The Dancer

by Jordan Silver

  “Mom had a life insurance policy but sis refused to touch it. She put the money in a trust for me instead even though I argued with her about it. I know she sees it as blood money. That mom took her life because she thought she was more help to us dead than alive.”

  He got choked up here and I wasn’t doing much better. I was already plotting their father’s death in my head. Fucking asshole! It looks like she was even more like mom than I’d thought.

  “You’ve seen that place she lives in. Today was my first time seeing it. The only reason I’m telling you all this is because you seem to want to get her out of there. If you hurt her, I’ll forget that I used to like you, like your game, and kick your ass.”

  I guess now that the drama was over it was comedy hour. I didn’t even entertain that shit, but gave him props for standing in front of his sister. “Your sister will be back soon. You still haven’t told me how long you plan to stay.”

  A change came over him and he leaned in close before lowering his voice to a whisper. “Did my sister tell you about that guy?” Say what now?

  “What guy would that be?” My voice remained smooth and unaffected if I do say so myself.

  “The one who tried to put his hand up her skirt.” From the way he clenched his fists and the angry flush on his cheeks I knew he was just as pissed about that shit as I am. Good for you kid.

  “Yeah, I know about him, what about it?”

  “I can’t leave her here alone any more. After the funeral mom’s best friend and her family took me in.”

  “They said it was best if I finished high school there. Annie’s been sending money to help take care of me. They’re nice people and all but my place is with my sister.” He said it all in a rush.

  It was easy to read between the lines. He wasn’t going back. “Do they know that you left?” I looked at the bag he’d dropped on the floor next to his chair.

  “I left them a letter.” He looked guilty at his admission. I saw her coming out the side of my eye. “Okay, your sister’s on her way back. We’ll leave it for now. I’ll take care of it.”

  His shoulders drooped with relief as if he’d been carrying the world on them for a while.

  She came back to the table looking between us suspiciously.

  I started talking football like that’s all we’d been discussing the whole time she’d been gone to put her at ease. I perked right the fuck up when I realized why she’d been gone so long. She’d brushed her hair and put some gloss on her lips. Still no makeup and I still liked it like that.

  My phone went off just before lunch was over. I’d dragged it out as long as I could to give Tony time to do what I’d asked him to in that last text and it seemed to have worked because he now texted me back one word. ‘Done!’

  I led the two of them out to the waiting car and didn’t say anything as Tony headed for my place. “Where are we?” She spoke for the first time when I let her out of the car.

  I wasn’t about to have a brawl with her on the sidewalk, so I ignored the question as the doorman held the door open for us. Travis, having gauged the situation correctly walked ahead of us exclaiming over the building and the park across the street as if he didn’t notice her distress.

  She didn’t stop questioning where we were until we reached my apartment and I opened the door and let them in. She stood stubbornly in the doorway even after her brother had walked in.

  I took her hand and pulled her inside. “What are we doing here?”

  ‘Travis, third room on the left down the hallway.” I ignored her question and instead just took her to the room I’d set up for her. She took one step into the room and balked.

  “What is all my stuff doing here?” She rounded on me and I stood my ground. This is what I’d had Tony do while we were at lunch. He’d got a few of the guys to help him no doubt.

  He’d brought everything but the ratty furniture and left them in the room. It was mostly clothes and books and a few knickknacks that obviously meant something to her.

  “I had them brought here. I told you, I don’t want you in that place.”

  “And I told you that was none of your business.” That damn hand went to her hip and she squared off.

  “I’m making it my business. If you’d stop being stubborn you’d realize I’m just trying to help you. You’re not going back, so there’s no use arguing. And take off that abomination; it’s an eye sore.”

  I insulted her jacket in a bid to change the topic and take her mind off of the situation. I knew insulting her would get her back up and she’d have something else to fume at.

  I let her rant and rave at me as we stood in the middle of the room facing off like two prized fighters. She had some good points. Like the fact that this was some unheard of shit.

  We’d only just met, didn’t know each other and already I was moving her in with me. Her words! She was acting like I did this shit every day. What she didn’t know and couldn’t seem to understand is that I was just as surprised by my actions as she was.

  Why do women always think that they’re the only ones at risk? Like men don’t have feelings as well? Like we don’t have the same fears as they do? What the hell is so wrong with me wanting to take care of her?

  Shit, I forgot the bags in the trunk. Even as I thought it the doorbell rang. I went to answer the door and found Tony and the doorman standing there laden down with packages. “Thanks!”

  I took the bags in both hands and headed back down the hall to find her standing in the same spot I’d left her in. I walked past her and dropped the bags on the bed, ignoring the scathing look she gave me.

  “Do you really want your little brother staying in that place? Why don’t the two of you stay here for the weekend? You can’t still be afraid to be alone with me, not with him here.”

  She gave me a look that said she didn’t appreciate being out maneuvered one bit, but I knew I had her when Travis entered the doorway all excited. “Sis have you seen the view from this place?”

  He dragged her over to the windows and I left them alone, hoping the kid knew enough to go along with what I had planned. I looked at my watch and cursed under my breath. I had to go to the club. I had someone to fire.

  Chapter 19

  “She all settled in?” Tony asked as I got into the backseat. I’d said a quick goodbye after passing her brother a look which he caught and understood. Smart kid! She’s going to give him hell.

  “Did you really think it would be that easy?” I was already looking forward to dealing with her shit when I got back. I know the only reason I’d been able to get away with what I have so far is because her brother was here.

  The two of them seem very protective of each other, which might work in my favor. I have no qualms about using that shit to my advantage. He didn’t want her in that shitty apartment any more than I did, so I’d already won half the battle.

  My ace in the hole is that the kid had ran away. If he’s as stubborn as she is, she won’t easily talk him into going back. After everything he’d told me I didn’t want him to either. I don’t think the two of them should be apart.

  It was obvious that they were both trying to be

  strong for one another. And it was alarming to realize that she really had been little more than a kid when her world imploded.

  The difference between us is that I never had the security of a father and a mother together only to lose it. My life was never rosy, but it was obvious that hers had been.

  I don’t know how that shit feels, but I’m sure it can’t be anything good. Had to be like being stranded in the middle of the ocean without a life vest.

  How the fuck do people do this shit to their kids? I should find their father and kick his ass. Not only for the shit he’d done to her, but because I was damn sure that because of him, she was going to put my ass through hell. Asshole!

  I have a pretty good idea what needs to be done, it’s not rocket science. But I need time to get my thoughts together. First I have to get
rid of this damn snake, then I can concentrate all my efforts on the two of them.

  As far as I’m concerned it’s a simple fix. It’s just getting past that hard head and stiff-necked pride of hers. If that shit doesn’t work I’ll go to door number two. It’s a safe bet her ass wouldn’t like that.

  We pulled up to the club and Tony stopped me before I got out of the car. “Can you keep your head straight or do you need me to be there when you give her the ax?”

  “What exactly do you think I’m going to do to her?” His ass always expects the worst.

  “Who the hell knows? Just don’t go crazy in there. Fire her, that’s it. Keep your hands to yourself.”

  I sighed and stepped out of the car with him hot on my heels, lecturing my ass to death. It’s true I would’ve overlooked the fact that she’s female and go upside her damn head for messing with Annabelle. But there was too much involved for me to act rashly.

  I didn’t trust her not to have something else up her sleeve and since the law was already involved I was playing a game of wait and see. Her nephew was going to get it no matter what, but as for her, I’ll see if she shows any remorse. I’ll know what to do from there.

  It was already starting to get lively at the club as was expected for a Friday evening. The business types had already planted their asses in their usual seats instead of going home to their families.

  I didn’t waste any time when I got there, answering the friendly call outs from those who recognized me with a wave and ignoring my staff before any of them got the bright idea to approach me with some trivial shit.

  I’d already called in one of the other managers to take Arlene’s place once I made the decision to fire her. The replacement wasn’t supposed to show up for another hour.

  I’d worked it out that way because I didn’t want to tip my hand too soon. That would give me just enough time to boot Arlene and get back to the situation I had brewing at home.

  I found my prey in the break room chatting with one of the dancers. She looked over at the door opening and her face broke into a smile when she saw me.

  “Arlene, may I see you in the office?” I didn’t wait around for an answer but headed back the way I came. I guess Tony was right to worry. Now that I was in the same airspace as her, I did feel like strangling her ass and dumping her out back.

  She made as if to go towards my private office, but I kept going in the opposite direction where the managers’ office was. I got rid of the two who were sitting in there working on the computer and offered her a seat.

  I couldn’t even bring myself to look at her lest I did something stupid, like wring her fucking neck for real. “What can I do for you Max?” Had her voice always held that sultry seductive quality? Why hadn’t I noticed it before?

  Maybe the signs had always been there and I just hadn’t noticed because of my disinterest. If so, this shit was a long time coming. I hate fucking cheaters. I should give her husband a call just to fuck up her shit.

  I kept myself calm because I didn’t have enough evidence to have her arrested for her part in what happened to Anna. And Tony was right, there were too many eyes in my place to carry her ass out in a body bag.

  I threw the packet I was holding down on the desk in front of her. She opened it with a questioning look. “What’s this?” She asked before pulling out the papers.

  “That’s your severance pay. I want you out of my place.” She reacted pretty much the way I expected, with shocked surprise.

  “What? What are you talking about? You can’t just fire me without an explanation. I signed a contract…”

  “I can and I am. You should’ve read the fine print. I can fire you any time I choose within reason and we both know I have good reason to fire you.”

  I stared at her until she looked away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” That shit didn’t even deserve an answer. It’s not like I expected her to come right out and admit it.

  “You keep telling that lie. Here’s a warning for you. If you ever go anywhere near Annabelle again I won’t be this easy on you next time. First and only warning.”

  I let her see the anger I’d been holding in check since I learned that the asshole was her nephew and put two and two together. She tried arguing her way out, but we both knew she was lying.

  “I don’t know what she told you, but I haven’t been anywhere near that girl.”

  “I know, you got someone else to do your dirty work for you. What kinda female sets another one up for something like that?”

  As I said it I felt sick at the thought that I’d actually put the dancers, women I was responsible for, under this viper’s care. It sucked that I’d trusted her, that I hadn’t seen what she really was until it was almost too late.

  “I can sue you for this…” Her bravado didn’t move me one bit.

  “I wish you would. By all means, go ahead and sue me. I’d love the chance to tell the world what a piece of shit you are. As for your nephew, tell him I’m going to make sure he pays for what he did.”

  “I don’t have a nephew…”

  “Pull the other one. By the way, don’t use me as a reference and it goes without saying that you’re not allowed anywhere near me or any of my establishments in the future.”

  She opened her mouth to lie some more but I was already over it. I was barely holding myself back as it is. Not because she’s a female. After the shit she’d pulled that shit didn’t matter.

  But because I couldn’t do time right now. Plus I needed to get back and deal with the hellcat I’d left at my place. I wasn’t sure how long her poor brother could hang in there without caving.

  She was still prattling on, stating her case as if she had one, but I had gone deaf. I didn’t want to hear shit from her lying ass mouth. I also didn’t want to spend any more time than was necessary in her presence.

  As she spoke I was opening drawers until I found what I was looking for.

  “Save it Arlene, it’s not gonna work. Is this yours?” Since she was the only female manager on staff this shift, I correctly guessed that the purse in the desk drawer was hers.

  I took it out and passed it to her. “Grab your coat, I’ll walk you out.” She snatched it off the back of one of the chairs and pushed her bag on her shoulder before storming out of the room ahead of me.

  She wasn’t too quiet as I followed behind her and her threats got more inventive as she went. Not to mention the things she had to say about Annabelle. All eyes were on us as I escorted her to the door. It won’t be long before the whispers and speculation start I’m sure.

  From some of the looks most of them weren’t too sad to see her go. Celeste the bartender was the only one who reacted outwardly with a round of applause and a big ass grin on her face. I wonder what the hell Tony had told her.

  I watched her leave and head down the sidewalk towards the parking garage around the corner before heading back inside. I’d like to think the shit was over but I got the feeling that it wasn’t. At least she was no longer close enough to do shit.

  I waited around just long enough to have a few words with her replacement who arrived not long after she left, before heading back to the car with Tony hot on my heels.

  I’ll have a talk with the dancers another day, make sure they were okay. Who knows what else that witch had done behind my back?

  Right now I had more pressing matters to deal with though. I’m sure they’ll line up to tell me their grievances the next time I come in.

  “You think she’ll leave it there?” Tony asked as he started the car.

  “No, not for a fucking second. I’ll just have to keep an eye on Annabelle, make sure she stays safe.”

  I looked out the window, mad at myself for being so blind. What I’d thought was an innocent flirtation that was just slightly out of hand was obviously something much worst. What I’d seen in her eyes in that office just now left me cold.

  The threats against me were laughable, but the things she had to say abou
t Annabelle were a different matter. She hated her guts and I’m sure the girl never did shit to her.

  She’d obviously guessed correctly that I was more than a little fond of Anna and felt threatened. Since the shit was all in her mind, this thing between her and I, how the fuck was I supposed to deal with it?

  I’m not that green that I don’t know what goes on in the world. Now that she’d been fired I don’t expect her to take that shit lying down. If she comes for me that’s fine, but somehow I get the feeling that I’m not the one she’s going to target.

  “I want everything we can find on her by Monday the latest.” That’s when I planned on dropping in on Ray Morrison’s place of employment. I wasn’t kidding when I said I was going to destroy him.

  “You’ve got it. I’ll put someone on her as well just to be safe. She looked all kinds a mad when she left. Personally I don’t think she’s all there. Never did.”

  “So why the fuck did you let me hire her?”

  “Hah! I tried to tell you but you kept going on and on about how good she was, so I left it alone.”

  “You mean you told me shit in double speak that I couldn’t understand.”

  Asshole talks all around shit instead of getting to the point half the damn time. Must be part of his military training. That shit’s annoying as hell.

  “Whatever, now that it’s come to this I’ll clean up your mess. Does she know where you live?”

  “Nope, why would she?”

  “Just making sure. I guess we’ll wait and see what she and the nephew does next.”

  Since my girl was safe from both of them for now, and there was no way for them to get to her, I put it aside and concentrated on what I was about to face when I got back to my place.

  “Are you going back out tonight, you need me to hang around or…?”

  “No, I don’t think so, I’ll call out for dinner later.” I wasn’t letting her back outside for now, not until she accepted that she was staying put.