Gangsters Girl

Chapter 4 - Visitor

***Elliana’s POV***

I had just finished getting cleaned up in the basin and dressed in my nightgown when there was a knock at my door. I was utterly shocked and stared at the door blankly for some time before there was another stronger knock. I quietly peaked through the peep hole and saw only darkness, so I left the chain on and opened it. My eyes went wide with surprise.

“Good evening Elle.” Oliver Payne said as he stood his full height at my door. He was very tall, and at least three of me wide. He was smiling at me gently, and I was suddenly terrified, and embarrassed. “I’m sorry to disturb you so late.”

“Mr. Payne, sir!” I was shocked. There was no hiding it in my voice.

“I was hoping I could come in for a moment and speak with you privately, it's important.” He said calmly.

“I’m not dressed sir, I was just going to bed.” I stuttered out.

“Just throw your robe on real quick, it will only take a moment.” He urged.

“I don’t have one.” I said quietly, my face bright red with embarrassment now. What good well mannered lady didn’t have a sleeping robe to cover herself with?

“Oh.” He looked embarrassed now as well that he assumed.

“Oh bloody hell just come in.” I unlocked the door and ran to grab my shawl so I could throw it over my bare shoulders and hide my chest a little. He came in slowly, with an uncomfortable smile, and closed the door behind him. “How did you know where I was?” I asked, my embarrassment was more than I had ever felt at this moment. He now knew I had nothing, including no home, and there was no way for me to deny it.

“I make it a point to ensure my employees are doing well.” He said as if that explained everything. “You saved me a good deal of money today. I have several businesses and I need someone I can trust to assist me in overseeing the financial side of things. A treasurer and bookkeeper, if you will.” He said as he stared at me.

“Sir...”

“..There is no one around.” He said as he eyed me seriously.

“Oliver, I just started at the pub not even two weeks ago. How can you say I’m honest?” I asked him seriously.

He looked at me with sorrow, “I know because the only time you have ever complained is when you thought I overpaid you. I’m not here to embarrass you Elle, but I know that things haven’t been so sunny for you lately, and you never let it be shown. I knew where you were staying because I have someone follow you home every night to make sure you’re safe. You wore the same dress your first week in the bar, and it wasn’t until Tommy gave you your wages that you were able to get another.” I looked down, but he caught my chin and pulled my eyes up to meet his. “You could have taken that money and much more out of the till but you didn’t, even though you needed it. I admire that. You never let the street get to you like so many women do, and you somehow kept a smile on your face. You’re hard as nails Elle, and I need a woman with your brass and your brains to help me. I’m offering you a job making a hell of a lot more than 1 pound 10 bob a week.

I didn’t know what to say. My face was burning from embarrassment, but I wasn’t foolish enough to not consider his offer. A pound ten was a lot of money for a simple barmaid, and if I was smart, enough to get me back on my feet, but he was offering me more than that. “Would you like some tea? I can have some sent up.”

“No bother, I already did.” He smiled and just then there was another knock at my door. He answered it for me and brought in a tray covered with a silver lid.

I sat down, and he took the lid off and a full tea service including food was under it. He began to serve me as he spoke, “I own several very lucrative businesses, and while most of them are legit, there are a couple that I need someone I can trust to turn a blind eye when I need them to. I have managers that run these businesses, and provide me with assurances that they will be run as I wish. This has not been happening.” He sat after he poured me some tea. “What I need from you, is someone who can go through these books and make sense of these numbers. I’m almost certain a few of my managers are underestimating numbers to line their pockets, and with the short work you made this evening of one of them, I’d like to hire you to check the rest of them.”

“What sort of businesses?” I asked.

“I own two pubs, three boxing rings, and a gambling parlor. The parlor will be legit by the end of the year, however one of the boxing rings is underground, and off the books.” He said honestly.

He put another ledger on the table, this one thicker. “Will any of my involvement land me in the Pokey?” I asked.

“The cops in this town are in my pocket. You’ll never see a badge.” He promised. “My attorney is also the best in London for extra assurance.”

“What about the bar? Tommy needs a real hand.” I said.

“You’ll be there two days a week on the floor, and three in the box where my office is. I’ll need you to serve the box when I have meetings, just like you did the other night, but otherwise you report to me explicitly. You’ll work from four in the afternoon to midnight, no more staying ‘till four in the morning.” He finished taking a biscuit and popping the whole thing in his mouth. His eyes never left me.

“Alright, I accept Mr. Payne.” I said.

“Oliver.” He corrected me.

“I accept Oliver.” I repeated.

“Very good.” He set ten pounds on the table. “Your fee for tonight’s ledger, and I’ll pay you for that one when you're finished and have another ready for you.” He finished his tea. I didn’t know what to say. He set more than a month's wages in front of me. He’d given me sixteen pounds for practically nothing, and it didn’t feel right.

“This doesn’t seem right. This is too much.” I said.

“And that is precisely why I need you.” His eyes softened. “I’ll be going now so you can get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow Elle.”

I stood to see him out, “Thank you for this opportunity.” I said to him, and he turned to me and softly brushed my cheek with the back of his hand and pulled his lips into a small smile.

“Good night Elle. Lock this behind me.” He opened the door.

“Goodnight, Oliver.” I said as he closed it, and locked it as he requested. My heart thumped in my chest. I know he was supposed to be a devil, but he was so sweet to me. Why?