ERICA I quickly pulled on my casual clothes—a flowery gown and a jacket—dressing as fast as I could so I could leave the club. It was already six in the morning, and I needed to get home to prepare breakfast for Raffael. And probably Clarissa, if she was around. Just the thought of going back to that house sent chills down my spine. It was luxurious but felt like a nightmare to live in. The sting of Clarissa’s slap yesterday was still fresh in my mind. She despises me because of Raffael, and he only makes things worse, complicating everything for me. If Raffael hadn’t stepped in, I dreaded to think what would’ve happened to my face. I took a deep breath, hung my bag over my shoulder, and gazed at myself in the mirror. My thoughts drifted to memories of my mother when she was still alive. Life was good back then. I was a simple young girl who adored her parents. My mother was pregnant with Lilibeth, and my father hadn’t become the monster he is now. Now, life has shown me
ERICA Raffael grabbed my arm and dragged me down the alley, his grip firm but not painful. My heart was pounding from what just happened, and my legs felt like they could give out at any second, but I let him pull me along in silence. He opened the door to his car and practically shoved me inside, slamming it shut before moving to the driver’s side and sliding in beside me. As he started the engine, the silence was suffocating. His face was a mask of fury, eyes dark and fixed straight ahead, his jaw clenched tightly. The car roared to life, and he sped off, his hands gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. I wanted to say something, anything, to break the silence, but I couldn’t find my voice. The memory of him pulling that gun and shooting Darion flashed in my mind. He did it so quickly, without hesitation—just to protect me. I didn’t know if I should feel grateful or terrified. My hands trembled slightly, and I clutched my bag against my chest, shrinking
ERICADAYS LATER The pulsating beat of the music still echoed through my ears as I walked off the stage and into the dressing room, the hollering of the crowd lingering like a bad taste. My body was exhausted, and my feet ached from the heels that felt more like prison chains than shoes. But I was used to this routine now. I knew the rhythm of it, the push and pull, the mask I wore while up there. I just wanted a moment to myself, to breathe before my next show. I sank onto a small bench and leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes for just a second. The thought of changing out of my costume and slipping into something comfortable sounded like heaven. But I knew it wouldn’t be long before I was called back, expected to plaster on a smile and pretend I was somewhere else entirely. As I reached for a bottle of water, the door creaked open. Three figures slipped into the room, their heels clacking ominously against the floor. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was. From the
ERICA The dim glow of the red lights painted the room, flickering faintly across the walls. As I stepped in, the door clicked shut behind me, and I was left alone in the suffocating quiet, broken only by the low thrum of music from outside. The room was hazy with smoke, thick and heady, wrapping around me like a trap. My eyes adjusted slowly, taking in the figure sprawled on the velvet sofa at the center of the room. My heart stuttered. There was something familiar about the way he held himself, his frame cast in half-darkness. A glass clinked as he took a long gulp of the amber liquid, catching the light for just a second before disappearing back into shadow. He set the glass down, a plume of smoke curling from between his fingers as he took a deep drag from his cigarette. He exhaled, the smoke drifting lazily toward me, and in that moment, he raised his gaze. “Come here,” he slurred, his voice rough but laced with an unmistakable authority. I felt my stomach twist, but I
Raffael woke up slowly, his head throbbing from the previous night’s haze. The dim light of the private room made it difficult to gather his bearings, and as he sat up, he noticed an unfamiliar blanket draped over him. Running a hand over his face, he tried to recall the events of the night before. Fleeting, fractured memories surfaced—smoke, red lights, a faint hint of vanilla, and the warmth of someone pressed against him. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't place her face. A knock on the door brought him out of his fog. One of the club’s female staff entered, a cup of strong coffee in her hand. "Good morning, sir," she greeted, holding out the cup. He took it with a grunt of acknowledgment, sipping it slowly and letting the bitter warmth wake him further. His brow furrowed as he searched his memory for more details, only to find empty spaces where the night should have been. He knew someone had been with him—a woman—but who? His jaw clenched with frustration. "Do you k
Raffael’s eyes narrowed as he observed Chloe’s body language, the nervous shift in her stance that betrayed her confident facade. Something about her story felt wrong—off, even. He crossed his arms, his gaze cold and calculating as he watched her attempt to stand her ground. "So," he said slowly, letting each word drop heavily, "you were with me last night. And yet… you left without getting paid?" Chloe hesitated, her eyes flickering for just a moment. Then she put on a look of exaggerated innocence, hands clasped in front of her like some devoted, selfless saint. "I—I didn’t want to wake you, Mr. Raffael," she stammered, voice thick with artificial concern. "You looked so peaceful, and I… I was worried. You seemed like you needed rest." Raffael’s jaw clenched. "Worried? You expect me to believe you left out of some kind of noble sympathy?" He took a slow step closer to her, the skepticism clear in his voice. "Let me get this straight, Chloe. You saw me passed out and thought to
ERICA I trudged into the mansion early in the morning, every muscle in my body aching from another long, grueling night at the club. All I wanted was to crash into bed, shut out the world, and maybe get a few precious hours of sleep. But as I entered the living room, my steps slowed. Raffael and Clarissa were lounging on the sofa, and the second Clarissa spotted me, her eyes sparkled with malice. “Oh, look who’s finally crawling back,” she sneered, smirking. “Must be so proud of yourself, Erica. How does it feel, living like the trash you are?” I clenched my jaw and tried to walk past them, forcing myself to ignore her. I didn’t have the energy for this. But Clarissa wasn’t done. “Is that a bruise I see?” she mocked, laughing. “What, did you shake a little too hard for those desperate men throwing their pity cash at you?” I swallowed back my frustration, refusing to let her get under my skin. I’d dealt with worse. “Oh, don’t ignore me, Erica,” she drawled, her voice as sickly sw
ERICA I stepped back, my heart racing as Raffael advanced, his eyes blazing with anger. I could feel the cold press of the wall behind me, nowhere to go, nowhere to hide from the fury in his gaze. Before I could say anything, his hand shot out, gripping my throat with a pressure that made me gasp, every breath a struggle. “Good for nothing,” he spat, his face just inches from mine. “All week, and this is what you bring me? This pathetic little pile of change?” I struggled, my fingers reaching up to claw at his hand, but he held tight. My voice was hoarse as I forced out, “I’m not killing myself just to make more” “Goddamit! Were you born stupid or you just love to act stupid huh?!” Raffael growled, pounding his fist on the wall which filled me more with an intense fright. “I can’t do more than this Raffael! Should I force the men to give me money there? Should I put a gun on their head and force them to empty their accounts on me because I am trying to please you?” The words
Clarissa stormed into Ray’s office, her heels clicking against the tiled floor with urgency. Ray looked up from his cluttered desk, his expression morphing from surprise to confusion as he saw her standing in front of him, her hands gripping the back of the chair across from him. “Clarissa,” he began, leaning back slightly. “What brings you here? You don’t usually…” “Raffael is on his way,” she interrupted, her tone sharp and urgent. Ray’s brows knitted together, perplexed. “Raffael? Here? Why? What’s going on?” Clarissa rolled her eyes, her frustration evident. “Why else would he be coming? It is because of Erica ofcourse. That stupid girl that somehow found a way to turn our lives upside down” The name dripped from her lips like venom. Ray sat up straighter, his confusion deepening. “Erica? What did she do now?” “That lousy new stripper reported some nonsense about being bullied in the club. And under your watch, no less,” Clarissa snapped. “She even showed Raffael some
ERICA I stood in the kitchen, my hands busy chopping vegetables for the salad, while my mind wandered elsewhere. The house was eerily quiet except for the faint sound of laughter coming from the living room. Raffael and Clarissa. I didn’t need to peek around the corner to know what was going on. Her high-pitched giggles and the sound of his low murmurs were enough to paint a picture. I tried not to think about it as I moved to set the table. The clinking of plates and cutlery against the wooden surface was louder than I expected, almost like it was trying to drown out the scene in my head. But as I turned to grab the glasses, my eyes accidentally landed on them. Clarissa was perched on Raffael’s lap, her perfectly manicured fingers tracing his jawline as she leaned in for a kiss. His arm rested lazily around her waist, his hand splayed possessively on her lower back. I quickly looked away, but a strange discomfort settled in my chest. Why does this bother me? I shook the thought
ERICA I woke up to a pounding headache and the faint smell of something unfamiliar—leather? It took a moment for my blurry eyes to adjust to the dim light streaming through my bedroom window. The ache in my head deepened as I sat up, but the sight that greeted me froze me mid-motion. Raffael. He was seated in the armchair next to my bed, his legs crossed, his expression unreadable. He wasn’t just here; he was staring at me, like he’d been waiting for me to wake up. “What the…” I croaked, my voice hoarse. “What are you doing here?” “Good morning to you too,” he replied, his tone clipped. “You don’t remember?” My mind raced, the throbbing in my head making it harder to think. “Remember what?” Raffael stood, his imposing figure towering over me as he walked to the side of the bed. “Last night. You don’t remember anything?” And just like that, the memories slammed into me like a freight train. Running down the dark alley, the thugs chasing me. The pizza. Sitting in the m
RAFFAEL I led Erica into the restaurant, a modest, late-night pizza joint that smelled of melted cheese and warm dough. The kind of place you’d miss if you weren’t looking for it. She stumbled slightly as we stepped inside, her fingers gripping my arm tighter than I expected. “Easy there,” I muttered, steadying her. “You’re not exactly graceful right now.” She tilted her head back to look at me, her lips pulling into a lopsided smile. “Oh, come on, Raffael. Where’s your sense of fun? Live a little.” “I am living. I just prefer to do it without making a scene.” She rolled her eyes and let go of my arm, staggering toward an empty table. “You’re no fun. And you think I’m the problem.” I sighed, following her to the table. She plopped down unceremoniously, resting her elbows on the surface and staring at the laminated menu like it held the secrets to the universe. “Do they have pizza with extra cheese?” she asked, her voice suddenly serious. “It’s a pizza place. Of course,
RAFFAEL I slowed the car, eyes narrowing as a figure suddenly darted into the road ahead, illuminated by my headlights. My heart lurched, and I slammed the brakes, tires screeching. “What the—” I growled, gripping the wheel as the car came to a jerking halt. The figure froze, then stumbled forward, their arms flailing for balance. My stomach knotted when I realized who it was. Erica. She turned, wide-eyed, her face pale under the harsh beam of my headlights. I heard her shriek in fear, shielding her face with one arm as if that would stop the car. Before I could process her idiocy, movement caught my eye—several shadows emerging from the alley behind her. Men, closing in fast. “Dio mio,” I muttered under my breath. My instincts flared, and I shoved the door open, stepping out into the cold night air. “Erica!” I barked, my voice slicing through the stillness like a blade. Her gaze darted toward me, her expression a strange mix of fear and relief. “Raffael…” she bre
ERICA The thumping bass vibrated through my body as I stepped onto the stage. The lights flashed, blinding me momentarily, but I kept my eyes focused on the pole in front of me. I spun, my heels clicking sharply against the floor, trying to block out the crowd, pretending I wasn’t there at all. But then, I noticed him. A man in the corner of the room. He was big, covered in tattoos, piercings glinting in the harsh lights. His eyes were dark, almost unnervingly so, and they were locked on me, like he was trying to peel me open, read me. I couldn’t shake the feeling he was watching me too closely. When my routine ended, he waved me over, his hand beckoning like I was his to command. “Come join me darling.” He rasped. I hesitated for a moment, which elicited a scowl on his face, “Oh do you think I can’t afford a cheap slut like you?” Gulping down my uneasiness, I then forced my legs to carry me toward him. I sat down next to him, feeling the weight of his gaze press against
RAFFAEL The room felt suffocating, the air thick with the smell of stale cigars and frustration. I sat at the head of the long table, watching my capos argue like children fighting over scraps. Their voices blurred into a droning buzz, each word chipping away at my patience. Marco, my eldest and most level-headed capo, leaned forward, stabbing a finger on the map spread across the table. “This isn’t just one shipment, Raffael. It’s three. Someone’s hijacking our goods and selling them before they even hit the shore.” Luca nodded, his dark eyes narrowed. “We have reason to believe they’re getting help from someone inside the port authority. If we don’t act—” I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to focus, but it was like my brain had short-circuited. My thoughts kept drifting to her. Erica. Why her? Why now? I clenched my fists under the table, the memory of her defiance flashing in my mind. No woman had ever looked me in the eye the way she did, like she didn’t care who
Erica’s POV The silence in the kitchen felt suffocating after Raffael’s mother stormed out, leaving me shaken. My hands trembled as I scrubbed at an already clean countertop, trying to focus on anything other than the memory of the juice spilling over my dress and her cruel words. "Gold digger," she’d called me. As if I’d chosen this life. As if I wanted to be here. I didn’t notice Raffael until he was standing in the doorway, his tall figure casting a shadow across the room. My heart sank at the sight of him. His expression was dark, his jaw set tight. I could see the tension rolling off him like a thunderstorm about to break. “Erica,” he said sharply, his voice clipped. I froze, clutching the rag in my hand like a lifeline. “Yes, sir?” His eyes narrowed at my tone, the formal distance I always tried to maintain. “Drop the act,” he said, stepping further into the room. “I just had to listen to my mother rant about you for what seemed like an eternity, and I’m not in the moo
RAFFAEL I watched my mother’s car pull up from the window, her elegant figure stepping out in that tailored suit she always wore like armor. “What is she even doing here?” I whispered to myself. She looked as though she were heading into battle, and in a way, I knew she was. “Erica,” I called out to her she was already there in the living room, “My mum is on her way here. Be on your best behavior and address her as Mrs. Greco” “Yes sir.” Erica nodded. I face palmed myself as I leaned back unto the chair. My mother rarely paid me visits but whenever she did, it always came with some form of nagging which irked the hell out of me. The door opened with a sharp push which almost startled Erica. With a quiet greeting on her lips, she had her head slightly bowed as if she knew not to expect a warm response. “Good morning, Mrs Greco,” Erica said softly. But my mother barely glanced at her, walking straight past as if Erica were invisible. She headed directly toward me, her gaze