Serenity

Chapter 80: Victor, Victrola

Jo's POV
8 months ago...

This place is amazing.

Yeah, I bought it under the table so I have to wait like 7 months to get the lease signed but Carl got a pay day and I own a bar. It's currently empty since they were renovating it anyway, I just took over. I want it to be more of a classy theme, yet extremely dirty things happen.

  "You know how to pick a bar," Anthony tells me and I turn around to smile to him. Part of me feels hurt that I'm doing this on my own. I needed to be a strong independent woman, or whatever I keep telling myself. It's good advice, but that doesn't mean I want to take it.

"Yes, well once it's renovated we're gonna have our first party. It'll probably fall around Halloween, so I'm thinking masquerade?" I ask and he smiles at me.

"I think it's a good idea, but also a dangerous one-" he starts to warn me and I just roll my eyes at him.

As I make my way to the partly stocked bar I say, "Do you always think someone is out to murder me?" It's a valid question since he's always tells me this is dangerous, and that is dangerous, and too much coke will kill you. Don't you think I know that? I don't snort the coke, I smuggle it, which is clearly something Anthony still needs to learn.

"It's my job to think everyone is out to kill you. It's what you pay me to do," he says to me and I scoff a little bit.

"I pay you to do what I say, I can protect myself," I say as I pour two shots of scotch. I down one and look back over at him. "Are you gonna take the shot, or shall I?"

"By all means, kill yourself quicker," he says sarcastically and I roll my eyes before downing his too.

"You know, being a cocky bastard is gonna get you out of my will," I say and he comes over to the bar, leaning on it.

"Are you sure it won't keep me in it?" He says like the snarky bitch he is and I can't help but smile and shake my head.

"Well, this place is perfect, I can't think of anything better." I say and come out from the bar. I make my way around the large space, fully aware that there's an upstairs balcony and a basement.

"Prohibition would've been perfect," Anthony says and I stop my mindless strolling and look at him. "I'm just saying the ladders and shit would've been a good get away."

"Prohibition wasn't up for grabs, but this place was and I'm gonna make it amazing," I say and look around. I think all black furniture will work, so when we get the red lighting it'll be fitting.

7 months later...

First time back since the renovation and everything is perfect.

The furniture, the lighting, the hired dancers, the bar. Literally everything you can think of is just perfect in this place. I mess with my hair a little bit and look at the flyers on the bar. We have the lighting normal right now so we can do work, but come opening, it'll be red.

"Everything is on social media? And the flyers are going up today?" I ask the manager, Ryan, and he nods to me. He takes the flyers and leaves. I'm so excited for opening night. It's truly gonna be a night to remember.

I'm gonna be Cher from clueless. I feel like with the hair it works, and the costume was easy to buy. The mask was harder to think of, so I got a black one with a yellow feather. Matches the costume enough to not be questioned.

On opening night I have some business to attended too, but other than that I'm free to get wasted and fuck whoever I want. I would've added do drugs but we all know how well that goes for me.