Chapter 16: Express Bar

Angie took a sip of her beer and swayed to the beat, a little drunk as usual and grinning because she knew she didn't have a care in the world. The air was hot and so were the guys, just how she liked it.

Colored Strobe lights, large speakers, and waitresses dressed skimpily with glowing trays of drinks or shooters or empty glasses. The smell of sweat, beer, cologne, perfume, Cigarettes, and stale air. This was Angie's environment.

Angie was scanning the room when she noticed that the VIP Lounge was guarded and closed off so whoever was in there couldn't be seen. She became excited because that usually meant men with money and unlimited booze.

Angie hiked up her skirt and bee-lined to the VIP Stairs. The guard at the bottom refused to let her enter, which infuriated her. So she turned around and went to the bar to think of her next move. She ordered another beer and a vodka on the rocks with extra lime. All she knew was she needed to find a way into that lounge.

Meanwhile up in the VIP Lounge sat Alexander. His cold hate-filled eyes looked down at the bar where Angie sat. He had brought his best friend Nick with him to con Angie into seeing him. He knew she'd do whatever she could to snag a rich man she could rob blind.

At 8 pm sharp Pablo, Joseph and two bodyguards entered the Express Bar through the restaurant side. Pablo hated bars so he did everything he could to avoid them. As they entered the lounge they saw Alexander sitting there with 2 half-dressed women and a whisky sour. He waved off the 2 women and pulled out a few cigars.

“Long time no see,” Nick said as he stood up to greet Pablo and Joe.

“I know but it's never good when we have to get together,” Joe spoke up.

“Shall we get down to business?” Alexander said as he handed out the cigars.

“What's been going on with Gloriana that you had to call me?” Alexander’s brow raised.

“She's out of control. All she does is drink and party. Meanwhile, she takes Gloriana places and then forgets her there. The first time was at a church Easter function, the second time was at the mall, the third time at a public pool and the most recent at a daycare facility I didn't even know she was at.” Pablo said.

“Well, why haven't you stepped in? Your Gloriana's father right?” Alexander was cold as he said it.

“Alex, I’m not a moron. I have interfered but it is your mother and sister that have allowed her to leave with Gloriana. Our agreement was you didn't have to be here for her but your family wanted to be involved. Which I have followed to this day.” Pablo replied angrily.

“And I did both of our mothers the favor of allowing Angie to live with me when she had nowhere to go and claimed to be sober.” He continued.

“ And because I was doing them a favor I haven't told anyone the best part. One of those sluts she travels around with stole items from Gloriana’s room and they left drugs unattended in her bathroom. When I brought it to her attention she shrugged it off like it wasn't a problem.” He stopped to puff his cigar.

“Yep, she was so strung out she said better to try it sooner than later…” Joe said what Pablo didn't.

And with that, a pure darkness filled the room. Alexander's eyes became so dark they looked almost black. His chiseled and muscular arms seemed to expand and be carved of solid stone. His nostrils flared and his lips tightened.

The room was so dark and tense that no one knew what to do. Nobody dared to ever stop Alexander. He was one of the most powerful men in the corporate world and he was also the most feared due to the rumors of his anger.

“Nick, you know what to do now.” Alexander stood to glare over the railing at the woman at the bar clueless of what was about to happen.

Nick was an attractive man. He was rather large and sexually appealing. He had jet-black buzz-cut hair. That matched perfectly with his olive complexion. His cologne was a spicy woody scent that drove women crazy. He wasn't married and didn't care if he ever got married.

Nick made his way out of the VIP Lounge with a few guards with him. He made his way towards the bar and made a point to show off his Centurion Card. That card was only issued to the wealthiest people in the world. He ordered the most expensive bottle they had and made sure he was loud enough that Angie could hear him. He set the bait and now he just had to wait.

Angie was sitting at the bar and watched a man exit the VIP Lounge. Her eyes glimmered when she saw the card he had and figured that was her target. She downed what was left of her beer and made sure he could see everything she had.

Nick noticed Angie was about to take the bait and pretended he was going to order something else. It wasn't long before Angie was standing right next to him. He pretended not to see her standing there.

“Ahem.. Do you have the time by any chance?” She asked Nick.

“Yes, I do ma’am it's 11:30 pm.” He replied, turning to look at her

“Thank you. Are you from around here? I've never seen you in here before.” Angie moved closer to him.

“No, I'm here on business,” Nick replied.

“Maybe you’d like me to show you around. The nightlife here is fantastic if you know where to be and who to be with.” Angie was all but drooling as she spoke to him.

“Are you offering? If you are, I just might have to take you up on that offer.” He turned to face her now. He had a mischievous look in his eye and Angie was all for it.

Angie wasn't going to pass up the chance to take advantage of another rich man. She had the bartender close his tab before gathering her belongings and led Nick out of the loud bar. He took her to his car and they set out just as planned.

Meanwhile, Alexander Joseph and Pablo had already left ahead of Nick. They sat in the presidential suite of the Lake Palace Hotel. The bar was fully stocked with glasses placed on the bar and fresh ice in the ice bin.

The men sat waiting for a text from Nick letting them know they had arrived at the suite below them. Nick's main job was to make sure Angie didn’t take any drugs or get drunk and get her to the suite. Tonight she was going to learn once and for all that actions have consequences.

The drive to the hotel was an interesting one for Nick. Angie had asked him if he was in the mood for drugs or if he could stop at every liquor store they passed. His reply was always the same which irritated Angie.

“Hey, baby come on let’s stop and grab a couple of bottles at the next liquor spot. Makes everything so much more fun and wild.” Angie moved her hand over to Nicks's leg.

“No, I'd rather remember my nights and trust me you're in for a wild night babe,” Nick replied with a wink.

With that, Angie sat back thinking of other ways to get into his wallet. Nick was already way ahead of her and had a dupe wallet in the suite along with hidden cameras to not only catch her in the act but there would be exactly what she’d be looking for.

The car pulled into the parking garage and Nick parked his car right in front of the door. He shut off the engine, got out and made his way to Angie’s side of the car. He opened her door so she could get out of the car and after closing the door he wrapped his arm around her waist and walked her inside.

The elevator ride felt like it was taking forever. It was only the two of them in the elevator so he couldn’t text the others just yet. The doors opened with a loud ding and they both exited the elevator.

Nick walked up to the door and opened it with a quick swipe. The lock clicked open and Angie walked inside wide-eyed at what she saw.