The entrance to the lounge was discreet – a solid black door painted to blend into the side wall of the building, accessible by the kind of dark alley that the common folk worked to avoid during their walks. It was designed so as not to draw attention to anyone who didn’t already know its location, which is exactly what Olivia intended.

Once a person arrived and knocked on the door they would be asked for a passphrase. It would change from time to time, usually being some sort of variation of “Ramone loves Ramona”. This would cause the door to swing open, where on the other side the patron would see one of the largest, burliest of men that could be imagined. After all, they had to make sure no coppers managed to get inside.

After passing this security checkpoint, you’d take a short flight upstairs up and enter a large, open room. Along the left side was a bar that stretched from one corner to the next, staffed with several bartenders to ensure no one had to wait very long for a drink.

Along the back wall was a stage where entertainers would be able to perform, a variety of bands and singers would be booked on different nights. Tables for two or four would be scattered throughout the room and along the remaining two walls were booths of varying sizes, leaving plenty of options for a lone individual or a group of friends to find the best seating.  

In terms of décor, the lounge was meant to be an extension of the family’s headquarters so it followed the idea of a gym – think weights on the walls, workout equipment morphed into furniture, jump ropes used to tie back the curtains. Everything was classy but fitting to the environment they were in; even the lights were kept dim to ensure optimal privacy for the patrons.

The menu not only kept to the theme of the lounge but had unique drinks named after famous members of both Detroit and the criminal underworld.

The Muscle Lounge

 

“The Godfather”

A drink you simply can’t refuse, this is a mixed drink made of Scotch whisky and amaretto. Typically, the drink is served on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass.

"The Sexy Serana"

What could be sexier than the leader of Detroit? How about a cocktail containing vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice and cranberry juice?

"The Ramone"

The strongest drink on the menu, this drink contains 100 per cent alcohol, with no mixers. Gin, vodka, absinthe, brandy and blackberry liquor are mixed together in equal parts for a dastardly drink that will pack a punch.

"Roman's Justice"

This unique combination of Kahlúa and Tequila Blanco creates an extra dimension that only this drink can pull off. More on the darker side, Roman's Justice skips all the fruity flavors commonly found in tequila drinks, opting for another great flavor pairing, coffee.

"The Mind Eraser"

Need to forget a particularly dreadful day? This mix of rum, absinthe and falernum will do the trick!

"Sleepin' With the Fishes"

One of these and you probably won't wake up for a while. This drink is made with vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin, and a splash of cola.

Olivia looked around the room with a smile. She was very proud of the business she had put together here. Mails had been sent out to all her fellow associates in Detroit as well as to friends in other cities, inviting them to come check the place out and a smooth jazz band had been hired for the opening night, something that would allow for conversation while still providing some entertainment. Now all she could do was take a seat at the bar and wait for others to arrive.

The cab driver came to a stop, pulling his vehicle over to the curb to let me out at the destination. 

"This is it", he explained.

I took another look outside both the windows, and finally I noticed a small alley way in between the two building. Shrugging my shoulders I handed the driver a roll of cash.

"I haven't been to Detroit in some time. Last time I was here it wasn't a good situation. I just handed you enough money to hold you over for a week. You better be out here IF and when I come back.", I said with a stern tone.

Opening the door I cracked my neck from left to right and slammed it behind me. Making my way down the street and into the dark alley I noticed a door shut down ahead. That must be it I thought to myself, but after walking all the way down to the other street I was rather confused. I had missed the door completely as it blended in way too well. Back tracking about three quarters of the way from where I had began I found the doorknob and tried to open it. 

Locked! I scratched the back of my neck and gave the door a pounding out of frustration. A man larger in stature then myself opened the door quickly which caught me off guard. I was in the gym every day of the week, but this guy was a mountain. 

"What's the damn password?", he asked?

"My name is Roman Reigns", I told him.

"Ramona rains?!?, he said to himself confused. Close enough come on in"

I made my way through the front entrance after dealing with the giant behind the door, some scary shit. Walking up the stairs I could hear the sound of music from in the distance. Once inside I took a second to look around and check out the atmosphere. There were a few people that had arrived before me, but it looked like I was one of the first guests. 

Turning my attention to the bar I made my way inside. Taking the first seat to not draw attention to myself I bumped elbows with the lady sitting next to me not knowing she was the owner. I waived over the closest bartender to my direction I was ready to start drinking. After quickly looking at the menu I noticed a drink that was possibly named after myself.

"I'll take a Romans Justice and two Mind Erasers, what's the deal with the dick at the door?", I asked jokingly to the bartender. 

I knocked back my drinks in consecutive order as they were delivered. I could hardly remember what Romans Justice tasted like before I was on to my Mind Eraser. The drinks were heavy on the alcohol and would put and mid level drinker into the ditch, luckily for me I was a seasoned veteran in the drinking game. I finished what was left of my third drink and gazed down out my watch.

Wow, mind eraser was right. Where had my time gone. I looked to my left where that lady was still sitting, but when I actually saw who it was felt a little foolish. It was Olivia the owner and someone I was quite fond of. She was talking to someone on the opposite side of her at this time and I wasn't going to take up any of her time.

Maybe next time I thought to myself as I pushed my empty glass forward. Placing a roll of cash in her pocket without her noticing I got up from my chair and made my way to the exit. Feeling tipsy from my drinks I walked towards the guard and made him flinch on my way out. I patted him on the shoulder and called him a softy as I made my exit. The driver was still there waiting in his car napping, I tapped on the hood and we took off shortly from there.

Serana walks into The Muscle Lounge after one of those days at the office, she was in a mood as some bums owed her some money and they weren't paying so she had to send out some of her boys to make an example out of em. As she walked in and saw the drink menu she giggled as she saw the drink her dear friend Olivia named after her. "Well I guess I should try my own drink shouldn't I? I know I'm not ready for something like the Ramone it's a little to strong for me."

Olivia had been flying back and forth between Detroit and LA a lot recently, visiting with friends while still working back home. She was happy to see that her bar hadn't been burned to the ground in her absence (one could never be quite certain when leaving the likes of Ramone and Ash in charge). 

She had just gotten in for the day when Don Serana came through the doors and looked over her menu, laughing at the different drinks. Olivia grinned at her reaction, which is really just want she had been going for. "One Sexy Serana coming up." She motioned to the bartender to get the drink quickly. 

"And how are you doing today, looks like it's been a hard day?"

Serana gave a big sigh before speaking "Just still the growing pains with Ramone moving over to Corktown and Flash-fire just setting up his own family some of those two bit thugs start they could start skipping payments so we had to put some contracts out on them and then track em down and make an example of them." Serana took a sip of her newly delivered drink and was shocked at how delicious it was she paused staring at the glass before continuing"More just tedious than anything but enough about that how's your new establishment going dear? I always love seeing a fellow woman moving up in our world." 

"Well we have had a good deal of changes lately, so I can see how that could be stressful for you." Olivia mixed her own drink, opting to go for a Godfather. She took a sip before continuing. "Those thugs got what they deserved. Detroit has been a lawless city for awhile now, what with all the turnover in families out here. It's gonna take us some time to clean it up but I have no doubt you're the woman for the job." 

Olivia took another sip of her drink while thinking of Serana's question. "It's good so far I think. Quiet but that's how I wanted it to be; just a place to come relax and have a drink after a hard days work. Someplace for the people of Detroit to come together and get to know one another. We got a shout out in a newspaper recently thanks to the drinks so maybe I'll see business pick up soon. Time will tell." 

I ran down the street, there was no time to park the car. It was still rolling in neutral down the street. I'd just taken two private flights to get somewhere safe where I could drop my heat. I finally made my way to a familiar road taking a right into Downtown Detroit. I'd been to the Muscle Lounge recently a few days ago for the grand opening.

I'd just ended the life of the infamous Tyler Durden and needed a place to lay low. Running down the alley way I found myself in front of the black door. Grabbing for the knob I turned quickly to let myself in. Locked, of course it was locked. I pounded on the door as hard as I could, I didn't have time. The big guy cracked the door open seeing it was me and immediately slammed it shut. I pounded again but harder this time, people from the streets could hear me and I was starting to gain some attention. 

I yelled a few different variations of Ramon and Ramona sitting in a tree until he finally decided to open the door and let me in. Once I made it inside I glared at him as I passed him walking up the stairs. That guy must still be upset with how badly I scared him before I left. Either way I was finally inside and ready to relax. Traveling that much in a short period of time took a toll on me and I was ready to drink. Looking around I noticed the place had picked up since last time and was looking quite busy. I made my way back over to the bar and took a seat waiting to place an order.

After placing my order the I pointed to a booth where I told the man I'd be sitting. I asked him to bring me a bottle of tequila and a glass to go along with it. Putting a handful of large bills on the table I turned around and made my way over to take a seat.

Olivia was sitting in her office, going through the books and handling payroll for her newly hired staff, when one of them came knocking on the door. “Come in,” she said, barely glancing up to see who it was.

“Sorry to bother you ma'am, but there seems to have been some sort of commotion at the front door.”

That was enough to catch her attention and Olivia glanced up at the young waitress that had been sent to fetch her, tucking a loose strand of dirty blonde hair behind her ear. “What kind of commotion?”

“A man was banging on the door to get in. He knew the password but it seems he might in some sort of trouble?”

An eyebrow was raised inquisitively as Olivia wondered who could possibly be trying to hide out in her bar this time. “Ok, I’m intrigued. I’ll be out in a minute.”

The waitress nodded and went back to work while Olivia locked up the cash back in the safe and went out to the main bar. She glanced around the room, which was fairly busy at the time. Her bartender nodded to the corner where she spotted none other than RomanReigns. Olivia grabbed the bottle of tequila that he had ordered, along with two glasses, and moved over to the booth he'd chosen. She placed the glasses down and popped open the bottle, pouring the liquid into both of them before she slid into the spot across from him. 

“You look like you need a drink.”

Creation, who flew down to Detriot for a drug deal she couldn't resist, it was wonderful!~ She wanted something to drink, even if it's just herself. She ventured around, some okay bars I guess... Until she got this weird feeling something was up with a dark-like building she was heading too, it had no lighting, something the whole city was lit up with! She went up to what she thought was a door, when this window opened up, some stranger immediately asking for a password. She couldn't think of anything, but... This is the Detriot, has to be Ramone, right? 

She tried to slur it, to the point where you can't understand shit. "Ram-o-one and R-oma-na are gym l-over-s?" Creation thought it as a stretch, but to no avail, it opened. Okay, well... What the fuck. She went in, took her time walking across a set-path left by previous whoever who walked on the same path. She started to think, why did that work? Did the door-man just wanted not to deal with her shit, how rude...

She'd get into what was the lounge... Creation thought it seemed like it. Ramone style... yeah. She approached, a bartender the simple question, "What do you have...?"

It'd been waiting for what seemed like a bit longer then needed. I didn't want to bring anymore attention to myself then needed while I was in town. No telling how many corrupt officers were on Durdens pay roll. Hearing the sound of footsteps coming in my direction signified that I was finally going to be able to enjoy a drink. Who I thought to be the waitress sat down the glasses, but once I recognized there was a second glass I immediately looked up. 

To my surprise it was the owner Olivia, the last we had spoken was in Los Angeles at my night club. It was nice to feel a sense of security in her building. Passing me a drink across the table she took a seat across from me. It was nice to have company after taking a private jet in from Seattle. I raised my glass in the air hitting it against hers as I knocked mine back and she took a sip. Ah tequila, my vice if I was ever to have one. I licked my lips and grabbed the bottle refilling my drink knocking back another.

"It's nice to see you tonight, I appreciate the hospitality. I had a good time back in Los Angeles. I'm sorry about the grand entrance, I'm almost positive that someone had been following me since I left the airport."

Olivia laughed slightly as she watched him down the whole glass in one shot. He'd clearly had a rough evening and even poured himself a second glass before he spoke. She, meanwhile, took sips of her glass. It wasn't that she couldn't handle her tequila, as she certainly could, but she preferred to savor her drinks. 

"Of course, that's what this place is here for. A private hideout spot for those in our line of work." She took another sip of her glass and smiled. "It's great to see you again too, but I'm intrigued as to what, or who, you're hiding out from. Is it a story you can share?" Olivia knew that Roman was a very important figure in this world and so, of course, she would understand if it was something that was need to know only. 

“The second I landed into the Detroit airport I got word that Tyler Durden and his gang were last seen in Seattle. They were heading for Los Angeles after they were done causing problems in Pioneer Square. I wouldn’t going to give him that opportunity so I picked up and took off the second I got here towards Seattle. I found him and his gang and fired a few shots, I think I got him but he must be waiting some kind of armor because he always ends up showing back up.”

I took a small drink from my tequila, sitting back admiring Olivia. She was ruthless, yet sophisticated. It was nice to have a friend when you needed one the most.

”Once I was back at the airport I saw Tyler taking his jet back to Deleware City so I figured it was safe to fly back over to Detroit. Boy was I wrong, some random car with tinted windows was following me once I left the airport. I didn’t help that I stole the car I was driving but that was besides the point. I don’t think they saw me duck in the alleyway.”

I took a deep breath and took another drink from the tequila. It was a nice choice of bottle by the bartender.

”How have you been doing lately? It looks like this place is doing well out here.”

“Ah, the infamous Tyler Durden. How that man has managed to stay all these years is beyond me, his people have been driven away from our cities time and time again but they just won’t give up.” Olivia filled her glass again and continued to sip at it. “It’s a good thing you were there to stop him, I can only imagine the damage he would have tried to do in Los Angeles.”

Olivia shook her head, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m glad you were able to find safety here. I’m sure Tyler has his little spies everywhere, I’ll send some men out to make sure the coast is clear before you head out.”

She waved down the closest waitress and whispered in her ear for a few moments. The waitress nodded and disappeared, heading towards one of the security guards. Her men would sweep the streets for the next few hours, to make sure RomanReigns wouldn’t face any trouble in the fine city of Detroit.

“The bar seems to have taken off, which I’m grateful for. We got a shout out in a little newspaper for our drinks, which was great. And it’s something to keep me busy which I enjoy. Anything I can do to help the city grow.”

It was nice to have some peace, even if it was just for a short period of time. The drinks were great and Olivias company was even better. It was nice to see that she wasn't overwhelmed with her business. She was the type of woman that would put everything shes got into making sure something was done right. I took a drink and tucked some of my hair behind my ear as well poking fun at her.

"I appreciate the patronage, not many send there guys out on the streets for someone else safety. It's been some time and we haven't heard back from them I am beginning to wonder."

Just then the two men Olivia had send out into the streets to comb the streets and the business district before making there way back. They rushed in grabbing our attention immediately. Walking towards his boss he did the best he could to holster his weapon and not make a scene walking in.

"There back, I haven't seen him, but they are right here in Detroit. Someone must have tipped them off about Romans whereabouts."

I finished what tequila I had poured in my glass and then proceeded to stand up and shrug. Olivia stood too, she was ready, willing, and able to put up a fight too. She wasn't gonna sit back and let anyone mess with her family, friends, or business. I shook her hand and thanked her for the time we had spent together that evening. She said she was going to go downstairs and talk to her guy at the door to make sure he was aware of the current situation. I followed behind her and as he opening the front door to the alleyway she began talking.

I shook her hand and gave him the stink eye before exiting out into the business district. I pulled my revolver from inside my coat where it was holstered and walked out towards the streets.

Olivia had been neglecting her lounge lately. With the opening of G.Y.M, she’d been busy working in the office during the days, helping to get everything set up for the front of their business operations. The money had to flow from somewhere after all, and GYM was the most legitimate money maker that they had. Plus, the lounge hadn’t seen much activity for a while, which likely fed her own neglect of the place, a horrible cycle that would lead to its demise if she didn’t make some changes.

Originally designed to be more of a selective crew bar, Olivia had made it hard to find and people needed to know the password to be let through the front door. She realized that this excluded a large chunk of the population, visitors to Detroit, so she decided to get rid of the password and make the entrance a bit more noticeable. While she couldn’t do anything about the fact that the front door was down an alley, she changed the color of the door to stand out against the black wall and she put a sign up above the door which read The Muscle Lounge in bright orange colors. She even added some light near the entrance to the alley to make people more likely to come down that way. Security would still be at the front door of course, but this time to keep out any cops or clear enemies, like those goons from the Durden family.

After taking care of the books, Olivia decided she needed a drink. She hoped to see more people venture to her lounge now that it was more clearly open to the public. 

His limp now diminished, a result of the newly acquired painkillers, Romeo could now focus on getting himself a drink. Some of the local mobsters had pointed out that a private club nearby had been opened to the general public. His interest now piqued, he headed in to The Muscle Lounge. A curious name for a place such as this. 

Stepping up the stairs he entered a large room, pausing out of habit to take in his surroundings. As soon as he spotted the bar his exhaustion hit him like a ton of bricks. With his throat parched, he sat down glad to have somewhere to drown away in alcohol quietly. Hailing the barkeep he asked for a Fort Wayne. The barman, unaware of this supposedly novelty drink just shrugged and recited the drinks usually on offer. 

If it had been any other day in any other city Romeo would have been polite, but this was different. The fatigue was too much to resist the annoyance . He shook his head and gestured to the woman sitting next to him. "Can you believe this idiota? No Fort Wayne in its birthplace , Detroit? Blasfemo! Does he not know his local history at all?" he said to her annoyed.

That was when he noticed just how beautiful this woman looked, tired like him and wise beyond her years. A smile on her lips that did not reach her eyes. Eyes, that held more pain than they had any business doing. With a chuckle he said "Perdonami Signora, I let my emotions get the best of me. Occupational hazard at my age I suppose." 

His eyes held hers afraid to look away for fear of never being able to see them again. Stroking his beard with a sly smile plastered on his face he said "Por favore, let me buy you a drink , make up for my lack of manners, si?"

Olivia was lost in her own thoughts, sipping on one of her favorites, a sexy Serana, when she heard the raised voice coming from next to her. She hadn’t even noticed the newcomer enter the lounge, which was not exactly a good thing, although she supposed she could give herself a pass this time as she felt safe in her own building.

Glancing over, the woman watched as the older gentleman berated her bartender for not knowing of a drink called a Fort Wayne. Now, Olivia prided herself on hiring smart, experienced staff so if her bartender didn’t know the drink it was either outdated or simply not as popular as this man seemed to think. He turned to her and launched into a complaint, slipping into what she vaguely recognized to be Italian as he spoke.

She was silent when he finished speaking, seemingly having caught himself in his anger. He apologized and offered to buy her a drink, which brought a smile to her face. She didn’t flinch at his never-ending stare, her eyes staying locked on his as she took her time to respond.

“You certainly are new around, here aren’t you?”

That was all, just one simple sentence, her voice light and amused. She didn’t tell him it was her bar – he’d figure that out on his own quickly enough.

"What gave it away Signora?" he chuckled in response. "I'm sure this place has it's own set of angry ubriaconi, drunkards si? You must be intimately acquainted with this place to how do you say it... pick the odd man out, no?"

Holding her gaze and matching her smile with his own he snapped his fingers towards the barman, "A refill for la bella dona por favor." Running his fingers through his hair he finally tore himself away from her eyes piercing into his soul. "I am not from around anywhere, not anymore. A traveller making up for time lost in captivity." he said in a sombre tone.

Turning towards the room, Romeo gestured with his hand, the brief lapse in his grin now forgotten. "I do hope the patrons don't find my charming ill repute infectious." His eyes finding hers again he continued "Though I wonder if it is perhaps too late for some such as yourself."

“Everyone is from somewhere.”

A simple response, but a true one. She smiled softly at his last statement, not saying a word as she slipped off her bar stool and made her way behind the bar. No one questioned her, of course, and she was silent for a few moments as she fixed a drink. “I’m not quite sure I would call it charming, but I wouldn’t worry too much about the other patrons. They’re used to the occasional outbursts, although not so used to new faces.”

Finally looking up at the man at the bar, Olivia slid a glass across to him. “Double Canadian, neat, no ice.  I believe that’s the drink you wanted?” A sly smile crossed her lips, as her blue eyes once again met his, this time showing her amusement. Meeting new people was always an adventure for her. Olivia saw it like a game of chess, each move deliberate and thought out, and she enjoyed playing the game and keeping people on their toes.