I've Changed

24. truth

~~~~

Clubs are really not my thing. What pisses me off the most about them are the pervs that occupy the majority of the place.

"Fuck off!" I shout over the music so the creep approaching me gets the hint.

He sprints away in a heart beat.

"You just had to drag me here."

Malcom disregards me, considering he's distracted by fist-bumping the air to Don't stop the music by Rihanna.

I choose to not get involved in the shady aspects of my job but sometimes they're inevitable.

Transactions is what Russo refers them to.

His clients would suggest a place for the exchange to occur. Time to time it'd be at a local coffee shop or jazz bar or night clubs. An easier opportunity for them to get away with anything.

Dirty people on dirty property.

I was waiting in the parking lot for Malcom to finish up the transaction. It's not until I receive a text from him regarding something about back up.

"He's persistent about seeing you and you only," Malcom says almost worriedly. "I refused but he would not budge."

"Where is he?" I ask.

"Are you sure Ellie? I thought we could resolve this differently."

"Yeah?" I scoff. "What's your plan?"

When his mouth opens and only air comes out, I know I got him.

"Exactly."

"I don't fucking know! How the fuck did you convince them before?"

It's my turn to be silent. At least he doesn't catch on as quickly as I did.

"We gotta let grandpa know about these shady suitors. He'll be furious when he finds out about this." He looks around the club. It's a full house tonight.

"Where is he?"

"Ellie—"

"Don't worry about it. I can handle him just fine. How do you think I did it the last time?"

Malcom hesitates at first before pointing towards the private section of the club.

"Room 4."

"Got it," I don't spare him a glance, nor wanting his worry to distract me.

I'm well acquainted with this partner. From what I learned, he has moves and gets in your head with them. The only reason I know is because I was naive once. I had to learn the hard way.

As I approach the section, a bodyguard blocks my access. 

"Room 4," I point at the door only a few feet away. "For Russo."

That causes them to move, making room for me to pass.

I know better than to enter right away. I pound the door so they can prepare themselves on the other side. Once I open it, my suspicion has been right.

My eyes roam around finding strippers, scattered cash, and our suitor.

All of their gazes are drawn to me in an instant. The women both terrified and upset that I've interrupted.

We're all here for a transaction after all.

I lock eyes with the suitor, a smirk overcoming their face.

"Out," they don't waste my time and leave as I tell them too.

Once it's only the two of us, I slam the door and approach them. My expression void and stern as I do so.