Temptation & Fate

7

David was shaking as Ace neared him. He looked panicked and scared out o his mind and it only got worse the closer Ace got to him. I watched and turned in my seat, not saying a word.

"You know the deal, pay up or hand over the club," Ace stated.

"P-please man- I'll have the money by tomorrow morning- I'll get extra tips from the girls-" David looks at me, "Georgia can give me-"

"You will not take anything from her, David. You owe the boss money, not her or any of your other girls."

Confusion ran through me and I tried my best not to look mad at David. He's always asked for a small percentage of our tips at the end of each night but I never really thought anything of it.

"Look man, I told the last guy he sent that I didn't have-"

Ace pulled out his gun again and this time he pointed it at David. His hands flew up in surrender. As terrifying as it is to see Ace point a gun to someone, it's kinda turning me on but I can't focus on that right now.

"You told the last guy you would have it in a week and it's been over a week. Where is the money?" David fumbles for his words and what to say and Ace nods. "We will have our lawyer contact yours tomorrow. You're to be out after everything is signed over."

Ace turns and puts the gun back in his back holster and looks at me, "lets get out of-"

"Georgia, you're fired!"

I gasp and snap my head over to David. "You can't do that!"

"I still own the club and I won't have any employees working for me that are involved with the ma-"

"You better choose your next words carefully or they will be your last," Ace warns.

David steps back and bumps into a shelf behind him as Ace glares at him. "She is a traitor and-"

"And what? You think you have the authority to fire my girl just because you found out she's with me?"

"Y-yes- I do-"

"Think again."

Before David or I have a chance to react, Ace pulls his gun out and shoots David in the leg. The bullet blasts right through his knee and he screams in pain as he drops to the floor. I try to process what I just watched but I can't move. I'm completely frozen in shock as I stare at David screaming on the floor. My heart starts racing in my chest and my breathing quickens.

I didn't even see Ace walk over to me but suddenly I feel him grab my arm and start pulling me up to my feet. My brain finally catches up to what's going on as Ace leads me out of the office and to the locker room. The two new hires stare at us, confused, but mostly ogling at Ace. That really snaps me back to reality and I shoot them death stares but they just laugh and continue to stare.

"Avert your fucking eyes," I snap. Ace chuckles beside me and I turn to him, crossing my arms over my chest. "Care to explain?"

"In the car, get your things. We have to make another stop before going home."

I stare at him for a few seconds, trying to seem tough, but he doesn't budge so I sigh in defeat and get my bags out of my locker. "Umm, should I clean out my locker or-"

"Don't bother, David won't be a problem anymore."

I nod and close my locker and we head out. It feels like everyone's eyes are on us as we walk out. I notice a few guys from the crowd follow us out all the way to the car but Ace doesn't say anything. He open the passenger door for me and I smile at him nervously before getting in an buckling up. I watch as he says something to the guys who followed us then makes his way over to the drivers side and gets in.

He doesn't say anything as he starts the car and pulls out of the parking lot. I sit quietly and fidget with the charms on my bag, waiting for him to say something. I don't want him to get upset at me for asking questions, I feel like it's not my place to ask.

Ace chuckles next to me and I look over to see what's so funny. He reaches over and rests his hand on the inside of my thigh and I feel warmth rush through my whole body.

"You know, it was kinda hot when you yelled at those girls for staring a me," he says smiling at me before returning his eyes to the road.

I blush and try to hold back my smile, "who said that's why I yelled at them?"

"I know you well enough to know when you're jealous, Georgia."

There's no denying that, he knows me better than I know myself sometimes, him and Adam have always been like that. Now I feel like I don't know Ace at all though after tonight.

"What happened back there?" I ask unable to contain myself anymore.

He sighs and squeezes my thigh with his hand, "I work for the Mafia, Georgia. I'm the boss's right hand man."

I stare at him, shocked and completely thrown off guard at what he says. I'm not scared of him, I've known him my whole life and knew he was a little rough around the edges but this is different. It's more than a little rough around the edges, it's- I honestly don't know. I never expected Ace to be a part of the Mafia. I don't say anything the whole ride and I can feel Ace' glances but I continue to stare at the dash. We pull up to Club 23 and Ace pulls around to the side.

He stops the car and turns to me, "we need to go inside."

"What? But I'm still in my stripper clothes!"

He laughs, "you'll fit right in."

He gets out of the car and walks over to open my door and I step out hesitantly. His hand grabs mine and he leads me towards the entrance. I look back and see someone getting in the car and taking off. They must be car service or something.

We don't even get questioned by the bouncer at the front door as we walk inside. The music here is loud and the lights are crazy, flashing everywhere. The club I dance at is nothing compared to this one. You can tell just from the line outside that this club is where the money is. Ace must come here a lot or know people on the inside.

He leads us up a set of stairs and we make our way to an office. I got lost trying to remember how we got to the room we are in now so I couldn't run even if I wanted to. Not that I do, I feel safest with Ace even after everything that's happened.

An older man sits on a couch angled in the corner of the room. There's a woman practically sitting on his lap with her hands all over him. He smiles when he see's Ace walk in. "There's my best man!" He greets getting up from the couch. The woman who was on his lap scoffs as she get's dropped.

The man and Ace hug quickly then pull away, "Mr. Lopez, everything has been taken care of."

He nods, "yes, I heard. I also heard that there was a bit of a scandal involving a dancer, Alex is now... no more."

I press up against Ace' back to try and hide from view. Mr. Lopez is very intimidating and it sounds like I'm already on his bad side.

"I'm sorry you didn't hear it from me, sir but I got everything taken care of. David doesn't have the money so the club will be yours by tomorrow."

Mr. Lopez nods and stares directly at me, "come on out my dear, I don't bite." He smiles getting a kick out of his little joke. "I'd like to meet the woman who has managed to get under my best mans skin."

I peak up at Ace and he nods so I hesitantly step out from behind him. Mr. Lopez looks me up and down and I feel super uncomfortable in my own skin. I wish I had a sweater or something at least, that way I wouldn't be standing here in just my lacy stripping outfit.

He steps forward and stops right in front of me, holding out his hand for me to shake, "my guys call me Mr. Lopez but you can call me Antonio."

I shake his hand and smile up at him, he seems friendly enough and I don't think Ace would introduce me to him if he didn't trust him. "Georgia, sir."

He smiles back and pulls my hand up to his lips, kissing my knuckles gently, "it was a pleasure meeting you, Georgia."