LAID BARE: A Dark Mafia Romance/Organized Crime Thriller

prologueravenMy heart was pounding against my chest as I lay in the hospital bed, my lungs constricting.I feared for my life. I took a deep breath in…and a deep breath out.A deep breath in…and a deep breath out, doing my best to remain strong for my unborn child. Doing my best to fight this monster, and not let him get the better of me. Doing my best to keep going…even though it was proving to be more and more difficult.“You think that just because you’re outside of my home you can open that mouth of yours, you bitch?” he snarled, making his way to my bed.“You belong to me!” he bellowed. “You thought you could speak to the police about what I did to you?”He cracked up with laughter, a menacing laugh that caused my head to sear.“You don’t know I pay off the police to keep me out of jail?” he sneered. “You really thought you could get rid of me? You will never get rid of me. Never!”He spat on me, clambering on top of me, slapping my face to the side, forcing me to look him in h

I quickly rubbed my eyes, doing my best to dry my tears and get myself together. I had to get my head back in the game if I was going to survive work tonight. It was a busy night, so it was one of the most important for collecting tips. I would be better off just doing as I was told.I made my way to the changing rooms, feeling stupid for not coming in the right outfit and makeup. I should have just done it at home rather than having to waste time doing it here…I always behaved hastily under pressure.I quickly threw on a tight red mini-dress which emphasized my cleavage, slim waist, and round ass, and put on some red lipstick and lipgloss onto my plump lips. This would have to do.I let out a sigh I didn’t know I was holding as I stared back at my reflection in the dressing room. My dark brown hair fell past my shoulders, my dark brown eyes were bloodshot and watery. My milky brown skin looked tired and exhausted. I could hardly recognise myself anymore. It was like I was staring bac

“Okay…” I breathed.“Ready to go, sunshine?” came a voice.I looked up to see the man who wanted the private dance. He was an old man in his sixties, and he was wearing an olive green sweater, paired with light olive-colored trousers. He had pleated grey hair and grey eyes, and a wrinkly face. Blood continued to pound through my body, sizzling to the point that it felt like I had no fight left.“Y—Yes,” I managed timidly, shaking my head.The creep nodded, making his way out of the bar to the private lounge, and I followed him, sick churning in my stomach.From the corner of my eye, I could have sworn that the same mesmerizing man from the crowd was still watching me. Watching me follow this old, creepy man…But I figured it was just my mind playing tricks on me.***“Okay, sexy…show me what you got.” The creep smiled, sitting down on the couch, bopping his head forward in anticipation. His predatory eyes smoldered with lust and darkened with desire as he drunk me in, staring at my b

“Come to think of it, I think I have…” Lazarus replied. “I think she was on her way to the coffee shop down south.”“Yes, I’ve got her now!” Boss exclaimed in gratitude. “Thank you so much, drinks are on me whenever you come down to the club next.”“It’s okay, glad I could help,” Lazarus replied, letting out a forced chuckle.I stayed in position, making sure I waited for a few minutes until I knew Boss was gone. I peered over the bin to see Lazarus making his way back to me. The coast was clear.I got up and dusted myself off, still sweating profusely. Lazarus stared at me with his hazel eyes, and I had no idea what he was thinking right now. It was hard to read him. There was a long silence between us both.“Thank you so much, I owe you my life,” I said finally, swallowing.I scratched my arm nervously. Lazarus seemed immersed in thought, his eyes not leaving mine for a second.I could feel his eyes scan me from head to toe. Here I was, wearing such revealing clothes, and I felt ma

“Is it all right if I go to bed now?” Sophia asked. “I’m shattered.”“Yeah, just take your stuff up to the spare bedroom, first on the left,” Lazarus explained.“Thank you,” Sophia said gratefully.Before I knew it, me and Lazarus were alone. I swallowed a lump in my throat, feeling my eyes well with tears. Being in this apartment just reminded me of a life I could never have.A life I could only dream of living.After all, women like me were never destined for anything good in life…right?“Come and sit down.” Lazarus smiled, beckoning me towards the sofa.I nodded, and sat down next to him.“Thank you for all this.” I swallowed, and then thought I might as well ask, because the curiosity was killing me. “Ahm…why are you helping me?”Lazarus let out a deep sigh.“You looked like you were in trouble. I saw you running out of the club,” he admitted.“Yeah, the client was being really sexual and tried to sleep with me. I had to find a way out of there,” I muttered, not wanting to rememb