He ponders this for a moment. “What did you know before you came here?”
I wonder what answer will appease him here. Does he want to know that I didn’t ask questions? That will just serve to make me look like a dumb blonde, and that’s not the case. I just knew that it had to be done. What if I say it didn’t matter what the details were? Would that still make me look like a fool?
“Answer me.” he demands. His charm is fading now, he’s beginning to look annoyed with me.
“I didn’t know much.” I answer in a shameful whisper. “I’m just the driver.”
“Just the driver?” he chuckles. “My name is Gio DelGado.” he has an accent when he says his name that is sexy as hell.
I know that name though.
It rings a bell in my head shouting danger.
“Does that ring a bell?”
I nod my answer, words escaping me.
The mafia.
He is part of the Maranzano crime family, a group of Italian criminals who frequent the news in Providence. Lately the news had been filled with the deaths of members who belonged to that family. They were in the midst of a turf war that killed most of their leadership.
Not to mention Giuseppe DelGado who had ad’s for his law practice all over the place. He was known in this town as a mafia lawyer.
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Then you know you did something really dumb, hmm?” He leans on the bar with his elbows, his face inches from mine.
“I do now.”
“I want to know why,” he asks me.
“And then what?” I ask in a quiet voice as I peer into his dark brown eyes. I’m looking for sympathy there. What will he do with me, with Johnny and Rob after I tell him the stupid reason we tried to Rob him? Does the man in front of me have any humanity or is he the cold-blooded killer the news has made him out to be?
I’m alive right now. I have that much going for me.
“I’ll decide what I’m going to do with you.” It was supposed to be a threat, but for some reason it didn’t feel like that. Am I underestimating him? Or is there truly a decent person underneath his monster exterior?
“My brother,” I glance over my shoulder at Johnny. “He needs the money or we’re in a lot of trouble.” I sigh. “I didn’t know who you were. I just knew that he needed the money and I had to help him.” I lower my gaze. “He’s my family.”
Gio sighs. He leans back away from the bar, instead resting his weight on the counter behind him.
I feel like I can breathe better the further he gets from me.
“Who? Who does he owe?” He asks after a moment.
“I’m not sure exactly, they’re Irish, from a casino in Boston. They said they’ll be back today for their payment.”
Gio whistles low.
“I get it, family bonds, and all.” He finally says.
I hold my breath. I’m not going to beg for my life here, I’m not that kind of girl, but I am praying for mercy.
“I’ll make you a deal.” Gio finally says after what felt like hours. “I’ll pay off your brother’s debt, and you’ll come work for me.”
He said it as if it was that easy.
I’ll make all your problems go away.
With just one small catch.
“W-what does that mean?” I stammer.
“What I said.” He answers back coolly.
“Like, here at the bar?”
He smirks, “No, not likely. But if I wanted you too, you would.”
“So what would I be doing?”
“Mia bella ragazza, you’d be working for me. And in return, I’d pay off your brother’s debt. Your family would be safe.”
“Why?”
He raises an eyebrow in response. “You’re asking me why I would help you?”
“Yeah. You don’t know me, why would you want me to work for you?”
“I’m offering you a chance to pay off a debt that I guarantee you have no other way to pay. Not with your half-assed attempt to rob me.”
The other man snickers at his insult. Behind me, I hear Johnny grumble something unintelligible underneath the duct tape.
“Yeah, I am. I know I can’t pay any other way, and I appreciate your offer but why would I want to get into bed with another monster if I don’t even know what it entails?” My question is dangerous. He’ll either like it or kill me on the spot.
A light chuckle leaves his lips. “Because if you don’t one of you is probably going to die tomorrow. The Irish don’t take kindly to not being paid back timely. I’m not a monster, Annie. I’m cutting you a break. Take it or leave, but make a decision now.”
I pursed my lips.
There was no decision to be made.
It was life or death.
“I have school,” I say quieter. “and I also have another job.”
He eyes me. “Are you asking me for leniency?”
“Yes.” My answer is barely audible.
I don’t like this deal. I don’t like the idea of getting too close to someone like him.
He has danger written all over him.
“As a show of good faith, Annie, I will work around your schedule, within reason.”
I nod, biting my tongue to keep from saying thank you. Thank you for not killing us right there and then. I don’t want to give him that pleasure.
“How much does he owe?” Gio asks.
“Fifty K.”
He whistles again. “Damn boy, you have a problem with gambling?” he asks looking at Johnny whose reply is masked by the duct tape over his mouth.
“What now?” I ask nervously.
“Well, Big Frank here is going to make sure your brother and your friend here are set straight. I’m going to take you home and
