My Mafia Guardian Angel

Chapter 2

Echo was pulling her hair back into a pony tail to prepare for her last work shift before she got a day off. She always felt Wednesdays were a little crazy. "Hump Day Specials" tended to bring in college kids, and she had to be extra careful with underaged drinking.

"Ok baby, I know you will be sleeping when I get back, but you know you can always get ahold of me if there are problems."

Nikki smiled at Echo almost as if she were the overinduldging parent, "Yes, Mama, I know the rules and how to get ahold of you if there are ever issues. Just have a wonderful night at work, and come home safe." They shared a hug before Nikki skipped to the living room to watch TV.

Echo shook her head in amusement before looking in the mirror. She usually didn't wear much for makeup, as she never really learned how to use it. She was grateful for the darker atmostphere in the bar because it was hard to pick out the bruising on her face the first while working here. Echo gave Nikki a kiss on the top of her head and jogged down the stairs. She carefully ensured the apartment was locked tight before opening the door that led to the back room of the bar. It was nice to never have to step outside when coming or leaving work. While no one had tried to follow Echo home as of yet, this was one more safety measure to ensure they couldn't. Echo would do anything to keep her baby safe.

"Hey Echo, Johnny's already here." Mabel yelled over the music.

Echo rolled her eyes playfully. Johnny was one of the older vets who came in regularly. He enjoyed telling stories about his days in the war. No one was quite sure which war he was in, but they let him talk. Echo believed he was lonely and had no one to talk to. She also never took his tips because she didn't imagine he had a lot to give.

"Hey, Johnny," Echo smiled at him while tying an aprin around her waist. "How are you today?"

"Ah, the old knee been acting up. Ya know, it was never the same after I took a bullet in it. Did I tell you about that battle?" Johnny's southern drawl rolled over as he rubbed his knee.

"I believe you did," she responded while pouring a Bud from the tap.

She shoved it his way and waved off his payment. "On the house, maybe it'll help the knee."

"Ah Echo, what did an old man like me do to deserve kindness from a pretty girl like you?"

Echo giggled at his fake flirting. Johnny was not a gross old man, but he was playful. Echo enjoyed his banter and reminded her of her grandfather. She briefly wondered if she would see him before he died or if her ex-husband would be the reason to miss his last years on earth. She shook the sad thought from her head as she saw a group of college boys enter the bar.

Antony watched the young bartender from the corner of the bar. He rarely came to the bar on a Wednesday but had met with a client earlier in the area. He was interested in this bartender he had never seen before in the bar. He didn't remember employing anyone new recently. The way she interacted with Mabel told him, and a couple of the regulars told him she had been here a little while.

"Manny," Antonio addressed one of his body guards who were casually sitting next to him.

"Yeah, Boss?" The giant of a man responded. His blonde hair was shaved on the sides, and the longer parts on top pulled back in a pony tail.

"Did we hire a new girl?" Antonio motioned towards Echo, and Manny turned to look at her.

"Haven't seen her before, Boss."

Antony narrowed his eyes and texted the bar manager, Maurice. "Meet me in the bar in 20."

"Can we meet tomorrow?"

Antony growled at his disrespect. Maurice had worked with his father but tended to live by his own rules, and he wanted to know what he had done this time.

"10 minutes then."

"Yes, Sir." was his response. Antony watched the girl before seeing her answer the bar phone. She looked confused before grabbing Mabel. Mabel picked up the phone as the girl went into the back room. Antony continued to watch for the girl and realized she was not coming back to the bar when a flustered Maurice showed up in 9 minutes and 30 seconds. Agrevated Antony stood and took long strides to the back room. He looked around the little room, knowing there were not many places to hide. He opened the storage closet and opened the door leading outside.

"Did you tell her to leave?" Antony's voice was a deadly quiet.

Maurice and Mabel both shook a little. "Who, Sir?" Maurice managed to ask.

Antony raised his eyebrow slightly as if to tell the older man he had one chance to fix this error. Maurice sagged in defeat. He had no intention of getting on his boss's bad side. "Sir, a woman came in a few weeks ago, badly beaten asking about a job. I had a bartender opening, so I offered her the job. She asked about knowing of any cheap places to rent in the area. She is running from someone, sir. I helped her with her documents to start a new life."

Antony stood still for some time before responding, "Why would this require you to chase her away when I asked to see you?"

Maurice began to fidget. "Well, Sir, she had a girl with her who needed to stay close. So, for safety reasons and peace of mind of the mother, I offered the apartment upstairs to them for now."

Antony's face turned red. "Let me understand before I decide what to do with you. You see a woman who needs fake identification and a place to live. You not only help her get identification but offer her a job and let her stay upstairs in MY apartment? And there is a child involved to boot?"

Maurice was visibly shaking now, "Y- Yes Sir."

"Get her in my office, NOW," and with that, Antony turned his heel and stormed out of the back room.

Maurice looked sick and scurried upstairs to knock on the apartment door. He knew he should have told Antony about the woman, but he also had a habit of telling everyone he does not run charity. Maurice felt the girl looked so desperate that he couldn't turn his back on her. He knocked on the door, and Echo answered.

"Come with me, the boss wants to meet you," Maurice nearly fell down the stairs, and Echo watched him in confusion. She hastened to follow him back into the bar to the other side of the building. The offices were found on this side, and she rarely came to this side of the bar. She had no need to be on this side of the bar.

"Listen to me, child," Maurice whispered as we walked to the back. "Just answer his questions honestly. He is scary and rightfully so. He- didn't exactly know of our arrangement."

Echo's jaw dropped. Would she be thrown out tonight? Would she be arrested for trespassing? Her stomach clenched in fear.

Maurice indicated for her to knock on a door that had the words "ANTONY MARIANO" in bold letters on it. She knocked tentatively and watched Maurice run away. She narrowed her eyes after him, thinking he was acting like a coward. The door slammed open, and she jumped, startled. In front of her stood a giant of a man. Standing at 6'5", his dark brown eyes glared down at her. His shaved jaw was clenching and unclenching in anger. His jet black hair was messed up. It was slightly shaved on the sides and longer in the front. She could tell at one point it was gelled back, but he had been running his hands through so the hair was falling in his eyes. She had no idea how his wide shoulders fit in his suit jacket. She wondered how any shirt fit him properly as she bet he had muscles on top of muscles under those clothes. He was dressed to kill, and if she were to guess, his suit was worth more than she could make in a year. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat as he continued to glare at her.