Soon enough, my security joined me in the lounge. I was partly relieved, at least I didn't look a fool on my own no more.

But the way they behaved made me want to cringe, they were boisterous and loud, but they were also too out there with the way they talked about women. I was embarrassed both by and for them.

"Aww c'mon Mike, what you say about that one over there?"

I glanced in the direction of their ogling and saw Melissa again, bending over another table.

"She's a woman" I replied dryly.

"Damn right" One agreed.

My main guard, Tony cut in excitedly "Hell naw, that ain't just a woman, she's a straight up bitch. Next time her ass be bent over like that it sure wouldn't be for serving drinks"

They erupted in laughter and jeers. I was starting to lose my patience.

"When you're all done drooling, I'm gonna catch a bit of the club scene in the next room. I'm tired of watching your poor attempts at trying to get laid on the job."

I got out of my seat and headed for the door out of the lounge, Tony followed me close behind.

"Mike we ain't drooling, we're just checking out what's cooking. If they didn't want us to look, they shouldn't put them out that's all I'm saying."

I put one hand on the handle and glared at him, disgusted by his blatant disrespect. I may have thought similar things, but at least I had learnt to keep those thoughts to myself and out of earshot of the person in question.

"Tony, I don't care. You think they want to be stared at like they're animals in a zoo? They're paid to be here and they're paid to wear what they're told. You just need to learn some self control or so help me I will dismiss you. I ain't gonna let you show me up, Tony. I came here for a good time, and it seems like my security is having the good time here, not me."

Tony looked at me, then raised an eyebrow.

"The only reason you're not having a good time is because you're too damn sheltered, Mike. Your life is not a story okay? You can't be the perfect gentleman in this world. Every man has his wants and desires and if you don't listen to them, you are gonna end up alone"

I laughed, loud, taking him by suprise.

"I'm not sheltered, Tony. I've seen strippers since I was nine years old, I had to share a room with my older brothers who brought girls home. I've seen it all, and I cannot stand to see that black stare of lust in a man's eyes. It's greedy and it's filthy. I don't need to be told by a disrespectful lesser like you how to live my life and enjoy myself. I could have any woman in this building if I wanted, people would make that possible for me."

I walked back to my booth and picked up my cane and jacket, the other security guards took that as a cue to stand.

"I choose to be a gentleman and I don't need to be living in fantasy to make that happen. It seems strange to you to have manners, perhaps, but I prefer to live an honest life. My desires and wants are not the unholy kind you're suggesting, and if you can't understand that, I don't want you as my employee. You're terminated, so get your men together, and leave. Thank you for your services, but I will not tolerate your behaviour or your blatant disregard of my wishes."

The look on the men's faces was enough to suggest that they thought I was joking. Tony stood bemused and cleared his throat.
"I see. Well, we can't leave you right now, you won't have any protection for the rest of the night, or to get home. Let's just go over this tomorrow morning, smooth things out, I'm sure we can come to an agreement"

My fists clenched. Who the hell does he think he is, talking to me like he knows best? Time after time I let him get away with bossing me around when I should have been the one in control. It was time to put my foot down.

"That won't be necessary, thank you Tony. Mr Foxx is a friend of mine, he will send me home with some of his team. My decision is made, you won't need to come back"

The men exchanged glances, this time of concern. They nodded to me and shook my hand, then made their way out of the building. I was relieved to finally see the back of them.

I made my way over to Melissa and tipped her, telling her to have the rest of the night off. She took the money gratefully and kissed my cheek.

It felt good to be respectable.

After a minute or so, I left the VIP lounge in pursuit of Foxx.

*

I pushed my way through the throng of people, mostly pressed against each other and the walls as the heavy thudding bass and no doubt various toxins took control of their inhibitions. I mentally shook my head at them as I squeezed past, it was ridiculous how easily people got caught up and carried away, leading to nothing more than a hangover and some distorted memories the next day.

That didn't make me sheltered or naive, I just preferred to remember any fun I had.

I found the boss's office in the very back of the club, completely tucked away from the crowd of clubbers. I pushed some broken glass away from the threshold with my shoe, curious as to why it hadn't been cleaned up already.

The door was cracked ajar and I pushed it slowly open, only to see a view I wished I hadn't.

A woman was pressed to the far wall, shaking as the larger figure continued to advance on her.

I quickly retreated round the door and drew a deep breath. I couldn't walk away and pretend I had seen nothing.

*

I burst into the room, stopping the man in his tracks.

"Get off her" My tone was thick and venomous, surprising me a little.

I could tell by the suit and the build of this man that it was the boss himself. He turned, his hands still on the girl and flashed a grin.

"Just in time, my friend. I was just about to teach this piece of trash a lesson or two about respecting their elders, isn't that right pumpkin?"

The strobe lighting caught the girl's face as she stared at me, terrified. There was something else in those eyes too, whatever it was struck a chord with me, I felt an overwhelming urge to protect her, even though she was just a stranger.

My hands balled into fists as I was exposed to the true nature of the man I thought I knew.

"I told you to get off her. Take your big, disgusting hands off of that woman right now and step away"

Foxx laughed wickedly. "Oh look pumpkin, my dear friend has come as a knight in shining armour to rescue a damsel in distress. But you're not in distress are you? Tell him to leave us be, pumpkin, if that's what you want"

The girl looked at Foxx, then me dead in the eye.

"It's okay, y-you can go. We're fine"

I watched as he stroked her cheek and felt like I wanted to vomit.

"Good girl. Now Mr Jackson, you heard her, we're fine. So you should take yourself out of that door right now. I'll come and find you in a few minutes, and we can discuss whatever it is you wanted before you interrupted us"

I looked at the girl again and she nodded. I didn't want to leave her, but I felt that she would be in more danger if I tried him any more. I reluctantly stepped backwards outside and pulled the door closed.

It wasn't long before I heard a scream from inside.

*

I threw open the door and ran into the office, leaping over the desk.

I grabbed a table lamp and pressed the bulb against the boss's neck, causing him to flail backwards at the scorching pain.

I grabbed the girl's arm and ran with her out of the office shoving people out of the way on the bustling dance floor and out into the cool night, away from the heavy smoke of the cigars and the club.

We ran down a side street and weaved through a few alleyways until we slowed to catch our breath.

In the dim light of the moon and a flickering streetlight, I saw the girl bent double, panting. She was wearing a tiny black pencil skirt with fishnet tights, now snagged. Her mid length, light colored hair was thrown forward over her face. She had lost a shoe.

Eventually she straightened up and looked at me, the moonlight caught in her eyes, brimmed with tears.

It was like staring into an abyss, breathtakingly beautiful, but holding all the dangers of the unknown.

As I looked into them for longer, I felt strangely safe.

*