the pole dancers innocence

Da's Tale

     Several days go by without any further threats. Saoirse has postponed talking to her father about the history behind his animosity with his brother. She's been concentrating on working out different routines for different  nights. Carlo and his friends made a reservation for one of her evening performances and asked again for a second dance. She was happy to oblige. They asked her to join them at their table afterwards and with Damian at her side she did. She was seated next to Carlo and Damian. He kissed her hand as she took her seat. An ice water placed in front of her. 

     "I'll be honest with you young lady, if the man here hadn't put you under contract, I was going to try and poach you for my club." His silver brows moved expressively as he spoke. "Not only are you beautiful , but you are magnificent in dance. Much to talented to be here. You belong on the stages of the world." He waved a hand around the air.

     She blushed. Ducking her chin down then glancing at Damian. "I almost was." She said sadly. "I was part of a dance troupe that was headed on a world tour, when I was involved in an accident before leaving. It pretty much ruined my ballet career. Now I'm here dancing for you." She smiled at him graciously.

     Damian took her hand and held it. Giving her a tiny squeeze. Carlo looked at their joined hands and met Damian's brown stare with a question in his. 

     He knew what Carlo was asking and gave him a tight smile. Holding her hand like this was letting Carlo know he was claiming her. "She was dropped in a rehearsal by her long time dance partner." He said darkly.

     "Really?" Carlos browns moved up. "This longtime dance partner, you were romantic with?"

     Saoirse gasped. "Oh no!" She shook her head. "We were only ever friends. Almost since grade school! I've been dancing with him for years. We were excited to be picked up by the same dance troupe. Ivan has great dreams of being one of the most famous male dancers of our generation. He's very good. Unfortunately he's very driven, and selfish. He had tried several times to talk me into stepping down to allow his fiance to dance lead with him. He felt they danced best together. But I had worked hard for my position. Years! It was a dream of my mother's as well. I wasn't going to step down and offer it to a girl who didn't earn it just because my friend was sleeping with her. Soo...he sorta took things into his own control."

     "How?" Carlo leaned back in his chair. His eyes darting first to Saoirse then to Damian.

     "He failed to catch me in a very high leap. I fell and broke a hip and strained my back pretty severely. Ending my world tour and pretty much my ballet career. Of coarse at his insistence his fiance moved into my position and has been on the tour dancing my dance. My Da was able to get the video of the rehearsal though. Before Ivan was able to. So I've been waiting to hear of them back. I filed an assault change against him. Not sure if he'll do time or not, but I'm waiting to face him with what I know to be truth. Her as well. They stole my life, my dreams." Her voice trailed off.

     "Well I am sure with Damian and Dominic in you corner they will help in that endeavor Irish. I know they will." Carlo said firmly. Looking into Damian's eyes with an air of almost order. 

     Damian gave him a slight nod letting him know that he was on it. Had been since he first learned about it. 

     "Your father. Where is he now?" Carlo asked innocently.

     "In Seattle. He works on the docks there. Has his whole life. He and my uncle came from Ireland when they were just boys. Da went back to Ireland on a visit and met my Mom. I carry her last Name for dance Saoirse O'Ryan. It was always her dream to be a dancer too, but having me and moving to America sort of made that just a dream. She enrolled me as soon as I was old enough to walk. Found ever penny of extra money she could to pay for my lesson's. When she died Da did the same."

     "Then the name you used on the application, O'Grady? That's your father's?" Damian asked. His eyes again met Carlo's in a knowing look.

     "Well mine too, as it's whats on my birth certificate. But when I was dancing for the troupe I used O'Ryan in honor of my mother."

     "What do you know about your uncle?' Carlos sipped his drink.

     "Nothing! I know he's married, has a young daughter. Nothing else really. He left Seattle soon after my mother died. Da and he weren't talking at the time. I didn't pay much attention. I was young, grieving, and trying to make sure Da was well, cared for. I really don't know much about Uncle Liam. He's a few years younger than Da. He worked on the docks too with Da when he was in Seattle. Other than that we haven't had much to do with him since he left and moved here."

     Dominic approached their table. He nodded at everyone but asked to speak to Damian. Damian rose and they moved away. Carlo watched while Saoirse laughed at something some said to her. He saw Dominic hand Damian a piece of paper. Then anger fill his eyes. Damian looked over his shoulder at Carlo. 

     Carlo excused himself and joined them. "Trouble?'

     Damian handed one of the mug shots to Carlo. "This guy was caught wondering around in back by the dressing rooms. The boys have him down stairs." It was one of the Saints.

     "I'll take my men out of here. You take Saoirse upstairs and then deal with this. Let me know what he says."

     Damian escorted Saoirse upstairs and settled her in. He told her he had some paperwork and details to deal with, but wanted her to shower relax, and he join her later. It was already late so she told him she'd probably just go to bed.

     After closing the club, Damian joined Dominic and two other men in the basement where they were keeping the man they caught. He was tied to a wooden chair and had already been worked over a bit by the guys. Dominic namely.

     "He talking?" Damian asked.

     The Saint spit blood onto the floor near Damian's feet. "You think you can keep us from getting to her?" He growled. "Liam won't stop till she's out of here. She doesn't belong here. She's one of ours."

     Damian leaned in closer. "She wouldn't be here if he'd picked her up in the first place." He growled back. "We aren't keeping her captive you i***t. She works here. She's happy here." He growled back.

     "She doesn't belong to you!" The guy started bucking in his chair. "Shaun wants her! She's been promised to him!" He spit out.

     "Well someone forgot to tell her that!" Damian yelled back. He back handed him. "Who killed Lena?"

     The guy started laughing. "She was just a w***e! Who cares who killed her."

     "I care." Damian growled. "It was done in my back yard."

     Dominic slammed his fist into the guys stomach. He groaned. "I don't know who killed her. She was Shaun's b***h. No one paid her any mind. He just wants Saoirse. Liam promised her to him. That's all I know." 

     Damian and Dominic moved upstairs while his men worked the guy over. They wouldn't kill him, but he might wish they did.

     Dominic poured them both a shot at the bar. "What the hell!" He roared when his glass hit the bar top. "What kind of uncle promises his niece to some random i***t?'

     Damian shook his head. "His brother in law." He growled. "I need to talk to Saoirse's father. I need to know what is going on in that family!"

     The next morning Damian was waiting for Saoirse. He had coffee already made and an omelette plate for her. She smiled at him when she came in. He kissed her then seated her.

     After she ate he took her hand. He looked seriously into er eyes. "Saoirse, we can't wait any longer. I need to talk to your dad. Last night the Saints sent a man in. He was caught back by the dressing rooms. He was sent here for you. We caught him," At her gasp he reassured."But I need to know why you uncle would promise you to some man you've never met."

     "What do you mean promised me?" She was clearly confused.

     "The man said that you Uncle Liam had promised you to his bother in law Shaun. I'm assuming he was giving you to him. Infer what you want from that."

     "But he can't do that! I'm not his to give!" She was angry. "He didn't even care enough to pick me up!" 

     Damian handed her the phone. "Call you father. Time for the truth!" He said determined.

     She nodded and began dialing. She was nervous while she waited father dad to pick up. "Hello?" His gruff voice answered.

     "Hey Da it's me!" She tried to be cheery.

     "Saoirse! So happy you called! Ivan and his little entourage are back form Europe! We can move on him now." He was excited. 

     "That's ...that's great Da, but I have a different problem now. I'm going to put this on speaker now, because I need you to talk to my boss. He's ...well... I'm in some trouble here Da, and Damian is helping me."

     She hit the button and they could hear her father on the other end on speaker. "Good morning" Damian spoke deeply.

     "Good morning" Her father responded. "What is going on there. Why is Saoirse in trouble?" Damian could hear the worry in his voice.

     "Your bother Liam has demanded Saoirse leave. At first he was demanded she leave Chicago and return to Seattle, but last night a man came into the club and was trying to get to her. He claims that Liam has promised Saoirse to a man named Shaun O'Rourke.

     "O'Rourke? Like his wife?" Her dad's voice went up a bit.

     "I think so. I think he's his brother in law."

     Her dad growled loudly down the line. "That son of a b***h!" He yelled.

     "Da? What does this mean?" Saoirse asked.

     "Years ago your uncle got involved with the Irish mafia. He tried to recruit me. I wouldn't have anything to do with it. He was using his job on the docks to do some illegal things. One evening your mother came to the docks to bring me dinner. She saw some men moving some crates off a ship. They weren't supposed to be taking them. She reported the activity to the guards and the men were caught. Two weeks later you mother was dead. I never had concrete proof your uncle was involved, but I had my suspicions about it. Every time I tried to ask him he acted guilty. I learned that a man named Thomas O'Rourke was the leader there in Seattle. He moved back to Ireland soon after and your uncle moved to Chicago. He met Mavis and I did ask about her because her name was the same, but Liam said I was just looking for trouble." He breathed deeply. "I feared he was into them deeply."

     "Your brother is the president here in Chicago, and this guy Shaun is his lieutenant. Liam was named president a few weeks ago. I heard the job was given to him just before Saoirse came to town, and Shaun moved here about the same time, form Dublin."

     "So he is Tommy O"Rourke's kid. as is Mavis. That lying son of a b***h! I'll kill him!" Donavan got quiet. "I'm coming there." He stated. "Those Son's of bitches killed my wife. I'll be damned if that mother fucker is going to hurt my daughter."

     "I have her sir, but if coming here will help keep her safe I agree." Damian said. "There is another threat that you should know about. Saoirse saw a man murder a young woman last week. In the alley not far from here. There is a police report on it, but we kept her name completely out of it. There is an on going investigation, but it's the Saint's who are responsible. Of that I'm sure. We, in the mean time are making our own investigation. Keeping your daughter safe is my top priority!" Damian assured.

     Donavan breathed heavily on this other side. "I'll give notice at work and be there this weekend." He said. 

     "I'll make your flight reservation and have my guy pick you up form the airport." Damian said. Saoirse smiled at him. 

     "Thank you Damian. I appreciate your help. I'll see you this weekend baby girl." He said gruffly.

     After hanging up, Saoirse moved into Damian's arms.  "Oh my god Damian!" Tears moved hotly down her cheeks. "I had no idea my mom was killed. It'd kind of like de ja vu' here. She saw something she wasn't supposed to, and now I have too! And...my uncle is in the middle of all of it!"

     Damian rocked her in his arms. "Now we know you family history, I just don't get why your uncle would promise you to this Shaun person. Unless it buys him more power some how."

     "I don't care about my uncles promises. I'm my father's daughter. He can give his daughter away for whatever power he feels he needs." She said angrily.

     He kissed her cheeks. Still wet from her tears. He moved to her mouth and claimed it. "He can't have what I've already claimed as mine baby." He whispered. "And you are mine." He stated.

     She buried her head into his chest. "Yes. I think I am." She answered.