Ride or Die.

1️⃣7️⃣

.

Shawn Carter
12:55 PM
Tucson, Arizona

.

Nobody noticed us coming through. All we had to do is look like we belonged here.

"Keep walking," I instructed as we continued inside then beeline over to the bar to order drinks; I used one of the empty glasses as a mirror to watch the club owner while I sat with my back turned. 

He sat there drinking and laughing with a few other people in his crew under a cloud of smoke from their cigars.

The bartender finally reappeared and was asking us for our orders as this guy came out of nowhere telling her his order over me. Yes, It was about to be a bar fight but then I realized he was one of the guys who was hanging out with the club owner.

He glared at me before walking off, and I glanced at Beyoncé trying to see if she saw that, but she just gave me a tired look. 

"Coming right up!" The bartender assured before she went preparing his order.

I looked through the glass again noticing the club owner was now seated alone, and I knew this was my opportunity to go over and get things done. I stood from the barstool brushing a quick hand through my waves, "I'll be back!"

"Where are you going?" Beyonce stopped me. "And what am I supposed to be doing here until you return?"

"I don't know... stall." I waved off before getting over to the table as I dug through my jean pocket taking out my lighter holding it under the club owner cigar as he lit it then stared up at me like he saw a ghost.

"You're welcome."

"Who the hell are you and where is H-"

"I'm Shawn and I heard you the face behind all this," I said while taking a seat across from him as he only blew smoke from the side of his mouth in response.

"What's it to you?"

I looked around the dimly lit nightclub. "Nothing! Really about as much as the city is to an alley cat. And to the untrained eye, the cat may look like it's exploring but really he's just trying to survive." 

He smirked, "well, it's a known fact that when the shit gets bigger than the cat get rid of the cat. There's always a reason why they are running the streets in the first place, right?"

I retorted, "but what if he never had a chance tho?"

"Cut the bullshit and tell me why are you here?"

"I need a job!"

He laughed loudly. "What you want to work at a strip club?" I looked around again as several girls filled the stage in the center of the room and started to dance to the current rap song. "You might be unable to compete with the girls, but you can try." He tried joking but I wasn't laughing.

"Look! I know what you are about I mean you might be foolin' everybody else around here but not me. I know you doing under the table deals and not just club owning."

He smashed his cigar down into the ashtray and I knew I hit a nerve which meant it was true.

"You want us to take care of this, boss?" the dude from the bar earlier asked in this weird accent.

"No, I want you to go get me another drink... he's cool," he told him as I looked towards him, and he frowned at me before walking away.

"What's his problem?" I mumbled.

"That's Duck, my right-hand man, but don't mind him anyway back to you... how do you know that?"

"I know my shit which is why you should hire me."