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

forced a smile back at him, hurrying up the staircase towards the VIP lounge, only to be halted in my tracks for the

covering his chest as I stilled for a second to process

pranked tonight? Had I fallen into a dream like state and none of

at the door and Reid was now standing behind my bar in

walking towards him, still not liking him very much

grow closer, he eventually looks up, an eyebrow raising as he cleans another

nobody told you?" He all but says, as I tilt

Why else would Reid be working my night behind

aren't working up here tonight love, they need you downstairs... to dance." Reid practically scoffs at his

I just hear him right?

I explain, deciding that

at my job up here - Tito 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 was the only underage worker around here too, despite Reid who had suddenly stepped in to my job role it seems, but I figured it could be risky having

question how old I

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to dance so you better go get ready!" Reid states matter of factly as I open and close my mouth in horror. This had been landed on me last minute which I didn't think was fair, but I

I needed the money...

stairs, hearing Reid's amused chuckle fall

he's an ass and that was

reach downstairs, heading for the dancers dressing room, knowing that the shift was

girl

haven't done it before so I'm really worried!" I

itself was small, with a dresser and mirror, with a

and move your hips to the beat - don't overthink it. You'll get good pay

time without even looking at myself after, thanking her for her help since I

sit on the stool and allow her to add some blush to my cheeks and some sparkle to my eyes. "Red lips and

in to thinking that I'm older