I just had to say, I almost cried during the break- up on HSM 2, just had to get that off my chest… Thanks for the reviews, this Chpt isn't really Gabby/ Troy centered hope you all bear with me….. ENJOY
Disclaimer once again …..Plot is not entirely my own.
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Gabriella sat next to Troy at a small table near the back of the club and listened as Sophie Germaine spoke, "I don't know all the details" she started, "Just what my Grandma told me, she warned me descendants of the Montez Quartet were going to come looking for their share of the money".
Troy glanced at Gabriella, her face pale… he spoke, "I assure you, and all we want are answers."
Sophie nodded towards Gabriella, "I trust you…" and she began to tell the story…
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Juan Montez sauntered into the Wild Tonic, an air of mystery about him; his exotic features making more then one woman's head turn… he adjusted his Crimson red fedora and stuck his thumbs in the waist band of his pants, hooking them around the ends of his red suspenders as he surveyed the dance floor…
The floor was empty as he took another step towards the bar… He was on high alert knowing that after his last heist with his crew, the club would be crawling with dirt bags trying to steel his haul, and undercover cops trying to pin jobs on him…
He waved to Louise, who was chatting up Jon Parks at a nearby booth, and fell onto the nearest stool at the bar, "I'll have a grey goose Sal"… The large hairy man behind the bar nodded… and Juan turned again to keep his eye on the crowd.
His gaze immediately narrowed as it fell on the man he dubbed, "Enemy", he was a large man… so large in fact Juan wondered how he wedged himself in a corner booth, He smirked as the man's navy blue velvet jacket seemed to itch him uncomfortably, he learned through gossip this man was the temperamental mob boss Walter Riga… the only people who spoke to the man were Louise, and two young rat faced boys, who Juan now knew were his, Hit men/ bodyguards…
His attention shifted when his sister Maria (Lola in the nursing home for those of you who don't wanna re-read stuff), walked across the stage and motioned for the swing band to stop…this was the reason Juan came tonight…
Maria grinned into the crowd, who hooted appreciatively… she began to speak
"Guys and Dolls, the Wild Tonic has a treat for you tonight…I'm pleased to introduce Thea Sanchez"
Juan turned and placed his Martini on the counter as a woman walked across the stage, Her dark hair hung in massive curls around her shoulders, her pale green silk dress clung to her as she walked, her only accessories were a gold heart shaped locket, and a fake purple flower pinning back one side of her hair… she gripped the mike and began to sing.
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Her beautiful voice made his mind drift to their first meetings, She was the shy lounge singer Louise hired to sing during the days, the shift she figured no customers actually listened to, he was the skinny Latin boy hired to dance with the mob bosses ladies, because were to fat or lazy to dance with them themselves, he was intrigued by Thea because she seemed to be the only one not entranced by his charms, and she told him so to his face… he in turn dumped a vase full of water over head….Their conversations often shifted into yelling matches.
But over time that changed, more people were drawn to the club thanks to Thea's voice, and she and Juan's hatred of each other began to turn, Juan, although often, against her opinions usually heard her out, Thea would smile behind the mike when Juan would take the time to wink at her when twirling a typical blond Moll around the dance floor…
Things were complicated further when Walter Riga had come to the Wild Tonic to hear Thea sing, he immediately fell for her; and demanded that Louise make her "His lady…" he then told her that if she agreed to be his escort he would pay her handsomely, knowing his reputation of violence and with her desperate need for money during the depression, she agreed to play the part of a willing escort…
Juan's heart broke when he heard the news, going back stage he locked himself in a room with Thea, begged her to reconsider, told her he loved her… eventually she broke down told him she loved him to, but felt she had no other choice, that was the day Juan formed the Montez Quartet… he had kissed and promised her that someday, he would have enough money for the two of the them to run away….
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Today was that day; Juan was going to use his share of the profits from the Montez Quartet to start a new life with Thea… She grinned at him as the last strains of her song filled the air, "The start of something neeeeeeeeeeewwwwww"
Thea hurried backstage as the crowd applauded wildly, Juan's eyes widen as the fat man wedged his way out of the booth to follow her, "Please don't listen to him Thea, and don't change your mind…"
……..Thea sat at her vanity table and wiped the bright red lipstick off her mouth when there was a knock at the door, Juan she thought…
Jumping up excited she ran to the door opening it she felt her face droop at the sight of Walter…
He snorted, "You sounded wonderful dear…" he leaned in and planted a kiss on her lips…
Thea nodded, "Thank you Walter…." As she turned and wandered back to her vanity…
Walter pulled the door shut behind him and locked it… "We need to talk Thea…"
Thea glanced at him, trying to hide her fear, "About what…"
It was then Thea noticed the butt of a pistol sticking out of his pants, "About Juan."
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Gabriella gasped and Sophie paused she glanced at Troy, "Should I go on…"
Although Gabriella vigorously nodded Troy couldn't ignore how pale Gabriella had become, his hand tightened over hers protectively. "I think maybe we should take a break…"
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oooooffff I need a break too… I promise part two of what happened to Juan's money is coming up shortly… that was all just a little dramatic for me to write and I need a break, thanks again for the support…