Marked For Crime Royalty| Book One | ✓

3 - VIP room

Teresa smiled, for yet another good day even though yesterday was half a success from her performance. She still had thoughts of Jonathan that kept her up.

Walking down the curve of the black and white steps she heard, "Ooh wee" She paused, shaking her head before she returned back to walking and found her way into the living room, seeing her mother on the couch with a bottle of alcohol.

Not again, She thought. She took the bottle out her mother's hand while saying,

"¿Qué te he dicho sobre beber por la mañana?" (What have I told you about drinking in the morning?) She huffed, asking. She set the bottle on the counter.

"You could slip again" She informed, referring to her previous alcohol issues. Her mother nodded, turning around with a smile.

"Did you know there was a gentleman's club two streets from here?" She questioned and Teresa's heart dropped at the mention of her workplace. "Yes" She answered, clearly she knew. "How did you know?" She questioned, cleaning the counter, wanting to avoid any kind of suspicion.

"Well I was going to the grocery store and I passed it up. Women were walking out all exposed. Are you not bothered by it when you walk to work?" She questioned, getting up and Teresa shook her head and shrugged as if she didn't care. Her mom laughed softly, kissing Teresa's shoulder.

" Those women need a good spanking, showing off god's treasures for a couple dollars" She shook her head, displaying her disappointed thoughts. "It's dirty money, not good" Her mother added, only making Teresa feel more guilty. Yet at the same time, she learned to cope with it. She had to learn not to feel bad for herself about the job she chose. Some men degrade women for it and call them sluts or thots, her mother's insults were more biblical if anything, but she wasn't a religious person. Teresa didn't feel bad about making money that way, she just couldn't let her mom discover she did.

Teresa put her bag over her shoulder.

"Have a good day at work hija" Her mother smiled, patting her shoulder. "Take your pills mama" Teresa kissed her cheek, walking out the door.

—

Luciano sighed, rubbing his temple as he moved around the pictures on his desk of different strippers Adriano had chosen from yesterday. His eyebrows scrunched together with interest, as he picked up one picture. These women were attractive, but this woman was beautiful, sexy, seductive. Her head held back, her body sitting across the pole easily, sexily, strongly. Almost like it was so carefree. But what piqued his interest more was her face. Her seductive countenance was more so self love and appreciation rather than the audience.

It was quite clear despite her dancing on a pole, which meant she was good at it. He looked up, handing the picture to Adriano.

"Controlla il suo background"(Check her background) Adriano nodded, walking out the office.

Luciano didn't need to see the other women, he chose his Tesoro. The way her body laid, the way her hand ran over herself, was memorable. The way her eyes displayed her enjoyment of dancing. He could tell just from one picture, she wasn't an amateur, she wasn't a regular, she went for pockets. Deep ones. A great schemer. Someone who didn't run to men, someone who made men run to her.

He got up, walking down to his kitchen as he was handed a glass of whiskey and a newspaper. He always liked to be kept updated on any news. He always stayed attentive to any small hint or detail that would or could relate to his criminal activities. If it were then it would be yet another person on his hands, and they wouldn't be clean. Luciano kept his business organized, so if something were to go out of order it would mean someone within his system was out of order and that's a bad situation for that person.