Alana

I sat on my bed, thinking that what I was going to do was insane. This wasn’t for the faint of heart. Most seasoned cops wouldn’t go undercover. I wasn’t even a cop, just a kid with the passion to avenge a life stolen from me and get rid of the bad guys. My own bullheadedness got me into this mess. Once this was over, if I made it out alive, I would get far away from here and enroll in a school where no one had any idea who I was or where I came from.

I went into the bathroom and washed my face. It was time to prepare for the assignment. If I pulled this off, it would be a miracle. I didn’t know anything about the man I was supposed to keep an eye on, but he was a gangster. Having seen what the mob could do, I wanted them gone and away from civilized society.

I grabbed the curling iron and worked it through my hair, using the spray and mist in my hair to keep the curl without turning to a woman from an 80’s music video. Next was makeup, this was going to be the fun part. I’d never worn make up more than lipstick or gloss. It took me an hour and a pack of Neutrogena makeup wipes to manage a decent look.

The slutty, street walking, stripper outfit was next. Thank my freaking stars that I was getting a ride to the place or I wouldn’t make it there before getting picked up by the cops or maybe even assaulted by someone on the street.

I spun around to the floor length mirror behind my door. “Wow,” I whispered to myself. The halter top and skirt were excessive, but I looked freaking sexy. The heels were a perfect fit and felt comfortable enough that I would get by without looking like a newborn calf, stumbling like a fool. I used to wear my mother’s shoes when I was little, but it had been so long that I had needed days of practice. Now, I managed to even spin in a circle without falling on my ass.

From head to toe, I was dressed to work in a strip club. All I was missing was the nerve to show myself to these people. I ran over the story I was given and prepared to lie my ass off. Maybe I wouldn’t even see the owner of the club. It could be a waste of time if he didn’t even make deals in there. Criminals like him were too smart for it. They only got nailed when someone ratted on them.

I gave myself another once-over before grabbing my little clutch stuffed with my keys and phone and heading out the door. Greg stood outside, leaning on his SUV. He stood up when he saw me, giving me a whistle of approval. “You look sexy. It’s going to work perfectly. Then we can get you the money you need to disappear to a different life.”

He opened the door for me and helped me in before going around to start the nerve-wracking drive. He had been a rookie detective when my father died a six years ago. As partners, they had become good friends. After my father’s murder, he often checked in on me. When asked if I would do this, I jumped on it. Someone in the Franchetti family had been charged for my father’s murder but got off on a technicality. I hated all of them, criminals that is. They were what was wrong with this town, and I wanted to do my part to clean it up. If it wasn’t for them, my parents would have been living a good life and happily married, and I wouldn’t have been shuffled about between family friends and relatives after my mother’s death.

“Remember, you need to be playing the part of a cash strapped student looking for an easy pay out without having to suck dick to do it.” I gasped, giving him a dirty look.

“Could you be any more disrespectful?” I asked Greg.

He frowned and muttered something I couldn’t hear before adding, “You’re going into a strip club, sweetheart. I’m just preparing you for the blunt, perverse talk that will happen in there. Just stick to your story and keep that level head on you.”

“I know, but it’s weird to hear those things from you.”

“I am still a young man, Alana. Just because you don’t see me that way doesn’t change that I’m only thirty-five.”

“Sorry, I think I’m on edge about this.” The lights of the city passed by as he drove fast. “And your driving isn’t helping.”

“Calm down, Alana. At least you don’t need confidence for this. The insecure and uncomfortable act will do just fine inside there.”

He pulled down the street from the club. La Roux was a high-end strip club run by Anthony Franchetti, or Tony like he was called by his friends. What was it with gangsters being named Tony? I felt like they were all named that or maybe it was the movies I’d seen.

It was now or never. I had to get information from the employees about prostitution and drugs. I wasn’t wired or anything because this wasn’t the time for it. I was to get in good with the people there before getting wired up and getting what we needed.

Thinking of my parents, I popped out of my seat and strolled to the club like I was the owner. The bouncer at the door had no issue letting me in after he got admire my tits and ass first. I supposed I would have to get used to it. The place was dark, but eye catching. There were two women on stage dancing. They still had their clothes on, so I must have just made it to the start of their act. I would have to watch and take some damn pointers. Dancing was something I loved, but I’d never done it in a provocative way. This was a whole different game. Despite the girls on stage, I managed to attract eyes on me—a lot of them. I walked up to the bar and spoke to the woman bartending. She was as hot as the rest of the women in here. Not that I was into girls, but I recognized beauty when I saw it.

She tilted her head towards a large man in a suit. He came up to us, and before I knew it, he was leaving to get the boss. “See, the thing is, Mr. Franchetti isn’t into hiring anyone. He leaves that to his manager, but we don’t have an opening right now. Eric sees something in you that would need the boss’s approval. Have a drink and relax while you wait for the boss.”  I nodded and waited while I continued to gain attention of several of the patrons. My hands were shaking as I waited to meet the infamous Tony Franchetti.