The Mafia's Tesoro

CHAPTER 4

As I pivoted my body with deliberate slowness, a forced smile gradually stretched across my lips while I felt the rise and fall of my chest.

At that moment, I found myself in a state of complete fixation as our gazes became locked. His eyes, filled with an intense, fiery glow, were so captivating that they overshadowed all his other facial attributes. In an instant, a bone-chilling sensation coursed through my body, leaving me utterly spellbound.

His intense, captivating gray eyes remained fixed on mine without wavering, even as I took steps in his direction.

With my hands shaking uncontrollably, I reached into my back pocket and retrieved a small writing pad along with my pen.

As I greeted the gentlemen with a polite and welcoming tone, I couldn't help but conceal the slight quiver in my voice that betrayed my nervousness.

Eager to assist them, I inquired about their preferences and what I could offer them on this fine day.

Okay.

I constantly feel intimidated while speaking with powerful, dominant men. I'm not sure why, but it seems like I worry about making mistakes all the time. I am aware that I work where primarily wealthy people congregate, yet I genuinely can't remember the last time I felt this afraid.

He radiates too much authority. Far too much assurance.

As the other three men stopped their conversation to acknowledge my presence, everyone's attention shifted toward me.

The individual in power, with a pair of mesmerizing gray eyes, relaxed in his seat and casually ran his fingers through his neatly styled hair that had been slicked back.

In a voice that resonated with depth and authority, he broke the stillness of the room with his request, "Would it be possible for me to indulge in the pleasure of savoring a glass of the exquisite and distinguished Jack Daniel's, specifically the renowned blue label?"

As I jotted down the orders, I nodded in agreement, feeling a slight sheen of perspiration start to accumulate along my spine.

Gosh! Why must we visit the patrons of this bar? They were supposed to come to us, right?

A man who appeared younger requested a scotch.

I ran my tongue over my parched lips and continued to diligently jot down my thoughts, never once lifting my eyes from the page.

The huge guy asked for water, and I found myself wondering why someone would come to a bar just to get water.

The last man said, "I'll have a beer," and I nodded quickly while trying to put my pen away when the cap of my pen slipped from my grasp and fell.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

As I reached down to grab the cap, a surge of panic welled up inside me, causing my insides to scream in terror. It was in that heart-stopping moment that my eyes caught sight of one of the individuals, tightly gripping a firearm in his hand.

I froze, my eyes widening as I experienced paralyzing panic. Nobody had brought a gun before.

I overheard someone remark, "She's very hot." I hurriedly got up and smiled before running back to the front.

“How did that go?" Stephanie questioned as she tucked her tip into her bra.

I said, "Fine," while getting their beverages ready.

“By the end of the evening, you're going to make a lot of money."

I turned my back to her as she grinned.

Shit!

As I was preparing their drinks, I saw the younger guy wake up and circle the pool table before the bigger guy joined him.

I inhaled deeply, taking a moment to mentally brace myself, and then exhaled with a sigh as I made my way towards them, moving past the pool table.

Softly, I murmured, "Here are your beverages." I gently placed the refreshing drinks on the table. Swiftly pivoting on my heels, I was ready to leave. As I neared the pool table, unexpectedly, a firm grip enveloped my waist, startling me.

"Wha-?"

Gasping, I turned to look at who was holding me and saw that it was the younger one.

He gave me a little wink before grinning briskly. "Hi. Alexander is the name." He then pointed to the bigger guy. "That guy over there is called Razor," and then he turned to face me.

My toes curled in anticipation as his breath fell on my face. We were so close that our lips were only inches from each other.

I straightened up as I loosened his grip, feeling as though I'd just been run over by a bus.

He asked, "Do you know how to play pool?"

I froze.

What?

"You see, it's not at all difficult," he assured me while holding the pool stick in his hand.

I turned to face him and looked into his eyes. His dark eyes were incredibly stunning, and they had silver flecks lining them.

One dimple highlighted his stiff nose and sharp jawline, as pieces of his unruly hair fell on his face.

As thoughts flooded my head, I suddenly felt an arm around my waist again, jolting me back to the present.

I blinked several times before swallowing the lump in my throat. I was staring at him for so long that his friends caught me.

"Let the woman be." A sharp voice broke the silence. "I doubt she'd even realize what she's doing with that stick."

What? The stick was being offered to me while Alexander was keeping me close to his body.

"Come on, now," Alexander whispered, "you must give her a chance," but the stern man didn't seem really impressed.

She'd injure her small, vulnerable body. His voice was booming, drawing attention from a few tables. "Leave the girl alone," he said.

Fragile? I clench every muscle in my body to contain my tears, but they still ache at the back of my eyes and are just waiting to burst out.

Razor warned, "Stefano."

The only sounds left in the bar are the hammering of my heart and the muttering of disapproval at that moment.

Embarrassing.

With a chilly expression, he threw out a large stack of cash and threw it in my direction. "Go get some clothing for yourself." He remarked, "You look helpless," and then he walked out the door.

I was exposed in front of these mocking eyes as the other men trailed behind him.

When tears streamed down my face and my breathing became labored, my vision became so clouded that I was unable to see anything. The menacing, judgmental whispers followed me as I hurried to the restroom, almost falling on the way.