Take My Breath Away 4 Josh made his way back to the piano and sat down. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Joe had returned to his booth. Lance was still out of sight. He saw one of Joe's men make his way to table, but thought nothing of it as he began to play. "Boss, we got to talk." Joe made a motion with his hand. "Sit, Justin." Justin sat in the chair provided and lowered his head. He didn't want to tell Joe what he had seen, but he knew if he didn't and Joe found out later, he would be in trouble. "I need to talk to you about Lance." Joe sat silent waiting for Justin to continue. Justin took a deep breath. "I saw Lance outside... talking with someone." Justin closed his eyes. When he opened them, he could see the rage clearly on Joe's face. "Who?" Justin looked over his shoulder at Josh. Joe looked also, and stood up. "I want him gone. Now!" Justin nodded and stood up. "Give him a week's pay, and make it clear he leaves immediately." "Got it, boss." Justin left the booth, and walked over to Josh. When he reached the piano, josh looked up, but continued to play. Justin reached down and stopped Josh.  "Your services are no longer needed. The boss requests you leave immediately." Josh looked confused. "What? Why?" "You know why. Now don't be difficult. He's giving you a week's pay. Just go, man." Josh nodded his head. He knew these were not the type of people you messed with. He stood up from the piano just as Lance walked by on his way back to the booth. Josh looked over at Joe, and could tell Lance was walking into a bad place just by the look on Joe's face. "Just go. He'll make it worse for him if you stay." Josh nodded taking one last glance before he let Justin lead him away. Lance sat down next to Joe with a small smile on his face. He didn't even see the explosion coming. The smile was wiped off his face quickly with a loud slap. "What the fuck were you doing?" Joe grabbed onto Lance's arm and turned him. "Justin saw you. He told me you were talking with the piano man." Lance closed his eyes, and let out a shaky breath. "Joe, we only talked for a minute. We both ended up on the balcony. Nothing happened." "It better not have. You're mine, Lance. I took you off the streets when you had nothing. I gave you a place to stay, the clothes on your back, the food you eat. Without me, you are NOTHING. I am never going to let you go. Is that clear?" Lance stared at Joe silently. The fear clear in his eyes. When he didn't answer, Joe shook him violently. "I got it, Joe." Joe nodded. "Good, Lance. I wouldn't want to have to do what I had to do to the last man that tried to take you from me." He let go of Lance's arm as Justin returned to the booth. "Justin, take him to my office. I'll be up in a little bit." "Yes, boss." Justin moved so that Lance could get out of the booth which he did slowly. Justin took him by the elbow and led him away. Moving his head closer to Lance's he whispered, "Joe fired him." Lance kept his eyes forward, but gave a small nod. "I know." When they reached the office, Justin let him in and left. Lance sat on the couch for a moment, and then stood up. Walking over to the filing cabinet he opened it. Pulling out a file, he remembered the information in it quickly, and put it back just as Joe walked in. Joe shook his head. "Lance, why do you do things you know you shouldn't? You know my temper. You know I will have to punish you for your behavior." Lance heard the lock of the door click, and as Joe walked towards him he closed his eyes. continue menu