Page 5 of Forgotten Deeds

He flashes an amused grin as he walks out. “Love offal, but liver is my favorite,” he tells the hostess with a wink before sauntering away.

* * *

Darius

A bouncer tries to intercept me before I make it to the back—that is until he realizes who the fuck I am. He wisely steps aside and lets me through.

Leo’s office is locked, but I know the little chicken-shit is in there. Kicking open his door, I flip on the light and stroll across the room to find him hunkered beneath his desk. “Well, well, well. Look who’s hiding like a little bitch.”

“Just trying to catch some Z’s,” he lies through his teeth, climbing into his chair. “About the money—”

“It’s always about the money,” I inform him, cracking my knuckles. Leo likes to play poker in one of the Parisi family’s backrooms and has racked up quite the debt. Fine by me, as I haven’t had the chance to fuck anyone up today, and I’m getting antsy.

“I’ll have it by the end of the night when the girls turn in their house fees. I swear,” he pleads.

I lean against his desk and say, “Here’s the thing, Leo. Diávolos gives you extra time. Word gets out, and then everybody will want extra time. You see how that would be a problem for me, don’t you?”

“I promise to keep my mouth shut,” he says hopefully.

“Good idea.” Moving lightning-fast, I jab him in the mouth.

Leo squeals as he covers his hand over his gushing bottom lip.

I make my way over to his filing cabinet, opening it and flipping through the files until I find what I’m looking for: Pearl’s application and a copy of her driver’s license. Committing to memory the information, I close the drawer and turn to Leo, who’s holding a crimson-stained fast food napkin to his lip. “The new blonde dancer, Pearl, if anyone at the club gives her a hard time, I’ll give everyone at the club a hard time. Starting with you.” I give my knuckles another crack for emphasis.

“No one will give her a hard time,” he’s quick to promise.

My pager goes off, and I check the message. “It’s turning out to be your lucky night after all, Leo. I’ll be back later to collect—with an additional five percent annoyance fee tacked on for the trouble.”

He nods, releasing a shaky breath. “Thank you.”

“Better have the family’s money in hand before you start thanking me,” I warn him. “Oh, and this file cabinet stays locked from here on out,” I order him as I head for the door. Never know; there could be all kinds of psychos out there.

Chapter Three

Lily

“Oh my God, I can’t believe you went to the VIP room with Diávolos!” Chrissy exclaims as we count our money at the end of the night. “He’s one scary motherfucker.”

“Don’t be thinking you some hot shit, new girl,” Star says from the doorway, giving me the evil eye as she flips her cigarette pack upside down and packs it with her other hand.

“Pearl is hot shit,” Chrissy answers, and I’m silently willing her to shut up. “Who else has pulled in ten grand in an hour?”

All the girls in the dressing room gasp. Great.

“Bullshit.” Star jeers.

“It’s not, I saw the claim ticket with my own eyes,” Chrissy goes on.

“Let’s see it.” Star walks over to where I’m sitting, snatching the ticket from my pile. Examining it, she grabs her lighter, flicking it as she lights the slip of paper on fire. My mouth hanging open, I watch ten thousand dollars go up in smoke. “No claim ticket, no payout.” She smiles cruelly. “Welcome aboard, new girl.”

“Star, that was a bitch move,” Chrissy calls after her. All eyes are on me as I resume counting my money, willing myself not to cry. I do cry, then word gets back to the resident mean girl, Star, and she wins a second time.

Changing into my street clothes, I tip out everyone before walking to Leo’s office. “Here you go,” I say, handing him my house fee.

He takes the cash, jerking his hand away from me like I’ve bitten him. “Thanks.”

“No problem,” I say, wondering why he won’t look at me. Debating if I should plead my case about the ten grand, I decide against it. Being new around here, I’m not sure what kind of “relationship” Star has with Leo. Plus, if word gets out I’m a snitch, my time here at this club becomes miserable, so I keep my mouth shut.

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