The Criminal's Girl

Chapter 11

The evening afterwards, Louis called a meeting of TX3 at the club he owned in the centre of town. It was quite an upscale joint, but only used to disguise the secluded apartment attached to the back.

Changed into a pair of black skinny jeans and button up white, sleeveless shirt, I walked through the club’s interior and nodded to the bouncer on the EXIT door, who opened it silently.

I entered the dimly lit, huge lounge and located Tony, sweeping across the room and sat down next to him with a hug and small smile. I ignored the rest of the members, mostly guys and a few girls, they all were ridiculously intimidating and I’d attempted to keep relationships with any of them to a minimum. The group of girls near the door glared at me and I calmly gave them the finger. It might not be wise but I knew, as well as them, that they couldn’t hurt me. Louis had made sure his prize trophy was kept well and truly safe inside the glorified cabinet... or should I say prison.

The air was thick with smoke; guys in baggy jeans and string vest sat sprawled on chairs around a large table and around the room with girls in tiny skirts and just their bras on draped across them. Stray beer bottles and burnt out cigarettes littered the floor and there were large doors at the far side of the ground-apartment that led out to a line of stolen cars with other members working on them.

I saw Raymond, Zeni’s brother, by a car, a girl with barely-anything-there-shorts on and crop-top flirting idly with him while he worked under the hood.

“You alright?” Tony asked me, squeezing my shoulder.

“Yeah, just... I’m kinda of getting sick of this, you know,” I replied, waving my hand around the room.

“Keep it down, Harls that is asking for trouble” Tony hissed. I sucked in a breath as Louis walked in, followed by his second-in-command Montel, a tall and muscled figure who almost constantly had a scowl etched on his face.

“Boys and girls,” Louis began with a smile that looked like a cat eyeing an ignorant canary. “First of all I’d like to thank the star of our show and the trusted OG for seizing the Moreno deal,” Louis directed his hand over to me and Tony and some light applause sounded in the tense atmosphere.

“Unfortunately for us, the Moreno’s decided to include the Casts in the deal for transportation and security,” Louis trailed off, his eyes zeroing in on my with a frustrated frown on his face. Boos and hisses jeered from other members of the gang and I gulped.

“This isn’t good for us because now our pay check has been cut by 20% and our family relations regarding the Casts aren’t to perky if you know what I’m getting at,” Louis sneered. “There are only so many times they’re going to move in on our deals and I want everyone on high alert. If I catch even a whiff of friendship, or alliances or any such shit like that, well... let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be that douche if I know what’s good for me,” Louis warned. “Harls,” he called as I was turning around. I froze, and then turned my head slowly. “Walk with me, Baby, we got some shit to talk about.”

I heaved a sigh of frustration then smiled goodbye to Tony before following Louis into a room off the side of the gathering.

“Harleigh, Baby-doll, how is my favourite little prize?” He teased me, a mocking smile on his face.

“Fine,” I answered shortly.

“No problems, you know, at school, home? How is Daniel, by the way?” Louis asked.

“He’s okay,” I said softly, my face heating with worry.

Louis began circling me, like a predator would prey. “You need some extra money? New clothes or shoes, or anything?” He asked again.

“I’m honestly fine Louis, what’s this about?” I asked, really beginning to get freaked out now.

“It’s about, Sweetheart, you doing another job for me,” Louis said.

“What kind of job?”

“Well, Doll-face, it’s to do with the Federation-09 crime gang on the South side. I need you in with the boss and finding out there newer plans of action. I’ve been hearing rumours about them trying to move in on my patch and you know how I hate problem parties,” Louis explained as I slowly felt myself being yanked free of Xavier and any possible chance at a relationship.

“Ermm, well, you see, Louis-Baby, um,” I asked flirting. I might hate him, but I’d been aware he’d had a bit of a thing about me for a while and occasionally used that tad-bit of information to my advantage. I snaked my arms around his neck and smiled awkwardly up at his taken-aback expression. “Now that you mention it, I do have a few things on and I was wondering if I could get onto that mission later?”

“Oh yeah?” Louis asked, his hand sliding down to areas making me feel beyond uncomfortable.

“Yeah... or better yet, you could send in Deena? Or Eva to do it and that would free up my schedule to help you out more... if that’s what you’d like?” I smiled at him, feeling dirty and sick right down to my core. I knew it wouldn’t be eschewing him forever, but it was the best I had at the moment and it would at least buy me some time till I could figure out another cause of action.

“You might be onto something there, Harleigh-Baby, and I could do with having some more one on one company,” he lowered his head slowly, about to kiss me when his phone rang. Thank the Lord, who ever that is, they are getting a Christmas present, I thought, relieved.

Louis raised his head in frustration and I looked at him, apologetically, before edging back and leaving the room, rule 1 you learn when Louis is taking a phone call.

I staggered out of the room and heaved. Tripping over myself as quickly as I could, I raced home, worry creeping to me, knowing that wouldn’t be the last time Louis bothered me and sure as hell wasn’t down with my job.

***

Hey!

So I know its been AGES but I can only explain that I had exams all last week and literally couldn’t find any time to squeeze in some writing so I do apologise!

I LOVE that you guys have been so patient and I promise a new chapter... after this one, will be released within this week. I appreciate you coming back for more and being patient with me and love you all!!!!!!!

I know there’s not a lot of Xavier in this one but he’ll be back I promise. But this is an important chapter so please make sure you remember it and read it through!!!! And also, I know its short but believe me when I say its Saturday night at 1:00am and I'm about to fall asleep that I could manage this and that's about it!!!!

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