Page 8 of Deuce

“I’ve made a couple hundred. I guess that’s the upside to being run ragged.”

She laughed, and I think it was the first time she smiled at me all night.

“It almost makes it worth it.”

I turned to survey the crowd. Just then, a red light flashed in the corner. Several of the men got up and left the room, clearing out half the space.

“What’s that about?”

“All I know is Boss offers discreet services to select patrons. Don’t ask me what because I don’t know. My suspicion is drugs.”

“Drugs?”

She shrugged. “What else could it be?”

“Order up!”

The bartender placed my drinks on the tray. I grabbed them and delivered it to my table. Making my way back over to the bar where Sweets was still waiting.

“I need to use the bathroom.”

“Go on. Half your section is gone now, anyway.”

“I’ll be right back.”

I left the VIP and took the stairs down to the lower level. I made my way through the set of doors that led to the back offices, welcoming the silence of the soundproof area. My ears were ringing from the loud music. I made my way to the bathroom to relieve myself. When I was done, I washed my hands and headed to the break room to grab a bottle of water.

As I was chugging the cool drink, I thought I heard a noise. I stopped and listened. Everything was silent, then it went pitch black. I began to panic. One too many horror movie scenes played in my head as I fumbled for my phone to use the flashlight. Carefully, I made my way back toward the doors leading to the main area. As I cracked it open, I could hear people panicking and running as several men with guns yelled for them to get out of the club. Quickly, I closed the door.

“Shit!”

I couldn’t go back out there. It would be just my luck to get shot or trampled trying to get to safety. I quickly made my way back down the hall, trying to find someplace to hide. That’s when I noticed the locked door from earlier was open. Boss told me not to go back there, but at that moment, all I was thinking about was saving my life. I quickly ducked behind the door and close it.

“I can’t believe this shit,” I said to myself.

Using the flashlight from my phone, I made my way down the dark hallway. I could hear frantic cries and hushed whispers.To say that nobody was supposed to be back here, it seemed like they were several people.

The back-up generator must’ve kicked in because soon the lights came on. I was standing in what look like an underground tunnel with several doors on either side of the walls.

“What the hell…”

A gunshot rang out, causing my heart to pound in my chest. I turned to run and ran smack into a hard body, knocking me to the floor. I looked up to see a masked man with a gun pointed at me.

“Please don’t shoot!” I screamed, backing away from him.

He advanced toward me, and I quickly climbed to my feet to run. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I had to get away from him. Clearly, I wasn’t moving fast enough. He grabbed me by shorts and yanked me back, slamming me into the wall. Tears streamed down my face as I pleaded with him.

“Please… I don’t know anything! It’s my first night working here!”

“Shut up!”

Piercing brown eyes bore into my soul. I prayed he could see the fear in mine.

“Please… I’m somebody’s daughter… somebody loves me…”

He was quiet as he looked at me. He pointed the gun at me again and again I screamed. A glove covered hand clamped across my mouth.

“Shut up before I give you a reason to scream. You got that?”

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