RoseI began working and ignored Benny. The bar buzzed and people started showing. The night proceeded as it usually does. The music became louder, the lights dimmer. I had forgotten how hot it can get. “It’s been two hours,” Benny was beside me, “Are you not going to talk to me?”“Yes.” “Come on,” Benny stopped me and I glared at him."Stop touching me. Stop trying to talk to me." The phone rang again and Benny went to answer it.“It’s for you.” I sighed.“Blade?”“Shift is over. Swing by my office. We need to talk.” I hung up and looked at Benny. Once again, I was in trouble for doing my fucking job. I shook my head and walked away without a word. The damage was already done.“What’s going on between you and Benny?” Blade looked from his screen.“Nothing. You should ask him what his problem is. I told him to stop talking to me.”“Why are you being difficult today?” he asked.“I’m not,” I looked away.“Did Luke do something?” I laughed, “I’m serious. Did he threaten you or somethi
RoseI should stop being hopeful, really. Nothing ever gets better. I don't know why I even try. I was trying hard to do my job, but the mysterious stranger has become more of a stalker. The man won’t stop showing up at the club to watch me. He didn’t want to chat. He just wanted to watch me. He was always in the VIP section. The place is secluded and private. Most people don’t even know he is there. It's creepy. I blame Blade. “Hey,” Lola hugged me, “Don’t mind him. He will leave.”“When?” I whispered. “He has been here for a week now. The man is really sick. He needs help.”“Who cares?""I do. He needs to mourn his wife some other way." I scowled."He is not causing trouble.""And yet I feel uneasy every time he shows up here." "You are lucky you are not going to the parties. I’m exhausted. I'm not as wild as I used to be.” "Please," I roll my eyes, "you live for the parties."“True," she grins."Then stop complaining. Go on. We don’t want Blade calling us to the office.” I sigh
Rose You know the feeling that nags at the back of the brain. The one that’s constantly there and you think it’s nothing. It feels like it’s just in your head and it will eventually leave on its own accord. That feeling was paranoia. Paranoia I should have listened to because nothing is ever okay after I have the nagging feeling ever. I regret being caught and brought back to Luke because everything was fucked. “Why are you doing this?” Benny was unconscious on the floor with blood on the back of his head from the heavy blow he suffered. Mister missing my wife and you remind me of her and creeper was not in a suit anymore. “What do you want with me?” “Relax darlin.” “Don’t tell me to relax and I'm not your darling.” I snarl. “I like you,” he pointed, “Bet that’s why Luke spent more time with you than anyone else.” “He paid for it.” “I know. That’s why my friend wants to talk to you.” he smiled. “Who are you people?” I asked. I swallowed. The red flags were off the charts
Rose I was staring at the ceiling in the guest room. I couldn’t sleep here and I had no plan of escape. Mik was trying to keep me as a “guest” but I was a prisoner who was waiting for my older brother to come murder me. I was thinking of maybe forming an alliance, but there was no way in hell he would entertain the thought. He would be glad to drag my ass to Antonio and gut me in front of him. I sharply exhaled and placed my feet on the floor. This was no time to get ahead of myself. I have survived this long and I can do it again. Samuel was an idiot who can’t decide without Antonio holding his hand. “Oh Fabio, your son will not be pleased to see me tomorrow.” I sighed. I only saw Samuel twice. The first encounter was okay because we were children. Antonio hadn’t brain washed him then. The second encounter was very bloody. I don’t like to even think about it. ***Flashback*** I had opened my eyes and heard screaming. The door burst open, and I saw uncle Jason holding his gun
Rose, ~Four years old~ “Where are we going?” I looked up at mommy. “It’s a surprise honey.” I could tell mommy was nervous. She was laughing funny and kept looking everywhere as she drove. Every now and then she would look behind and smile at me. I looked down at my doll. Mommy had woken me up in the middle of the night and told me we were leaving for an adventure. She was angry when I ran for my doll because she said we were in a hurry. “Is daddy coming to the adventure?” I asked with a smile. “No dear. It’s just you and me.” My smile is gone. “Remember what I always tell you.” “But,” I pout, throwing my knitted doll on the seat. “Rosemary,” she sighed and looked around again, “What do I always say to you honey?” “Men always disappoint you.” I mumbled. “Never trust any man, even daddy. Do you understand?” She briefly looked back at me. “Mommy,” I screamed, pointing ahead. Two cars had stopped in front of us, making her stop the car. I screamed as tears pooled my face.
Rose I haven’t seen daddy since the scary man took me. I was afraid to call him grandfather. I called him grandpa a few times and he hit me with his belt. He made me swear to never repeat the words to him again. “Rose?” I was afraid to get out of bed. The scary man was coming to see me today. I heard how they talked about it last night. They didn’t want to tell me he was coming because I always wet the bed when I know he is coming. “Time to get up, Rose.” I held the covers with all my might. I didn’t want to get up. I don’t like the bad man when he comes to see me. He hits me with the belt for nothing. “What’s taking her so long?” I heard his harsh voice and shrieked inside the covers and closed my eyes. “I- She - I will get her ready.” “Don’t pamper her,” he shouted. I curled my body and hoped he would go away but he pulled the covers. I rolled and fell on the bed with tears already on my face. “I’ll clean the mess,” Aunty Stella quickly spoke. “No,” he said looking a
Twenty five years later, Rose I scream, making the driver hit the brakes. He looks back at me and glares. I glared back before scowling at him without offering an apology. “You are not going to apologize for almost killing us with your bloody.” He scoffs at me. “We are not dead,” I snarl. He looks ahead and continues driving. I don’t close my eyes again. I pull my phone out. I napped for ten minutes and had an awful dream. The man was back in my dreams again. I hated Antonio Vega. I didn’t think about the dream. I chose ignorance because my childhood horrors are in the past. Dead, buried and forgotten as long as I was awake. “Are you not getting out?” the driver sighed looking behind. “I am,” I roll my eyes. “Then get a move on.” he hisses. I ground my teeth and pressed a fake smile. I’m not picking a fight with the Uber driver. I pushed out of the car and took a heavy breath. The past was not defining me as long as my eyes blinked. I breathed out again and walked across th
Luke Zalchini I had taken off for a few days, which was not setting the right example, but at this moment I couldn't care less. They think I bailed before the ship sank, but I have an excellent strategy in the making. I was going to be the most feared mafia boss. They will not see it coming until it’s too late. Most have doubts and they want to take the power away from me. I would love to see them try because they were going to fail. My father was a leader when he was thirty five. I thought being a thirty-two-year-old bachelor would buy me some more time, but my father insists on me finding a bride. They think I’m a joke, but they are wrong because I’m going to prove that power will stay with the Zalchini. I will make every single one of those who second-guessed me pay with their deaths. The odds might not be in my favor because they have the manpower, but I have a few cards to play. They think I don’t have the means because I don't have a wife. I do not need a leash or a brainles