Troubled Indeed

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

What I experienced last night, and again this morning is very hard to put into words. It could be best described as out of this world. It's like all the tension from previous days has evaporated. Anthony knows his way around a woman and never disappoints. But sadly, we have to get back to reality and face our everyday challenges.

Our drive back from his place goes relatively fast. And as much as I'd like to prolong getting back home, my city is already coming into view. I still haven't talked to him about his revelation last night. I just don't know how to bring up the topic. Does he even remember saying anything about the strip club? I sigh.

"I know, babe," Anthony says beside me, taking my hand from my lap and planting a quick kiss on it, "I'd love to stay there longer with you, but your mom is getting married on Saturday, and you promised to help her."

"Yeah, and I miss my baby boy so much! I can't wait to pick him up from daycare," I reply. We agreed that if we left Seaside Heights a little bit earlier, I could pick up Benji myself.

Anthony's car starts ringing in the middle of our conversation. This is the first time his phone is connected to the car. I can see "DA" illuminating again on the car screen. Who the hell is DA?

"Fuck," Anthony mumbles as he fishes out his phone from his jeans pocket. Then quickly disconnects his phone from the car and answers it.

"Yes. I said fucking no, that deal is off. No. Fuck, I'm gonna be there in 20." And just like that his call ends.

"Who's DA?" I say with little interest. Inside, I'm burning – if he says it's some woman, I'm going to throw myself out of the car. Oh wait, he said he's going to be there in 20. This means he has to take me with him, or we won't be back in the city in time to pick up Benji.

"You'll see. We have to take a little detour." Oh wow, his mood definitely changed in a matter of seconds. What happened to my sweet, loving, caring Anthony? All I see next to me is this cocky gangster he sometimes becomes. It's better if I leave him be and see where he takes me.

***

It takes us exactly 20 minutes to get to a parking lot in front of... a strip club. A very classy sign "Dirty Angels" is hanging above the door. That's DA. Not a person. A place. How did I not put the pieces together last night when he told me the name of the club?

We nearly spoke during the drive, and he leaves me in the car saying, "I'll be right back". He doesn't want me to go in with him, but why? What dirty secrets does he have? It is still daytime, and the club is probably not open yet. So, what could be so important for him to rush here immediately? All I have is questions and nobody to answer them. Then I notice that Anthony left his car keys with me. I could go in and take a peek. He doesn't even have to know.

My curiosity takes the best of me, so I grab his keys, lock the car, and sprint toward the club. I tug the door handle and it's open. I slowly enter the building, quietly closing the door behind me. Mellow, sexy music is filling the room. But there's barely anyone here. I totally forget that I should be sneaking around, and the bartender lady notices me.

"Hey, we're not open yet," she hollers from behind the counter.

"Um, yeah, I know, I'm...um...with Anthony," I stutter.

Her eyes go wide. She slowly puts away the bottles she was holding and steps closer.

"So, you're the lucky one getting our infamous hot stallion tamed, huh?" she says in a much friendlier tone. "I'm Tonya," she says as she extends her hand.

"Victoria," I reply as we shake hands.

"So, he's a stallion?" I say jokingly.

"Well, not anymore. That's what I'm saying, you are the only one who could tame him. Before you...well let's just say there isn't one girl in this place who hasn't been performing private shows for him, if you know what I mean."

"Sadly, yes. It's not something a girlfriend would want to hear. That her guy is a player." Frankly, I feel like running for the hills.

"Hey, you should take this as a compliment. Lately, he doesn't come here very often, and when he does, he's all business and no action," Tonya shrugs and laughs.

I laugh with her. It kind of is a compliment, but then again it hurts to know that he's been with lots of girls. Even though he told me that. But now there's someone else to second to that and that makes things real.

"So, how long have you known each other?" she asks me casually, then adds, "Wait, let me guess...I'd say about...four months?" she takes a very carefully calculated guess.

"Close, it's going to be four months next week. How did you know?" I ask, a little bit shocked.

She laughs out loud.

"It was around that time that Tony completely changed. It happened almost overnight. None of us could understand what was happening, but then one night Blame walked in here, may he rest in hell, and told us all about you," she mentions like a commonly known fact.

Blame... I was hoping that I'd never hear that name again, but here we are... Even now I get goosebumps all over my body and feel like there's a shadow of that man watching me whenever someone brings up his name.

"And then we finally got it...he fell in love, and wanted to be a better man for you," Tonya adds, breaking my train of thought.

I feel blood rushing to my cheeks.

"Thanks," I reply quietly.

"No need to thank me. You are the one we should be thanking. Now we can finally talk business with him without him flipping out on us," she shrugs.

"About that...what is he doing here exactly?" My curiosity has peaked. And I try my best to sound casual, but it comes off really insecure and weird.

"Oh, girl, you're so cute," Tonya smiles, "But if he hasn't told you, there must be a reason for that. That guy has a brain as incredible as his looks. I'd trust him if I were you."

"What the fuck you're doing in here?" I hear Anthony's angry voice emerging from somewhere in the back.

"I was curious," I say in a small voice. I was planning to go in and out, but I lost my purpose when I met Tonya.

"Oh, the hell you don't!" Tonya interferes, "Don't you talk to my girl like that!" she says as she winks at me.

"Mind your own fucking business," he says sharply. "Let's go."

"You give me a call if his attitude doesn't improve." She quickly scribbles her number on a napkin and hands it to me.

"You know, Anthony, without me this place won't run so smoothly, and I could go anytime, so watch out and take care of her. She's a sweetheart." Tonya winks at me again.

Anthony grunts and moves past me towards the exit. I mouth "thank you" to Tonya and follow him. She waves at me. It's nice to know someone who works with Anthony. I could get some scoop on him any time.