Mafia, Take Me Home

Chapter 2–Lucas

[Amelia]

When I woke up in the cold, dark alley next to the mechanics shop, my first thought was that I must have died, and there is no heaven or hell, only this alley, and me, a spirit left to haunt it. That might have been a bit more believable than what came next.

Instead of being dead, I was very much alive. Whatever had hit me must have left quickly, because I was mostly untouched, my belongings scattered on the ground around me as if they were looking for valuables that I don’t have.

“Are you okay?” A deep, kind voice asked as a smooth, warm hand reached down to help me stand. “ I heard you scream, so I thought I’d come check it out.” His grin was bright and welcoming, even under the harsh overhead lights as he introduced himself. “My name is Lucas, Lucas Blasi.”

Lucas is handsome, almost beautifully so, with high, sharp cheekbones and a strong, square jaw softened by a friendly smile and dimples, one on each cheek with another creating a cleft in his chin. His grip is firm, his shoulders strong, and I’m sure that underneath his nice polo shirt and casual jacket his chest is just as well defined.

And when he laughs, his intense blue eyes, like a summer sky, brighten and glow with mirth. With chocolate brown hair that curls around his ears, he has an all-american look that would be just as comfortable in a college class as on a magazine cover.

“My name is Amelia Wrightworth,” I looked away so he didn't see me blush. “I was hired to do a job around here, but I’m thinking maybe…”

“It isn’t worth it,” Lucas laughs as he gathers my belongings, helping me dust myself off. “Lucky, thing I found you then,” he hands me my bag. “Let me give you a ride home.”

Normally, I wouldn’t accept a ride from a strange man in a strange neighborhood, but there was something so wholesome and genuine about Lucas, something familiar in his gaze, that made me trust him instantly. It was almost as if we had known one another forever.

On the ride over we got along like old friends. It turns out we have a lot of the same interests. He was excited after learning my degree is in Computer Science. “I work at a tech firm,” he explains a moment later. “And we’re looking for a new intern. Maybe you can get a job there, that is, if you’re looking for work.”

We exchanged numbers and made a promise to meet up again soon to chat and just hang out. Thanking him, I left the car feeling lighter than I have in a long time. Maybe I’ll be okay after all. Only moments after meeting him, Lucas has already made my life a little sweeter.

The next day at way too early in the morning, my phone buzzes and I roll over to see a text from my new friend. I look at the clock and I groan, good God it’s early.

“I’m downstairs,” his message reads. “Buzz me in.”

Flopping out of bed I look out the window to see Lucas standing on the curb next to a nice car, bounding on his feet as he looks down at his phone for a response. I watch his thumbs moving and my phone bings again.

“Do you like bagels? I know a great spot. My treat.”

The thought of a fresh bagel and coffee makes my stomach flip. I’m so damn hungry. My money has been tight for so long, when’s the last time I could afford a bagel?

“Third floor. #309.” I text back and then press the button to buzz him in.

A few minutes later there’s a knock on the door. Standing outside wearing a smile that should be illegal before 7am, Lucas is waiting for me. “I was driving through your neighborhood on my way to work. I thought we could have a quick breakfast. I know a place not too far that sells the best bagels in NY.”

After the night I had, I was tempted to just tell him to buzz off, but I was bribed by free carbs and a toothy grin both sweet and sexy in equal measures. I throw on some clothes, pull my hair back into a tight bun, and grab my bag. Adding a little lipgloss so I don’t look like a complete zombie, I follow him down to his car.

The place he takes me is a little hole-in-the-wall where they greet him like royalty and have two bagels and coffee waiting before he even opens his mouth. They thank him in Italian. It’s a sweet interaction, and I can tell the couple genuinely cares for him.

“Bella,” they say as they hand me my cup. “Take good care of our boy.”

It almost feels like they’re setting us up. I laugh and take the coffee.

We walk to a nearby park and on the way eat our bagels, still warm from the oven and covered with sweet butter. I’m not sure if my tastebuds are affected by how starved I am, but he’s right, these are the best bagels in NY.

The next morning, Lucas was back again, annoyingly awake making the same offer. Remembering the sweet taste of butter and bread on my tongue, I grudgingly agree. Before long, bagels and coffee every morning with Lucas went from being an annoyance to the highlight of my morning. On the days when it rained, or he couldn’t make it because of a business meeting, I found myself looking forward to the next time we’d meet.

On one of those mornings only a couple of weeks after meeting him, there is a banging on my door, but it isn’t him. Instead, it’s the police, tacking a notice of eviction to my door.

I guess I knew this was coming. Last month, I received my 30-day eviction notice. “30 Days Pay or Quit” they always say like I can quit being poor or something. I had taken the dangerous job to help make the back rent to keep this tiny place. But 30 days have come and gone and I still can’t pay the full amount.

“You have 14 days to vacate the premises,” the officer warns me. “Have a good day, Miss.” He tips his hat before leaving and I smile, but as soon as he’s out of sight, I crumple to the ground. I know what comes next, I’ve lived it before. On the 15th day it’ll be the sheriff and his men who arrive with boxes ready to haul me and my things out by force if necessary.

I’m still a mess when Lucas arrives 15 minutes later. He bends down to hug me and everything comes pouring out of me in a flush of words and tears. “I’ve been trying to find a new job,” I sniffle, “But nothing pays enough and I have school and I…I just can’t bear to work the night shift anymore.” I don’t tell him it’s because I still wake up at night terrified that I might turn the wrong corner and find a gun pointed at my head.

“I might have just the thing,” Lucas’ voice lifts as he tells me about an internship opening at his firm. “It’s not a lot of money, but it has a flexible schedule for students and it is a great foot in the door at LB Corp.”

My jaw drops. “You work at LB Corp?”

“You could say that,” his lips turn upward and I wonder how he finds the time to work at one of the best tech firms in the Tri-State Area and also make so much time for me. From bagels and coffee each morning to helping me buy groceries and taking me to classes sometimes, it seems he is always right where I need him–like my own personal guardian angel.

“Are you sure I’m qualified?” I balk as he sends the contact information to my phone. I’ve always dreamed of working at a company like LB Corp. I’m studying for a degree in Computer Sciences, and as one of the biggest tech employers on the coast, catching a job there would feel like finding a golden goose.

“You seem like just the type of hard worker my firm is looking for,” he encourages me, telling me about all the benefits and perks of the position. It sounds good. Too good. Like a dream. “You should take the chance. What do you have to lose?”

By the time we get back from our usual coffee and bagels date, my spirits are lighter and my confidence boosted. Taking a chance, as soon as I get back, I email my resume to the contact Lucas sent to my phone.

Before I am out of the shower as I get ready for classes that day, I receive a response with an offer to interview at 8am tomorrow morning. I call the number back and confirm immediately that I’ll be at the LB Corp building at 7:45.

“Your resume was intriguing, Ms. Wrightworth,” the interview agent praised. “I look forward to meeting you in person and learning more about you.”

Bubbling over with excitement, as soon as I hang up with the recruiter, I text Lucas the good news.

“Of course you got an interview,” he texted back. “They would be a fool not to want you. We should celebrate. Wait for me after class tonight. I’ll pick you up.”

He sent an emoji of two champagne glasses followed by an icon of a couple dancing.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was asking me out on a date.

“See you at 6,” I text back, my cheeks flushed with excitement as I set the phone down and prepare for my day. The thought of spending more time with Lucas makes me feel warm all the way down to my toes.

I’m being silly. “He’s not interested in me,” I shake those thoughts out of my head. “A guy like him has plenty of other options.”

Taking the bus to school, I rush to my first class. It seems to go by quickly, even though when I look down at my notebook it is completely blank. I had sat through an entire two hour lecture and not a single kernel of wisdom managed to make it through my distracted haze. Sighing, I pick up my things and head towards my next class.

“Hey, Miss Wrightworth,” Someone calls out as I make my way to my last class. I turn to see a tall man with pale skin and dark tattoos step out of the shadows and into the dim streetlamp along the trail. “Your boyfriend sent us to find you.”

“My boyfriend,” I take a step back. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Nice try, Sis,” he scoffs as another set of hands grabs me from behind. “But we’ve been watching you and Lucky, we know what you mean to him. He’s been sniffin’ around your tail for WEEKS. You think we’d believe that Lucky Blasi does nothing for no girl without it being for something?” he says cryptically as he tells his friend to roughly pull me along.

Bucking, I scream, using my head to try and knock out the guy behind me.

“Holy f**k, Jake, get that b***h tied up!” The first guy shouts as a gag is shoved into my mouth and I’m dragged back into the shadows with them. A sack is thrown over my head and my body lifted even as I kick and scream and scratch.

It’s no use. Even if anyone was out there to see this, nobody gets involved with guys like this.

“Don DelMonaco is gonna be thrilled when he sees we’ve got Blasi’ b***h,” the first guy laughs as the trunk door slams overhead.

“f*****g Blasi,” the other guy grunts. “Thinks he can ice our men and there wouldn’t be retribution? We’re gonna show him that the DelMonico Clan doesn’t mess around.”