3 weeks later
I can't believe they haven't found me yet.
Me and Sam really hit it off, we tried being friends, that lasted all of 1 day. He is better than Christiano, kinder, gentler. He let me move into his apartment outside of the city and I actually felt safe here. I knew the were looking for me, I knew Christiano was going mad. But I had to keep hiding, I hoped they would eventually give up... eventually realise I hadn't gone to the police and just wanted to forget everything that happened.
I got a job as a barista in the local coffee shop, and for once in my life things were starting to look up.
---
I heard the chimes jingle above the door from the stock room. I placed the magazine I was reading on the table before walking through to the front of the shop. A short stocky man stood on the other side of the counter, clutching onto a smart phone.
"what can I get you?"
"Espresso please." he barely looked up but kept typing away on his phone. I felt like I had see him before somewhere. As I turned to the coffee machine I heard the sound of a camera shutter behind me, my heart began pounding loudly in my chest. I placed the lid firmly on the cup before turning back to him... but he was gone.
I know who he was. I remember seeing him around the club... he was one of Christiano's men... and if my calculations are right... the devil would be here in about 5 minutes.
I threw my apron on the floor, my shaking hands making it hard to untie the knot. I jumped over the counter before sprinting out of the shop into the busy streets of New York.
I finally got back to the apartment, my whole body psychically shaking as adrenaline pumped through me.
"Vanessa is that you?" I heard Sam yelling from his office, before he appeared in the doorway "you alright? you look like you've seen a ghost"
"I don't want to talk about it Sam." I threw my bag on the sofa before speed walking to the bathroom and firmly locking the door.
"open up V" Sam knocked on the door lightly
"Sam seriously, I just need 5 minutes and I'll be fine" I didn't want to bite his head off but I needed time to consider my options. I waited until I heard the shuffling of his feet on the carpet before I let out and massive sigh.
My head shot up when a loud banging resonated through the apartment. "sh!t" I whispered. I stood silently in the bathroom hoping they would eventually go away.
"who the fúck are you?" I heard Sam yelling as what sounded like a stampeed of bulls filled the living room.
"where is she?" I knew that voice all to well.
"who?" Sam replied
"don't play stupid! you know who I'm fůcking talking about." Christiano.
I couldn't let Sam get hurt... he didn't deserve to deal with my mistakes...
I tentatively opened the door, trying not to make too much sound. as I turned the corner into the living room everyone's eyes turned to me.
"found you" Christiano whispered, his signature smirk creeping on his face.
"Do you know who these men are Vanessa?" Sam's eyes burnt through me"Of course she does" Christiano grinned wildly"Is someone going to tell me what the fúck is going on?!" I stared blankly at Sam, he had seemed so calm before today, I thought he was different, I thought I was safe"Calm down blondie!" Angelo chuckled, leaning against the wall."All you need to know is that... that..." I didn't know what to say... if I told him who they were they would kill him and probably lock me away in a dungeon somewhere. "Let's say I'm her old boss." Christiano began pacing around the room, his hands placed firmly in his pockets."okay I get that... but why are you so desperate to find her? she quit get over it dude!" Sam shut up. "I think you'll find 'dude' that she didn't quit but in fact ran away" I could tell her was going to loose it, he began rubbing his hands over his face, the smirk falling into a deep set scowl."Are you seriously that desperate that you have to gather up your... you
"Get in the car" Christiano's tone was cold and harsh."You don't have to be so mean. It's not like I have a choice!" he laughed lightly... why does he find everything I say funny?"just get in baby" I sighed, before stepping into the long black car that waited outside. I shuffled over to the seat as far away from Christiano as possible. "I won't bite... unless you want me to" he winked"can you just be normal for 5 minutes""I am being normal. This is my normal" he smiled, genuinely he smiled. I was shocked, I didn't think he could smile... his face would probably crack if he smiled for too long.----The car pulled up outside of the club, a crowed of men stood around as usual. As soon as we stepped out of the car they all fell silent and nodded towards Christiano. I'd never stopped and actually considered what it must feel like to be so respected by so many people... I'd never had respect before, I wouldn't even know how to deal with it.As we walked into the club Christiano shut th
2 weeks later "That was terrible Gabrielle" Dom shouted from his seat at the bar. "That was the worst dance I've ever seen" "Dom I will kick your arse" Gabrielle stood at the edge of the stage, hands on her hips "Hey its not my fault you can't dance very well" he held up his hands "Dom give her a break" Sasha walked in and sat down at a booth near the center of the room "I'd like to see you hanging upside down" "what is going on?" Carly sat down on the booth next to me, passing me a glass of vodka."Dom just walked into the lions den" "poor man. Them two are crazy" she picked up her glass before taking a sip out of it"Why is everyone just sitting around?" Christino walked into a room, a group of men behind him"Dom is being mean again" Gabrielle said as she stepped off the stage grabbing her kimono and pulling it around herself. "Dom is aloud to be mean. That's his thing..plus we had this conversation before Gabrielle, you need to respect my men, they keep you and your $10, 0
"I know what just happened was probably scary for you girls but can you please be quiet?!" Angelo stood on the stage with all of us seated around him, the room fell silent. "Thank you" he cleared his throat before looking around the room "Obviously it's not safe here anymore. If the Russians know we are here then all of our enemies know we're here" "stating the obvious" Sasha muttered, crossing her arms over her chest"Sasha did I ask for your contribution?" he stared at her until she submitted, shaking her head. "good. now we need to relocate the club... and that's going to take some time. so whilst we do that you girls are moving onto the estate" "seriously?" Sasha shot up off her seat, excitement rushing through her"yes..." Angelo trailed off, obviously worried by her giddiness... But I was worried too... not because of Sasha... The location of the estate was a mystery, I've heard rumours the whole Italian Mafia in New York lives there...and that's a lot of men with guns. Plus
'"If you don't tell us, we'll just have to take you with us and have some fun with you..." the one behind me said letting go of my hair. But before I could run he grabbed me roughly around the waist, pulling me to his body. "we could have so much fun..." he bit on my ear lobe causing a loud scream to erupt from my lips." I shot up, sweat dripping down my face. I stared blankly into the darkness, tugging the covers closer to me. I lay back down, trying to steady my breathing."Vanessa?" Christiano's voice filled the room, followed by the sound of the door shutting. He shuffled over to the bed, before sitting down on the edge. "what is wrong? I heard you screaming." the dim moonlight illuminated his face, his usually perfect hair was messy and tousled and he only wore a set of checked pyjama bottoms that hung dangerously low on his hips. "I... it was just a nightmare" he rubbed his face, sighing loudly."The Russians?" "hmm... yes" I swallowed the lump which sat in my throat. he made
The sun seeped into the room, lighting up every part. I didn't sleep all night, I couldn't stop thinking about the kiss last night. Christiano still lay fast asleep next to me, his back still facing me.I don't understand.... I wish there was some sort of.... subtitles that would come and help me out because I had no clue what was going on. Christiano hadn't just kissed me...he'd done it twice and both times had been full of emotion... It made me feel something, deep down inside of me. But he never wanted to talk about it... I know it is weird to talk about a kiss you just shared but it would really help me out here. What was he thinking? Was this his way of showing that he liked me? or am I other thinking this and this is just what he does? But I knew one thing... I couldn't be here when he woke up. I pulled the covers back, checking that I didn't wake him up. I tiptoed over to the dresser and grabbed my floral yoga pants, my black sports bra and the matching black top. I grabbed my
I slowly opened my door, checking to see if Christiano was still asleep in my bed. He wasn't, luckily. I needed a plan, I needed to make sure Sam couldn't be trusted, before Christiano found out and blew his head off regardless."you look deep in thought" Carly appeared behind me, closing the door.I sat down on the window seat, pulling my knees close to me. "Do you ever hear something and like... have no clue what to do with the information?" she gave me a puzzled expression "what have you heard?" she sat down next to me, crossing her legs and turning to face me."I... I don't really know if I'm honest. I wish I spoke Russian" "Did the men at the club say something to you?" her brown eyes dropped sadly"no... no" she perked up slightly "I... heard someone out at the bottom of the gardens... they were talking to someone on the other side of the gate... in Russian. It was suspicious and I just...I don't know what to do" I buried my face in my knees"who was it?" she asked, pushing he
Christiano~~~~~~~~I was sat in my office, Angelo sat across from me, a glass of scotch in his hand. "How is the deal going with the Americans?" I asked, picking up the smoking cigarette off the ash tray. "they want the full shipment by-" he was cut off as Carly entered the room, a disorientated look on her face."Sorry to interrupt" an awkward smile tugged at her lips."take a seat Carly" I pointed to the other seat next to Angelo. She sat down awkwardly, pushing her blonde hair behind her shoulders. In all of the years I had never seen Carly so awkward, she was always so joyful... but right now she looked as though she had seen a ghost. "What can I help you with?" I stubbed the cigarette out, before leaning forward on the desk."well.... Urm... me and the girls.... well we... ya know..." I knew she was lying to me. When Carly lied her nose twitched slightly and her eyes open fully."no i dont know..." Angelo replied for me, taking a sip of his drink."ok great..." she chirped.