Chapter 1
Lita
The warmth of the sun on my skin as I stand beneath the bright, blue, cloudless sky is the most refreshing sensation. Five years I spent locked away and while I suppose it could have been worse, it was still a form of living hell. I don’t know what life has in store for me now that I’m free, but I know I never want to go back to where I’ve been…I can’t.
I hear the agitated grunt of the guard and hesitantly make my way into the van that will be taking me to the bus station in town. The guards all treat me like I’m a monster…a criminal…but I guess they have a point. Not many people are charged with and convicted of murder by the age of sixteen. No one cares why I did it, only that I did it. I guess in the eyes of the law, the actions are more important than the reason behind them, but I don’t regret it.
As soon as I reach the bus station, I’m handed a ticket to Foster City and told I’m to check in at the halfway house by no later than four, one of the many stipulations of my early release. Since I was tried as a juvenile, I ‘got off easy’, or at least that’s what they liked to tell me. Now I have to try to build a life and the counselor at the jail said there are plenty of jobs out there, even for a convicted murderer. Murder…what a joke. I prefer to think of what I did as a public service, but I guess it’s hard for others to see it that way when the victim is a well-liked member of society. It’s hard to look at your hero and see that there’s a monster that lives inside them. Well, their desire to punish the victim only succeeded in creating another monster.
I arrive at the halfway house a little past three where I find out I’m sharing a room with two other girls, Lizzy who was arrested for drug trafficking at age fourteen and Ginny who has a juvenile rap sheet the length of my arm. They both insist that I should have no problem finding a job, but they don’t know my crimes, the ones I’ll have to disclose to any prospective employer.
“You can apply to work down at the club with us! They’re looking for a new server and a few dancers!” Lizzy has informed me that they work for a club called Onyx that’s only about a ten minute walk from the halfway house. They both have tall, athletic bodies with slight curves, but I’m not like them. I’m five foot four and yeah, I have curves, but I have thick thighs, wide hips and the other inmates in the detention center used to call me the vamp because my skin is pale white and my eyes are a pale icy blue.
“I don’t know, I’m not coordinated enough to dance. Maybe I could try for the server position. Do I need to pick up an application or do I apply online?” Lizzy squeals in excitement while Ginny gives me a faint smile, more of a reaction than she’s offered during our interaction so far.
“We both work tomorrow night, so you can come in with us and fill out the application there. I’ll let the club’s manager know and he should be able to interview you right away.” It sounds too good to be true, but for the first time in over five years, I allow myself to hope that things might get better.
After convincing Hannah, the residential reentry manager (RRM), that the girls already got me an interview, she clears for me to go to the club with them at five. Part of me is glad I only have to spend three months here, but part of me wonders how I’ll adjust to life outside with no one to manage my time and boss me around. I let Lizzy do my hair, makeup and pick out my outfit then before I know it, we’re walking the four blocks to Onyx.
I’ve never been to a club before, so this entire building is a mystery…a loud, dimly lit, alcohol and hormone filled mystery. I follow Lizzy to the far end of the club then down a barely lit hallway to a metal door with a sign that reads ‘Employees Only’. She knocks once then flings the door open and drags me in behind her.
“Carl, this is Lita. She’s here to apply for the server position.” Carl isn’t a bad looking guy and I would guess him to be around forty. He’s probably average height, around five ten, blonde hair, blue eyes and a lanky body.
“Hi, Lita. Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll get you an application. Liz, go ahead and clock in. I’ll finish up here then come check over the set list with you guys.” Lizzy gives me a quick hug, whispers ‘good luck’ in my ear and then leaves.
“So, I assume you’re at least twenty-one since you’re applying for a job at a club. I’ll need to make a copy of your ID.” I pull my ID out of the back pocket of the tight black satin pants Lizzy had me wear and set it on his desk in front of him as he slides an application toward me with a pen sitting on top. I quickly get to work filling it out and when I reach the part about felony charges in the last five years, I let out an involuntary sigh. I see Carl lean forward to see what elicited the reaction and he sits back with a soft smile on his face.
“Don’t worry, we won’t refuse to hire you because you made a mistake in your past.” I want to believe him, but it’s not like I got caught with a dime bag or some other small infraction.
“What if I did something worse than what Lizzy and Ginny were locked up for?” His brow furrows, but I don’t think he really understands. I get it…looking at me, no one is going to assume that I’m capable of doing what I did…the jury sure the hell struggled to.
“We can’t ask what you did and when we run your background check, it’ll only show your conviction as a felony or misdemeanor, but won’t give us details. You don’t have to tell us anything about it, just more or less give us warning that it’ll pop up. As long as you’re honest about having a criminal record, we can work with that.” I feel relief flood me and quickly finish filling in the blanks, sign the bottom and slide the application back over to him.
“I should warn you, I’ve never had a job, but I did take the employment jump start classes at the detention center. I’m a fast learner and hard worker.” He takes a few minutes to look over my application before grabbing my ID off his desk and using the copier behind him to make a copy that he paperclips to my application before sliding it into a file.
“Alright, so this is how it’s going to work. The owner is out of town for the next two weeks, but tonight I’ll have you shadow Maggie and you can work Wednesday through Saturday, five to two. These two weeks will be a chance for you to prove yourself. I want the boss to come back and see that you’re too good to not keep around.” His playful smile has me smiling back at him and I nod my understanding.
“Sounds good. Is there a uniform or anything?” He eyes me from head to toe then chuckles loudly.
“Dress like you are now and you’ll be fine. The sexier the clothes, the bigger the tips.” He winks then stands up and leads me out of the small office. After introducing me to Maggie, I’m left to follow her around and get a feel for the job, though an hour in, I’m taking orders and delivering drinks on my own. Carl sees it when he comes out to bring paperwork to the bartender, but instead of commenting, he gives me a bright smile then heads back to his office. By the end of my first night, I’ve made almost $200 in tips and can’t help but feel like maybe there will be a future for me where the darkness of my past doesn’t destroy everything.
It’s been two weeks since I started at the club and everything has been going really well. I average $250 in tips per night and have only had to deal with one guy trying to get handsy so far. Tonight is the night the ‘boss’ is supposed to be back and I’ve heard a lot of conflicting opinions about him. Lizzy seems to think he’s god reincarnate while Ginny thinks he’s more of the ‘devil in the flesh’ type. Tonight, I opt to wear a new outfit that I bought, hoping to make a good first impression on the big man while still looking good enough to rake in the tips.
Walking into the club in my black leather pants, crimson satin halter top and black strappy heels, I see my outfit choice was a good one. I have eyes on me from half the men in the building and even get a nod of approval from Billy, one of the bouncers who seems to look at and acknowledge nothing yet manages to see everything. I quickly clock in then dive right into work, tending to each customer with a practiced smile. Everything is going as smoothly as every night before it until a few minutes before nine, when the energy of the entire club seems to shift.
I notice the men in suits walking through the doors, looking like they’re ready for a business meeting. My eyes follow them through the club and up the stairs that lead to the VIP rooms, a place I have yet to see, though I haven’t really had the desire to either. I shake off my sudden fascination with the well-dressed men and get back to work, not missing how most of the girls are still staring, only now their attention is on the balcony of the VIP suites, likely where the men are sitting now, watching over the club like kings staring down on their kingdom.
“Damn, you are one fine piece of ass!” I hear the voice behind me mere seconds before I feel his hands grabbing my waist and pulling me against his chest, his soft flesh revealing the lack of muscle beneath it.
“I’ll say this once and only once…get your fucking hands off of me.” My voice is low and threatening, but the bastard is either dense or drunk…maybe both, because his grip tightens.
“Don’t tell me you don’t want me, baby.” One of his hands slowly slides from my waist and travels lower, but my reflexes are a lot faster than his. I slam my elbow back, hitting him with enough force to get his hands to drop away then I turn, grip his shoulders tightly and bring my knee up, connecting with his nose that makes a satisfying crunching noise.
“I said… GET YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF OF ME!” I stand over him and barely register the large hand brushing the hair off my forehead and tucking it behind my ear, his touch should alarm me after this ordeal, but for some reason I know it’s Billy.
“Hey, come with me.” He cautiously places an arm around my shoulders, but when I don’t pull away, he guides me away from the crumpled man on the floor and leads me to the hall by the bar and into Carl’s office.
“Are you okay?” Carl walks around his desk to stand beside Billy, quietly listening to what’s happening while helping me feel like I’m in a safe place.
“I’m fine. I told him to get his hands off of me, but he wouldn’t listen.” Carl chuckles and Billy places a hand on my shoulder.
“I bet he’ll never make that mistake again.” Billy’s playful tone makes me smile and Carl goes from chuckling to laughter in a flash.
“Do you want to finish your shift, or would you like me to have Billy drive you home?” I’m touched by the fact that Carl is concerned enough to let me go home, but I’m not about to let some handsy jerk cost me money.
“I’m fine. I’d rather finish out the night.” He nods and Billy looks like a proud dad.
“I’ll escort you out.” Just as we stand up, Carl’s phone rings and he answers it with a serious expression on his face.
“Yes, sir. I’ll send her right up.” He ends the call just as I’m about to step through the door.
“Billy, take Lita to VIP two. The boss wants to meet his new server.” Maybe it’s the remaining adrenaline, or maybe I’m just fucking crazy, but the thought of meeting the big boss doesn’t make me feel as worried as I would’ve expected it to. Billy responds with a nod then leads me down the hall, through the club and up the stairs. When we reach the door, it’s being guarded by two guys in suits that, judging by the bulges under their jackets near their ribs, they’re carrying.
“Go in, he’s waiting for you.” One of them opens the door and waits until I’m inside to pull it closed. I scan the room and notice two more men standing on either side of the opening to the balcony and one man sits in a chair at the table just past them, larger than the other four men not only in height, but his muscular build is more pronounced, or maybe his suit just fits tighter.
“Come, have a seat.” He gestures to the empty chair beside him without turning to look at me. His medium length shaggy dark brown hair is longer on top and cropped on the side, but looks like he’s been running his hand through it a lot. His black tailored suit hugs every muscle perfectly and I can’t quit staring as I walk toward him and lower myself into the chair. His honey brown eyes finally meet mine and I have to fight to keep my eyes from widening in surprise. This man is gorgeous, absolutely mouth wateringly delicious.
“You asked to see me?” I finally find my voice after a moment of awkward silence.
“I did. I find it useful to meet all of my new employees. I looked over your application and I wanted to clarify something. You listed that you were charged with a juvenile felony. What crime did you commit and will it be something we should worry about you repeating in the future?” I should’ve known someone would ask sooner or later, but for some reason it offends me. Maybe it’s his cold, accusatory tone, or maybe it’s that I had two weeks where I was almost able to see a life beyond my past only to have someone bring the darkness right back to my doorstep.
“I’m pretty sure you can’t ask me that, but I can assure you I don’t presently have plans to re-offend any time in the near future.” I get up and don’t give him a chance to drag this on any further before storming out of the VIP room.
