LEN (CONT.)

Len's POV (cont,)

I did not get a degree in Biochemical Engineering for nothing. So, I will give him 24 hrs. to get me my money plus thirty five percent interest. If that does not happen then he will die a slow and agonizing death, no one will be able to save him.

I must use him as an example. I ain't got no choice but to pull up on his dumb ass.

I make it back to the garage. Run some reports, verify the bank deposits and I am done!

Leaving the garage, I drove quickly to my Condo. Finally reaching home, I checked my text messages, responded to a few; and deleted ones from the same old boring females wanting to hangout.

I put my phone on the nightstand, peeled off my clothed and I jumped into the shower. Within 30 minutes, I had completed the 3's. Got dressed, grabbed my wallet, phone, keys and custom modified glock.

I went into the storage room that sits to the right of the kitchen. I opened the deep freezer, retrieved a vile of poison and a syringe. This was my own special concoction. It begins to destabilize in the body 12 hours after injection. If you do not receive the antidote within the last 12 hours of a 24-hour period, your dead one minute after the deadline.

The beauty of this poison, it's biodegradable and leaves no traces in the tissue nor blood stream. The antidote cures instantly.

Ooops! almost forgot to bring the antidote. I ran into the guest room closet, opened the safe and retrieved it. Now, switching vehicles, I am finally on my way to the Z Strip.

Since Top knew that I was coming, he coned off a parking space in front of the club for me. I parked, got out, and walked straight to Top. Standing before him, I bowed and said, "Thank You".

Top nods and I proceed into the club.

Top took me under his wing when I first tried out for Special Forces and made it. When he decided he was going to become a Merc, I did to. Top was like the coolest father/big brother a man could ever have. He trained me well and I learned everything I could from him.

But if you ever see his eyes change from an Ice Blue to a Crimson Red, you are already dead.

Top has multiple Doctorate degrees and his IQ is off the charts. He is a Neurologist by trade. He studied ancient Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mayan, Native American, Egyptian and Nordic medicine.

He only works as a bouncer to make himself socialize. Socialization is a struggle for to those who are introverts. Top is definitely an introvert.

I walk into the club and immediately see Travis and Jay sitting at the bar enjoying the show.

"What's up Len?" Travis greeted.

"Where is he?" as I scan the crowd.

"Over there, on the left." said Jay

"There goes my money and my product. Y'all know, I hate a liar and a thief. This BITCH has the audacity to rob me right in front of my face. Looks like Romeo is about to die. Within 24 hrs. that is."

As I was discussing with Travis and Jay, my plan to take care of Romeo; a flicker of light caught my eye. With a quick glance, I noticed that it was a different dancer that I've never seen here before.

At the time, her back was turned while she was performing. But when she turned around, I clearly saw her face, my heart skipped a beat, and I took a couple of steps back. I was shocked, never did I ever think I would see her face again after all this time.

Seeing my reaction, Mandy Lynn, who had been watching me since I entered the club came over, "Like what you see?"

I didn't immediately respond.

"That is my friend from California I wanted you to see."

Breaking my gaze from the stage.

"Mandy, I have some business to take care of first. I want you to give me the most Private VIP Room that you have. Tell her that I want a personal lap dance and I will pay her well, okay."

"Okay", Mandy Lynn was excited and walked away to get the room prepared.

My focus returned to the stage. I did not realize; I was talking out loud to myself, "Little Miss Ivy from the orphanage. The once shy and quiet girl that I met all those years ago."

Not only has she become a Stripper, but she has also blossomed into a beautiful woman. Her sexy, flawless caramel skin, round and natural breast, hips in proportion to nicely compliment her ass, stomach toned and flat. Those brown almond shaped eyes giving her that oriental look, GOD I always loved her eyes.

Jay began snapping his fingers several times in my face finally broke the trance.

"Len! What the fuck is going on with you man?"

"Nothing. Look take his ass to the warehouse. I'll meet you all there in about 1 1/2 to 2 hours from now." With that being said, I left to find Mandy Lynn.

When I found her, she told one of her bouncers to take me to the VIP Private Room that I had requested. Sitting there, my mind began racing again. The shock of seeing Ivy up onstage, stripping, nonetheless.

How many years has it been? Nine or ten? What happened to her? I was so busy with my own life back then; I should have done something more for her. This is not the life that I had envisioned for her. Ivy was and is special.

All I know is, she better have a damn good reason for becoming this.

FLASHBACK:

She was 15 years old when she came to live at the orphanage; that my grandma ran. I had just turned 21 and was in my senior year of college. Me and some of my friends were bringing supplies to my grandma; to help minimize her expenses. She took care of me for 10 years and I wanted to give back.

I remember that day very clear. Ivy seemed void of all emotion. She always held her head down and wouldn't look anyone directly in the eyes.

I was finishing unloading the last of the truck when my grandma walked over to me, "Len, once you get done unloading that stuff off the truck; I need you to come inside and do something for me."

"I got you Granny, give me about 15 minutes."

When I was done unloading the truck, I headed straight to Granny's office. When I walked in, I saw her, Ivy. Even though she was only 15 years old I thought she was kind of cute; very attractive for someone her age.

Granny saw me standing in the doorway and looked up from her desk, "Thank you so much Len, for bringing that stuff. I really do appreciate it."

I smiled, "It's the least I could do for you, Granny. You're my favorite person in this whole wide world."

Her eyes slowly focused on the girl sitting in the chair.

"This is Ivy. She lost her mother and hasn't seen her father since she was a baby. So, she'll be staying with us for a while. Would you mind showing her around and taking her to her room?"

"No problem."

"I do appreciate your help. She doesn't talk much. Ivy here's a schedule for school. Dinner is at 6:30 don't be late."

Ivy didn't say anything, nodded her head; took her schedule, grabbed her bag and followed me out the office.

End of Flashback:

I tried to visit Granny's every other Sunday. Every time I came, Ivy was either alone or nowhere to be seen. Out of all the kids that came through that place, she was the only one that seemed to have piqued my interest.

In the back of my mind, I always wanted to know what truly happened to her. I wanted to ask about her life and how she felt about her Mother's passing.

Within 10 months after Ivy's arrival, Granny died. I was really all she had, and the funeral was small. I noticed Ivy did not show up for the funeral. Afterwards, I went back to the orphanage to check on her, but instead I saw Ivy loading her stuff in some guy's car. Before I could react or say anything, she was gone and I never saw her again, until now.