Chapter 3:Emilia

I walked into Vinnie's cramped office, the air thick with the smell of stale cigarettes. I tried forgetting everything that happened yesterday at the bar with Viktor. Vinnie was behind the desk. He had slicked black hair and eyes that seemed to weigh everything.

"Emilia, glad you could make it. I was starting to think you wouldn't show up."

"what if I didn't show up?"

"the there would of been consequences."

"what do you need me to do?"

Vinnie leaned back in his chair, a calculating look on his face.

"I need you to handle delicate things."

"what kind of delicate things?"

"deliveries, messages and I need you to work with my people."

I knew what he meant by delicate things. He was a drug dealer so selling drugs is what makes him insane and annoying.

"why me?"

"you lost your job a month ago and you need some income and I need someone reliable. We can help each other Emilia."

I thought about the money, of surviving. Vinnie's work wasn't clean but it paid. I thought of my brother Tyler.

"deal."

Vinnie nodded like he'd expected that.

"you'll start tomorrow. My man, Oliver will tell you what to do and you will follow all his rules."

I left Vinnie's office with a mix of resolve and unease. I knew the risks and I still took the offer, I didn't want to take it but I needed the money for Tyler and I.

The next day, Oliver showed me what to do. Deliveries to shady bars, messages to men with hard eyes, I did what I was told, moving through Vinnie's business like a ghost.

But shadows watched me. I felt eyes sometimes, like someone was tracking me, watching my every move. I glanced around the streets more often, a growing sense of being followed.

That same night I walked home through the dim alley and I froze when I saw him. Viktor leaned against the wall, watching men. His eyes were like they'd been in the club, cold, interested. My heart was pounding.He walked closer to me.

"taking the offer wasn't a smart idea, Amorina."

"I needed the job."

"you know when you enter Vinnie's world, there's no backing out. You knew when he's done with you, he'll kill you."

I didn't answer. Viktor was right, but it was my choice to take the risk. Viktor placed his veiny hand on my cheek, his touch was soft and gentle.

"Vinnie can't protect you like I can. Leave him and let me help you. I can take you and your brother in, you don't have to worry about income."

"how can I trust you? Viktor, I don't k iw anything about you."

"But I know everything about you, Amorina. Give me chance."

"you know what will happen if I quit from Vinnie's business."

"he won't touch you as long as you're with me. You'll be in a mansion that has alot of guards in every corner, doors with keypads that you need a password to enter."

Viktor then walked away. His words hung in the air as he vanished into the shadows. A chill ran down my spine. Did he really mean what he said?

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