AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I need the money. I’ll work for tips; no other payment needed. I know how much a person can make working here.” Her voice is strong and determined.
“Boss man will be in tomorrow. You can ask him then.”
“Thank you. I’ll be back.” She rushes out and I hope I never see that girl again. She looks too innocent to work here. But who am I to judge? I’ll let her fate rest with Dante.
Iwaituntilclosingto send the message. Each press of the keyboard has my stomach twisting as I type the coded words. Nothing in code is ever good. I feel sick to my stomach about it and try to wash it away by quickly totaling the night’s earnings. It doesn’t help.
My mind is running a hundred miles an hour. I should have sent the message on a computer at a library. My muscles soak up my anxiety, tensing them into stone. This could easily come back to me or Throne of Sin. Fuck!
I glance at the unfinished bookkeeping. I’ll have to finish that tomorrow before my next shift. Going to the computer, I log into the bank account and stare at the screen. Everyone needs a nest egg of cash, and after that message I could quickly become that someone. My fingers strum on the desk over and over in a nervous habit. What if something happens to Max? What if my family finds me? Again, that stupid message I was blackmailed into sending sits at the forefront of my mind. Dante won’t even notice the pennies I’m taking. My stomach drops at deceiving my boss when he’s been so good to me. He’s like family, and family shouldn’t do this.
My fingers tap on the table harder and faster. The only person you can be loyal to is yourself. I learned that at a young age. I was the one who had to look out for myself. My father taught me this lesson when he killed my mother in front of me for wanting a better life.
My fingers fly over the keyboard, making the small time-delayed transfers over multiple accounts. I’m only taking a few pennies an hour so it won’t show up unless someone does the math, and I’m the one doing the books. I don’t breathe easier, but I know it’s necessary. I need a way to be able to survive if this job or Max disappears. I wish I was a better person, but circumstances have a way of blurring lines.
I finish up and close the computer. I stand there looking at the table. My stomach is still flip flopping. I wish I had the luxury of loyalty. Dante deserves someone like that. I blow out a breath, locking the office behind me.
Max is across the street as I leave Throne of Sin. I make my way to his side and we walk in silence. We both seem to be in our own heads tonight. It helps to ease the guilt that’s sitting heavy in my gut. I’d ask what he’s thinking about but I don’t want him to ask me the same.
“My family is going to war and is going to need me around more.” Max breaks the silence. “They think I’m still in Oakport Beach, living a hermit life.”
“Who are they going to war with?”
Max takes my hand. He doesn’t give me the impression that he’s stressed over this. It’s more like this is a way of life.
“The Bratva. My brother, Savio, fell in love with the Pakhan’s daughter, and she comes with a throne of diamonds.” I look up at Max, noticing he’s more disturbed by this than the war.
“You don’t agree with the union?”
We cross the street in silence and I almost expect him to ignore the question because it takes him two more streets before he speaks. “We grew up not understanding love. We know how to follow orders and what happens when you don’t. All of us have our own stories about the things we had to endure. Savio is putting it all on the line, and I’m in awe of the trust, I suppose.”
That guilt I felt before slithers its way to my shoulders, sitting like a thousand pounds.
His fingers squeeze mine tenderly and a shiver dances its way down my spine when I ask, “Do you think you will ever regret not killing me?”
Max slips his hand from mine and pulls me into his side with his arm around my shoulders. “Life is too short for regrets. People spend too much time thinking and not enough time living.”
His answer doesn’t help.
Chapter 20: Sienna
ThroneofSiniscrazy tonight. There’s a buzz in the air that feels like mischief. The building is packed, way over code, and three police officers came in about fifteen minutes ago. I watch as they reemerge from the back after getting their complimentary private lap dance. They all wear smiles and there’s no warning about any violations or tickets.
The girls are lined up waiting for their drinks, men are yelling their orders, and I can’t keep up. I always keep up, but this is too much. The songI Love Rock and Rollblasts from the speakers. Shelby jumps onto the counter to dance, shaking her ass, even though we have a stage. She’s in my way, her feet dirtying up my counter. I have to talk between her legs to get an order before I’ve had enough.
Taking the water nozzle, I spray her down. The men cheer as her white shirt goes see through and her dark nipples stand out.
“New girl!” I call to Demi, the girl who refused to take no as an answer to get a job here. She looks out of place, but she’s a hard worker.
“Get behind here and help me out. I’ll make the drinks, you can grab the beer orders.” It’s not like Demi is allowed to do much other than this, but this way she can be helpful. I’m not sure what Dante’s angle is, but he’s different with this one.
“Five tequila shots!”
I curse under my breath. I’m out of my two bottles and haven’t had time to go get more.
“Vodka on the house and I’ll get the tequila,” I reply, quickly pouring the shots and running toward the back.
The music fades slightly as I make my way further from the bar. I open the door and step on the first shelf, going on my tiptoes to reach the bottle I need. Two hands cup my ass and I shriek, losing my footing. It’s not like anyone can hear my scream over the noise of the bar.
