Indeed, just the beginning of his work.
Chapter Seventeen
She was jogging, heart pounding in her chest. Perhaps a little while ago she would have balked at the idea of running so far and fast, now she relished the prospect. She could finally think clearly. The mess that had become her mind was no longer holding her back as she kept on going, breathing heavily. It was still not something she was used to but slowly it became her routine each day. Aiden went to visit Frank downstairs when she needed time to herself.
The warm humidity of the city made her feel sticky and suffocated. Her clothes and hair slick with perspiration clung to her skin. She swatted another pesky insect. Sweat rolled down her skin in thick, salty beads. Her skin felt like it was roasting. She clutched at her knees as she reached the diner she worked in. Today she had a day off, however, she was to come for a bonus payout. As old-fashioned as Hunter could be, he sometimes preferred to hand the money in person if it was for any additional hours spent working. And those Savannah had a lot.
Trying to catch her breath, she walked towards the entrance. Her lungs felt like they would burst and her throat was so dry. And she still had much more to run back home.
As she was about to grab the handle, she heard male voices coming from the side of the diner. She recognized them immediately as the Russian guy and Hunter's - again. Something pushed her to come closer, not making herself visible still. She pressed her body against the wall. It was wrong to eavesdrop but with quite a few meetings her boss had with the other man, she became way too curious what it was about. Especially since the Russian looked like trouble.
"Do I look like I care?"
The question was stated calmly, the baritone of the Russian's voice reverberating through Savannah's bones. It only reminded her that she shouldn't be here. Let alone listen to the conversation. The last time it happened, Hunter had caught her. It didn't matter that she hadn't understood a word. Now she could hear it properly which put her in a worse position.
Not that it would matter whether she knew what they were talking about or not. No one in their right state of mind would simply believe her words. Take them for granted and let her go.
The low rumble of his voice sounded almost comforting if not for the message that came along with it. "You work for us now. Remember that we had a fucking deal, Hunter. As nasty as Noah Falcone can be, you haven't seen us do some real damage. I guarantee you won't find it pleasing."
"Then tell me how to get out from the deal I've made with the Famiglia?"
Hunter must have been scared as he kept on clenching his teeth. The last time Savannah had heard it was when Elio had come to the diner once again demanding payment. He was certain that there were consequences and just as well there might be now.
A dark laugh echoed through the loud sounds of cars driving by on busy street. "It's your job to figure it out. Either way, I am waiting for another payment," he stated and footsteps shuffled on the pavement.
Savannah took a few steps back, trying to assess whether the man was going in her direction or not.
"I'm not a man who gives second chances, so keep that in mind while you're at it," he added and at that moment each part of the girl's body screamed to run.
That's what she did. She quickly came around the corner in the direction of her house, knowing that the payout would have to wait for another day. She was most definitely not engaging in a conversation with her boss after what she's heard.
Her mind was once again all over the place. She was cursing Hunter for being so reckless and going against the Las Vegas Famiglia. No matter the reason, he knew that they didn't shy away from confrontation. And she really doubted that anything ever remotely going out of the norm would lead to an unforgivable betrayal in the eyes' of a Capo dei Capi.
That meant death
And with the flashbacks of Elio's bloody knuckles, t-shirt covered in Hunter's blood, she realized that it wasn't only the man who might pay for that betrayal.
§ § §
The blue neon lights caught Savannah's interest at once when she came around the corner. People were waiting in a huge queue that spiraled, making it hard for anyone to go around without having to walk on the street. That alone made the girl think that maybe it was a bad idea to go through with her decision. She was no taleteller and in any other circumstances, she would keep Hunter's deals for herself. However, the owner made sure to treat her worse and worse each day after he saw her drive off with Elio in his car over two weeks ago. After believing that the man was a kind and empathetic person, she changed her mind pretty quickly.
How much you could find out about someone when everything came down to saving their own ass.
And right now Savannah was determined to save hers. Because maybe she didn't know the underworld that well, or Noah Falcone as the kind of boss he really was; but she sure as hell didn't want to find out while having a gun pointed at her head for keeping a secret for someone who didn't deserve it whatsoever.
Having learnt where Elio Conte hung out most of the time, she decided to find him. After such a long time of having no contact with the man, she didn't imagine herself actually showing up in his Father's nightclub. And judging by the freakishly long line
