THE DEVIL AMONGST MEN

I went back to my work post depressed.

"Are you alright?" Sam, one of the bartenders in my section, asked, filled with concern.

I gave him a tight smile and nodded.

The music and the grinding, the romance and dirty dances going on around me did nothing to distract me.

How do I raise that kind of money?

Even if I sell myself as one of those stupid strippers being teased and fingered by these men, I doubt I will raise that amount.

Yeah, they also receive big tips from the men they danced with, sometimes thousands of dollars.

But no, I'm not interested.

The temperature in the room suddenly dropped, an aura of fear and danger enveloping the room.

It made the already air conditioned environment become even colder.

I looked up at the source.

It was my boss, Rex Santorini and his two assistants, or maybe guards.

He was the owner of starlight and other major hotels and resorts in different corners of Las Vegas, and in fact, the whole of America.

He was the richest billionaire in Las Vegas.

His dark hair, light brown eyes, pink lips, sharp jawline and pointed nose, made him look very handsome.

However, the aura of danger around him always had people running far away from him.

Someone of his level should have lots of women draped all over him, he does have them, but none will dare have any emotions except fear attached to it.

To the outside world, he was one of the richest and most noble businessmen in America.

But he has another identity, a dark one.

He was the lord of the Las Vegas underworld.

He was the mafia.

Others must disappear when they see him far off.

Merciless and ruthless, blood is no substance to him.

Torturing people gives him immense pleasure and he does it with relish.

Going against him is the last thing anyone that knows him will want to do, because it can only end up in royal tragedy.

During the day, he was a cool business man.

At night, he removes his mask and assumes the form of the demon he really was.

If evil was a person, it would definitely be him.

I looked at the rest of the room, everyone noticed his entrance, however no one dared to approach him, even his fellow billionaires and mafias.

He was the Ice king with the heart of stone, his mind as dark and impenetrable as the dead sea.

He stopped before me, making me hold my breath.

He scrutinized me from head to toe, making me clench my fist.

I don't want him to notice me or pay me attention. It is the worst thing that can happen to anyone because it will definitely end in premium tears.

I shook as I discovered a shocking fact. I was wet. I got wet just by looking at him.

I immediately beat myself up, trying hard not to show my fear.

He narrowed his eyes and walked away, continuing on his route to his office.

I finally released the breath I have been holding, wiping away the cold sweat that formed on my forehead and around my lips.

Being around the devil is what no one ever wanted.

"Are you alright?" One of the servers asked me with concern.

I nodded at her.

"Why did he stare at you like that? Hope you didn't do anything wrong? The last time an employee messed up, he skinned him alive, literally. Before making him burn to death" Sam said worriedly, as he mixed the drinks.

I shook in fear.

I have seen his men sneakily moving body bags. I guess they indeed contained corpses.

What else do I expect?

An underground organization that deals on hard drugs, arms manufacturing and smuggling, debt recovery for the casinos, they were worse than loan sharks, and other shady deals must definitely engage in murder once in a while.

Well, why am I criticizing them?

Aren't I a murderer too? 

I was a demon in the making.

It was nearly 4a.m when the cleaners began to rearrange the place.

Most of the guests have left after a long night.

I walked tiredly to the workers' resting lounge.

The chef and his assistants were already serving the meals.

Rex's men sat in their corner enjoying their five star meal.

The hotel workers that worked in this layer were seated at the other side, eating a lavish breakfast.

Rex had never been stingy with food.

We always eat food reserved for the rich, especially in the morning like this.

Lots of oysters and crabs, even caviar and tuna were made available for us.

The benefits were good.

Well, they gotta be good since you can trade in your life if you mistakenly step out of line.

We were the closest any worker had come to the main gang.

The workers in the billionaire's club were the only ones that came in close contact with the main mafia gang. Sometimes, we are asked to help out in loading the crates or stacking the bags of dollars for movement into Rex's strong room, wherever that is.

I relaxed on the dining table and a tray was brought to me.

I quickly fell on it and devoured it hungrily.

I entered the second level's female worker's bathroom and bathed.

I dressed in suitable day wear and carried my bag.

I was happy to finally get off work.

I ran into the corridor only to run into a solid wall of muscles.

The woodsy scent mixed with a tiny bit of whiskey and expensive perfume assaulted my nostrils as I lost my balance.

I felt a strong male hand wrap around my waist, stalling my fall.

I hurriedly grabbed the man's chest feeling his muscled chest and eight pack abs.

Damn! Man was fit!

I looked up at him and immediately gasped.

I almost swooned in fear as I looked into his eyes.

I quickly stood on my feet and opened my mouth to apologize.

However, no sound came out.

My mouth kept moving without saying anything.

I had collided with the devil himself!.

God please.

I quickly looked down at the floor, wiping the cold sweat on my forehead as he scrutinized me.

"What's your name?" His cold voice asked.

"Arianna. I'm sorry sir. Please forgive me. I swear it wasn't intentional" I stammered in fear.

 Why is he asking for my name?

"Look up!" He snarled, making my head snap up to his face.

"Be careful. You may not be so lucky next time" he whispered, leaning close to me.

I quickly nodded glad to have dodged a bullet.

"Thank you sir" I said, taking to my heels before he changes his mind about letting me off easily.