Chapter 8

Stanley Dillinger was going to drive me absolutely insane. As bad as I wanted to hate his smug ass, every interaction with him left me wondering about him. It was the shit he said and the way he looked at me. The whore in me wanted him to fuck the shit out of her. The good girl in me, the bitch with the common sense, was telling me to run for the hills. I wasn’t ready for a man like him, but I was dying to know more about him.

LeAnn sat pretty at the bar, nursing her drink while she surveyed the packed lounge. I was waiting on the bartender to fill an order. Casually, I slid over to her. She looked at me and crossed her legs.

“Can I help you, Salima?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“That depends.”

“How long have you known Stan— Mr. Dillinger?”

“Long enough to know not to call him by his government name because he hates it.”

I smirked. “So, I’ve gathered.”

She sighed. “Six years.”

“Are you privy to all of his dealings?”

“You’re in my business, Ms. Navarro. Tread lightly.”

“I’m just asking. I mean, his last name rings bells according to more than a few people.”

“Salima, sweetheart. Deuce is a friend. I don’t discuss my friend’s business with his employees, no matter how bad he wants to fuck them. Take my advice. Don’t get caught up in trying to get more than a couple of nuts out of men like Deuce. Their lifestyle isn’t for the faint of heart. You look like a nice girl. Don’t let chasing a bad boy get you in some shit you can’t handle.”

She finished speaking just as the bartender returned with my drinks. I stood there for a moment before she shooed me away.

“Go on. Get back to work.”

I rolled my eyes as I turned back to grab my drinks. She said that like she knew firsthand what it was like to fuck him and get fucked over. I wondered if there was something more between them at one point. LeAnn was a bad bitch. She was beautiful, and she had the type of body these girls went running to Dr. Miami to get. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d fallen victim to Deuce’s arrogance.

As I made my way to my table, I scanned the crowd. My eyes landed on Deuce, who I now knew to be his siblings, and a group of several other people. They were laughing, drinking, and seemingly to have a good time. He was really enjoying himself because some chick with a fat ass was throwing it back against him. I felt my brows furrow and quickly had to dial that shit back. He wasn’t mine and whoever he wanted to dry jump was his business.

He looked up, and our eyes met for a moment before he smirked and winked at me. I rolled my eyes and focused my attention back on the table I was approaching.

“Here you go! One Jack and coke, one Hennessy, one Scotch on the rocks, and one Whiskey neat. Can I get you fellas anything else?”

One of them looked me up and down as he smiled.

“How about one of you?”

“I’m sorry, I’m not on the menu.”

“You could definitely get eaten up. What time do you get off, sweetness?”

“When my shift is over. Excuse me.”

I tried to walk away, but he grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

“Don’t be rude,” he said, pulling me back.

I snatched away from him. “Don’t put your fucking hands on me.”

“Oooo, you have a dirty mouth. I got something for that.”

“You don’t have a muthafucking thing for me. Believe that.”

He grabbed my arm again, quickly standing to his feet.

“I can show you better than I can tell you. Ain’t nothing like a feisty bitch that fights back.” He grabbed my ass. “I know you would give me a run for my money.”

“What’s the fucking problem?” I heard behind us.

I turned to see Deuce standing there with a frown on his face.

“Mind your business, my nigga,” the guy said.

“You’re in my place of business grabbing on my employee. Does she look like she wants you touching her? Do you want him to touch you?”

“Fuck no.”

“Remove yo’ fucking hands.”

The guy shoved me away and squared up at Deuce, a decision he regretted when he was staring down the barrel of a solid gold beretta. Deuce grabbed him by the collar.

“Please give me a reason to get trigger-happy. I haven’t put a bullet in a muthafucka in days. Don’t let it be you.”

The guy raised his hands in surrender. “A’ight man, damn!”

“Apologize.”

“I’m sorry!”

“The fuck you sorry for? Be specific, nigga.”

“I’m sorry for grabbing her?—”

“Say that shit to her!”

He looked at me. “I’m sorry for grabbing you. Just call him off.”

I cocked my head to the side. “I might be inclined to do that with a little incentive.”

“What?”

“A nice tip will suffice.”

“Bitch—”

Deuce cocked the gun. “Pay the lady her money.”

“Alright!”

He frantically fished into his pocket for his wallet and pulled out a couple of twenties.

“All of it,” I said.

“Come on!”

“Or I can let him shoot you.”

He huffed as he snatched the rest of the cash out of his wallet and handed it to me. I tucked it into my apron and smiled.

“Much appreciated.”

Deuce let him go and tucked his gun away. He then turned to the guy’s friends.

“Since y’all sat here and watched this shit, run her your cash too.”

They all started to protest until a few other guys dressed in all black walked up to the table. Silence fell as they too fished out their wallets and handed me all the cash they had.

“Now, what have we learned?” Deuce asked, surveying the table. “We don’t let our friends get away with being predators. I’m going to allow you to leave this place in one piece, but if I were you, I would beat his ass. Not only did he ruin your fun, but he cost you money. I say that is worthy of an ass whipping.”

He snapped his fingers and the men in black snatch them up. The crowd watched as they were forced out of the lounge. Deuce turned back to me.

“You good?”

“I’m fine. I need to get back to work.”

I tried to walk away, but he gently grabbed my hand.

“Aye.”

I turned to look at him.

“Wait around after closing. Ima make sure you get to your car, okay?”

“I can handle myself.”

“I didn’t ask you all that. Wait for me. That’s not a request.”

He tipped my chin before walking off and heading back to the section he’d come from. I shook my head as I turned to go to another table. I ended up running smack dab into LeAnn. She stood with her arms crossed.

“Yes?” I asked.

“I see you don’t listen.”

“I know you saw that shit. I was doing my job, and that man grabbed my ass.”

“Get back to work, Salima.”

“I was going, LeAnn.”

I brushed past her and went about my business. I didn’t ask Deuce to save me. If anything, he was doing what a good boss would have done in defending me. Was it excessive? Yes. Did I care? In this instance… hell no.

T he rest of my night went without a hitch. After seeing the incident with the other table, the remaining customers took heed and kept themselves in line. I managed to make over a stack in tips and stayed out of LeAnn’s way. By the time the lounge closed, my feet were on fire, I was starving, and I just wanted to get home. As soon as I grabbed my things from my locker, I was heading for the door.

“Goodnight,” I said to the security guard who stood watch.

He nodded but didn’t move.

“Are you gonna let me out or what?”

“I was instructed for you to wait.”

“Seriously? I’m tired as hell.”

“Mr. Dillinger is on his way down.”

I scoffed. “So, you’re just gonna hold me captive until he gets here?”

“You’ll be free to go soon.”

“Listen, you might answer to him, but I don’t. Move your big ass out of the way.”

I tried to slide past him, but he moved quick for a big boy. There I was dipping and dodging him like we were running plays.

“You getting tired?” I asked, faking left.

“Big Mack, what the fuck are you doing?” I heard behind us.

I turned to see Deuce and the brother I knew as Maceo walking toward us.

“You showing her your best Lil Kim moves or some shit?” he asked.

Deuce laughed as he shoved him. “Stupid ass. Big Mack, stop playing with that girl.”

“I wasn’t playing, boss. She was trying to leave. I was just following orders.”

“I know, man. You good to go.”

He nodded, but glared at me as he walked off.

“Fat muthafucka,” I mumbled, crossing my arms. “Why would you have him block me from leaving?”

“Because I told you to wait for me and I knew you wouldn’t.”

“Because I already told you that you don’t run me. When are you gonna get that through your thick skull?”

“I’m a little hardheaded. It might take me a while. Come on. My people and I are going to get something to eat. You can ride with me. I’ll bring you back to your car.”

“I’m not hungry,” I lied.

To further make a liar out of me my stomach growled.

Mace chuckled. “It’s just food, lil mama. Nobody is gonna bother you. I’ll even keep my brother away from you.”

I crossed my arms. “You promise?”

“Cross my heart.”

“Fine. I’ll drive my damn self.”

I spun on my heels and opened the door. We headed to the employee parking lot, and I climbed in my car. Immediately sent Shar my location. She was a night owl, so she responded quickly with the eyes emoji. I let her know that I was going somewhere with Deuce and his people and if I didn’t call within an hour to call me. She agreed, but I knew this conversation would pick up as soon as I was free.

Deuce pulled up beside me in his hellcat and receded his engine. I rolled down the window to see what he wanted.

“Follow me. Mace is following you.”

“Okay.”

He pulled off, and I pulled out right behind him. As we peeled out of the parking lot, I noticed there was a line of cars trailing behind. My little Honda looked so out of place driving with alongside these expensive cars that cost more than my salary. I couldn’t fathom what this man could possibly want with me other than to fuck, and he was going through a lot of trouble to do that.

We ended up at this place I’d driven past but never thought to stop. It was off by itself and from the outside, it looked like an abandoned building. There were a few other cars in the parking lot and that made me weary. I sat in my car while everyone else got out, contemplating if it was better for me to pull off and take my ass on home. I could just eat a sandwich.

Before I could decide, there was a knock on my window. Mace stood there waiting for me. With a heavy sigh, I shut off the car and unlock the door. Grabbing my crossbody bag, tossed it over me and got out.

“How long were you planning to sit there?” he asked me.

“Until I decide whether or not I was safe.”

I looked past him at his siblings, and the other people who were standing around talking. Deuce looked back at me with a frown on his face.

“Nobody here is gonna hurt you.”

“I’m not so sure about that. Why is your brother frowning?”

Mace kissed his teeth. “That nigga is just salty because you don’t want to sit beside him.”

“Well, he could have invited that big booty bitch that was twerking her ass on him to sit beside him.”

He laughed out loud. “Did that make you jealous?”

“Not at all. I was just making an observation.”

“Yeah well. Come on, I’m starving.”

He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the crowd. As soon as we got close to them Deuce snatched him away from me. He shook his head.

“Y’all this is Salima. Salima, these are my brothers Kerrion and Devin, and my cousins Jakobi, Samir, and Talia. You already know Jaeda, Mia, and of course, Deuce.”

“Hello,” I said quietly.

“Why is she here?” Mia asked. “I thought you didn’t want anything to do with my brother. Isn’t that what you implied to me and Jaeda?”

I was not in the mood for her or her attitude. “Girl, please don’t start your shit with me.”

“Start my shit? Baby, you are greatly outnumbered and in our territory.”

“And?”

“Aye!” Deuce snapped. “Cut it the fuck out.”

“I don’t appreciate your sister trying to threaten me,” I snapped back.

He turned to his sister. “Mia, dial it back. It ain’t that serious.”

“She owes me and my sister an apology. We were just trying to be nice to her, and she accused us of setting her up so you could get next to her.” She look back at me with a frown on her I pretty face. “We don’t make friends easily and you seemed like you were a cool chick. We weren’t trying to be on some funny shit with you.”

“Well damn, Mia,” Mace said. “Did she hurt your feelings?”

“Yes!” she snapped.

“Seriously?” I asked. “I hurt your feelings?”

She pouted, but didn’t respond. I wasn’t sure how old she was, but looking in her face, I could tell she was young and most likely the youngest one here. She was probably barely out of her teenage years.

“Well, I’m sorry, okay? Given what I learned at that lunch, I’m not sure how you want me to react. If your brother wasn’t snooping around in my business, I wouldn’t have come to the conclusion I did.”

Deuce’s head snapped in my direction.

“See what happens when you be messy?” Mace said.

“I wasn’t being messy,” Deuce defended. “I was trying to be nice.”

“After he put a gun in my face,” I mumbled.

Deuce chuckled. “You know what I think, Salima? You cool with danger as long as it ain’t you. You got a thrill outta me putting my gun to ol’ boy’s head tonight. You like the idea of a nigga making a muthafucka respect you.”

“I didn’t ask you to come save me or make anybody respect me. As far as I’m concerned, you were doing your job as my boss to intervene. In any other instance, you could have stayed over there with the bitch that had her ass in your lap, and I would have handled that nigga myself.”

He laughed. “You sound bothered.”

“I wouldn’t give you the power to have me bothered, Stanley.”

His family stood back stifling laughs as he glared at me.

“Y’all fucking?” Kerrion asked, pointing between the two of us. “You sound like a toxic ass couple.”

I laughed. “Hell no. Maybe I should just go home.”

“It’s three in the morning,” Deuce said, waving his hand. “You think I’m gonna let you drive around this part of the city by yourself?”

“Excuse you? Let me? Nigga, you ain’t my man or my daddy. You don’t let me do shit.”

“Look, just bring your ass inside and let’s get some food. I’ll make sure you get home safe. I know your lying ass is hungry.”

I frowned. I was starving, and we were already here. Maybe if I sat far enough away from him, I wouldn’t have the urge to throat punch him.

“Fine,” I said.

“Fine,” he mimicked. “Stubborn ass girl.”

He walked ahead of everybody. I fell in stride alongside Maceo. He playfully elbowed me.

“You got my bruh flustered and shit,” he said with a chuckle. “Whatever is going on between you two is about to be entertaining as fuck.”

“Ain’t nothing between me and that menace but space.”

Even as I said the words, I wasn’t sure that I believed them. This man irked me to no end, but he also intrigued me. He was just so damn arrogant, and it turned me off as much as it turned me on. Still, here I was, taking my ass into this place to get food with people I didn’t know all because it was him that invited me.

What. The. Fuck.