Hidden Truths

Chapter 9

Nicole's POV

There was a sudden crash of glass shattering. In hopped Butch and Bandit, the bodyguards took out their guns and started shooting. I stood there watching as Butch and Bandit started to disarm the the guards and back them into the corner. Vicious snarls and growls escaped their mouths, causing some of the men to wet their pants. I could always count on them to have my back. As I was about to talk, Vincent whipped out his gun and aimed it at me. But before he could shoot it, Bandit ran over and bit his hand and he dropped the gun. Bandit then dragged Vincent into the corner with the whimpering men.

"Nice work guys, could always count on you." I said smiling and patting their heads with kisses. Oh how they've grown from young pups to big boys, makes me so proud. *sniff sniff*

I walked over to the bookshelf and pushed it aside, revealing a closet. The closet has everything to make me look 'professional'. Taking off my hoodie, I was left with my black tee and my baggy jeans. I took the hair gel out and slicked my hair up. I put on my ring and gold chain necklace. Taking a deep breath, I took my leather jacket and gun. I walked over to my desk and pushed off all the weed and drugs. Setting my jacket and gun on top of the desk, I took my seat in the chair. I sighed and looked up at the whimpering grown men in the corner. Opening the desk top right drawer, I took out the microphone that connected to all the intercoms in every shop in The Cage.

"All customers please exit through the front door in an orderly manner. Those who refuse will be place on the blacklist, which will bane you from this area."

I put the microphone down and looked over to the corner. I see Butch and Bandit still growling and biting at the bodyguard and Vincent. I chuckled at the sight, but I wasn't ready to forgive them. Nobody messes with my paradise.

"Okay down boys, come over here. Oh and make sure they don't touch the guns." I told them.

"O-o-okay, you can have your business back. J-just let us go." Vincent whimpered.

"Hmm? You want me to let the people who destroyed my business, sold illegal drugs on my property, and made my strippers act like sluts?! I THINK NOT!!!" I screamed. I could feel my anger building up, my body started to shake as I though about the people I was suppose to give a better life to getting raped or even mistreated. I promised to help them.

"At least let me go." He said sounding desperate. Coward.

"I have a gun and you don't. I have a business and you don't. You, sir, are in no place to bargain with me." I said. "And I'm not in so much of a generous mood today. Now, gather all your men and the employees into the the storage house." I pointed my gun at him, "Tell them to not bring any weapons, or else you'll know what happens"

"Attention all employees. Report to the storage room immediately. Guards disarm your weapons and headed down with the employees." he said over the intercom.

"Bandit, Butch, escort these men to the storage room. Make sure no funny business happens. I will been down there afterwards." I said.

Barking and snapping at the men, Bandit and Butch led them out. I leaned back at the chair, trying to calm my nerves. Those men were going to get it after what they've done to my paradise. Turning it into some hell hole. Looking at the pile of guns collected by Butch and Bandit, I shoved them all into my closet. Facing towards the woods, I took a few deep breaths. In and out. Show time.

I got up from my chair and headed out the door. Grabbing my gun and jacket on the way out. On the street the shops were closed, parking lots were empty, it looked like an abandoned ghost town. Taking long strides, I made it to the the entrance of the storage room. Before I even stepped foot into the room, I hear drunk men slurring and wolves growling and barking. Pushing the door open, everything silenced. All heads turned towards my direction, some gasps were heard through the crowd others where whispers of 'who is she?'. Walking towards the direction of the of the sound of wolves snarling, to find a guy with his hands on one of the stripper. Flashbacks of what happened at the stripper club enter my mind.

Stomping over to the guy, I ripped his hands off of the crying girl and packed a powerful punch to his face. He fell to the ground cupping his cheek. I turned to the girl and put my jacket around her. I went to the ass hole on the ground and dragged him by his shirt towards the front of the room and threw him back to the ground.

"VINCENT MARTINEZ AND HIS MEN COME UP HERE RIGHT NOW!' I yelled. Men from all direction came to the front, all with their heads down. Including the big man himself.

"Yo Chris! Ya here man?" I asked the crowd.

"Nikki! So happy to see you again." he said as he ran to give me a big hug.

"Its good to see you again." I said. "Take them to the room downstairs." I handed him the gun. "Don't use it, unless absolutely needed."

"You got it boss." he replied. Then led Vincent and his men downstairs.

I turned back to the crowd. "Hey guys, I'm back-" I was tackled to the ground before I could even finish. Whats with people and tackling these days. Opening my eyes, I see the all managers of the shops at The Cage. Angel stripper/ manager , Ash hotel manager, Crystal cafe manager, Rebecca street racer/ manager, and Jason street fighter/ manager.

"Guys, need to breathe." I gasped.

"OMG, Nikky we missed you so much." Crystal said.

"Its been horror without you, babe." Angel complained.

"Where the hell you've been all these years?" Ash demanded.

"School." I simply said, still trying to breathe.

"SCHOOL?!" they all said.

"High school to be exact." I replied.

"Ya know, sometimes I forget that you a lot younger than all of us." Jason said.

"Don't you dare, we are not that old." Angel gasped.

"Keep telling your self that Ang." Ash chuckled.

Memories of the old days flashback at me, a warm smiled etched itself on my face. The place may have changed, but the people were the same. I got up to my feet and looked at the people around me. Some knew who I was and were smiling like hyenas, most were confused. I see a lot of new faces around.

"Hey, I see you guys did some recruiting while I was gone. Nice to meet you all, I'm Nikki."

"Well, some of them were forced to work here. They didn't really have a choice. It was a do or die kinda deal." Rebecca whispered to me.

"Oh ok, got it." I then turned to the crowd. "From now on The Cage will be under new management. You all have a choice. Since most of you were forced into this deal, I will give 2 options. You can either continue to work around here and I will issue some new rules in your benefits, or you can quit to find a new job with an advance $5,000 from me personally and your records here will be erased. Those who wish to quit should have their resignation now or by tomorrow morning."

Whispers and laughter were heard among the crowd. People were crying, but this time I'm guessing out of joy.

"Oh yeah let me introduce you to the girls." Angel said, "Girls! Come here." As she waved her hand, a bunch of chicks in very revealing clothes came running over.

"Wait, wait! As pleasing as this might seem, I would rather you guys have some more clothes on. So how about you guys head back to the club and change into your normal clothes. You guys are done for the day and I will meet you tomorrow. Wear casual." I said.

"Oh don't be such a prude." Angel scoffed. "Come on girls miss innocent here will meet us next time."

"Let Butch and Bandit escort you. And don't look them in the eye." I sent Butch and Bandit with them, I wasn't going to have half-naked girls walk unprotected in the streets at night. That's just asking for trouble.

As the left, Chris came back up. He also wanted to introduce me to some people and so did everyone else. I had to decline their offer and told them that tomorrow The Cage will be closed for the day, but they should still come for work. There is some cleaning up to do. I will talk to everyone then.

Around 1:00 am, everyone had gone home. It was really quiet. I waited for Butch and Bandit and once they came back, we headed downstairs. After tonight, I was less angrier than I was when I got here. Making my way to where Vincent and his men were kept, I decided I wasn't going to kill them. It was something much worse.

"Hello fellas, time to make you guys wish you were dead."