The Criminal's Girl

Chapter 14

By the time we arrived at the club, Zeni’s quiet streak had been terminated and she was chatting away in the front seat, with Dillon looking on admiringly and Xavier and I exchanging amused glances in the back seats.

We pulled up to the club and got out. I linked arms with Zeni, with Dillon and Xavier behind us and was about to head to the back of the queue when Xavier tugged on my shoulder. “Angel, hold on,” he said and led us over to the front of the queue.

“Xavier, what are you doing? We can’t just cut in the front, there’s a whole line of people behind us.” I looked cautiously towards the mile-length line of pissed people staring at us accusingly as though anticipating us pushing in.

“Xavier, my man,” the bouncer interrupted us and did some weird little handshake boy thing I’ve never understood that boys do. I mean, girls just hug and if they’re feeling particularly affectionate, kiss on the cheek. I haven’t done a handshake since year 4 when a friend of mine and I came up with a secret club with a secret handshake to prove we weren’t spies.

“Jackson, how are you?” Xavier said, slapping him on the back in greeting.

“I’m good man, and yourself?” the bouncer asked. He was tall, well-built and sturdy looking and dressed in a tux. Due to training by Louis to identify quickly whether someone was armed or not, I could see he carried a gun – most likely a small revolver by the size and outlined shape.

“Yeah, just out for the night with my girl and her friends, we alright to come in?” Xavier gestured to me.

“Sure man, anything for a close friend,” Jackson said, and nodded to me as Xavier introduced us.

“Thanks,” Xavier handed Jackson a note and we entered Tracks. It was apparently the newest club in town, and exclusive as of yet to anyone not willing to pay top dollar. Walking in, I felt like a movie star, camera and lights flashing, the music pumping, the band rocking out and the crowds screaming and dancing on the floor.

We made our way over to a just emptied table and sat down. Dillon stood to buy us drinks and Zeni accompanied him. I presumed they both wanted to be alone and I smiled as they held hands at the bar.

“So, who was that guy?” I asked Xavier.

“Old friend. He used to work for my dad then left the gang to go straight though, technically, this is one of the bars we own across town.”

“That’s how you got us in?”

“Yeah. Exclusive access, Sexy, see all the perks you can get from hanging with me? Looks like I was a pretty good investment,” Xavier winked at me.

“Damn, you caught on I was just using you for your money?” I joked.

“Haha, oh yeah? That’s right, Angel, I’m your bonafide sugar-daddy,” Xavier leaned over and pecked me on the lips, smiling as he did so.