Rose I was staring at the ceiling in the guest room. I couldn’t sleep here and I had no plan of escape. Mik was trying to keep me as a “guest” but I was a prisoner who was waiting for my older brother to come murder me. I was thinking of maybe forming an alliance, but there was no way in hell he would entertain the thought. He would be glad to drag my ass to Antonio and gut me in front of him. I sharply exhaled and placed my feet on the floor. This was no time to get ahead of myself. I have survived this long and I can do it again. Samuel was an idiot who can’t decide without Antonio holding his hand. “Oh Fabio, your son will not be pleased to see me tomorrow.” I sighed. I only saw Samuel twice. The first encounter was okay because we were children. Antonio hadn’t brain washed him then. The second encounter was very bloody. I don’t like to even think about it. ***Flashback*** I had opened my eyes and heard screaming. The door burst open, and I saw uncle Jason holding his gun
Rose, ~Four years old~ “Where are we going?” I looked up at mommy. “It’s a surprise honey.” I could tell mommy was nervous. She was laughing funny and kept looking everywhere as she drove. Every now and then she would look behind and smile at me. I looked down at my doll. Mommy had woken me up in the middle of the night and told me we were leaving for an adventure. She was angry when I ran for my doll because she said we were in a hurry. “Is daddy coming to the adventure?” I asked with a smile. “No dear. It’s just you and me.” My smile is gone. “Remember what I always tell you.” “But,” I pout, throwing my knitted doll on the seat. “Rosemary,” she sighed and looked around again, “What do I always say to you honey?” “Men always disappoint you.” I mumbled. “Never trust any man, even daddy. Do you understand?” She briefly looked back at me. “Mommy,” I screamed, pointing ahead. Two cars had stopped in front of us, making her stop the car. I screamed as tears pooled my face.
Rose I haven’t seen daddy since the scary man took me. I was afraid to call him grandfather. I called him grandpa a few times and he hit me with his belt. He made me swear to never repeat the words to him again. “Rose?” I was afraid to get out of bed. The scary man was coming to see me today. I heard how they talked about it last night. They didn’t want to tell me he was coming because I always wet the bed when I know he is coming. “Time to get up, Rose.” I held the covers with all my might. I didn’t want to get up. I don’t like the bad man when he comes to see me. He hits me with the belt for nothing. “What’s taking her so long?” I heard his harsh voice and shrieked inside the covers and closed my eyes. “I- She - I will get her ready.” “Don’t pamper her,” he shouted. I curled my body and hoped he would go away but he pulled the covers. I rolled and fell on the bed with tears already on my face. “I’ll clean the mess,” Aunty Stella quickly spoke. “No,” he said looking a
Twenty five years later, Rose I scream, making the driver hit the brakes. He looks back at me and glares. I glared back before scowling at him without offering an apology. “You are not going to apologize for almost killing us with your bloody.” He scoffs at me. “We are not dead,” I snarl. He looks ahead and continues driving. I don’t close my eyes again. I pull my phone out. I napped for ten minutes and had an awful dream. The man was back in my dreams again. I hated Antonio Vega. I didn’t think about the dream. I chose ignorance because my childhood horrors are in the past. Dead, buried and forgotten as long as I was awake. “Are you not getting out?” the driver sighed looking behind. “I am,” I roll my eyes. “Then get a move on.” he hisses. I ground my teeth and pressed a fake smile. I’m not picking a fight with the Uber driver. I pushed out of the car and took a heavy breath. The past was not defining me as long as my eyes blinked. I breathed out again and walked across th
Luke Zalchini I had taken off for a few days, which was not setting the right example, but at this moment I couldn't care less. They think I bailed before the ship sank, but I have an excellent strategy in the making. I was going to be the most feared mafia boss. They will not see it coming until it’s too late. Most have doubts and they want to take the power away from me. I would love to see them try because they were going to fail. My father was a leader when he was thirty five. I thought being a thirty-two-year-old bachelor would buy me some more time, but my father insists on me finding a bride. They think I’m a joke, but they are wrong because I’m going to prove that power will stay with the Zalchini. I will make every single one of those who second-guessed me pay with their deaths. The odds might not be in my favor because they have the manpower, but I have a few cards to play. They think I don’t have the means because I don't have a wife. I do not need a leash or a brainles
Rose Blade was a horrible boss, and I was planning to take his business for this very reason. He never verifies the supplied information after he sees the money offered. Most of the profiles lie. I was stuck with this man. I highly doubted my self-defense skills working here. I looked at him as he leaned closer, attempting to touch me. I had warned him away, but he was smugly smiling at me. He looked at me like I was his wounded prey. His eyes looked scary and wolfish ready for the hunt. Blade really needs to take extra precautions and get someone with better muscles like the silent guy who hit Benny. He looked like someone who knew what he was doing. “So, Red, what do you have hiding inside that coat?” he moved his face even closer. “Don’t you think it’s a little too hot to be having that massive thing wrapped around you?” “We don't want any trouble,” Benny groaned. He was sweet, but right now, I needed him to be like that muscled guy. “Why don’t you let us go, and maybe the bo
Rose I was still sitting in my chair, trying to process what had just happened. I have never seen Blade back down from a negotiation. Dark eyes must have been the big bad if Blade stammered like this. Benny couldn’t wait to leave me with this man. I was left looking at the man who changed my afternoon by dropping his name. There was no one to save me from him, and I hated that I was attracted to him before. All I wanted was to knee him and get the hell out. My gut was never wrong when danger lurked. This man was, danger himself. “Now that you know my name, how about you tell me yours?” he moved to a drawer before coming back with a pocketknife in hand. I ignored him as he walked closer, cutting me loose. I reached for my hands, glad to be free to wiggle and move. He set the pocketknife back as I watched. He spun around and leaned back as he crossed his arms around his bare chest. “What is your name?” “Red,” “Your real name.” he raised a brow. “I prefer you to call me Red,”
Rose I have never experienced something this intense before, and it was too much for me to handle. My brain was in a frenzy. Red sirens blaring in my mind. He was an attractive man and whatever we just did was scary. I needed to get it together. “Just a job, Rose.” I whisper. I tapped my cheeks to block out the thought of wishing there could be more here. I looked at myself in the mirror, I kept the mantras. “Just a job.” I repeated for good measure. I walked back, ignoring the unexpected thoughts. The quicker I can get my head straight, the quicker I can get the hell out. My sixth sense was always right, and the warning was clear. I had to find an excuse to leave. Blade be damned. The moment I walked in and saw him sitting naked, staring at his phone, I suddenly felt hot and bothered. I wish I could slap my face to get this attraction off the man. This was the first time I was enjoying my job. My body was excited. A little too excited that the reality was blurring. A very cle
Rose I was staring at the ceiling in the guest room. I couldn’t sleep here and I had no plan of escape. Mik was trying to keep me as a “guest” but I was a prisoner who was waiting for my older brother to come murder me. I was thinking of maybe forming an alliance, but there was no way in hell he would entertain the thought. He would be glad to drag my ass to Antonio and gut me in front of him. I sharply exhaled and placed my feet on the floor. This was no time to get ahead of myself. I have survived this long and I can do it again. Samuel was an idiot who can’t decide without Antonio holding his hand. “Oh Fabio, your son will not be pleased to see me tomorrow.” I sighed. I only saw Samuel twice. The first encounter was okay because we were children. Antonio hadn’t brain washed him then. The second encounter was very bloody. I don’t like to even think about it. ***Flashback*** I had opened my eyes and heard screaming. The door burst open, and I saw uncle Jason holding his gun
Rose You know the feeling that nags at the back of the brain. The one that’s constantly there and you think it’s nothing. It feels like it’s just in your head and it will eventually leave on its own accord. That feeling was paranoia. Paranoia I should have listened to because nothing is ever okay after I have the nagging feeling ever. I regret being caught and brought back to Luke because everything was fucked. “Why are you doing this?” Benny was unconscious on the floor with blood on the back of his head from the heavy blow he suffered. Mister missing my wife and you remind me of her and creeper was not in a suit anymore. “What do you want with me?” “Relax darlin.” “Don’t tell me to relax and I'm not your darling.” I snarl. “I like you,” he pointed, “Bet that’s why Luke spent more time with you than anyone else.” “He paid for it.” “I know. That’s why my friend wants to talk to you.” he smiled. “Who are you people?” I asked. I swallowed. The red flags were off the charts
RoseI should stop being hopeful, really. Nothing ever gets better. I don't know why I even try. I was trying hard to do my job, but the mysterious stranger has become more of a stalker. The man won’t stop showing up at the club to watch me. He didn’t want to chat. He just wanted to watch me. He was always in the VIP section. The place is secluded and private. Most people don’t even know he is there. It's creepy. I blame Blade. “Hey,” Lola hugged me, “Don’t mind him. He will leave.”“When?” I whispered. “He has been here for a week now. The man is really sick. He needs help.”“Who cares?""I do. He needs to mourn his wife some other way." I scowled."He is not causing trouble.""And yet I feel uneasy every time he shows up here." "You are lucky you are not going to the parties. I’m exhausted. I'm not as wild as I used to be.” "Please," I roll my eyes, "you live for the parties."“True," she grins."Then stop complaining. Go on. We don’t want Blade calling us to the office.” I sigh
RoseI began working and ignored Benny. The bar buzzed and people started showing. The night proceeded as it usually does. The music became louder, the lights dimmer. I had forgotten how hot it can get. “It’s been two hours,” Benny was beside me, “Are you not going to talk to me?”“Yes.” “Come on,” Benny stopped me and I glared at him."Stop touching me. Stop trying to talk to me." The phone rang again and Benny went to answer it.“It’s for you.” I sighed.“Blade?”“Shift is over. Swing by my office. We need to talk.” I hung up and looked at Benny. Once again, I was in trouble for doing my fucking job. I shook my head and walked away without a word. The damage was already done.“What’s going on between you and Benny?” Blade looked from his screen.“Nothing. You should ask him what his problem is. I told him to stop talking to me.”“Why are you being difficult today?” he asked.“I’m not,” I looked away.“Did Luke do something?” I laughed, “I’m serious. Did he threaten you or somethi
Rose I couldn’t wait to run off after Luke dropped me off. I have never been good at guessing games and I hate guessing. Trying to figure Luke's angle was not my job. My job was to get as far away as possible. I was a target of yet another powerful man. My life can never rid itself of danger. I blamed Fabio for this. If he had left my poor mother alone none of this would be happening. “Rose?” Poppy got up, “What’s wrong?” “Girl, you look pale,” Lola added as they both stood in front of me. "I have to check something," I managed and moved. The girls shouted after me, but I needed time to process. I locked my room and went to the bathroom and ran the shower. I went to my closet. I pushed my hanged clothes to the left and pulled the board on the wall, revealing my safe. My index finger shakingly punched the code and pulled out a cellphone. I moved to place my ear on the door. I couldn't hear them, but I had to be cautious. When I switched on the tv on the wall, I chose a random s
Luke She did her job. A job well done. If there was a place to rate, I would go right up and place a thumbs up and give five stars. I was pleased. I watched her peacefully sleep as she snored lightly. She looked beautiful in her sleep. She stirred, and I thought she was going to wake up, but her eyes remained closed. I let her rest after a long night. We were awake until almost dawn. I wonder why I never stopped at Club Lotus before, because I was missing out on this beauty. I can’t wait for what I have in store for her. She might be a call girl, but she captivated me and there was more to her. She was not just a beautiful temptress. There was a secret she was concealing. She had weirdly piqued my interest. It could be the challenge she posed that was more thrilling. Whatever it was, had made me wait for her to wake up. I was supposed to have left an hour ago, but there is something I have to do before I leave. I was going to wait however long it took for her to wake up. One mor
Rose Everything clicked when he mentioned Samuel Vega. Fabio’s first born son. The jewel of the family according to Antonio. I remembered why his name was vaguely familiar earlier. I had slept with the enemy. Literally. This was bad. “Shit,” I stumbled. I left my belongings. They were going to slow me down. I slid into my coat and walked out of the door. I looked back and saw him leaning on the doorframe folding his hands. He was smiling and not chasing after me. I was confused because he made no effort or called after me but I ran. If he knew who I was he would have not done what he did. I almost rolled over the stairs with the way I was running. I held the rail and eased a bit looking up. He was not following me which was odd I clenched my fists and ran steadily, my eyes looking down at my steps. It was a long way down but I couldn’t wait for the elevator. I could see the ground floor and picked up my speed. I looked back up again and saw no one. It looked like I was insane f
Rose I have never experienced something this intense before, and it was too much for me to handle. My brain was in a frenzy. Red sirens blaring in my mind. He was an attractive man and whatever we just did was scary. I needed to get it together. “Just a job, Rose.” I whisper. I tapped my cheeks to block out the thought of wishing there could be more here. I looked at myself in the mirror, I kept the mantras. “Just a job.” I repeated for good measure. I walked back, ignoring the unexpected thoughts. The quicker I can get my head straight, the quicker I can get the hell out. My sixth sense was always right, and the warning was clear. I had to find an excuse to leave. Blade be damned. The moment I walked in and saw him sitting naked, staring at his phone, I suddenly felt hot and bothered. I wish I could slap my face to get this attraction off the man. This was the first time I was enjoying my job. My body was excited. A little too excited that the reality was blurring. A very cle
Rose I was still sitting in my chair, trying to process what had just happened. I have never seen Blade back down from a negotiation. Dark eyes must have been the big bad if Blade stammered like this. Benny couldn’t wait to leave me with this man. I was left looking at the man who changed my afternoon by dropping his name. There was no one to save me from him, and I hated that I was attracted to him before. All I wanted was to knee him and get the hell out. My gut was never wrong when danger lurked. This man was, danger himself. “Now that you know my name, how about you tell me yours?” he moved to a drawer before coming back with a pocketknife in hand. I ignored him as he walked closer, cutting me loose. I reached for my hands, glad to be free to wiggle and move. He set the pocketknife back as I watched. He spun around and leaned back as he crossed his arms around his bare chest. “What is your name?” “Red,” “Your real name.” he raised a brow. “I prefer you to call me Red,”