I wanted to snap at Luke as I slid into the passenger seat of his GMC as he shamelessly looked over me.

It wasn't an innocent modest look like Cash and Austin had given me. No, he was practically devouring me with his eyes.

Perv.

"Hello to you too." I said teasingly, causing his eyes to snap up to mine.

Instead of looking embarrassed, he smirked. "Well I'll definitely be having the hottest date tonight."

I faked a giggle.

He sped off then as we made our way to the club.

"So, you should probably know something before we go in tonight." Luke started to say.

I nodded, slyly getting my phone out and hitting the voice recorder, pretending as if I was checking the time. I snapped it shut and kept it on my lap as it kept recording.

I needed some backup evidence in case something went wrong.

"Sure." I replied, looking over at him.

"I think you're super sweet and genuine, Ashley. And I can see why Cash told me to stay away from you. He's obviously obsessed with you and wants you all to himself." He started, his grip on the wheel tightening.

I let out a small laugh. "That's absurd. I don't see Cash in any way other than a friend. Plus, I'm already interested in someone else..." I trailed off teasingly.

Luke glanced over at me and I bit my lip to sell the act better.

"You're so hot." He said in a strained voice. "I think we'd look good together, Ashley. That's why I asked you to come tonight. I need a queen by my side to help me rule my many businesses, and I already feel like I can trust you."

"What are you talking about?" I asked softly.

"The diner isn't the only thing I have going for me. I wasn't sure if I should tell you, because I don't want you to see me differently." Luke admitted.

I laughed softly. "I'm not one to judge, Luke. I come from a pretty rough place myself. I've seen a lot of stuff. I don't think anything you tell me is going to change how I see you." I assured him.

Luke looked over at me and gave me a soft smile. "You're so sweet Ashley. I trust you. I see the way you look at me too, and I feel the same. I want to get you in on what I'm doing, I think you'll be great. That's also why I want you to meet all my friends at the club."

"And what is it that you're doing, Luke?" I asked gently.

"I smuggle cocaine through the borders." He answered, looking to see my reaction.

I let out a laugh. "You had me thinking you were going to try and get me to join some weird cult." I joked.

He let out a laugh at that as well, relaxing instantly.

Perfect.

"No. I run one of the biggest underground operations for this. I started when I was fifteen. I bought the diner to cover up my illegal activities, to show that I had a different source of income which was legal." Luke explained.

"I like a smart man." I complimented, shooting him an impressed look.

That seemed to feed his ego profoundly as he shot me a smug look.

I was on fire.

"So yeah, the guys we're meeting tonight are all my business partners in that trade. We're expanding our business fast and need more guys in charge to run the operations and keep everyone in check. My next idea was buying a fabric store and using that to hide the imports. We'd smuggle it in the large shipments for cloths and have guys pick it up from there." Luke boasted.

That actually was a smart plan, I'd give him that.

"But of course it would be weird if a bunch of burly men ran the store. Which is why I was thinking of promoting you to manager, once I buy the place." Luke looked at me with a smirk.

"Wow, I don't know what to say." I said excitedly. "That's so sweet of you Luke. You've been helping me out so much since we met, and this would be the best opportunity I could get." 

"Of course sweetheart. But you'd have to move out of Cash's place. I don't trust that guy, and neither does he." Luke said.

"Yeah I know, he was so mad when I left out the door." I giggled at the truth of my words. "I'm not worried about him, but yeah I'll move out. Where would I stay though?" I asked Luke, playing more and more into his game.

Luke looked relieved at my easy compliance. "Well things between us are pretty interesting. What if you come live with me for a bit? If you like it, you can stay. If you want to have your own place, that can be done as well." He offered.

"Oooh, spontaneous." I commented with a grin. "That sounds like it would be fun. I'm willing to give it a try."

"Yeah?" Luke glanced over at me, his eyes dropping to my chest.

"Yeah baby." I purred.

His eyes lit up in excitement. "I can't wait to take you home with me tonight." He growled.

If only he knew his home would be a prison cell after tonight...

I licked my lips slowly. "Take me to the club first and the we'll see." I teased.

I still had to keep him on his toes.

We pulled up to the club and I shot Cash the address through my phone as Luke stepped out to come around and open my door.

I tucked it away just before he came up to my door.

He pulled it open and offered a hand.

I took it and carefully stepped out, shutting the door behind me.

"My, my. Do you look absolutely ravishing." Luke raved, looking over me for the tenth time.

I stopped myself from rolling my eyes and instead giggled. "Thanks."

Luke smirked, before wrapping an arm around my waist and dragging me to the front of the club.

It was nearing eleven and the line-up to get in was already massive and full of people dressed in fancy and expensive clothes. There was loud music pouring out of the place, flooding the entire street almost, and lights flashing around everywhere.

It looked like a popular and hip club but was prestigious and high-end at the same time.

"This way darling." Luke said, pulling me towards the bouncers and away from the back of the line where I had been heading.

"Hello Derek." Luke greeted the bouncer at the front who was a tall bulky guy.

"Luke, what's good brother?" Derek pulled in Luke for a hand-shake and hug, slapping his back.

He then turned his attention towards me and held out a hand. "Lovely date. How are you miss?" He asked.

I placed my hand in his and giggled as he brought it up to his lips and placed a soft kiss. "Fine, thank you." I smiled.

"Don't get too touchy with her." Luke laughed, pulling me a step away from him and into his side.

Ugh.

"You know I got a wife man." Derek reminded him with a laugh. "Hey, how's Rebecca by the way?" He asked now, giving him a look, before glancing my way.

I watched as Luke's eyes hardened and his jaw clenched.

Oh boy.

I could not have a fight break out right now and ruin this whole mission. Then all of this flirting would have been for nothing...

"Well is your friend here going to let us in or should we get in line, Luke?" I asked, turning to face him.

Luke met my eyes and dropped his tense stance. 

"No need, I want you both to enjoy your night. Come on in." Derek gave me a polite smile, before turning around and opening the large heavy door for us.

I thanked poor Derek with my eyes, the dragged a still somewhat aggravated Luke in behind me.

"I don't like that guy. He's a sleazebag." Luke said in my ear as we stepped into the loud club.

No, that's you Luke...

I ignored his childish comment and my eyes roamed the place.

The dance floor was quickly starting to get more and more packed, there was a huge rectangular bar to one end with people crowding around it, and there was a VIP area at the very back which was slightly elevated.

I'm guessing that's where we'd be hanging out for the night.

"Come, let's dance." Luke grinned at me.

"Shouldn't we let your friends know we're here?" I asked, not wanting him to have the perfect excuse to feel me up on the floor.

"That can wait sweetheart." Luke smirked.

"I need some drink in me first anyways if you want me to dance." I winked, saving myself.

Luke looked like he was about to argue so I just grabbed his arm and dragged him to the back of the club.

Once I managed to make it there without getting trampled, Luke came to my side and we both walked up the three steps towards the VIP lounge.

I looked around to see couches filled with young devilishly handsome men like Luke sitting around, some of them older, but all looking very sociopathic, rich, and evil. There were quite a few girls sitting on a lot of their laps.

Seemed about right.

Luke led the way and started going around the lounge, handshaking and hugging everyone sitting. They all seemed pretty excited to see Luke, and a few eyes lingered my way.

I waited for Luke to come back around and stand by my side, finally introducing me. "Hey guys, this is my girl Ashley." He placed a hand on my back, before slightly pushing me forward.

Rude.

I caught my step and gave everyone around the room a smile and waved.

"She's stunning Luke, I was gonna ask what happened to Rebecca but I see now." One of the older guys laughed.

I turned to give Luke a look, assuming I should probably act jealous. I didn't know who this Rebecca was, but it was no surprise that Luke might possibly already have a few other girlfriends.

Luke simply laughed, before coming to my side and whispering in my ear. "Rebecca is just an insignificant ex."

I looked back and fixed up a smile, before chirping, "Okay."

He seemed pleased with that.

* * *

Two hours later, I had all the guys talking about anything and everything.

Much to Luke's disappointment, they had all taken a liking towards me.

They had all told me what they were involved in and even offered me some high-level jobs to work with them. That was the only reason Luke was refraining from telling everyone to back off. I was his in.

"So then what happened to the delivery boy?" Axel asked. He was a charming young man with dark hair slicked back with an Italian mobster look to him. 

I leaned closer and stared back. "The delivery boy fucked up. End of story." I shrugged, before lifting the glass of water which they all thought was vodka to my lips and taking a few sips.

They all burst out laughing at that and looked at me with admiration.

"You didn't tell me you were this involved in gang life." Luke said in my ear.

I turned to face his puzzled and frustrated expression. To say he had been acting like a jealous toddler the whole night would be an understatement.

"You didn't bother to ask." I simply shrugged.

I was pulling off my front so well, I had them all believing that I had fled my old hometown because I had enemies trying to assassinate me. They all believed I ran some counterfeit projects. All those bad-boy gang novels I'd read were really paying off right now.

"She's truly a queen Luke. You're lucky with this one." Alfred, one of the older guys yelled, raising his glass of whiskey.

I smirked at Luke, shooting him a wink.

"More so than I thought." He mumbled so only I could hear.

The men continued in their conversations and I turned to face Luke, deciding that I had gathered more than enough dirt on all these men, especially Luke.

"Hey, I'll be right back." I said in his ear.

"Where are you going?" He asked, grabbing my arm as I stood up to leave.

"Washroom." I simply answered.

"I'll walk you there." He said, starting to get up.

I wanted to roll my eyes. It was obviously not out of being a gentleman, considering the amounts of times he had ordered me to get shots for his friends and him. He was just getting more and more jealous with the amount of attention I had been getting from all the males at the club and was scared to let me out of his sight to get swept away from his nasty claws.

"No, I need to touch-up my makeup, I'll be a while." I stated, before leaning down and placing a kiss on his cheek.

That seemed to satisfy him as his friends looked over and shot him suggestive looks.

Ugh!

I then made my escape.

The washrooms were conveniently located on the side of the club, next to an exit door where I'd be meeting Cash and Austin.

Disappearing quickly in the crowds of people, I left out the door unnoticed.

I stepped out into the cold refreshing air and took in several gulps, grateful for it.

"You really over exceeded hot stuff." Austin's playful voice called and I turned my head to see him standing to the side next to Cash. There were small crowds of people around but none from the table inside.

I tried not to but couldn't stop myself from checking Cash out. He looked insanely hot. He was wearing a black button-up shirt with his sleeves rolled up with back pants, and his hair was gelled up in a sexy way.

"They really love you in there, what were you even telling them?" Cash commented with a half-smirk, his own eyes looking me over quickly.

"You know, just my fake mob-boss stories." I waved off, laughing after. "They all bought it. Now quick, call them in before we risk blowing this. Luke was quite unwilling to let me out of his site, it's only a matter of minutes until he comes out trying to find me." I wrinkled my nose in disgust.

Austin laughed. "I'll go keep an eye out by the door inside, Cash can make the call." He nodded at his friend, before stepping back into the packed club.

"He didn't hurt you did he? Or try anything?" Cash quickly asked in concern, stepping closer to me.

I shook my head. "No, just made stupid misogynistic comments all night that pissed me off and kept looking at me like I was a juicy steak." 

Cash laughed at that, pulling out his phone. "Well it's the last juicy steak he's gonna be seeing for quite a while." 

"Thank god." I sighed.

All of a sudden, the door burst open and Austin ran out, looking panicked.

"Luke's heading out right now, we gotta go!" He exclaimed.

Cash had the phone to his ear and was already speaking so I pushed him towards Austin and motioned for them to get out of sight.

"Trust me!" I promised when Cash stopped to try and pull me with them as they started their way to the back of the building.

Then the door swung open again and Luke stepped out, spotting me instantly and walking over.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked suspiciously.

I glanced over his shoulder to see that Cash and Austin were already half-way down the side of the building trying to get around the corner.

"Who were you talking to?" He asked now with more suspicion.

My eyes widened as he started to turn around.

I quickly formulated a plan and then stepped forward and did what I had been dying to do since we'd been here. I slapped him in the face. Hard.

"You asshole!" I yelled as he brought a hand up to cup his cheek and looked at me in utter bewilderment.

"You only asked me to come because you got turned down by her!" I cried dramatically, causing a lot of people to turn their attention on us.

That was good, at least it meant that he was surrounded and had no escape route for when the cops got here.

"What?" Luke asked dumbly.

"Rebecca!" I yelled. "I saw your phone and I saw the message! You wanted to bring her here tonight and she turned you down, so you went with me, your second option." I shook my head.

"Wait, what? Rebecca doesn't even know I'm here! I don't know what you're going off about." Luke shook his head, bring a hand up to place on his forehead.

I laughed. "You know exactly what I'm talking about!" I exclaimed. "How could you cheat on me like that!"

Luke looked at me with his mouth slightly open in disbelief.  "Are you drunk?" He asked now.

"No, you asshole! I'm completely sober! See!" I yelled, before stepping back and roundhouse kicking him in the face, something Cash had taught me before I'd came here.

I ended up executing it perfectly and my long heel scraped his cheek, leaving a gash of blood to come out.

Woops. I didn't know it would have been that lethal...

"You crazy bitch!" Luke yelled, crouching down and holding the side of his face.

The crowd around us erupted in cheers.

I smirked, looking around. Then I instantly felt relieved as I saw the first police officer heading our way through the crowd.

"It's the pigs! Clear out!" Some guy yelled from the crowd, causing Luke to stand up and look at me in shock, then realization dawned in his eyes.

"You..." He seethed, his eyes glaring and holding so much resentment towards me.

"Woops." I shrugged.

In a flash, there were two officers coming up behind Luke. He tried to make a run for it but there were so many people swarming past us, trying to run from the cops. I saw one girl stuff a bag of white stuff down her bra as she screamed and ran the opposite way.

I watched in satisfaction as the cops ended up pinning Luke to the ground, placing handcuffs on him.

I looked up to see Cash and Austin rushing towards me now.

"That was insane!" Austin yelled at me, looking down at Luke's bleeding face.

"You're crazy." Cash grinned, his eyes full of shock mixed with admiration.

"Thank you boys." I giggled.

"I knew it had to be you, Cash! You dirty rat, I'm going to get you for this." Luke promised, twisting his head up to try and make eye-contact with him.

The officers quickly shoved his face into the ground and held it in place so he couldn't move.

The three of us laughed at that.

"Have fun in prison Lukey." I grinned, pulling out my flip-phone and handing it to one of the officers.

This should back up all your evidence, just in case you need it." I smiled.

"Thanks miss." The officer took my phone and tucked it away, before the lifted a swearing Luke with his partner.

"You fucking snakes! You're going to die for this!" He roared.

"Shut up you man-child!" I yelled back, rolling my eyes.

I watched in satisfaction as they dragged Luke away.

Cash, Austin, and I then made our way to the front of the club to leave, and I saw about ten police cars lined up outside, a long line of Luke's friends being detained and walked towards separate cars.

I made eye contact with Axel and the older guy and gulped as they met my eyes with chilling death glares.

Those guys were the ones I'd actually be worried about.

"You're going to be safe, it's all over and shut down. They're going away for a long time and so are all their friends. They can't get to you." Cash whispered in my ear, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and squeezing it.

I sighed, looking up at him with a small smile.

"We did the right thing. Those men were dirty animals, running all sorts of inhumane illegal projects." I replied.

"You did good, Ashley." Cash smiled back down at me.

I grinned, then we both made our way to where Cash had parked his car.

"Wait, we didn't have our celebratory dance." I frowned, stopping in my tracks.

"She's right, we have to celebrate. The cops are leaving and the club looks like its still running." Austin added.

Cash grinned down at me. "If you insist." 

I giggled, before holding onto his arm and walking back to the loud club.

This time, with a genuine smile.

_____________________

A/N

BYE BYE LUKEY LUKEY