I strut on the stage, doing a few dance moves along the way to catch the men's attention. The men are all yelling and cheering that the first dance session of the night is beginning. You'd think they were at a Beyoncé concert with their cheers. Most of the men are already throwing cash on the stage, so I have to be careful as I walk. That's a downside of tips, it's hard to dance and walk when there are just bills laying on the floor. Believe me when I say I've fallen because of money on the stage. I've also been nailed in the head with a quarter, so that sums up my career. When I reach the front of the stage I glance over to the middle to see Mr. Cutler leaning back in his seating looking at me. His arm is outstretched, and his finger is on the top of a thin straw that's in his glass. He's absentmindedly twirling the straw as he watches me. I ignore the nervousness and embarrassment that's ready to show on my cheeks, and instead, I send him a wink with a large smile. He smirks, wink
"Wait, I can go with you?" Kylie asks and I nod my head. "But I have work today." "Mr. Cutler said I could bring whoever I wanted and I choose you. So, you get the day off," I tell her. "I'll let him know so you won't get in trouble." "I'm so excited! Lets get ready and I'll meet you in the dining room," she cheers before running down the hall. I smile at my friends giddiness before I go to my room to change out of my pajamas. I slip on a plain purple t-shirt and a pair of gray leggings. I slip on my tennis shoes and pull my hair up into a bun before I head to the dining room. I'm so excited to go shopping. "Morning Ashlynn," Tori greets me as I walk in the room. "Morning," I respond with a small smile. She gets back to work and I find my seat at the table to wait for Kylie. She runs out a few moments later wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a baby blue tank top. Her hair is down and she has on black ankle booties. She looks so cute and I look like a bum. "You look so cute
"Mr. Cutler!" I yell when I see him walking down the hall. He has a towel in his hands and his head down. He's wearing a dark hoodie and dark jeans now. "Ashlynn? Is everything alright?" He asks, putting his hands behind his back. "Yeah, I just got back from the mall not to long ago," I tell him and grab the small wallet I purchased earlier. "Here's your card. Thank you again, but I did buy some things with my own money." "Then you may just get a bonus on your check," he smirks, finally getting close enough so I can finally see the features of his face. "You're a mess," I say with a sigh noticing his hair going in every direction, sweat dripping down his face, and blood splatters covering his face. "Let's get it cleaned off." I grab his elbow and drag him to the closest bathroom. I make him sit on the toilet, after putting the top down obviously, and I grab a rag from below the sink. I set it down with warm water and glance over at him. "Sorry," he says and motions to hi
Alright now just have to put on the dress and I'm ready, well plus shoes. I curled my hair and put it in a high ponytail, leaving a few strands out to frame my face. I didn't buy make up, I kind of forgot to, so I just put on some lipgloss and mascara that I borrowed from Kylie. My dress is amazing. It's a burgundy color, with thin white stripes, that I love. It has spaghetti straps and the neckline shows a small amount of cleavage, it's modest but also has a sexy look to it. It's a high low dress, so the back stops around mid calf and the front comes to right below my mid thigh. The end also has a ruffle look to it, it's perfect. I hurry to my room and grab the pair of black heels I bought earlier and slip them on. I double check that I have everything before I head out to meet Gage by the front door. I open my bedroom door to head out, but I run into something hard. Well it's obviously a person, but I wasn't paying attention. I manage to keep my balance, but the person reaches out
"So that phone call made him all cold and stuff?" Kylie asks, and I nod my head with a sigh. She is currently cleaning the upstairs meeting rooms, and I'm sitting in the chair watching. Every time I try to help she throws something at me. I can already feel a bruise forming on my arm from the soap bottle. "Yeah, I was actually really enjoying it, but after he got cold it wasn't as fun," I tell her. "It's hard to have fun when there really isn't anything being said or done." "Well I think he likes you," Kylie says with a shrug. "You have work tonight at the brothel, correct?" "Yep, and also tomorrow," I answer her. "Well you should find out if he's going today or tomorrow. If he is, you've got to make him jealous," Kylie smirks. "Dance for others guys more, or don't even dance for Mr. Cutler. Can you imagine the look on his face if that happened!" We both laughed at the image we created in our heads. ————————————————————— Let me just say, the face he made is much scari
Gage's POV: "Face ID recognized her in Seoul. She has dyed her hair to blonde, but it's definitely her," Vince tells me. "She has met up with the South Korean Cartel and is rumored to have a meeting with them tonight. The contacts that we have there are going to be keeping tabs for us until we can figure out what to do." "I'm glad to have you back brother," I say, relieved that there's actually being progress made. For once she isn't a step ahead. I pat my brother on the shoulder before I look at the screen that shows security footage of her. "Is this live or recorded?" "Live. Our contacts were able to hack quite a few cameras in the back streets," Vince tells me as he types away at another computer. "They think today may be the day she meets with the Cartel." "Keep me updated," I tell him. "I need to check on Jenna. Mom said Jenna is being stubborn again." "What a brat," Vince rolls his eyes at our younger sister. I head down to the training room, it's also in the ba
Ashlynn's POV: "You have to change before dinner!" Kylie grins as she grabs my hand and drags me to my room. "I can't believe you have another date with the boss! That's insane!" "It really is," I giggle. "I mean, I'm quite average." "You mean quite beautiful, amazing, smart, confident-" "Okay no more compliments, I don't know how to take them," I say with flushed cheeks. "But we are just getting ice cream, so nothing fancy." "Skirt is a definite yes," Kylie says as we approach my room. "I'm thinking we could pair it with a crop top maybe?" "I don't think I own a crop top," I admit thinking of all the clothes I bought. "I'm more of a baggy t-shirt girl." "I'll find something," she replies and I grin at her determination. She's really gotten comfortable and I can tell she's gaining confidence. "So," I say in a teasing tone, "how's Elliott?" Her cheeks flush at the mention of her crush's name and she bites her lip. "He and I met by the fountain out front last n
"Thank you Regan," I smile at Gage's aunt as we exit the small shop. "Bye Ashlynn, it was great meeting you," she returns a small smile. "I hope to see you again." "I'll definitely be coming back here," I say and she lets out a chuckle while she waves. Gage says goodbye to his aunt before he opens the door and lets me out first. We begin to walk back to the car when I hear Gage's phone ring. He gives me an apologetic look before he pulls out his phone and answers it. Gage doesn't speak at the start of the call, he's just listening to what the other person is saying. He looks pissed and next thing I know is I'm being shoved to the ground and Gage is laying on top of me. A loud bang goes off and my eyes widen when I realize what the sound was. "Be still, don't freak out," Gage says as another bullet is fired. My eyes begin to water and I start to panic. Not because of the situation fully, but because it's giving me flashbacks to
"Morning angel." Gage mutters against my cheek before he placed a soft kiss against it. "Morning." I reply with a smile. "It's your turn to give Addie a bath." "I think it's your turn." Gage replies as he buries his face into his pillow. "Gage, get your ass out of bed. We have places to be." I say and push the blankets off of me. Lily's dance competition is today, and since it's Sunday it's starting at ten. We have to be there earlier to make sure Lily is ready for when she needs to go on stage. "I'll be getting Lily and Roland ready." I tell him. "If you're not out of bed by the time I'm done showering, I'm literally going to kick your ass." "Yeah, yeah." he mumbles and I just roll my eyes before I go to the bathroom. I set the water to the temperature I want it to be at before I get in. I turn my back towards the shower head and close my eyes as the water hits my body. After a moment I open my eyes
Ashlynn's POV: "I'm nervous," I admit as Alex and I are behind the large doors. "Believe me when I say Gage is too," Alex responds. "He's been paranoid for the past week." "I'd never leave him, he shouldn't be worried," I respond. "And he'd never leave you, so you shouldn't be worried," Alex replies. "It is normal to be nervous on your wedding day, hell I was shaking." "Is it scary to be in front of everyone?" I ask. "When you see Gage it'll seem like it's just the two of you in the room," Alex tells me. "This day is going to go just as you want it to.""I'm sweating," I admit. "The music needs to start." "Patience is a virtue," Alex teases and I can't help but smile. "Shut up," I mumble and Alex just chuckles. "Thank you for doing this. Ya know, walking me down the aisle." "I'm honored you asked me to. You're like my little sister Ash
"Dad, hurry up! She'll be awake soon!" Lily rushes me as I stack the pancakes on the plate. "I'm going," I chuckle at her impatience. It's been almost two years since I've adopted Lily. Today is currently Ashlynn's birthday and she's turning twenty-six. We've been dating for two years, but I've really wanted to propose to her for a while. Lily decided to concoct a plan because Lily has a gift for Ashlynn too. "Finally, lets go," Lily says as she holds the papers in her hands tightly. I grab the breakfast and we head up to my room. Ashlynn is curled up on the bed with Loki and Thunder. Thunder is another dog, Lily somehow convinced me that Loki needed a friend right before her first Christmas here. But now the damn dogs love to sleep in my room."Loki, Thunder," I whisper and the two dogs look over at me. I pat my leg and they both jump off the bed. Good, I didn't want them begging Ashlynn for her food. "Thank god she's s
"Gage, where's Ashlynn?" Lily asks as I drive towards the hospital. Today is the day that I get to take Lily home. We just left the orphanage, all her belongings are in the trunk and she's strapped in to her booster seat. "She has to do some work, but we'll see her later," I tell Lily. "Where are we going?" Lily asks. "We're going to see my grandma, your great grandma," I tell her. "She's sick so she has to stay with the doctors to get better." "That's sad," Lily says and her bottom lip pouts slightly. "Can we get her a present? Presents always make me feel better." "You can pick out anything you'd like," I say, turning right. "Gage," she says and I glance in the rear view mirror to see her looking at her lap. "Are you okay Lily?" I ask and she nods her head slowly."Since you adopted me you said I was a part of your family," Lily says quietly. "You are Lily," I tel
Gage's POV: "Are you sure this is what you want to get Lily? I mean I'm sure she'd appreciate a dinosaur puzzle or something," I say as Ashlynn walks down the pathway of kennels. The dogs are all coming to the fence and sticking their noses through the little holes. "Oh I definitely want to get her a dog," she responds. "The only question is which one?" I groan as she goes up to a fence full of little puppies. I'd rather have a dog than a puppy. She grins as she squats down, putting her hand against the fence so they can all smell it. After she plays with them for a few minutes she continues walking but she abruptly stops. A large dog is sitting in the corner of his kennel, his head is downcast. "Oh goodness he's adorable," Ashlynn sighs as she goes to the fence. She makes some noises with her tongue, which gets the dogs attention. "Hi buddy, come here." The dog hesitated before it came to the fence and quickly
"Gage you took soooo long!" Lily exclaims, dragging out the "o" in so as Gage walks in with Reagan and Charolette. "I drew something for you. Look!" "Thank you Lily," Gage says as he takes the drawing of the dog Lily made. "Can I talk to you for a second?" "Uh oh am I in trouble? Are you not gonna come back? I promise to be good." Lily says and you can see the worry in her eyes. Her bottom lip starts to quiver as she holds back tears. "Come here," Gage says and squats down so he's closer to Lily's level. Lily jumps off her chair and runs into Gage's arms. She wraps her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. Gage holds her tightly and closes his eyes. "You've done nothing wrong Lily." "Are you gonna leave me?" Lily whispers and Gage pulls apart from the hug and grabs her small hands."I'm not going to leave you Lily," Gage says. "I've been talking with Miss Reagan and Miss Charolette a lot about you
Ashlynn's POV: I'm scared. I never really communicated with Lily, but with what Gage asked me today, I need to get to know her better. Today has just been a day full of shocks. He loves me. Gage loves me. I was not ready for him to say that. I'm not mad, but boy was it surprising. I can feel my cheeks heating up just thinking about it. Goodness! Maybe the shower is too hot actually. I've been standing under the burning water for more than a few minutes by now. I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my body and my hair. I go to my room and look through my clothes to figure out what to wear. If I'm meeting Lily I don't want to be wearing a dress, what if she wants to play? I need to find a nice pair of pants. I know Gage is going to dress down, so I will a little, but not a lot.I finally pick out a pair of black jeans and I find a cute white top, and I pair it wit
It's nearing the middle October and I've never had such a calm period with my business. I have a feeling that it won't last like this for long, but I'm taking it while I can. Everything in regards with Lily's adoption has been going smoothly. I'm going to announce it to my siblings tonight, seeing as I kept pushing it off. "Why are we all in your office?" Vince asks as he lays on the couch. I can see dad roll his eyes but not say anything. Jenna takes a seat in the chairs and her hand instinctively goes to her stomach. She's a few months pregnant now and she has a small baby bump. "Oh sorry I'm late!" Ashlynn runs into my office, almost tripping over her own feet. "I got caught up with some cleaning." "It's fine," I tell her as she walks over to me. I lean down and kiss her cheek as she grins up at me. "Hello? You gonna answer my question, or are we just going to sit here?" Vince speaks up."You're an annoying prick, you
"Are you sure I shouldn't wear a suit? I feel like I should wear one," I say to Ashlynn as she rolls the sleeves of the black long sleeve shirt she picked out for me. "You are meeting a little girl, not a business partner," she smiles and her hands cup my cheeks. "You need to look like a dad, not a lawyer." "I've never felt more terrified in my life," I admit and lean down to rest my forehead against hers. "It's okay to be scared. I'll be right by your side," she comforts me. "Besides, you get to meet a beautiful little girl today that you want to have as you daughter. It's okay to be scared about becoming a parent." "Do you think I'm ready for it? You know, parenthood?" I ask and she lightly presses her lips to mine for a few moments."I think you are completely ready, you just need to trust yourself," she states. "There's still time before everything finalized as well. Right now you are just meeting her."