Let me finish eating.”

“Fat ass.”

“I’ll be a fat ass. You make sure Maddie’s fine ass makes me a plate to go.”

“Ima beat yo’ ass if you keep looking at my woman.”

“So, you are claiming her now?”

“Been claiming her.”

“Ima tell my mama about this shit.”

He waved me off. He didn’t think I knew that him and Ma Dukes were still hooking up. I wondered if Maddie knew that shit, too.

“You got this girl!”I coached myself from my driver’s seat.

Tonight was the first night of my new job. After three months of unemployment after a fire took out my last job, I was finally returning to the workforce. Nervous wasn’t the word to describe myself right now. I wanted to make a good impression because I desperately need this shit to make the mortgage payment this month.

My savings was almost depleted. I was lucky I’d even had it to keep me afloat until now. God only knows how long the rebuild would be at my former job. They didn’t offer us a dime of severance pay, and I had almost exhausted every other option.

I needed this job to work out. With a heavy sigh, I climbed out of my car and headed up to the front of the building. I was greeted by a big, burly man, dressed in all black.

“Hi, I’m Salima Navarro. I’m starting here tonight as a server.”

He lifted the red rope to allow me entry. “Head on back to the boss’ suite.”

“Thank you.”

I headed inside. It was only seven, and the club was already packed. I guess that was to be expected becauseAurawas one of the most poppin’ clubs in the city. I was surprised that I even got the job. My home girl told me that they were hiring and the tips were everything. The more skin you showed, the bigger the tip. Tonight I was dressed in a black leather bustier with matching shorts that stopped right below my ass and showed off my thighs. I’d never been one to use my sex appeal to get money, but these were desperate times. I figured as long as I wasn’t out here fucking for a buck, showing a little skin wasn’t so much of a big deal.

I made my way to the back to the suite where I had my interview. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door.

“Hold on!”

I stepped back, resting against the cool brick wall behind me. A minute or so passed before the door opened and a man I didn’t recognize stepped out. He looked me over with a sly grin that made me slightly uncomfortable. There was something in his eyes that just didn’t sit right with me. He didn’t say anything as he walked away, but his presence sent a chilling feeling throughout my body.

“Who are you?”

My head jerked toward the boss man. He’d literally introduced himself as Boss, nothing else.

“Salima… Salima Navarro. I’m starting here tonight.”

Boss licked his lips. “Damn. You look different outside of street clothes. Nice outfit. You’ll fit in perfectly here. Come on in.”

He opened the door wider, and I slid past him into the office. I could feel his eyes on my ass. The first thing I noticed was the stack of money on his desk. No doubt it was from the shady nigga that just left out. Closing the door, he motioned for me to take a seat as he reclaimed the one behind his desk.

“So Salima… you ready for tonight?”

“I’m a little nervous. It’s so many people.”

He chuckled. “That’s standard, baby girl. You don’t make the money we make with an empty club. I’m sure you’ll be fine. A pretty little thing like you? You’ll make bank in tips alone. Just don’t be fucking up orders and you’ll be good. I’m gonna put you with Sweets in the VIP section. That shouldn’t be too overwhelming.”

He reached into a drawer and pulled out an apron and name tag, handing them to me.

“Peach?” I asked looking at the tag.

“All of my girls use nicknames as a safety precaution. You’re Peach. I think it’s befitting with all that ass you carrying back there.”

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