The Club

SHAY

“Wake up, sleepyhead! We’re going to be late if you don’t get moving.” A firm shove jolted me awake.

My best friend Tammy and I shared a swanky apartment in the northern part of New York City. We’d been living here for two years, making a decent living as waitresses at one of the city’s top clubs, the Blue Meadow. We split the rent, and with our weekly tips and paychecks, we managed to live comfortably.

Tammy was bouncing on my bed, trying to rouse me from sleep. We’d worked late the previous night.

“Ugh!” I groaned, rolling over. “Alright, I’m up. What time is it?”

“Four in the afternoon. We have to be at work by six, remember?”

“Okay, let me shower quickly, and I’ll meet you downstairs,” I said, nudging her off me.

I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower. I was still tired and sore from the previous night, which had been one of the busiest nights at the club.

I turned on the shower, letting the water heat up before stepping in. The hot water hitting my body was a relief, helping me relax. After a slow, thorough wash, I stepped out, wrapping a towel around myself and another around my hair.

I walked into my walk-in closet and picked out my work uniform—a black skirt and a white button-up shirt. After drying my hair and applying some makeup, I headed downstairs. It was about five o’clock.

“About time,” Tammy said, tapping her foot impatiently by the door. “You know how bad the traffic is. We need to leave now.”

“I know, we’re leaving at the same time we always do. Let me grab my keys, and we can go.”

I picked up my clutch, and we headed to the elevator that led to the parking garage attached to our apartment complex.

The garage was filled with expensive cars. We walked up to my silver BMW. It was six years old, but it ran well and was paid off, thanks to my job.

I unlocked the car, and we got in, ready to brave the forty-minute drive through the city’s notorious traffic.

Eventually, we reached the entrance of the parking garage reserved for the club’s employees. I scanned my card, and the gates lifted. We drove in and parked in my usual spot.

“Wow!” Tammy exclaimed as we rounded the next corner. “I wonder who owns those fancy cars?”

A couple of Porsches and three Lamborghinis were parked near the elevator where we usually parked. I found a vacant spot about ten feet away from my usual one.

We got out of the car, and I set the alarm. I dropped my keys into my clutch, and we headed to the elevator that led to the club’s entrance.

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out into the dimly lit alley. That’s when I noticed something out of the corner of my eye and turned to look.

A tall man was leaning against the brick wall, dressed in black slacks, a long trench coat, and a black hat. He took a long drag from his cigarette and exhaled into the chilly air.

“Who is that?” Tammy whispered as we resumed walking.

“I have no idea,” I replied. I glanced back one last time and saw him watching me. His dark eyes met mine, and I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. I gave him a half-smile before opening the door to the club.

Alec, the head bartender, greeted us as we walked in. He’d been trying to win Tammy over for months. She seemed to be warming up to him but wasn’t ready to commit just yet.

“Thanks,” Tammy said, blushing. We walked off to put our things in our lockers.

“When are you going to stop playing hard to get and just say yes to dinner with him?” I asked, teasing her a bit.

“I’m not sure. What if we go out and there’s no chemistry?”

I put my clutch in my locker and said, “You won’t know until you try. You might hit it off. He’s a good-looking guy, and he’s really sweet.”

She slammed her locker shut and turned to face me. “Fine, when are you going to let Tony take you out?”

Tony was the head bouncer and had asked me out several times, but I’d always made excuses to turn him down.

“I might let him this weekend. I’ve been thinking about it.”

“If you say yes to him, then I’ll say yes to Alec.”

“I’ll let him know tonight. We’re off on Sunday, and I think he is too. I’ll go ask him now.”

She followed me as I walked back to the bar. “Alec, have you seen Tony?”

“He’s at the main VIP area tonight. The boss is here tonight and requested him as his guard.”

Tammy looked shocked. “You mean Zane is here tonight?”

Zane Santone was the club’s owner. He was a notorious mafia leader, known for his ruthlessness. I’d hoped I’d never have to meet him, but it seemed my luck had run out.

“Shay, these are for you.” Alec handed me a tray full of drinks.

“No, no, no! I can’t.” I shook my head, terrified.

“I’m sorry, but they asked for you specifically. He didn’t know your name but described you and said he wanted you to serve them.”

I looked at the tray loaded with about twenty shots and nodded.

“How did you know what they wanted?” I balanced the tray on my hand.

“They always order the same thing when they’re here. I’ve separated the drinks according to their preferences.

“Zane gets the clear ones, Conner gets the brown ones, and Noah gets the ones with lemons.” Alec pointed out each set of drinks as he spoke.

I picked up the tray and headed upstairs. Tony was waiting there, the curtain to the room drawn shut. His smile was warm and inviting as I approached.

“You’re on drink duty tonight?” His voice was playful, a hint of flirtation lacing his words.

“Yeah, Alec sent me up with these,” I replied, gesturing to the tray in my hands.

“I’ll let you in, but only if you say yes,” he purred, his voice deep and alluring. I knew what he was after: a date with me.

Before I could respond, a voice, equally deep and alluring, echoed from behind the curtain. “Tony, stop hitting on the staff and let her in.”

Tony pulled back the curtain, and I stepped inside. My throat went dry as I took in the sight of three incredibly attractive, muscular, and impeccably dressed men. One of them seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t quite place him.

“Who’s Zane?” I asked.

A man with eyes as dark as midnight looked up at me. “That would be me, sweetheart.”

I placed his drinks in front of him. “And which one of you is Conner?”

A blond man with icy blue eyes looked up and flashed me a smile. “Those are mine, darling.” As I set his drinks down, he was suddenly yanked out of his seat by Zane.

“What did you just call her?” Zane’s lips twisted into a fierce snarl.

“Sorry, man. Didn’t mean anything by it,” Conner said, pushing Zane away.

After setting down the last set of drinks in front of Noah, I turned to leave.

“Where are you going, my queen?”

I turned back to Zane, offering him a polite smile. “My name is Shay, and I have other customers to attend to.”

“No, you’re staying here with us tonight. Alec’s already been informed.”

“But…”

“I’m not asking, Shay. I’m telling.” He gestured to an empty chair, and I hesitantly took a seat, suddenly feeling very small in the presence of these intimidating men.