Part 1
Sophia’s View:
It was my 21st birthday, and it was the day that I would get to take over. Take over what, you may ask. Well, let me start at the beginning, the VERY beginning. I was born to two loving parents, Maria and James Penner. At the time I had an older brother named Ryan, and my grandfather was still alive. I grew up in a big mansion on the outskirts of New York City, but I would fly to Italy every summer, and live with my grandmother while there. By the time I was 6 I was fluent in Italian, as well as English. I went to the best private schools. And my parents were always throwing big parties. It was a normal life for any rich person, but for me it was different. I belonged to the most powerful Mafia family in the United States, and was the second most powerful in Italy. When I reached the age of 14 I had to go into self defense classes, for people were always trying to get revenge with my family. When I was 15 my father, grandfather, and mother were killed in a drive by shooting. My brother and I fled to Italy where we stayed under the protection of our grandmother. When I was 17, and my brother was 21, he was put in charge, so we moved back to our house in New York. Being there brought back memories we had chosen to forget, but we pulled through them together. I finished up my years of high school, and decided to help the family instead of attending college. My brother ran everything perfectly, and when I was 19 we bought a club. The club was normal in the front, with a DJ and a dance floor, but in the back was the place where Mafia members would go to hide out when in trouble. It was also a place to hold business affairs. Soon after established the club became one of the biggest and best clubs in New York City, it got rave reviews, and many famous people went there. Now, you might think that the cops would have busted it a long time ago, but the fact was that most of the cops were in the Mafia, or were being paid off to not bother us, so we never had to worry about them. I could often be found partying at the club, and so, for my 21st birthday my brother decided that his present to me would be the club since no one loved it as much as I did. And so, I got to take over the club. I opened the doors being the official owner on January 8, 1999, little knowing how much that single night would change my life forever. The night started like any other normal night would. People came, partied and left, complimenting me on owning such a fabulous club. Someone called and I answered the phone because the bartender was busy. “Hello, this is the Penner Club, how may I help you?” “Hi, this is Denise McLean” a friendly voice said back. “I have the Backstreet Boys here, and they wish to go to your club, we only have one problem, one of them is 19, and another is 20, but will be 21 tomorrow, can we still get in?” I thought about it for a second, then said “Sure, there isn’t any problem, just tell the man at the door that Sophia gave you permission to come in, I’ll be expecting you soon!” I said. “Great, thank you so much, bye.” Denise said. I walked out to the doorman and explained to him what was up, he agreed and I walked back inside and sat down at the bar.
AJ’s View: God I love this city I thought to myself as I got off of the tour bus and was greeted by thousands of screaming fans. My bodyguard rushed the boys and I inside the hotel and up to our rooms. We all gathered in Kevin’s room and decided to do something that we hadn’t done in a long time, head out to a club. Kevin then informed us that he read about this place called Penner Club, and that it was supposed to be the most happening club to be at in the city, and that there was a long waiting list to get in if you weren’t famous. We asked who wanted to go, and everyone said that they wanted to. We were just about to get ready to go when my mom spoke up. “Boys, aren’t you forgetting something?” she said staring at Nick and me. “Oh that’s right, little Nicky and Bone are under age!” Brian said. My mom decided that she would call the club and ask about it. She picked up the phone and dialed. Once she hung up the phone she said that she talked to a very nice girl who said that she would work everything out, and just to tell the guy at the door that Sophia gave us permission. Then we all ran to our rooms to get ready. I put on a pair of baggy black cargo pants, a white wife beater, and a shiny silver shirt over. My hair was died blue, so I left it that way. I grabbed my black framed glasses with bluish lenses and put them on. I also put on some CK1, and put on a black pair of shoes. I walked down the hall and into Howie’s room. Once he was ready to go we went out in the hall and waited for everyone else to come out. Once we were all out in the hall (minus my mom) we grabbed our bodyguards and headed down the elevator. We went out a side exit so as not to be noticed, hopped into a black limo that was waiting, and made our way to the club. Once there we got out of the limo, cut in front of the long line waiting to get in, and walked up to the doorman. “You’ll have to wait at the end of the line!” he said gruffly. “Um, well, I’m supposed to say that Sophia gave us permission to come in!” Kevin said. The guy at the door looked down at his checklist, nodded his head and said “Backstreet Boys?” “Yeah” Kevin said. “Ok, two of you are underage, correct?” “Yeah, that would be me and him” I said gesturing to Nick. “Ok, you are allowed to sit at the bar, but don’t try to buy any drinks, you are being allowed in because the owner has given you permission. If you try anything funny, we will throw you out, we don’t care if you are famous or not!” “Ok” we replied. “All right then, have fun.” He said lightening up a little. He opened the door and we walked in. It took a little while for my eyes to adjust to the darkness (I had taken my glasses off by now.) Once they did adjust I scoped out the club and soon found out why it was so popular. There were tons of special lights, and lots of places to sit down at. Everything was new, and nicely done. Kevin then tried to say something, but the music was so loud that we couldn’t understand it. We finally got it, he said that we were going to split up, and meet back here at around 11:30 and we would decide what we wanted to do. We all agreed and split up. I walked around once, looking for any cuties when my eyes drifted to a very pretty girl sitting alone at the bar. She was in a tight black skirt with a tight button up red see through t-shirt, with what looked like a black bra on under. She had on a pair of black boots that went up to just beneath her knees. Her hair was dark brown or black and it went down to just below her shoulders. She was watching the people in the club dance, and looked alone, so I walked over and sat down next to her.
Sophia’s View: I continued to sit at the bar until I was called into the back room. My brother greeted me and told me that he was going to be hanging around the back for awhile, with our Uncle Babe (nickname) so just be aware of it. I smiled and told him that I would. He then said that he had another present for me, and handed me a box. Inside was a pair of black boots. I gave him a hug and told him that he was the best brother and I put them on immediately. I got a few whistles from some of the members, I laughed it off and told them to shut up, then I headed back out and took my seat at the bar again. I watched the people dance with each other, and thought about how lucky they were. You see part about being in the Mafia is that I have to marry a 100% Italian guy, so that my kids can be part of the family. It’s very hard to find guys like that, and I don’t care for it much because there are so many great guys out there that aren’t even a speck of Italian. But I am allowed to date guys that aren’t, as long as it’s nothing serious. Just then my thoughts were interrupted by the door opening. A trail of light came into the club, then quickly disappeared as the door was closed. I looked up and saw what I think was the Backstreet Boys. There were five guys, and they stood there for a second talking, then split up. My eyes wandered back to the dance floor for a little while. Then, I was interrupted again by a guy sitting down next to me. I looked over at him and saw him staring at me, I smiled and he said…
AJ’s View: “Hi, I’m AJ McLean, and you are?” “Sophia, Sophia Penner” she replied. “Penner, as in Penner club?” I asked. “Yeah” “So, you’re involved with it in some way?” I asked. “Well, actually, as of today I own it, it’s a present to me from my older brother for my birthday.” “Oh, so today’s your birthday?” I asked. “Yeah, I just turned 21 today” she replied. “Really, wow, I turn 21 tomorrow!” I exclaimed. “Neat.” She said looking back to the dance floor. “So, do you like to dance?” I asked. “Yeah, I do.” She said. “So then, do you want to dance?” I asked smiling. Please say yes! I thought as she looked around. “Well, I don’t see what harm it could cause.” She said. “Sure, why not!” I jumped up and took her hand, with her heels on she was just about the same height as me. We danced to songs, and the more we danced, the more relaxed she became, and the more talkative also. I asked her how her brother got the club and she said that her family was rich. She also said that she wasn’t in college yet. As the night passed I started to like her more and more.
Sophia’s View: AJ turned out to be a good dancer, and he was funny and talkative as well. The first four songs we danced to were fast, then a slow song came on. He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist, and I draped mine around his neck, and leaned my head on his shoulder. I got a strong smell of CK1. We danced the whole song and he continued to hold me after the song ended. We were interrupted though when the DJ said “Sophia, you’re wanted in the back.” I pulled apart from AJ and told him that I would be right back. I walked to the back room.
AJ’s View: She smelled so good that I could have held her forever, but then the stupid DJ came on and said that she was wanted in the back. She said that she would be right back, so I went and sat down and waited for her. Howie walked up and said, “WOW, you got yourself a pretty HOT girl there! What’s her name?” “Sophia Penner, she owns the club now, she just turned 21 today.” I replied not really listening to him. “Cool!” he said taking a seat. I was thinking about how I just met her, and am falling in love with her when Howie said “Well, I see a pretty girl over there, wish me luck!” “Yeah man, good luck.” I said half out of it. I saw him stand up, shake his head and walk over to the corner.
Sophia’s View: I headed to the back wondering what they wanted; they never call me back in the middle of the night. I went to the door and they opened it. I was greeted with the smell of cigar smoke and alcohol. I asked who called me back and my brother said “I did, I need to talk to you, ALONE!” I went over to him and we walked into a room farther back. “Sophia, I just got a call from Clay, he said to watch your back, the Montepare’s may be trying something tonight, so just be aware, these doors are going to be locked, ok?” he said gesturing to the back doors. “Alright” I replied, “If I see anything I’ll be sure to come back so that we can get out of here!” “That’s my little sis, now go on, have fun!” he said smiling. “Oh, and one more thing, take this with you.” He said handing me a small silver gun and a holder. I took it, since I was trained on how to use a gun in self defense, strapped the holder to my calf, to just below the rim off my boot, and put the gun in it. It sat just inside the loose part of the boot, so you would never know that I had it. I walked out of the room and went back into the club. You see the Montepare’s have been our rivals ever since I was born, and even before then. Their main man is in his early 50’s, and their son is 22. I looked around the club and found AJ, I went over and sat next to him. He smiled and asked what that was about. I told him that they were having a problem with one of the burners in the kitchen, and I needed to call a repairman. He smiled, then asked if I wanted to dance. I said sure and we hit the floor again.
AJ’s View: We started dancing, and Sophia kept looking around, almost as though she was nervous about something. “Hey, who you looking for?” I asked. “Oh, huh, what?” she replied. “Who are you looking for?” I asked again. “Oh, no one, I was just seeing how many people were in the club!” she said flashing me a smile. “Oh, ok, just wondering!” I said smiling back. We continued to dance. Damn is she beautiful! I thought. I wonder if she would want to tour with us. No, wait, she has to run the club, but maybe she can run it from a distance! She was still looking around but I didn’t think anything of it.
Sophia’s View: Poor AJ, I wish I could tell him the truth I thought as I looked into his puppy dog brown eyes. But in doing that I might get both of us killed, so he can live without knowing! We continued to dance, at a fast song AJ took my arm and spun me around. As I was just about to turn back to him I realized that I was face to face with Chris “Monte” Montepare. I stopped dancing and I took a step back. “You know, you always were the prettiest Penner, so how have you been beautiful?” he asked looking me up and down. By then AJ had stopped dancing and walked up to my side. “Sophia, what’s going on?” AJ asked innocently. I turned to him, and stared him straight in the eyes “Look AJ, I like you a lot, but you need to leave now.” I said. He got a confused look on his face and said “But Sophia, I” “AJ, just go, take your friends and go!” I said pointing to the door. He looked at me once more with tears staring to form in his eyes. “No, it’s alright AJ, stay, we’re going to have some fun!” Monte said. I turned and faced him. “Monte, AJ didn’t do anything, he just happened to be here tonight, let him and his friends go, please!” I said. “Oh, I can’t Sophia, it’s to late for that now!” he said smiling. “What do you mean?” I asked. Just then 10 men came running through the door with guns. “Oh no Monte, no, please don’t, these people are just here having a good time, they didn’t do anything!” I pleaded. “I don’t care anymore!” he growled. “I have orders from my father, and that’s all that matters!” He snapped his fingers and the men grouped the people into three different sections, leaving Monte and I standing alone on the dance floor. I looked and saw AJ; he and his other four friends had been grouped together. Monte then yelled “Ok, I don’t intend to hurt any of you, this is between the Penner’s and I. So don’t make a fuss, and if they meet my requests, then you will all go unharmed, but if not you can blame this girl” he said pointing at me, “and her family!” he finished. He then grabbed my arm and pulled me over to the bar “I trust you know how to make drinks?” he said. “Yeah I do” I replied. “Good, the make me a bloody Mary on the rocks, chop chop!” he said as I headed behind the counter. I bent down to pick up the alcohol, and touched the button underneath the bar that would signal the boys in the back room. I stood up and began to make his drink. “So Sophia, where is your brother?” he asked. “I don’t know, I think he might be at home.” I said trying to sound confused and innocent. “Oh don’t play dumb with me, you know exactly where he is!” he growled. I handed him his drink, and trying to stay cool said “No, I don’t he’s a grown boy and can go where he wants!” “Don’t give me that! I know you’re a close family, and he always keeps an eye on you, so where is he?” “I told you, I don’t know!” I yelled back. Monte slapped me and I heard the people gasp. He grabbed my shirt and pulled me right up to his face “Don’t lie, or else it will be much worse than that!” he growled. His voice then got quieter and he whispered in my ear “And it would be such a waste to hurt a beautiful girl like you!” he said pulling away and kissing me. I spit in his face… Part 2
