AN: Enjoy this chapter! Happy Reading!
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Chapter 10
SPOV
I wake once more with a smile on my face. I convinced myself I would never again feel this happy after I lost my Gran, but Godric has somehow managed to bring light back into my gloomy, desolate life and I know I will do anything to keep his bright influence with me for just as long as I possibly can.
I stand from my bed and ready for my day with lightness I haven't felt in a long time. I swear my feet never touch the ground all morning as I find myself floating with these exuberant feelings welling up within me.
I leave the house to feel the cold, biting wind nipping at my face and even the harsh turn of the fall weather can't take away my utter joy as I climb into my car and make my way to work. Once I exit the car, I gaze up at the looming, gray building once more, walking towards it with a newfound confidence bubbling within me. Even this can't bring me down, I refuse to let it.
"Hey, Quinn," I call cheerfully as I enter the doors. He looks up from wiping down glasses with a bright smile.
"Hey, Sookie," he greets as I make my way past him to the back room to meet the girls.
"Hey, Sook," Amelia calls to me as I slug off my heavy sweater, to prepare for an afternoon of practice. She walks up to me then, studying me closely as a smile forms on her lips. "I take it the talk went well," she muses as I nod to her.
"He's totally understanding about everything," I say with a soft sigh. "He's just great Ames, I can't remember the last time I felt like this," I gush as Pam smirks over at me.
"You're such a sap," she teases as I smirk at her. Her mood sobers then as she glances around, pulling me closer. "Bill's been in quite a mood, you better watch yourself, alright?" she says softly as I inwardly groan; just what I need, a moody boss acting like a pissy child because I refuse to take him up on his ludicrous offer of dating him.
"Thanks, Pam," I tell her with a nod. "I'll try to avoid him tonight." They both nod to me as we change into our workout gear and begin our afternoon practice together. We work for a time, actually having a bit of fun swinging around the poles, making a competition out of who can spin the longest before becoming too disoriented and by the time we head back stage I'm in an excellent mood once more.
I manage to ready myself for the night's performance without running into Bill and am feeling pretty confidant I've managed to miss him entirely as I step out on the stage. Right away I catch Godric's gaze, smiling down to his handsome face as I let the music take over, swaying my body to the sultry beat and letting go of all semblance of thought for the duration of the song.
Godric rises; flashing me a charming smile just as the song ends. He reaches up to place a wad of cash at my feet and I smirk at him as he gives me a playful wink; trailing his fingers lightly over my hand, sending a wave of chills through me as I proceed to collect the pile of cash. I shake my head at him lightly as I stand once more, exiting the stage with my heart racing. I relish each and every small touch from my green eyed man and am amazed by just how easily he can send chills though me.
I'm making my way back to the changing rooms as a hand grips my arm tightly. I gasp in surprise, glancing up to see Bill glowering at me. Fuck. "Come with me," he growls out as he proceeds to half drag me towards his office.
"Bill," I spit out angrily. "Let me go! You're hurting me," I cry out as his bruising grip tightens. He turns then, pushing me up against the wall of the long hallway of the club and fear rises within me as he glares down at me menacingly.
"Just what the fuck do you think you're doing out there?" he spits out as I look to him in confusion. What the hell is he talking about?
"I don't know what the hell you're talking about, Bill. What is your problem?"
"Who is he, Sookeh?" he asks as his face reddens in anger. I feel the color drain from my face then. Godric. Oh shit, this can't be good.
"He's a good friend of mine," I say softly, lowering my gaze as he scoffs angrily. "Alright, we're kind of involved right now, why are you making such a big deal out of this?" I ask as my own anger is rising within me. What right does he have to question who I'm involved with?
"I don't want him coming in here," he tells me as I put my hands on my hips defiantly; glaring up at this man I'm really starting to hate.
"He's a paying customer, Bill. You can't kick him out because of your petty jealousy," I sneer as he glowers at me.
"I own this fucking place. What I say goes," he informs me heatedly. "And until you earn enough to pay me back I own you as well, Sookeh," he says with a malicious smile.
"You don't own me, you fucking piece of shit," I spit out as he raises his brows at me, as if challenging my statement. Shit. I'm obviously not getting anywhere arguing with him so I let out a defeated sigh. "Look, Bill, I'm willing to work here until I make enough to pay you back, but you have no right to pry into my personal life. What I do, and who I see in my free time is my own business."
"Just remember who's in charge here, Sookeh. You signed that contract and until your year is up, you'll follow by my rules, got it? No more boyfriends coming to the club," he states firmly as I nod to him.
"Fine," I concede as he nods to me, pulling away and staring down to me with a hungry gaze. I raise my arms in an attempt to cover my mostly exposed form as he continues to openly leer at me. Bastard.
GPOV
After Sookie exits the stage, I'm left standing with a goofy grin on my face as I plop back down to my chair feeling like a love struck teenager once more. If I thought I had it bad for her before, it's nothing compared to how I feel now that we've spent a bit of time together. I let out a soft sigh as I rise from my chair and make my way over to the bar.
I hear loud voices arguing and look down the long hall at the back of the club to see Sookie being pressed against the wall by a man. My vision goes red as I see the two of them are arguing heatedly. Oh, hell no. I spin on my heel, starting my march to rescue her from her aggressor when a large, muscled man steps before me shaking his head.
It's the bartender, the same one who served me before, and by the looks of him, I'm guessing he stands in as a bouncer as well. Well, bouncer or not, no one is standing in my way. Sookie needs my help and I'll be damned if I let anyone stand in my way.
"Get the fuck out of my way," I spit out as I try to pass him. He holds his arm out and I glare up at him to see him looking to me in concern.
"You're gonna make it worse for her," he tells me quietly as I look to him in confusion. He lets out a sigh, glancing around the bar before nodding to the side of the bar. I look up to Sookie once more and let out a defeated sigh before following the man. He leads me to a small storage room behind the bar and I lean back against the wall in a huff as I wait for him to explain just what the hell is going on.
"I thought you were a bouncer," I tell him as he nods, scratching the back of his head as he gives me a rather sheepish look.
"I am," he says hesitantly as I sigh.
"Then it's your job to keep the dancers safe. Why the hell aren't you doing your damn job?" I demand as he shakes his head.
"You don't understand," he says quietly, glancing around once more. "That wasn't just some guy giving your girl a hard time. That was the fucking owner," he tells me as my brows shoot up in surprise.
"That still doesn't give him the right to treat the girls that way," I say as he nods.
"Dude, we're in total agreement on that," he sighs. "But Bill is not a guy you want to piss off. He's fucking bad news, man." I stand silent for a time, letting this information sink in. This is much worse than I first thought. I definitely don't want to see Sookie indebted to such an intimidating man.
"He can't be that bad," I say, looking over the mountain of muscle before me. "Surely you could put him in his place." He laughs nervously then, shaking his head.
"Sure, if I thought it'd be a fair fight," he says with a shrug. "Believe me, I'd love to knock that fucker down a peg or two, but I value my life too much to try something so stupid." Once again I'm confused by just what he means. Surely no one could really be that terrifying. "He's got thugs, man, big ass guys with big ass guns," he explains as a shiver of fear runs up my spine.
"What the fuck is a strip club owner doing with fucking armed guards?" I ask as he sighs.
"He owns a hell of a lot more than this club. He practically owns the whole fucking parish by now," he tells me as a sick, sinking feeling emanates in my gut. "He didn't get to where he is now without leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. So trust me when I say it's better to steer clear of him." I let out a loud sigh, running my hand through my hair in frustration.
"I need to get Sookie out of here," I muse as he gives me a sympathetic look.
"I think it'd be best if both you and Sookie laid low, dude," he tells me with a sigh. "Your girl signed that damned contract and Bill isn't gonna let her go until her year is up," he explains as I let out a frustrated groan.
"Fuck," I spit out, punching the shelf before me. I need to figure out a way to get her out of this, but I have no fucking clue how I'm supposed to do that. I definitely don't want to put her in any danger and I have a feeling that's exactly what will happen if I try to step in. The bouncer steps forward then, placing his hand on my shoulder as he gives me a weak smile.
"I'll look out for her. Sookie's a sweet girl, I don't want to see anything happen to her either," he tells me as I nod to him.
"Thanks," I mutter dejectedly as we exit the back room together. I make my way to my truck as this information spins in my head. I had assumed Sookie was only working here as a means to make money. I never would have guessed she'd become indebted to a fucking thug.
Fuck. I would gladly pay off her debts in order to get her away, but if what the bouncer told me tonight is true, I highly doubt the owner will be willing to let Sookie go so easily. I'm sure there's more to this story and I know now I need to get Sookie to fill in the gaps for me.
I climb into my truck then, slamming my door in frustration. This is a fucking mess and I'm not sure if I can help Sookie without bringing down a fucking shit storm down upon us.