Thanks for the review, guys! I truly, truly appreciate it. I feel like everything is moving so fast. It's a least a lot faster than it has been with other stories. They were a lot longer lol. BUT this was only meant to be a quick one. If I get good feedback from it, I'll probably expand on it. :) Enjoy!
Stretching her legs and arms Delilah slowly began to wake from a deep sleep, rolling over in what she thought was her bed. But wait a sec… something wasn't right. Since when did her 'bed' have a wall. Opening her eyes she saw that it wasn't in fact a wall but the back of a white leather couch and she wasn't cuddling up in her maroon comforter, but a suit jacket. Panic setting in, she flipped around and nearly fell from the couch to the floor of Mr. J's lounge. Her eyes landed on the first person she saw — Frost. He was kicked back in the chair at the far side of the room, eyeing her with a glint of humor in his eye.
"About damn time," he said, checking his watch. "Thought I was going to have to wake you myself."
Sitting up, she straighten out her top and stared sheepishly over at him, setting the suit jacket that she assumed was Mr. J's neatly aside. "What am I still doing here?"
"All J said was that you passed out last night after only one and a half glasses of bourbon. You better watch out. Sounds like you're a hardcore alcoholic," he teased.
"Very funny," Delilah smirked. "What time is it?"
"Noon. Better get cleaned up and get ready to begin prep for the day. Boss is opening the club tonight." Frost rose and pulled out a toothbrush and toothpaste for her, which she gladly accepted. "THere's some clothes waiting for you downstairs in the employee bathroom."
Delilah thanked him and headed down. The mirror was not going to be her friend — she knew her hair had to be crazy since she had fallen asleep with it still in its braid. Stepping up to the mirror she braced herself and, lo and behold, her hair wasn't a train wreck. It must've been thanks to being on the couch and being limited to how much she could move. Nevertheless, she shook it out to be re-braided. Just as Frost said, there was a hanger in the bathroom with a light pink off the shoulder crop top, a mid-thigh length white skirt, thigh high white stockings and a pair of studded white pumps. Of course… Joker really was making her look like the pin-up version of the girl next door, huh? Shaking her head, she changed into the new clothes before brushing her teeth and touching up her makeup. She dabbed her ring finger lightly on her lips, applying some nude lip gloss, but her reflection caught her attention and the memories of last night rang throughout her mind. Mr. J's hands were on her waist, holding her back against the door as his lips were melding against hers. Kissing down to her neck, he let out small groans against her soft skin, growling out, "Mmmm. Delicate Delilah…"
Snapping out of it, she snatched up her things and headed out to the bar. She got right to work, hoping that setting up the bar would help keep her mind off of last night's events. It wasn't long before Faith entered the building, chomping hard on a piece of gum.
"Whatcha doin' here so early?" Faith leaned onto the bar. "I'm scheduled in for prep. You didn't have to be here for another hour."
"It's fine, Faith," Delilah replied, not really wanting to reveal the reason she was here already. "Why don't you just come around here and help me finish?"
Faith sat eyeing her nails. "Looks like you're pretty much done."
Delilah rolled her eyes.
"You weren't here because you were here all night with the Boss, were ya?" Faith asked jokingly, but when Delilah didn't make an attempt to respond she grew serious. "Wait. You serious?"
"What?" Delilah feigned ignorance.
"Are you fuckin' the boss?" Faith asked bluntly.
"Oh, my God! No!" Delilah shut that down real quick… or at least she tried to.
"Mhmm. I can tell you are." Faith nodded. "It's alright. You don't have to hide it. You're his old lady, aren't ya?" Faith pushed some more, but Delilah laughed it off.
"No, Faith. I'm not his old lady. He's simply my boss." But even as the words left her mouth, images of last night crept back up, making her wonder herself. Surely she was just another game to him. Unconvinced, Faith's eyes bounced back and forth between Delilah and the upstairs lounge.
The night went by fairly smoothly with only a couple hiccups caused by Faith's lack of attention to what she was doing. Everything had been cleaned up and the rest of the employees had headed home for the night — all except for Delilah. Again she stood in front of the employee bathroom mirror, inspecting her appearance. There was a knocking on the bathroom door before it cracked open.
"The car is ready out back. Come out when you're done," Frost commanded from outside the door.
"What's this all about, Frost?" she inquired, still not used to being in the dark when it came to why she was needed.
"Hurry up," he ignored her. "You have ten minutes. Boss doesn't like to be kept waiting." The door creaked closed as Frost went to take his spot in the car.
Tonight's outfit wasn't actually all that bad. She actually felt pretty comfortable wearing it. It was a white sweetheart crop top with a light pink hi lo skirt and some beige scrappy heels that wrapped around her ankle. This is doable, she thought to herself. Pinning her hair back, she hurried out to the car, not wanting to be late.
Climbing into the back seat, she sees that he is already waiting for her. "Ah, there she is," he said in a sing song voice. "You look like an angel. Just as the day you walked into the club."
He seems to be in a rather giddy mood, she thought. "What're we doing, J?" she asked. While she referred to tonight's plans, deep down she had other meaning behind the question as well — a more personal meaning.
"Taking care of a little business. It's time to deal with those rats over at Vincenzzo's," Mr. J smiled broadly, clearly excited.
"What do you mean deal with?"
"Let's just say he is expecting this to be a quick meeting with a business partner, but instead… it's the exterminator." His eyes flashed wildly.
Delilah's heart sank. "You're going to kill them?"
"Do I sense some disapproval, angel?" Mr. J tilted his head toward her. "It's what I do. It's just business."
"But why am I here then? I won't help kill anyone," she stated, staring down at her hands.
"Don't worry your pretty little head," he said, patting the top of her head with each word. "Daddy will take care of the killing. You're here simply to keep up the impression that I'm here for a mere discussion. He won't expect a fight if I bring you along."
She didn't like the sound of this one bit. "So there's a chance I'll get caught in the crossfire then?"
"There's always a chance of that when you're with me. Part of the job." His eyes were glued to the pistol in his hand, which he shoved into one of his holsters as he climbed out of the car. Holding his hand out, he helped her step out onto the sidewalk. "Little tip," he paused. "Keep your head down when the bullets start to fly."
Oh, my God. I'm going to die tonight, she panicked. Putting on the bravest face she could muster, she linked her arm in Joker's, letting him lead her into certain death.
They were greeted by Yakavetta's booming Italian accent. "Joker! Nice to see you!" Turning to the man at his side, who she recognized as the man who had greeted them at their last visit, he said, "I'm afraid I forgot to introduce my number two. His name is Tony, but everyone around here calls him 'Four Fingers'."
"Better watch out for those 'number two' men. Those are usually the ones to betray you," Joker flashed a bright silver smile at Yakavetta and 'Four Fingers before letting out a loud cackle, letting his last laugh draw out into a high pitched screech. Removing Delilah's arms from his, he stepped toward Yakavetta which put him directly in front of her. Resting both hands on his cane, he continued, "Me, on the other hand, I always stay true to my word. So when I say that anyone who double crosses me will pay dearly, well—" Joker swung his cane forward, striking 'Four Fingers' across his skull, knocking him to the ground before pulling his pistol free and firing at Yakavetta. The bullet went straight through Yakavetta's shoulder. Frost and more of Joker's men came piling in, firing at anyone in Yakavetta's crew.
Delilah screamed and darted toward the bar to hide, but she wasn't quite fast enough. Adrenaline pumped through her as her ears were filled with the deafening sounds of shots being shot off, but even amongst all the noise she could still hear the maniacal laughter of The Joker.
Spotting Delilah ducking for cover behind the bar, Joker barked an order to Frost. "Frost! The girl. Get her to the car."
Just two strides and Frost was at her side, scooping her up into his strong arms. Before the club entrance could close behind them, Delilah looked back to see Joker firing like a madman into the club, striking down the rest of Yakavetta's men. Frost slid her into the seat, checking her over.
"We need to get you some medical attention," he said hurriedly.
"Why?" she asked, surprised. "I feel fine. Just a little dizzy. That was an intense—"
"Delilah," he interrupted, his eyes wide and demanding her attention. "You've been shot."