The mafia's clutch

Chapter one *ZARA* I opened my eyes to a sound of something falling down from outside my room. A yawn left me as I sat up to see it was already day break. “What is he looking for?” I muttered in annoyance when I heard my dad yell profanities. I checked the time to see it was just eight on the dot. I needed to be at work by nine. After having my bath, I got dressed in a and looked in the broken mirror I had in my room. It wasn’t broken until my dad figured it would be nice to slam my head in it just to show how angry he was. “Just great,” I mumbled when I saw how dead I looked in my reflection. The dark circles under my eyes weren’t even helping matters. At least my cornrows were still neat. I still had a few minutes left, so I grabbed my worn out bag and made my way out of my room. My dad was already passed out on the only couch we had, with his hand still tightly clutching the beer bottle close to his chest. I grimaced when I realized how unkempt he looked. There was no food in the kitchen, except a can of sardine. He’d throw a fit if he doesn’t see anything to eat this morning, so I poured it out in a plate and covered it. I couldn’t care less if it was as cold as ice, he’ll eat it anyway. “See you later,” I said to no one in particular and stepped out of the house. The cold morning of Chauvin bit against my skin making me wish I had a jacket. “Another thing to add to my to-get list then,” I said with a sarcastic chuckle as I began to make my way to my work place. “Zara, good morning. We need help at the bar,” James said to me as I walked in. I nodded and watched him pass me by. He was technically my boss since he was the one that gave me this job about four years ago. I made my way to the bar to see Kelsey wiping the counter. “Good morning,” I greeted as I joined her in her spot. “Babe!” she turned to look at me and cringed, “You look like death wanted to be your best friend.” I rolled my eyes at her. “Oh really? I thought it wanted to date me.” She pouted at my words and hit my shoulder , “Stop the sarcasm.” I waved her off and grabbed a clean rag. “Are things still the same with your dad?” she asked as I wiped the shot cups. I shrugged, “When has it ever been different?” I didn’t want to sound harsh but the topic always made me seem that way. Kesley understood me. I guess that’s why she hasn’t pushed me away yet, unlike the others. “You know if I was you, I’d just abandon him and run away,” she said with a chuckle and I chuckled too. “Easier said thank done, Kelsey,” I told her and she shrugged. “But know if you need help, I’ll always be here,” she told me with a smile and I nodded. Taste. That was the name of the club I worked in. During the day, I bartend or work as a cleaner and at night, I work as a waitress or a stripper. I would have preferred to bartend at night too, but if I wanted to afford my other expenses, I’d need the other option. That was what I was doing now. It wasn’t one of my favorite things to do on this Earth. I wasn’t confident in letting the world know I had a round ass or a nice chest. Unlike Kesley, who loved the attention from other men. More attention, meant more money. “I think I need a drink,” I mumbled when we stepped into the changing room. “Me too. We’ve been dancing for two hours straight. These heels are killing me,” Nicole, one of the dancers said. I agreed with her as I kicked off my heels and sat down to massage my feet. “Where’s Kesley?” I asked when I noticed I didn’t see her anywhere. “She’s doing a private room,” another girl told me. I nodded. Private rooms pay a lot more. But I wouldn’t dare do them because it meant doing whatever those men want. “I’m going outside to clean,” I said when I changed back into my clothes. My shift would soon be over but I needed to clear the back. They nodded and I left. I stepped out of the club and shivered at our cold the weather was. I guess it was going to rain with the way the wind was blowing. I grabbed a long broom and began to sweep away the empty cans and bottles in the floor. I’ve always wondered why people find joy in littering this much. I heard a grunt and my head snapped to where the sound came from. Curiosity took over and I slowly went in the direction of the now constant grunts. I could hear punches and I felt my heart drop. I shouldn’t be doing this. “You know what happens when you decide to rat out your boss!” a voice boomed and I quickly hid behind a pile of dumpsters. I c****d my head to the side to see about five men towering over a badly beaten up man. An inaudible gasp left my lips when I saw his swollen face. He was bleeding from his lips. What could be have done to deserve that? “I needed the money,” he said. One of the men laughed darkly and kicked him in the stomach making him cry out in pain. I flinched at the sight. This wasn't good. I should call the cops. 'Don't have a phone, i***t!' a voice in my head said. “Dante doesn’t give you enough money?” he roared. He didn’t sound American. My eyes widened when I saw him pull out a gun from his pocket. The beaten up man began to beg for forgiveness. 'Turn away, Zara!' the rational part of me screamed. But I couldn’t. I stayed there, glued to a spot. “Your greed has finally brought you your end,” the man who seems to be their leader said. “Wait! Wait!” the other man said but it fell on deaf ears as the man pulled trigger. A horrified gasp left me as I saw a hole in the middle of the now lifeless man. I scrambled to my feet in fear but lost my balance and fell backward. Unfortunately for me, the broom in my hand fell and made a loud sound. My heart dropped when I saw all five men turn around to face me. “f**k,” one for them said and I didn’t think twice before bolting back into the club. I was done for.