Strapped: A Second Chance Mafia Romance by Emma Spring

God, does he really have to be there of all places?
    “Okay boss,” I answer him, ignoring my thoughts. “I’m on it.”
    “Not alone, you aren’t. I need you to take a couple of the older boys with you, just to pick up where you leave off, if you fuck up again.”
    “I won’t...” I try, but he isn’t going to be swayed.
    “Who’s there?”
    I flick my eyes around the room, knowing that I have to pick a couple of the more experienced boys, the ones who have been in this game longer than I have, to keep Carmine happy. “Erm... Luke and Diego?”
    “They will do,” he replies, before snapping off his phone.
    I sigh deeply before going and grabbing the guys in question, really wishing I could just do this by myself. Luke is okay, but Diego is quite surly. I’ve heard that he used to be a lot of fun, but that something happened to change that.
    I don't ask what though, sometimes it’s best not to know.
    We arrive at Jesters quickly, and it takes all that I have to keep my head in the game, to not think only of Olivia. I wait in the nearby alleyway and send the others in to grab Dazza, so I don’t recall her face sitting at that bar, and I really tune the lowlife out as his pleads for his life on his knees on the dirty ground. I get so in the zone, focusing only on what needs to be done, that it isn’t until I’ve already pulled the trigger and ended this sad sap’s life that I heard footsteps coming from right behind me.
    “Fuck,” Diego mutters as I spin around to discover who this witness is. “What the fuck are we going to do now?”

Chapter 11

Olivia
    3 rd October 2014

    “ A re you okay ?” Ryan asks me with concern plastered across his face. “Only... you seem a bit distracted.”
    “Is it that obvious?” I ask him panicking. Sure, this job has done nothing to live up to my expectations, and I’m not enjoying it one bit, but I cannot afford to lose it. I can’t fail, not when I worked so hard to get here. I have to go through all of these steps before I can make a future for myself... and everything I’ve done has to be worth it. It needs to all be for something, or I sacrificed my youth to end up no better off. “Shit.”
    “It’s okay, I don't think anyone’s noticed. You’re certainly sticking down those envelopes with no worry,” his wry joke does nothing for me, it doesn’t even raise a smile. “I just... I don't know, you seem a little out of it today.”
    “I... oh God...” I throw my head into my hands, really desperately not wanting to cry.
    “Can I ask you who that guy was the other day? The one with the Dodge Viper?”
    “The what?” I ask, knowing exactly who he’s referring to, but not ready to address it just yet. Just the mere thought of him has my heart fluttering all over the place, and my mind recalling that Goddamn sexy body. Whatever he’s done, whoever he is, I cannot help my attraction to him no matter what.
    “That bloody amazing sports car!” He insists, rolling his eyes at me. “God, you didn’t deserve to go for a ride in that thing – you don't even appreciate it.”
    When I remember what actually went on in that car, and how much I did damn well appreciate it, my face flames and I have to look away from Ryan, just in case he suspects.
    “That’s Marco,” I tell him honestly. “He’s a friend from when I was younger.”
    “ Friend ,” he scoffs, instantly seeing through the facade and my eyes snap back up to him, wondering how the hell he can possibly know. Maybe my bright red face has given me away! “From the way that guy was looking at you, I would say that the last thing he wants from you is friendship.”
    “What... what do you mean?” I stammer fearfully. Is he going to tell me that he was looking at me in a sexual way? Like he wanted to eat me alive or something? I don't know how I’ll feel if he does – I suppose it’ll confirm one of my biggest fears – that he’s only ever wanted me in that way. In a lust-filled way. I