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Song for chapter; Avicii - Hold The Line ft A R I Z O N A.
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LATOYA

The awful smell of alcohol filled my lungs, causing my nose to wrinkle in disgust. My eyes scanned the empty bar with interest, it had changed over the past years. With it's new darker shade of paint and vintage decor it seemed more elegant. I then caught sight of a pool table and dart board on my ride hand side and on my left, sets of tables and chairs neatly placed over. Another change made my curiosity spark further. By the corner of the bar were booths, you know, the private ones and not just for complete isolation from the crowd but also silent proof.

"Can I help you with something?" A voice startled me, causing my body to jump backwards almost falling onto the unknown person.

"Umm no... I mean yeah, sorry." I said nervously whilst shaking my head and turning to look at the person.

"Latoya?" I then recognized who he was, a wide grin stretching across my cheeks. That overly tall and skinny built body only made my smile widen.

"Igor?" I mimicked with just the same amount of shock.

"Damn girl look at you? How've you been it's been awhile." He says, pulling me in for a hug before letting go. I let out a chuckle at my longtime gay friend. Igor and I had met at this very same bar six years ago when I'd come here to buy alcohol for Dad. Unlike everyone else that solely wanted to only get into my pants, he was different. Well, I guess you could say it was because he's not into females but I highly assume his personality would've been the same regardless of his sexuality.

"I've been good. I see you changed the place a little huh?" I said, gesturing to the surrounding.

"Yeah, It was all North's Idea. He always complained about the place and something about privacy. You know him and his flings." Igor laughed, lowering his voice at the last part. At the mention of his name a strange feeling washed over me for a second before I laughed as well, my eyes looking over at the booths again, they where oddly spacious for privacy.

Pushing past the thought, Igor and I headed towards the bar for a few shots as we catched up on what I had missed out on. It was abit strange that he hadn't asked about my whereabouts or said anything about Lake's death, though I wasn't really even sure if he knew about it or he was just avoiding the topic.

"So, are you seeing anyone?" I asked whilst sipping on my cold margarita with a wiggle of my eyebrows.

"At the moment no. I just broke up with my boyfriend cus' turns out he was way too clingy for my liking." He says with a wave of his hand, without any care in the world. "Anyway though there's a guy who comes over most of the time and I think he likes me, yunno, he's always giving me these looks and has the perfect pair of blue eyes to get lost into." He murmurs dreamily causing me to laugh.

"Are you seeing anyone though?" He asks, his palms supporting his enormous head as he gives me his full attention like a child patiently waiting to be handed chocolate.

"Nope." I said, popping the p before going on to say, "I'm honestly not up for relationships right now, you know, having more important things to deal with." I momentarily shrugged.

"I feel you girl, who needs guys anyway." He raised my hand and did a fist bump with it making me laugh in the process.

I looked at the time and realised a good few hours had passed. So I decided to ask Igor if North was around even though I already knew the answer. The guy never missed a day of work though you wouldn't ever see him lurking around seeing as he was ever locked up in his office. It was a family bar that had passed on for three generations, his being the third. Our family was considered a regular because of my dad. His dad and mine shared a history together but unfortunately his died and he had to drop out if school to run the place. His mom died whilst giving birth to him and he was their only child, losing both his parents was obviously devastating and hard. I could only imagine his pain.

Igor replied with a yes and I beckoned him to let him know, though not specifying who it was or I'd be sent away.

He disappeared into the back and I remained there reciting what I'd say to him. North ran this place part-time that was for sure, but only a few people knew that. He often dealed with people from the underground that did illegal businesses which I wasn't exactly sure about. All we knew was that his life revolved around crime and everything about him screamed danger. So, that's what made him the perfect source for me.

Igor returned minutes later and motioned for me to follow him. The dark hallway was painted black in colour with just a few decorations added to it. Though that didn't make it less creepy than it already was. We seemed to be walking for what felt like ages when we came to halt at a large wooden door set that looked completely sound proof. I waited for Igor to go in first but he quickly descended back to the bar to get it ready in time before it was opened. Coward.

Slowly I pushed open the door and stepped in, closing it behind me. My jaw nearly dropped down to the pits of hell as I took in the place. It was awfully tidy and unique for a man and surprisingly spacious, definitely larger than my room. As I walked in further I got a better view of the room, a big and bright chandelier hung above a large mahogany table with black leather sofas surrounding it. I didn't have time to relish in the rest of the room because a figure cut my moment short.

He was there, seated by his table with  sleeves rolled up to the elbows and heavy ink peaking through it, tempting the eyes to pry further with keen interest. I looked up and our eyes met, my soft light brown eyes staring into his cold and rigid piercing green ones. A small gasp left lips, I wasn't gonna deny but he was even more attractive than I'd remembered. His face and jaw were perfectly sculpted into something handsome and sexy. His eyes raked my body, not in a sexual way but something about the way he did it made me feel naked and exposed. I searched his eyes for any sort of emotion, one in particular that I'd noticed in everyone since I came back but there was nothing. It didn't even look like he was trying to conceal anything, his face remained neutral.

It was unfortunate that I hated his guts, we all did in our family except for Dad. Mom always said there was something off about him and just the fact that his record was loaded with crime. Though I think she just hates where he comes from and that infuriates me considering the fact that not everyone's background defines them. For all we know he could be going through a lot of shit, but bring out a tough exterior only because he's scared of how he'll be perceived by people.

After reality smacked me in the face, it dawned on me that I was aimlessly gawking at the boy, no man seated before me. Embarrassment crept hotly up my cheeks, making me clear my throat to conceal it. I took a seat opposite his and my body seemed tiny compared to his large frame. What the heck happened to me? It felt like I hadn't grown one bit and yet everyone else appeared to be on steroids.

"What do you want?" His voice came out flat, with no hint of interest laced in it.

"I came to talk, I need your help with something." I nervously played with my earlobe, a habit that's been with me since I could remember.

His eyes darted to where my hand was placed before returning them to mine. His heated gaze making me look anywhere but him. "You don't deserve my help, unless I'm earning my end of the bargain." He raised his eyebrows with question. Why was he acting like we weren't dealing with some business, this was supposed to be more of a favour.

"Hey look, I don't know what you mean by 'your end of the bargain'," I added with air quotes, my sarcasm dripping bluntly, "but think of it as nothing but a solid favour."

"You're free to leave my office if you won't comply with my rules." He said dismissively.

"Bull! What the hell's wrong with you? Look I'll do anything just please make it possible for us to work together in this, it would be such a favour." I groaned, not giving up at all. I would not rest until the man who murdered my brother was in prison. I mean, he's been running around for five years and who knows how many other lives he'd taken within that time space?

"Fine, you're excused now." He finally complied, with a mysterious smirk plastered on his face and an evil glint in his eyes.

"Great, so won't I like need your number so that we can plan on when to meet up or something?" I asked feeling relaxed at that moment, not paying particular attention to what crossed his mind.

"No, I'll have Igor call you when I'm ready." He pondered like me asking for his number was such a big crime.

"Bye then." I stood up quickly, reeling to leave that place before I strangled him to death.

"Oh and Latoya," he called out just before my hand touched the door nob, bringing me to a halt. I heard shifting before I felt heat radiating onto my back, his scent filling up my nose causing me to hold my breath, "I intend to make our partnership, Interesting."

I don't know but something about the way he said my name did things to me and that last part held more meaning to it, I just couldn't place my finger on what he was referring too.

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I hope this chapter wasn't boring at all...
We've met North already, seems like a pretty chill guy right? Or not *snickers*
Keep going if you're liking it so far <3

Comment and vote ;)