Chapter 4 | The Cafe

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ONE MONTH LATER

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ONE MONTH LATER

The old woman who owned the cafe I was required to work at was telling me a hundred things a minute. Things that didn't seem necessary, but I listened anyway. This was my job now, a job I needed for the money now that I wouldn't be able to work at Sinner's trap anymore.

It's now been a month since I stepped in that place.

Couldn't say I missed it. Because I didn't. I missed the money.

The only reason I was able to pay rent this month was because of one person.

Alessio Vinci Bertelli.

If he hadn't gone to the club the last night I worked there, then I would be in deep shit right now.

All because he wanted goddamn my name.

Who even does that?

But fuck, with that smile and those charming gray eyes, I might've accidentally told him my name anyway. When they told me the Bertelli's could be charming I believed them. But to a certain extent.

So after that, I told myself it was best to stay clear of him. I couldn't afford to be distracted. Even if his eyes were the prettiest shade of gray and his laugh felt like it vibrated through my whole body.

Alessio was dangerous to be around, and I didn't plan on getting sucked in. I had a job. A job that Declan wasn't paying me for, sure. But it was a job that guaranteed my freedom and revenge. So, it was whatever if I starved the whole time.

Though, my body seemed to disagree with me right about now.

I had to lean against the table to support my shaky legs. If I was being completely honest, I don't remember the last time I ate.

"Are you alright?" The woman asked me, whose name was Claire.

I waved her off, "I'm fine. Go on."

"When I'm gone for the next couple weeks, You'll need to open the store and close-"

She went on and on and only mentioned once that there were four other people working here, but I hadn't met or seen them yet. I wasn't entirely sure I believed her, but it wouldn't be a problem if I was the only person that worked here. It rarely gets busy. The cafe sat in the corner of downtown. Right next to all the Bertelli properties. Which was perfect for me, since this cafe wasn't owned by them I knew I could keep a distance.

Even though one of their restaurants, which was named Nico's, was just across the street. Along with Eagles strip club that was just around the block. Nico's restaurant had been facing major loss in customers ever since Davao opened up another restaurant close by. But Nico's was still standing, which only meant that the Chigaco mob transported all drugs and money there, which kept the flow of money.

          

They also had a casino not too far from here, it was a well known casino and I had only been there once when Gemma, Anna, Caterina and I had a girls night out. I could definitely say those weren't my thing, but I had gone anyway and the Bertelli's casino was beyond packed. Fancy cars, fancy dresses and even fancier alcohol. The girls were amazed by everything while I sat at the bar and had a drink that was way past my budget. But it was a good thing I didn't pay for it. The man next to me did, then he took me to his fancy car and took me in his back seat.

It wasn't the best sex in my life. But that could've been because I was drunk.

It's been months since I got laid and right now, my sex drive has been higher than usual. All the toys I had worked well, but sometimes it didn't satisfy the need.

"How long have you two been married?" I asked Claire when she stopped talking, pulling me away from my thoughts.

She smiled, a brightness overtaking her face, "thirty years now."

I could see the love she had for her husband written all over her face. "Is that when you guys opened this cafe?"

She nodded, "he bought it for me as a birthday present. Knowing how much I loved to bake and make teas and coffees."

She leaned against the counter, tilting her head as she looked at me. She had brown hair that was definitely dyed, covering her grays, but she still looked like she was in good shape. She was healthy and active, very knowledgeable about the world today. She also had warm brown eyes, and a loving grandmother's look on her face.

Even though she told me she didn't have any grandchildren, or children at all. She was still wrapped in a warmness that screamed comfort.

"Have you fallen in love yet?" She asked.

I laughed softly, shaking my head. I doubt she'd want to hear my opinion about love.

"You're young. It'll come someday," she said with a smile.

Someday.

I hoped that day never came. I hoped I never had to be that vulnerable with someone. Love didn't exist in the world I lived in anyway, all mobsters cared about was power and finding a woman that could carry their heirs.

I tried my best to smile at her when suddenly the door to the cafe opened. The bell rang from above it, stealing our attention and making all talk about fucking love disappear. I looked up, only to see a woman dressed in all black, heels with snakes around them and a long trench coat. I looked up at her face, she had brown curly hair that reached just past her shoulders, and she had the prettiest eyes ever. Hazel with so much green it was hard to miss.

As soon as I recognized her I tried to turn the other way but Claire started speaking, "Elisia! It's nice to see you again."

Fuck. And she's a regular?

I didn't know she moved to Chigaco. The last time I checked she was working with the Italian mob, getting revenge for what happened to her. Now she is here. Why is she here?

Guilt crawled its way up my chest. Expanding every second it took for Elisia to get to the counter, she smiled at Claire, "Hey."

"Just your usual?" Claire asked. Elisia nodded, paying quickly and when she was done sliding her card she looked up at me.

I knew she wouldn't remember me. Not when she had to endure what Elliot did to her that night. Fuck. My heart weighed down, my weakness from not eating made it worse. I couldn't even look at her, but I didn't want to be rude. Not after all she's been through.

So I smiled. Trying to keep myself from apologizing to her about something she didn't know about. I had tried fighting for her that night. When we entered the Morozov mansion, filled with mob men and women that Aldrik had stolen.

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