Semua Bab The Cost of Saving Him: Bab 1 - Bab 7

-Mina (POV) It was a long night. The same, usual crowd of drunk assholes on a Thursday. “Hey Mina, I got the grill cleaned and shut down. You good if I go?” Corey always had a way of sneaking up at the worst times. “Yeah, I’m good. You go home, see you tomorrow.” Sometimes it still feels like a dream. Owning this bar. Larry, that big softy. Man, do I miss him. I still can’t think about that day, not without seeing them bring him out in that ugly ass bag. The same ones they used to carry Mom and Dad. That memory sticks to me like glue. It’s about 1:25 in the morning and a clean bar doesn’t happen on its own. I turn the music up and danced my way to the bar, picking up the glasses on my way to clean. Just as I finish the last glass and go to set it down. BANG. A loud pop, followed by another. Was that a gunshot? I try to ignore it, considering this is New York, after all. Turning the music up more, I walked over to the door to lock up. But just as I reach for the latch, a tall blood

-Mina- I almost choked when I turned to find the same man from the other night sitting there, eating. So, is Luciano his name? I turned back to face Corey. “Please tell me you didn’t tell him I was coming?” Corey’s smile faded, “Do we have a problem? I can kick him ou-” before he continued the man-Luciano approached. “No, I won’t be long. Just wanted to thank her for helping me the other night.” Corey looked at me, then back at him. “Um. Okay? I’ll leave you alone then.” I felt my cheeks burning. “How are you feeling?” I asked, glancing towards his side. He grinned and sat beside me. “I feel fine, thanks to you. But for real, thank you. I shouldn’t have done that to you, but- desperate times, I guess.” I cut my head towards him meeting his eyes, “desperate times? You-” lowering my voice, “held a gun at me when I tried to get you actual help.” He stood, and I followed his motion. Standing to face him. “The least you could do is ask without the gun next time.”I let it slip right out

-Mina- We get to the bar and the first thing Spot does is run behind the bar. Corey was waiting with a bone in hand already, “Hey big guy. Was wondering when your mama was bringing you to say hey to your family.” We laughed as I sat down. “What are you doing back here? I thought you were going to relax? I think you have an addiction to work, Mina.” I couldn’t help but smile. “Got hungry and wanted a beer and guess who is out of both at home?” Corey nodded, “well we got both, as you know. The usual?” nodding, he turned to grab me a beer. He popped the cap and slid the beer across the bar. “So, you’re going to tell me what’s really going on? Because even Spot knows you’ve been off.” I took a sip, letting the cold drink wash my thoughts away. “Just… weird dreams, mostly. And that guy, Luciano. He kissed me.” Corey blinked. “Wait, what?” I laughed at the way he nearly dropped the glass he was cleaning. “Yeah. In the alley. Out of nowhere. Then walked off like it was a damn goodbye sce

-Mina- This man looked at me nodding towards the door, “you get a name when we get this inside, I think the ice cream melted.” Reluctant at first, I entered the code, letting him in. “Fine, but lunch after I get it put away.” He did not tell me no, but I hoped he stayed because I needed answers. Once we were upstairs, I opened the door and I’m greeted by a happy dog, who quickly stopped and growled at the man behind me. ”Spot, stop. We have a guest and until I tell you differently he is nice.” Spot stopped growling at him but watched his every move. I got everything put away and pulled out a small thing of hamburger meat. “You okay with burgers? I have a taste for one before work.” I asked him, turning to find him rubbing Spot’s head. “Huh. He rarely does that. I guess you really owe me that name now.” He stood, walking into the kitchen.“Hamburgers are cool, and the names Tony. I work for Luciano, kind of like his assistant.” I looked him up and down and before I could think, my m