3

              ***ALEXANDER'S ***

“What are you going to do about the money?” Raphael asked again, leaning back into the plush seat, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he exhaled a thin plume of smoke. I followed suit, letting out a calming breath as the rich aroma enveloped us. “I’ll find it,” I said, my confidence unwavering as I licked my lips and reclined back against the comforting leather, sinking into the moment. The car’s interior was quiet, save for the soft crackle of our cigarettes and the distant hum of the city outside. Raphael’s grin widened, and I could tell he had no doubt in my abilities—an understanding forged by our past experiences together. The thrill of the unknown ahead ignited a spark of exhilaration within me.

Raphael was my late Uncle James Mariano's son, my mother's brother, which makes him my cousin, his my best friend, second in command, and a skilled sharpshooter. He was only two years younger than I was. No one knew of his existence until his parents died, and my parents took him in. He was only ten years old then; I was twelve, and since then, we have been inseparable. I feel somewhat sorry for him. My parents are alive, and they give me their greatest legacy.

I am Alexander Antonio, the boss of the Italian Mafia and CEO of THE ANTONIO'S company.

The car soon stopped, and my door was opened by my guard. "Thank you, Sergio," I nodded as I stepped into the dark night. Sergio is my most loyal guard; he would take a bullet for me. I admire his skill, and I trust him with my life. Likewise, Raphael does too. He nodded back in response, his hand on the gun in his belt, looking around. I breathed in the cool air and smiled to myself.

“Oh shit,” Raphael muttered as he rubbed his neck and tried to arrange his hair perfectly. I looked at what he saw: some ladies were looking our way. “Just don't steal all the beautiful ladies tonight, Alex,” Raphael said.

“I smirked.” I had the looks and the money; women practically fell to their knees for a one-night stand with me. So when they offered me their bodies, who was I to reject? I like sex.

Entering the club, followed by Raphael, Sergio, and the other two guards, I noticed it was crowded. Moving to my VIP section, I nodded my head to Sergio; he knows what to do. I needed a quick fuck to clear my head. Raphael was already talking to a blonde girl on the dance floor.

Just then, a brunette caught my attention. She was sitting alone with about five empty shots in front of her. How the fuck did she maintain such long hair? She was wearing a very short red dress that looked like a second skin. Fuck that ass. my dick stirred, am hard, without even seeing her face.

I stood up to walk to her, right then Sergio came in with two ladies. “Boss, they’re here,” he said, looking at the ladies with cake-like makeup. “You can have them, Sergio,” I responded. I was more curious to see her face. “Boss, I thought you wanted to,” he said, cutting his sentence short. “I have changed my mind, Sergio. You can have them,” I responded.

“Damn; fuck that ass!” I turned to see Raphael staring at the brunette. “I thought you were talking to the blondie over there,” I said, looking at him with a dark look.

“Yeah. But I want this one,” he said.

“Don't go there, Raphael; she's mine tonight,” I said with authority.

“Yeah, yeah, you always get the hot ones. Do you know her?” he asked.

"I'm about to find out."

“See you when I see you,” he said, and with that, he was out of my sight.

I finally walked over to her and took a seat beside her. "Two shots of vodka," I addressed the guy behind the counter. "Sure thing, boss," he nodded and poured them out.

I placed one in front of her. She had her head bent down, looking at her phone. She took the vodka and drank it without turning to look at me

"So, what makes a beautiful lady to drink in a bar full of bad people alone?"That got her attention; she turned to look at me.

"Ah, fuck my life." If I was hard before, now I am painfully hard. She's fucking beautiful—the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

"Are you a bad person?" she asked, looking at me with her beautiful brown eyes. I was so struck by her beauty that I was speechless. I have never been speechless in front of a lady before; I don't even know her name yet. I'm... I'm, hmmm, what the fuck? Now I'm stammering. Thank fuck Raphael and Sergio are not here; they would have laughed at their boss.

She's still looking at me, waiting for my reply.

What she said next made me go mute:

"Can we fuck?”