Shadows In Durango

Chapter 37

*****Sofia's POV*****

I frantically keep checking outside, making sure my neighbours remained there for the time being while I got ready for work.

At least if I knew they were out front I could seamlessly exit out the back without being detected because what I feared most now was meeting them on the apartment building staircase... alone and without a door holding them back! I would rather know where they are at least to keep myself safe and to avoid them.

Checking my phone, I had twenty minutes left before my shift at the bar and with a final sigh, I pull on my jacket and decide to leave.

I quickly fumble with the keys to lock the door, hurrying down the steps and out the back exit - rounding to the end of the street in a quickened stride.

Great, I avoided them for another day at least...

Walking towards town for around ten minutes, the bright neon light of Intensity finally comes into view, leaving me with just over five minutes to spare.

"Can I help you?" I turn to find a random guy ask with a quizzical look on his face the second I enter the building, shocking me in his work uniform since I hadn't yet seen him around here before.

"Hey... I work here too, in the upstairs bar. My names Sofia, I don't think we've met!" I add politely, as he seems to eye me in disgust next, catching me more off guard than before as his eyes rake over me.

"You work here? Says who?" He pushes on, as I glance over to the main bar in desperate search of Tito, finding him nowhere to be seen.

Who the heck is this guy and what's with his attitude?!

"Tito." I tell him simply, before watching as he inaudibly curses under his breath in response with a shake of his head.

He had clearly decided seconds after meeting me that he didn't like me very much which I didn't find fair. He could have at least given me a chance... but I guess he was just old and grumpy!

"Well Tito isn't here tonight and we are incredibly short on staff. I'm the old manager, I recently retired from here. Just go to your area and set up!" He orders, rushing the words at me before shooing me off with his wrist.

rude to say

the staircase towards the VIP lounge, only to be halted

Intensity uniform covering his chest as

Had I fallen into a dream like state and none of this was real?

was no Tito to greet me at the door and Reid

him very

eyebrow raising as he cleans another glass with a bored

He all but says, as I tilt

else would Reid be working my night behind my station?! Maybe Vincent

you downstairs... to dance." Reid practically scoffs

just hear him right?

deciding that there has to be some sort

and Vincent both said so! I wasn't one of the dancers, despite having danced in my younger years, but I wasn't hired to dance on a freakin pole! I

people question how old I am and

adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The

to work, Vincent wants you down there to dance so you better go get ready!" Reid states matter of factly as I open

I needed the money...

hearing Reid's amused chuckle fall quiet from behind me with the more

like him, he's an

dancers dressing room, knowing that the

help?" A beautiful tall black girl stops me, as I nod frantically

to stand in to dance tonight... I haven't done it before so I'm really worried!" I tell her truthfully, as she eyes me over

itself was small, with a dresser and mirror, with

no big deal love, you stand and move your hips to the beat - don't overthink it. You'll

do so in record time without even looking at myself after, thanking her for her help since I must've looked like a lost puppy dog

blush to my

will fool everyone in to thinking that I'm