“I was headed into the dining room from the staff room. I didn’t know he would be there. Hell, I didn’t even know who he was.”
“Bella. You need to learn more about these things. Instead of sticking your head in the sand, you could have studied and known. What did you say to him?”
“He just asked my name and if I was new.” I omit most of the story. I am sure Uncle Tony would murder me if he knew.
“He could have killed you. You need to be very careful what you say around that man.”
I want to laugh, but I don’t. Death doesn’t scare me like it used to.
“Okay, Uncle. I got it.”
He lets out a couple of cuss words before he grabs Gina and drags her into the back office. I cringe at the thought of what they are going to do. Each one of us has had the unlucky pleasure of walking in on them before. It is almost a rite of passage to work here.
Mia and Izzy crowd me then as Eddie heads to the back restroom to smoke. Apparently, the doors to this place can’t open until they leave. Which means we are stuck.
“So, what happened? Really?”
I give them a play by play and by the end they both look shocked.
“Shit, Sof. Your Uncle is right. He could kill you for that.” Izzy blurts out.
“Iz! You are going to scare her. I am sure you are fine. I mean he did ask you to serve him and only him.”
I roll my eyes at them both.
“He didn’t seem like he wanted to kill me. I think I am fine.”
“He thinks you are fine too.” Mia wiggles her eye brows.
“Maybe he wants you to serve him later too. In bed. Or a car. Or hell on that table.”
I feel a shiver down my spine at her words. I can’t say the thought isn’t exciting, but I have already had my chance with a dangerous man and that ended horribly. I don’t need another bad decision.
“That’s not an option.” I say more to myself than to them.
“You can’t tell him no!” Izzy exclaims.
“Sure, I can, and I will. I am not on the market for anything. Even dirty sex with a fine ass man like that.”
“Let’s just hope it doesn’t come down to that.” Mia says in a small voice.
“Agreed. Now let’s play some cards to pass the time.” Izzy says as she pulls out a deck of cards from her apron.
Hours later they finally send someone to come get us. Walking back into the room, all I can see is smoke. It is obvious that they spent the last three hours smoking up a storm in this room as evidenced by not only the smoke, but the several cigar butts on a plate next to each man.
“You can go.” Bastiano says once we are in the room.
At first, I thought he was talking about me. He was staring right at me when he said it. Instead, a couple of the men got up and shook his hand and kissed his cheek again before they left the room. The others split into groups and began to talk.
“Sofia.” I hear his voice call and my eyes are back on him.
He beckons me towards him. I slowly make my way to him never taking my eyes off him.
“Yes, sir. How can I help you?”
His smirk tells me he knows how nervous I am standing in front of him. I don’t know why. I tell myself it is because of my past, but deep inside I know it’s something else entirely.
“I would like dessert.” He says matter of factly as his eyes peruse my body.
