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“I said look at ME!” I punch Vinny in the head. It lolls on his shoulders but then he looks back at me. “Have you been letting people deal in this club?”
Vinny starts fully crying now. I grab him by the hair on the top of the head to force him to keep looking at me. “I’m sorry,” he cries.
I let go of his head and I stand up. Vinny drops his head as he sobs. “It’s been hard! I needed the money! I’ve done good work here! I’ll never do it again.”
I pull my gun out of my jacket. Vinny looks up and sees it, his eyes wide enough to pop out of his head.
“No! Please! I’ll fix it! I’ll do whatever it takes.” He stands up from the chair, but Enzo grabs him by the shoulders from behind and pushes him back down.
“Look at me,” I say leaning toward Vinny. He’s shaking and crying. “Look at me,” I say calmly. I wait for him to stop crying and catch his breath. He slowly looks up into my face.
“You broke the rules,” I say. I press my gun to his thigh and pull the trigger.
Vinny screams and cries.
“Take care of him,” I instruct Enzo as I head back out of the office.
3
KLEIN
I getto Sinners just after 11pm. Andre told me that he would be DJing from midnight to 2am. I figure if I show up just before 11, I can see him before he goes on, and then I won't have to stay around all night. Maybe I can still be in bed before 1am.
I wore my Jimmy Choosand my gold Michael Kors bodycon dress. I thought maybe I’d feel a bit overdressed, but I don’t. Everyone in line is just as decked out. I walk past the line of people waiting to enter. Andre put my name on the list, so when the bouncer confirms my name and checks my ID, he waves me right into the club.
I’ve never been here before. Most of my clubbing days happened before I turned 21. And Sinners was notoriously one of the few places that actually turns away anyone underage.
The club is busy. Andre seems to be doing well to headline such a big night. I know his social media has been blowing up over the past couple of years. Maybe he’ll get to quit his day job sometime soon.
I see Andre standing by the bar closest to the entrance. He’s talking to three people I don’t know. As I walk over, he waves to me. He says ‘goodbye’ to the group he was talking with and almost bounces over to me.
“Thanks for coming out!” Andre hugs me.
“It’s so good to see you! Thanks for putting me on the list,” I say as I hug him back. “This is a great crowd.”
Andre grins. “Here, have my drink tickets. I’m not using them.” Andre puts several tickets in my hand. I tear one off and put the rest in my clutch.
We move up to the bar. I order a vodka tonic and Andre jokes with the bartender while she makes it. It’s fun seeing him in such a good mood.
“Are you excited about performing? Nervous?” I tease him while I sip my drink. I know this doesn’t make Andre nervous. This might be the biggest crowd he’s DJed for, but he’s not one to be afraid of that.
“I’m excited,” he nods. “It should be a good night.”
“Andre, who is this?” A skinny guy in baggy clothes and immaculate white high-tops claps Andre on the shoulder while looking me up and down.
“This is my date,” Andre says seriously putting his arm around me and pulling me closer. “Klein, this is Vinny. He manages the club.”
I know what Andre is doing. There have been many nights we’ve gone out and pretended to be together. It’s helpful when I don’t feel like getting hit on. It doesn’t turn away all the guys, but it cuts down on the bullshit. He can tell I’m not interested in it tonight without me having to tell him. Especially by this guy.
I hold out my hand to shake Vinny’s.
“Nice to meet you, Klein.” Vinny says. He still eyes me up and down even with Andre’s arm around me. “Have a good set,” he turns to Andre. “Stop by the office at the end of the night and we’ll square up.”
Andre nods at Vinny as he eyes me again then heads back across the club. Andre and I roll our eyes at each other. Then he checks his watch. “I better get up to the booth and finish setting up. You want to come?”
I stay up in the DJ booth with Andre for a while. It’s interesting to see the club from here. It’s great people-watching. When he’s about to start, I head back down to the bar to use one of the remaining drink tickets he gave me. I figure I’ll stick around to catch the first half of his set, then call it a night.
* * *
