Tempted By The Mafia Boss

Mia

It’s the fifteenth of September. I managed to get through two whole weeks at the club, and Nick.

Two weeks and I survived.

I can’t believe it.

Two weeks and I feel like I could do it. I just have to take one day at a time. And, I also filled in some applications for junior associate positions at a few law firms.

I’m feeling hopeful and have my fingers crossed.

There’s one firm in particular I have my eyes on. They’re called Sullivans and are as big as Silvermans in L. A.

They have an assistant’s position going. That’s what I applied for because I figured maybe there would be room to work my way in further and up.

I have my fingers and toes crossed.

I’m just cooking dinner for Dad and Beth before I get ready to leave for work.

Apart from the community nurse I had come here to check on Dad, I arranged an overnight babysitter. Her name’s Kathy.

The idea came to me last week. I figured having someone who could stay here overnight was ideal to not just look after Beth, but Dad too.

She’s already here and helping Beth with her math homework in the sitting room.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

That frees me up to make dinner and have some time to myself before I leave. It’s five now so I don’t really have that much time. I like cooking though and I want to make sure Dad gets all the nutrition he needs.

Tonight I make lasagna and add chopped asparagus and carrots with the mince beef.

Dad hates vegetables. Simply loathes them and tends to just have a potato and a carrot because he claims they don’t taste as vegetabley as the others.

Doing it all this way ensures he gets some variety. It’s always been the best way to get vegetables in the meal without specifically preparing them and putting them on the plate. Cooking them with something that tastes nice.

I’m one to talk I suppose, since I’m not really a fan of vegetables either.

I’m lucky I don’t gain weight because normally I eat everything you’re not supposed to on the regular.

The regular as in before things got really bad.

I love pizza and burgers. It’s difficult for me to sit down and have a healthier meal, especially one I made myself. There’s something about making it myself that lacks in appeal.

Tonight I enjoy this though and I will have some.

Dad comes into the kitchen carrying a newspaper. He smiles when he sees me and moves closer to the breakfast table so he can sit.

“Hey, my gosh that smells divine,” he muses, looking over the food.

“I’m glad Dad. It tastes good too.”

He motions to the ends of the carrots I cut off to throw away. “Is that vegetables I see?”

“Yes it is. You’re having some so don’t even try to complain,” I giggle and he looks at me. He really looks at me long and hard and I see something form in his eyes.

“What? Is it the vegetables? I’m being serious, Dad. The doctors gave you a whole nutrition plan so I can make you healthy again.”

He had the surgery on his heart but that doesn’t mean we’re all out of the woods. It’s like having liposuction and going back to eat all the fat in the world.

We were told straight out that he had to change his diet and make things easier on his heart.

“No,” he shakes his head. “It’s not that. You… look happy.”

I look down at the granite worktop for a second and return my gaze to him.

Happy?

I actually don’t intend to look that way. When I think of it realistically, nothing’s happened as such to warrant such a strong word.

“I’m just happy I have the situation under control. Hector can’t bother us if we’re paying. I don’t want us to be in that situation again. I just want the payment made every month.”

To do that I already told him I’d make the payments, while he got the bills for the house. It was better to owe on the mortgage than owe Hector.

He brings his hands together and looks at me with sad eyes.

“I’m sorry Mia, I can’t apologize enough for what happened last time. It was stupid. Until now I don’t know where your brother is. He promised me he’d give the money back.”

I won’t bother to point out that this wouldn’t have been the first time that Carter promised to do something and didn’t do it. The fact that it was money meant we were never going to see hide nor hair of a penny of it ever again. Seriously.

“Dad, I can’t tell you it’s okay. It’s not. But what I’m saying is, it’s good we’re dealing with everything.”

Now he looks worried. “Are we Mia? I haven’t asked you much about this job but I’m worried because of the lack of information you’ve given me. You got ten grand just like that and you’re talking about paying off the debt. All our bills are up to date and we have this sitter that comes and stays here while you go out to work. I’m not stupid baby girl. What kind of job is it?”

I sigh because I really wish he wouldn’t ask me. “I told you, I’m helping some people who own a shipping company. It’s the truth.”

His eyes narrow with the shadow of fear. “What are you doing though?” he questions, brows etched with worry.

He knows and I won’t confirm it because I know that he’d rather die than have me use my body the way I am.

I can’t explain that it’s not what he thinks, because I can’t even explain it to myself. I can’t explain Nick because what he does to me when I’m with him isn’t about the business relationship we have. It’s something else.

As I look at my father though, I know I can’t pass off what I’ve been saying again. I can’t, but I can’t tell the truth either.

“Dad, there’s nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.”

It’s now he really looks worried. “Mia, please for Christs sake tell me you aren’t stripping or something like that.”

At least I’m not lying when I shake my head. “No, Dad. I’m not. I’m not stupid. I’m far from stupid and I wouldn’t do something I’m not comfortable with, or something I don’t want to do. Where I am is… I’m just okay Dad, and I’m dealing. I’m okay,” I keep saying that. It’s important he knows I have a handle on it.

He hangs his head down, not really accepting what I’m saying.

“Dad, I’m serious. I’m okay.” I assure him trying to smooth over his worry.

“Mia, is this a place where I could come visit you at work. Drop by with Beth one night and meet the people you work with?” He presses his fingers into the counter top while he continues to stare.

“No,” I shake my head before he even finishes, but now he’s rattled me. “Dad, we are in trouble. Carter got us in trouble and I’m doing what I can. Sometimes we have to make difficult choices. It doesn’t mean it’s forever. When you decided it was okay to give Carter the money you should have paid Hector, I know you knew he wouldn’t give it back. It’s no surprise that you can’t find him or whatever. This is not new. You put us in danger big time and could have gotten us killed. So please don’t badger me on my choices. I’m telling you I’m okay and I am.”

He bites down hard on his back teeth and nods slowly. “I’m sorry Mia… I am. Please don’t let me upset you. Don’t. It’s good to see you happy. I wish that I could have done something to fix this all myself and you could be happy for different reasons,” he gives me a little smile which doesn’t reach his eyes. I can tell there’s more he wants to say but he holds off. “Understand how I feel. You’re my little girl and I failed you. I don’t know what you’re doing but I would prefer to die than hurt you.”

“No, that’s not going to happen Dad.” Fear burrows into my soul and claws at my inside from the horrible thought of that happening.

He reaches out and covers my hand with his. “Please Mia promise me, if this gets dangerous or if something changes and you don’t have a handle on this, don’t do it anymore.”

I hold his gaze and dip my head. “I promise.”

He smiles again and gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m hoping to take on some clients next month. I made some contacts.”

Hope fills my heart hearing that, it really does.

It’s something to look forward to but I don’t want him to stress himself out.

“Dad, that sounds great. Please don’t overwork yourself. Please take your time, okay?”

“Yes. You too.”

I promise myself I won’t, although what I’m doing isn’t exactly overworking myself.

I get to the club on time. It’s raining and my usual parking space is gone. I have to park a little further out than usual.

I’m not late, I just like to have time to do my makeup and feel comfortable in myself.

The last few nights haven’t been different to the initial nights when I started here. I just want to keep up appearances as one might say.

It’s weird that I rock up every day in my normal clothes and change into these seductive lingerie. I look like I’m getting ready for a Victoria Secret’s show. No one would believe me if I told them I do this.

Last Saturday I had lunch with Chloe and the other girls.

It was nice but it’s still weird sitting together in a group. Miranda asked me how I was, in her usual manner like she’s still either asking if we can still be friends or if she’s still asking me how I’m feeling in regards to her betrayal.

I told her I was fine.

We’re good as we are and I don’t plan to be besties. I think I’m more friends with her because I pity her and part of me feels bad she lost her baby.

Another part of me can’t help but feel bitter every time I remember how she was sleeping with Chad for years behind my back.

It’s time to push it to the back of my mind though, because even though I’m not overworking myself, I need to focus.

Mimi smiles when she sees me come out of the dressing room. I’m wearing black tonight. She always puts out all the clothes I’m supposed to wear and lets me know if there’s anything I have to be aware of.

“You okay?” she asks tentatively.

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

She smiles but I sense that something’s a little off.

“A little change to tonight’s schedule,” she announces.

I panic the minute she says that. “What’s happening?”

“Nick wants you on the floor in the playboy lounge.”

The minute she says those words, a stone drops in the pit of my stomach and the blood drains from me.

“He wants me on the floor? Not with him?” I ask. Try as I may I can’t keep the quiver out of my voice.

“Yeah, but you’re going to be okay.”

“Oh,” I breathe.

We never went to the playboy lounge on my tour. Nick said I’d seen enough when we got to the dungeon.

Enough…

Is that what this is? Enough? Maybe he’s done with me.

I don’t know why, maybe it’s the crass way it’s been done, but this feels worse than finding out about Miranda and Chad. It’s what it feels like to be tossed to the side. Cast away.

Mimi takes my hands and gives them a gentle squeeze. I liked her the minute I met her. She has that good-natured personality that’s actually too good for the place but I worked out why she’s here. She likes Gabe. It’s that simple and while she’s good natured, people like her add texture to everything they do.

“You’re going to be okay.” Her hazel eyes sparkle and when she nods the ends of her wild honey blond curls bounce with life. “The playboy lounge is … interesting. If it helps you have the hottest men there. Denise called in sick today and she’s a favorite, so I thought you could start covering for her.”

“Is that just for tonight?”

The compassionate expression she gives me tells me I need to stop asking questions.

“I don’t know. Mia.. look, forgive me if I cross the line, I can see you’re taken with Nick. It’s not surprising but he’s not really the long term kind of guy. He’s … business.”

I nod understanding and I know I’m not supposed to feel like a slut but now I do.

I absolutely fucking do. Again.

“Of course.” So now I must do the job I thought I was applying for.

“He might ask for you to do different things. Just don’t get your hopes up… or…”

Mimi’s voice trails off. As if on cue we both see Gabe across the atrium leading a woman up the stairs. His hand is on her ass. It’s pretty clear what his intentions are for her.

Mimi looks back to me, cheeks flushed and I can tell she’s hurt, but she brushes it away.

“Don’t get your hopes up,” she nods then hands me a fob device. “This is for security. I hate to tell you this but you might have to go topless at some point tonight. Denise does a lot of that. If anything happens, press the button and someone will come.”

God…

I pull in a deep, deep breath and hold on to it.

Did I just hear her right?

Topless?

Well… Chloe did tell me. I just thought there would only be one man seeing me like that.

But he doesn’t want me anymore.

Tears sting the backs of my eyes.