The mafia's clutch

Why me?!

Chapter two

*ZARA*

I don’t know how long I ran down the streets. But I knew I had lost them behind me. I spotted my house and ran in without looking back. Once I was in, I locked the door and let out a sigh as I leaned my back on it.

I was exhausted.

“Where’s the money?”

I looked at my father seated on the couch with his hand outstretched.

Shit, I didn’t collect my pay from James.

“I forgot to collect it,” I said in a low voice as I tried to think of a way to brace myself.

“YOU WHAT?” He bellowed making me flinch. I pressed myself to the door as he got to his feet. If I could, I would have ran to my room but it would be worse when he gets me.

“I’m sorry,” I quickly said but he grabbed my arm roughly and swung me to the other side of the room. I groaned when I hit the wall and fell down.

“I haven’t eaten anything all day, you stupid girl!” he exclaimed.

Neither have I, dear dad.

“I will get it tomorrow, sir. It wasn’t deliberate,” I begged as he approached me.

“You better do, or I’ll send you to live with your mother. It seems you need her more than I do!” he spat bitterly and pushed past me.

I bit my inner cheek at his words. He was cruel.

Shaking my head, I got to my feet and made my way to my room. I looked at the small and messy space.

My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday. If mom was here, she would have tried to make something from scratch.

I felt a prick in my chest as I thought about her.

“Not now, Zara,” I muttered to myself as I began to pick up the things on the floor. In a matter of minutes, I had cleared up my room.

Tired and hungry, I climbed my bed and covered myself with the thin makeshift blanket I had.

I heard a loud bang outside and my heart skipped a beat. I turned off the light and prayed it wasn’t those men.

I fell asleep while worrying about my life.

The next morning, my alarm woke me up. I examined my arm to see there was no bruise, thankfully. But it didn’t mean the area didn’t hurt.

“Life couldn’t possibly get worse than this,” I sighed an got out of bed.

.

.

“Are you free on Saturday?” Kelsey asked me making me look up from the list I was writing. We needed a refill so I was writing them down.

“Do I look like I’ve ever had a free day?” I raised a brow at her. She scowled at me, “You know what I mean. Let’s take a day off.”

I chuckled at her suggestion. It would have been possible to do so if I didn’t have a constantly drunk bitter father and bills to pay.

“I’ll think about it,” I told her. She let out a sigh, knowing I didn’t mean what I said. In all honesty, I didn’t.

Our lives were a bit different. She was working here because she ran away from home but she’s still living fine in a good apartment.

I, on the other hand, well…

That’s a story for another time.

“Who are those fine men?” I heard Kelsey say and my eyes snapped to the people who just walked in. My pen dropped and I didn’t waste time before making a beeline to the changing room.

My heart nearly stopped working when I entered and locked the door.

What were they doing here? Where they looking for me?

I held my chest with my hands as I tried to calm myself down. This was not the way I wanted to die.

“Why did I go there?” I questioned my last night’s stupidity.

I held my breath when I heard a knock on the door. I nearly fainted when the person knocked again.

“It’s me, Zara,” it was Kelsey. Still, I was skeptical.

“Open the f*****g door already. Are you alright? You’re scaring the crap out of me!” she exclaimed with irritation.

I unlocked the door and opened it a little to peek. She was the only one standing there, so I pulled her in and quickly locked the door again.

“Are they still here?” I asked. She frowned, “Who?”

“Those men,” I replied. “No. What’s going on? How do you know them?” she asked.

I shook my head. “They looked scary and it’s making me feel scared,” I lied, not wanting her to find out about yesterday.

She looked at me like I was joking. “Are you being serious, right now?”

“Do I look like I’m joking? I can’t bartend when they’re there. They look like they can crush my head with just a punch!” I exclaimed. She chuckled and patted my cheek.

“You really are adorable,” she said and I rolled my eyes.

I was far from adorable.

At least she believes me now.

*DANTE*

“When are you coming back to Italy?”

I rolled my eyes at my mom’s question. This is the fifth time in the last few minutes she has asked this. “I’ll be home soon,” I muttered.

“That’s what you said yesterday,” she said and I stared at my phone in disbelief. “Mother…” I trailed off.

“Do you remember Mr. Armani? I met his daughter yesterday and I must say, she’s a diamond,” she said with a chuckle and I internally scoffed.

“Stop with the matchmaking,” I told her. “You refused to get married, so I will do the honors and get you a wife,” she retorted.

This woman could be irritating sometimes.

“I have something to attend to, I will talk to you later,” I said and hung up. Then there was a knock on my door before it opened and two of my men walked in.

“Where is she?” I asked.

“We couldn’t find her, sir,” one of them said and I narrowed my eyes as I leaned forward. “Come again?”

They seemed a bit hesitant.

“I’m waiting,” I stated when they kept quiet.

“We couldn’t find her,” they both chorused and I chuckled. This was the reason I was still in this f****d up town.

“You had just one f*****g job! Take out the stupid rat. But then, you decided to be careless and see where that got us!” I sneered making them back up a bit.

“We will find her, sir,” Leo said, his eyes never leaving the floor.

“We will find her. I’m not leaving this shitty town until I do. We’re going to the club tomorrow night,” I told them and they nodded.

“Now leave.”

Without thinking twice, they turned to leave my office. I glared at the now empty space and crossed my arms across my chest.

Why was it so difficult to find a girl?