Another long one guys, but we find out history and stuff... so I hope everyone approves? I really need some feedback! Also, most of my stuff will be going up on tumblr, so I hope some of you add me ( .com/ ) and someone tell me how to make a masterpost of fics, or else I'll cry because I am confused!
"I hate this place," Marissa spat out, putting into words exactly what I was thinking. I gave a short burst of laughter and smirked at her comment, pausing and turning around to my faithful gang behind me. I knew it wasn't any of them, which lead me to the highly probable assumption that it was Bryce. They were all there, well all the important ones anyway. The cleaning crew and few others, who just hanged around to help us, had stayed behind to guard my club.
"No one shoots unless I say so," I snapped at all of them, "Okay?"
I was angry and that's why I was here because, there was nowhere else I was more comfortable with taking my anger out on. I was probably breaking at least ten rules right now, well-unspoken ones anyway and I knew in the long run I would regret this. Right now, I just didn't care.
We continued on down the street, bunching together and keeping close, the way a gang should. I heard a few people muttering things to each other but again, I didn't really care. We were all armed and that's what mattered, being safe and the possibility that we could get answers soon. No one stole my drugs, money and betrayed me. No one did and lived to tell the tale and just, no it was not going to fly.
I took the first two steps together, only to have a short bouncer stand in my way. I looked down at him and tried not to let out a laugh, he only came up to my hip and he was meant to be intimidating?
"Move it," I snapped, trying to push him away.
"C'mon Emily," He laughed, "You know you're not allowed in here and really, you're not even suppose to be on this block"
"I need to speak to her," I snapped.
He studied me for a moment and then looked behind me, at the small but still affective group of people. He let out a tiny chuckle and looked back at me, like I was insane. Hey, maybe I was but I just really didn't care.
For years, we had been battling with the club over everything under the sun. Performers, customers, drugs and money and usually, we won the arguments. They'd been here a lot longer than us but that never stopped me, we were better. Matheus, or short guy glared at us.
"No" He replied simply, shrugging as if it really was that simple.
"It wasn't a request," I snapped, "Let me in you-"
Before I could yell at him or curse him in every language I know and with every blessed word that would come to mind. Samuel grabbed me around the waist and pulled me back slightly, standing in front of me.
"Please" He said, dishing out a blinding and dazzling smile. Matheus let out a loud laugh, before Samuel shrugged and grabbed the small boy by the front of his shirt. Samuel pressed him up against the door and continued to smile sweetly, until Matheus gave a small but visible nod. Samuel dropped him and held open the door, giving me an over exaggerated bow.
I laughed and led the crew into the club, watching as many of the workers stopped, gasped and backed away slowly.
"Oh yeah," I muttered to Lindsay, "We still got it"
She stifled a laugh and instead smiled at me, looking around the club in disgust.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" A voice snapped out, making me narrow in on the source. A girl was striding over to us, anger evident in her brown eyes. I tried not to laugh and leant back on my heels easily, as if I was completely comfortable with the situation.
"Bitch," She spat out, pulling her gun from her pocket, "I asked you what the fuck you're doing in my club!"
I rolled my eyes and held up my hands in defense, "Just need to talk to you"
McKynleigh snorted and scratched her scalp with her free hand; I tried not to laugh at her new appearance. She had a black and pink Mohawk, it suited her but there was something off about her. She use to look like a Catholic school girl and now, she just fitted the stereotypical idea of a club owner, or gang Leader.
"Serious," I snapped, "It's important"
"What?" She demanded and I watched the crowd gather behind her, I knew all the faces even better than I knew my own gang. Ellis stood there, her chin pointed out defiantly and I could feel Marissa melt into us. Hannah, was there too and glaring at us like we had just crawled out of the pits of hell itself. Alex, the diva was there too and muttering something to Troy. Troy was a newer addition, replacing Marissa and one of McKynleigh's favorites, or so I had heard.
"You have a spy," I shrugged, "Who is it?"
Her face remained in a perfect snarl but she put the gun away and I swear, I saw the uncertainty flicker in her eyes. Ellis, I saw bit her lip and looked at her Boss.
"Don't know what you're talking about" McKynleigh snapped.
"I don't care that you do," I replied, "I just need to know who"
"We don't" She spat at me and I literally saw the spit fly from her mouth, luckily it landed on the floor and not on me. I would of hit her if that had happened, I was itching to anyway. I saw, something flicker in her eyes.
"Alright," I shrugged, "What aren't you telling me?"
"I don't rat out my employee's," She smiled viciously, "Or steal people. How is my girl Marissa, still missing those high notes and meals?"
I was about to snap at her, but I felt Marissa fingers glide around my wrist. The auburn girl stood beside me and smiled sweetly towards McKynleigh, but I could feel her shaking.
"I'm better," Marissa replied, "Actually"
"Like we care about you," Hannah growled.
"Hannah," McKynleigh snapped, her eyes never leaving Marissa's. She licked her lips thoughtfully and gave Marissa the once over, before allowing a bitter laugh to escape her lips. Marissa shrugged and stepped behind me, I saw Damian slip and arm around her comfortingly and Cameron grab her hand tightly.
"I'll be honest," McKynleigh, said mildly, "I'm trying to suss out how stupid you are"
"I want answers and there is nothing stupid about that," I replied and tried to mimic her tone. She smirked and stepped towards me, but held out a hand for her gang to stay were they were. I did the same and we looked at each other carefully, I had no idea what she was thinking, or what she was going to do.
"I have an employee," She admitted, "Just gave me a shit load of money and some drugs, is that the one you're talking about?"
I let out an angry sigh, "That would be the one"
McKynleigh pursed her lips, "How much?"
"Five thousand," I replied, "And five bags"
She shook her head, "I only got two thousand and two bags"
I smirked, "Seems like he screwed us both"
"Shit," She muttered, "Bryce Ross Johnson, you son of a bitch"
"Bryce Ross Johnson" I nodded.
"We will deal with him," McKynleigh snapped.
"I want my shit back," I said, stepping closer to her. I saw movement from her crew out of the corner of my eye but ignored it. She shook her head and stepped backwards, the snarl back in place.
"You come into my club," She hissed, "Accuse me of all this shit and you want some stuff back, I don't even know it's yours. I said I'd deal with him, that's the best you'll get"
"No thanks," I smiled, "If you won't repay me, then I'll deal with him"
I turned around on my heel and pushed through the crew, striding over to the door with purpose. I know they were all following me, but McKynleigh's shrill voice greeted me, just as I pulled open the black door.
"You stay the fuck away from my employee Emily," She yelled. I paused and turned around, hand still clutching the door.
"Not likely" I snapped, before stepping out into the cool air. Samuel grabbed my hand, when we were a few block away. I turned around and gave them all a sharp look, they merely waited.
"I'm going to find him," I snapped at them, "Then I'm going to kill him"
"Boss," Samuel said gently, "There's nothing we can do right now, we have to wait for him alright? Let's just go back and get ready to open"
"Are you ordering me around?" I demanded, slightly stunned and angry.
He shook his head, a slight smile playing on his lips. I let it go and just nodded, he was as usual right and I fucking hated it. There was silence as we walked back to the club, presumably all lost in our own individual thoughts. Marissa looked positively torn up and not that I blamed her, that place sucked her soul out and poisoned her mind. I sighed, clutching Samuel's arm as we strolled on, remembering the time Marissa had come to me.
The rain was pouring down, making the most comforting sound as I closed my eyes softly. The club was dark but a few lights made it easy to see, giving such a romantic feeling. I paused, closing the book with a heavy thud and sighing to myself. I hated doing bookwork, the only downside of owning my own business. I stood and kicked off my shoes, enjoying the feeling of my feet pressing against the cool boards.
I left my office and walked over to the bar, where a very depressed Damian was sitting. I raised my eyebrow at my employee, surprised to see him here in the middle of the day. He was slumped over the bar, head in his hands and his fingers entwined in his thick hair. I smiled and plunked my glass on the bar, trying not to laugh as he jumped slightly.
"Hey Boss," He whispered hoarsely, trying for a smile but failing miserably. I smiled weakly in response, noticing the red rims around his piercing blue eyes.
"You alright?" I asked, my voice softer than I expected it to be.
"Yeah," He replied, "I just couldn't stay in the apartment any longer, I hope you don't mind"
He was referring to him being in the club, I shook my head. I always welcomed the employee's into the club, as long as I knew they were there and they weren't doing anything behind my back. It was open.
"No," I laughed tiredly, "Course not"
He smiled and looked back down at the bar once more, I felt sorry for the poor soul. He looked so lost and hopeless, like a stray dog. I sat down next to him and leaned my elbows on the bar, having a deep and meaningful conversation with him was much better than doing bookwork; frankly I'd do anything to avoid numbers.
"What happened Ireland?" I asked softly and saw the corners of his mouth twitch upwards at the nickname Lindsay had given him, only months before when he got the job here.
He looked over at me sideways and almost grunted out the word, "Cameron"
I sighed and patted the boy's arm comfortingly, understanding without him having to say anything. The look, the tears and the desperation to get away from his best friend said it all. They were having a fight and normally, Cameron would have coming running in to find him but something was different.
"I got jealous" Damian admitted with a shrug.
I frowned, now I was confused, "What?"
He nodded and pursed his lips, "Yeah, he um, had a thing with Lindsay last night and, I got jealous"
I smiled at the defensive tone of his voice, "So you like Miss. Perfect huh?"
He let out a small chuckle, "No Boss"
"But-" I trailed off, then snapped my mouth shut realizing what he meant. I pushed away the blush that threatened to fill my cheeks but it wasn't like I had an issue with Damian feeling a certain way towards Cameron, it was just surprising. I knew that a few months ago, Damian and Lindsay had a thing, before Cameron moved into the apartment.
"Yep" Damian said, his words popping out of his mouth. I saw his shoulders begin to shake and I placed a bit more pressure on his arm, trying to comfort him.
"Damian," I sighed sympathetically, "Talk to Cameron"
"Boss" He said helplessly, looking over at me like I was insane.
"I know the issue is," I searched for the right word, "Delicate, considering you both had or have a thing with Lindsay but, Damian this is obviously hurting you. He's your best friend you moron, talk to him and whatever happens, Lindsay will understand"
He smiled shakily and the sobbing subsided, "You're right Boss"
I laughed and removed my hand, "of course I am"
"Ever consider being a counselor, instead of a club owner?" He joked, wiping his eyes on the back of his shirt.
"One in the same, my boy," I grinned, "One in the same"
"Thanks Boss," He stood and ran his fingers through his hair once more, "I'm going to talk to him now"
"You go do that," I grinned and watched as he walked towards the door, before he could touch it though, it was flung open. I watched as Damian comically jumped back and gap at the person standing there, whom was currently dripping all over my newly cleaned floors.
"What the hell are you doing here?" He hissed at the girl. She didn't say anything but I noticed her petit shoulders shaking and, her eyes fell on me. I walked over and stuck my jaw out stubbornly, I knew who she was and damn well was not happy she was in my club. Her eyes were unnaturally dark and her shaking only grew, as I neared her.
"Emily," The girl whispered politely, her voice full of fear.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even and calm. I wouldn't be able to keep up the façade for long, I didn't like her standing there one bit but the look in her eyes prevented me from throwing her out. She looked like a puppy too, one that had just been kicked in the guts and crawled into a hole somewhere. I'm a sucker for lost ones, alright?
"Help me?" She begged, "Please, I don't-"
I watched as her eyes meet mine and she held out her hand, "I can't stay there anymore"
"Why?" Damian asked gruffly.
"They make me," She sniffed, "They make me not eat and, I want to because I'm hungry but I can't. No matter how hard I try, it's horrible being there Emily, please. I'll do anything"
I leveled my gaze and tapped my chin thoughtfully, "Anything?"
She bit her lip, "Anything"
I looked at Damian and then back at her, an idea coming to mind. He watched the cogs twirl around in my head, before nodding and leaving me alone with the girl. I heard the gently click, as the door feel behind him.
"Okay," I shrugged, "I could do with a singer"
I looked back at Marissa as we rounded the corner, I liked her now and she was loyal. She was one of us.
What do we all think? I never thought I'd be able to write slightly lengthy chapter but ANYWHO, feedback lovelies? xx