I walk back to my car and get in. I don't say anything as I text Jasper and Emmett to meet me at the warehouse.

"Ah, boss, the argument with Bella is not what you think. I would never hurt her."

"Mike, shut up," I say calmly as I start my car.

I am pleased to see both Emmett and Jasper are at the warehouse when I arrive. When I pull up, Emmett opens Mike's door with a smile on his face. When I walk into the warehouse, I head for the office in silence as Emmett pushes Mike onto the chair.

"First things first, how do you know Bella?" I ask. That's probably not the first thing I should be asking, but I want to know.

"She's just a girl I'm acquainted with." I raise my eyebrow at his vague answer. It sounded practiced, maybe staged?

"And she lives in the same building as you, yet I have not seen her name on any leases whatsoever. Then there is the fact that you asked me to give her a job," I say tilting my head and I watch Mike's Adam's apple bobble.

"She's a friend of mine. She needed a place to crash, so I said she could live with me."

"Mmhmm. So both of you live there yet you have not paid your rent in two months?"

Mike starts to move in his seat. "I'll get your money. Things have just been a lot harder for us."

"There is no such thing as harder, there is only hard. A lot of the people that rent from me are having or have had bad times. I don't give them leeway, why should you be any different?"

Mike doesn't say anything, but looks to the ground. "Then there is the two grand that is missing in this month's payments."

"It was not me, boss, I swear." I raise my eyebrow at him; there is a little worry in his voice.

"You see, the same thing happened two months ago, but that time it was close to eight thousand, and the month before that, it was three. The only people that have come in contact with the money are you, Taylor, Eric, and Paul. I will get to the bottom of this, mark my words, and if I find it is you, then you are in deep shit. As for the rent, you can work overtime for me to work it off."

Mike looks like he is going to argue about it. "Unless you have the money for the past months' rent and next month's on you?" He shakes his head. "Tomorrow we'll go through what I need from you. You're free to leave." I watch as Mike walks out of the room with his head down.

"Ah, boss, I thought we were sure it was him?" Emmett asks.

"Yeah, it is, but something is going down and I want to know what it is before I deal with him." I sigh moving away from the desk.

"Have Felix follow him, keep me posted. I'm going shopping," I say walking away.

~VP~

I look around the toy shop hoping something will jump out at me. "Good afternoon, are you in need of some help?" I turn looking at the young shop assistant.

"You could point me in the direction of the dinosaur toys." She nods walking away and I follow behind her. "That's all," I say without looking at her once we reach where I needed to be.

It takes me another hour to pick out a dinosaur coloring book, dinosaur color pencils, and a soft triceratops teddy. I even managed to get dinosaur wrapping paper. As soon as I have them all wrapped, I check the time seeing it's only two, so I head right back to the school.

"Hi," I say sitting down next to Sasha.

"Teddy!" she yells opening her arms up as she smiles at me. I grin, hugging her to me. Fuck, this little girl is the third girl I have ever really hugged. "You're back!"

"I said I would, and look what I have for you." I hand her the gifts and her whole face lights up.

"My Chum," she says pointing at the paper. She slowly opens the gifts smiling happily at everything I got her.

"Thank you," she says pulling my face to the side kissing my cheek.

"It's okay, princess, what all did you get for your birthday?" I ask softly.

"Little dinosaurs, pony, bag, and my chum top. Dada and Beebee," she says pulling at her top.

"Whoa, that is a pretty top," I say smiling at her.

"Me love Dada and Beebee"

"Is Beebee like a mommy to you?"

She grins nodding. "Yes, Beebee, me Beebee," Sasha says clapping her hands a little.

I smile at how happy she seems. "Teddy, Sasha friend?" I tilt my head a little at the fact that she didn't look at me. I gently place my finger under her chin and turn her to me.

"Yes, I am your friend." Sasha smiles brightly at me. I look at the time knowing it's close to the end of school. I let out a breath not really wanting to leave, but at the same time, I know it will not look good when her parents come to get her, and see a full grown man talking to her.

"Hey, Alice I am going go, can you come by for dinner?"

"Sure, she's really taken with you. I've never seen her like that with anyone, but her Beebee." I smile a little.

"I'm really taken by her, too. I'll see you later, Alice." I kiss her head and walk out.

I head to one of my other clubs and get to work on the load I have missed due to spending most of my time at Dolls.

"Hey, Boss," Jasper and Emmett say together as they walk in.

"Hi," I reply as I look back at my paperwork.

"What's on for tonight?" Emmett asks.

"I'm taking Alice for dinner at Deion's"

"Great, I love Deion's and it feels like forever since I last saw Alice." I look up at Jasper and frown.

"You saw her three days ago." Jasper blushes and I am not sure why, but I push that to the side. "It'll be just her and I." Jasper's face drops and he looks disappointed.

"Something I should know, Jasper?" I ask harshly and he shakes his head.

"Come on, Eddie, he's been crushing on her for over a year." My head snaps up to looking at Emmett.

"What?"

"Jasper has a crush on Alice, but don't worry, he hasn't done anything, much to Alice's disappointment." I look to Jasper who has gone white as a ghost.

"Yeah, I really like her, but don't worry, I won't say a thing."

"Why not?"

"Bro code, and well, you kind of scare me, even as your friend you still scare the shit out of me."

"Jasper, I am only going to say this once, if you like her as much as you say, then I should not even factor in it. I want Alice to be happy in love, have what the rest of the world takes for granted." Jasper and Emmett look at me in surprise. "She's my baby sister; of course I want that for her. I am only against marriage and love for myself. If you truly want to be with her then ask her out, but note, if you cheat, hit or abuse her in any way, I will kill you slowly, friend or no friend." Jasper jumps picking up his phone. "Not today, or at least wait till I have had dinner with her. I don't want to be listening to her going on about you and arranging a shopping trip for me to take her on." Jasper chuckles a little, but nods.

"Thanks, Edward," he says softly. "And I will not hurt her, I swear." I give him a nod and get back to the work I was doing.

I hear an alarm sound and look up to see Emmett looking at his cell phone smiling. "Sexy Rose is up, soon," he says wiggling his eyebrows walking out.

It's only a little bit later when I walk out with Jasper on my heels. I hold back my laugh as I watch Rose slap Emmett across the face.

"Tell me you're taking this one home?"

"I am."

"Good," I chuckle as Rose stomps away.

"She wants me," Emmett says as he stares at Rose's ass.

"Yeah, it shows." Jasper says pointing at Emmett's red cheek.

"I love foreplay!" Emmett yells, and I shake my head as Emmett starts to walk out. I look over my shoulder to see Rose looking at us, well, at Emmett. Her eyes go to mine and she shrugs her shoulders, but there's a hint of a blush on her cheeks. I shake my head at how well suited Rose and Emmett are for one another. She can keep up with his shit and dish it out just the same.

It doesn't take us too long to get to Deion's. I pull up as Alice arrives.

"Hi, Jasper," Alice says as she walks toward him.

"Hi, darling."

"Edward, you didn't tell me Jasper was coming." I roll my eyes over the fact that Jasper and Alice are just looking at each other.

"He's not, it's just us," I say pulling her a little.

"Why not, he's here anyway?"

"So am I, Alice, but you don't seem to be asking about me," Emmett says.

"Oh, hey, Emmy," Alice says like she just noticed him.

"Alice, I want time with just you so come on, let's get dinner and then Jasper can take you to that club you've wanted to go to."

"Really?" I nod and start to grin as Alice runs into Deion's

We are shown to a table and I order our meals. "How is everything going at school?" I ask and Alice shakes her head chuckling.

"Just ask what you really want to know, Eddie." I frown looking at her and she raises her eyebrow.

"Fine, tell me more about Sasha and her family."

"Well, Sasha is five; she's in and out of the hospital a lot. I don't know much about what all is wrong with her. She has only been in my class for three months, so you'll have to go to Mrs. Cope for that. I know her dad works a lot during the day and her mom, or Beebee as she calls her, works every night. The mom has something wrong with her, too, not sure what though. A few months ago, Sasha said she was sick and in the hospital. Something about her not taking her special medicine. Then it was a month later Sasha was taken in. It was real hard on them. They are one of the government-funded families. I know they both work real hard for what little they seem to have." I sigh rubbing my face.

"But she's cared for, right?"

"Oh god yes, the Mom is amazing. I can't think of her name, but you should see her with Sasha; she works so hard for her and with her."

"Thank you for telling me. So, Jasper?" I ask grinning a little as she goes red.

"I really like him, but what about..." Alice moves some of her hair over her face to hide her scars and I flick it back over her shoulders.

"You are beautiful, Ally. He sees that, too. If he hurts you, you better tell me and I'll kick his ass."

"I know you will. I still remember what you did to Ben," Alice chuckles out. Ben was Alice's high school sweetheart. One day Alice had to go to his place for their date, having forgotten that Ben had cancelled the day before. She walked in on him fucking one of the showgirls from Dolls. To say his ass got kicked, would be an understatement. The only thing that saved the girl from being fired was that she was unaware Ben was dating Alice, and was horrified when she found out. She repeatedly asked me to tell Alice she was sorry and didn't know. It was not till a few weeks later that Tanya told me some of the other girls were calling the girl names. As I don't get into the high school bullshit, I told Tanya to deal with it. I sat and listened to Tanya rant at the other girls in question. They claimed they meant to stick up for their fellow woman and it was Ben that was the asshole who used two girls. I guess they didn't mean any harm to their other co-worker. Tanya ended it, saying any more of that shit they would be fired with no questions asked. Thankfully, they all listened and it stopped. This is one of the reasons I keep Tanya to run the club. She's really good and keeps her head on straight. She is one of the women, out of my family that is not scared of me and thankfully, she's never hit on me. I was told when she was talking to Rose, the girl Emmett likes, one night that she liked her men more tame than what I am. I didn't get it, but to each their own.

Alice and I chat about different things and I pay before walking her out. I wave at happy Jasper and a very happy Alice driving away. "That was mighty kind of you, brother." I roll my eyes at Emmett.

"Well, as I am being kind, you can take my shift at Tassels, and I'll do your shift at Dolls." Emmett grins knowing Rose would be at Tassels instead.

"Thank you bro!" he kisses my head and moves off to his car. I shake my head getting in to my own.

I drive to Dolls seeing Bella has just arrived. I get out of my car and go to walk her in, but she moves in the opposite direction. I follow behind her staying enough away so she would not be able to see me. I am shocked when she approaches James and stands there talking for a few minutes. The transfer of money and drugs is very quick, that most people around them would have not noticed. As quickly as she arrived, she starts to make her way toward the club. I stand in the shop stairway so she doesn't see me. It troubles me greatly that she's doing drugs. Usually, I want all my girls' drug free, but I know I'm not going to be able to fire her. As soon as she's out in the street I make my way to James.

"James," I say when I get to him.

"Hey, you're not due your cut till next week," the fucker says with an eyeroll turning his back on me.

I grab him, pulling him into the ally and kick the fuck out of him. I make sure to get rid of all the anger that just came over me.

"That girl you just gave your shit to, she's off limits and you will not give anything to her."

"But sir," James says spitting out blood.

"No, send her my way. Get word out to any one that has been giving her anything and they will be dealt with. Just fucking send her to me. And keep your mouth shut about this when talking to her. Are we clear?"

"Yes, sir," he says shakily. I hit him a few more times, leaving him in a heap on the ground. I go into the club going straight to the back. My eyes fall on Bella and she looks my way. Everything in me is pulling me to her, but I don't get these fucking feelings. I've never felt like this before about anyone, and I can fucking say I don't fucking like it. I move as quickly as I can to my office hating what this little girl is making me feel. The fact that I've spent no more than an hour with her makes it really fucked up.

I pour some Whiskey in a glass, and down it quickly. I look up when there's a knock on my door.

"Come in!" I yell.

I watch the door open and in walks my sexy girl. I close my eyes and shake my head. "Can I help you, Bella?" I ask harshly needing her to go.

"No… here." She throws some money down on my desk and starts to walk away.

"What is this?" I ask.

"Rent," Bella says looking over her shoulder.

"It's three hundred light," I say and she turns to looks at me.

"That's all we have." I chuckle a little. I want to tell her I know she bought shit from James, but I don't.

"Well, you could work for me." She shakes her head.

"Don't turn it down; you don't even know what it is." I tilt my head a little.

"What is it?"

"I need someone to clean my place." I swallow having no freaking idea what the hell I am saying. "You clean it from one till five every week day and you don't need to pay the back rent."

"I can't work till five, what about ten till two?" I feel my face wanting to crumble at the heart breaking look on her face, but I am able to keep the harsh look there.

"That's fine, get your stuff. I'll take you there and show you around."

She looks at me with her mouth open. "I need to work!"

"You will still get paid, are you forgetting I'm your boss? Let's get going." Bella sighs, walking away muttering to herself. I follow behind trying to keep my laughing at bay, but she looks over her shoulder at me with a glare, that lets me know a little laughter must have come out.

"What?" I ask with a grin as Bella grabs her bag. She takes her cell out and sends off a text and I raise my eyebrow at her, but she says nothing.

I walk her out to my car, but she heads to her truck. I take a hold of her arm gently moving her to my car. "This will be faster and I'll bring you back."

The drive to my apartment is quiet with neither of us speaking. "I'll introduce you to the doormen, so they will allow you in," I say grabbing her hand pulling her behind me.

"Riley, this is Bella." Riley tilts his head a little looking Bella up and down. "Make sure everyone knows she's allowed up to my apartment." I walk away as soon as I am done talking.

"Do you ever say please or thank you to anyone?" I look at her and shrug.

"Yes, to my mom all the time."

"You don't think you can say it to anyone else?"

"Why should I?" I guide Bella into the elevator.

"Because it's nice to use manners, and it also shows your mother raised you well."

I chuckle, holding back my smile knowing my mom says that to me all the time. "Give me a number, please." Bella narrows her eyes at me. "I need it so you can get up to my apartment – and I said please."

"Eleven-thirteen-twenty-zero-eight." I nod at her.

"You'll remember that?"

"Yes." I key it in and log it.

The elevator ride takes a few minutes till we get to the penthouse.

"This is my home, so make sure you respect it," I say walking her in. "This way to the cleaning cupboard, everything should be in here." She nods and peeks in. I show her around my four bedrooms, office, music room, kitchen-dining room, and four bathrooms.

"I would like you to be here on time every day. Give the place a good cleaning and some light cooking. You must be respectful at all times and say yes sir when I tell you something, understood?"

"Yes, Sir," Bella grits out.

"I'll have your uniform ready for you tomorrow." Bella's face drops and she pales a little.

"I refuse to wear some shitty skimpy outfit."

"You will wear what I tell you. I am giving you two hundred for only twenty hours of work."

"What? Our rent is only a hundred and fifty a week."

"I know, but I will be also paying your utilities." She just looks at me. "Close your mouth, Firefly."

"Firefly? What does that mean?"

I chuckle and shrug a little. "I know what it means and that's all that matters. Now let's go, you're meant to be working." Bella glares at me again for the hundredth time tonight, but walks next to me. I had a feeling this was going to be more fun for me than it was for her.


Sorry for the delay! For me (jess) it has been a couple of crazy, but great days! Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving! See you next week!