Guns & Roses

Tatiana

“Hello, Mishka”

My eyes grew wide when I saw him! Hottie #1 was the boss?! Why would he tag along the night they kidnapped me? The thought made me think I was special. But then again the thought that the assignment was a diversion shattered my mini swooning moment.

“Y-you’re the boss?” Shit. Get a grip. I wish my voice didn’t falter, but the gaze he was giving me was just too intense, and the fact that he was utterly gorgeous in broad daylight. Sheesh, minor fact.

“Dimitri Aleksandrov, of the Aleksandrov family. Why Mishka? Do you have a problem with that?”

I stared at him for a moment. I knew of the Aleksandrov family. They were one of the leading mafia families here, if not the most powerful. I also knew that the Aleksandrov’s successor was ruthless and handsome, and the rumors surely didn’t disappoint.

“Why am I here, Dimitri?” I asked, feigning confidence. In the inside, my heart beat betrays the confidence I’m portraying.

“So??” I asked again. If he doesn’t answer any second here, I might just melt into a puddle of hormones.

“Let’s cut to the chase here mishka” I rolled my eyes. Why is everyone so keen on making nicknames as if we’re the best of buddies.

“I want you to join us. I’m recruiting you” he said, staring right at me.

I gave nothing away. Being in the business for too long allows you to mask your emotions without breaking a sweat.

“And what makes you think I’ll agree to that?” I challenged, without breaking eye contact.

“You see, Tatiana, you don’t have a choice here, either you join us or we’ll notify the agency about you. And I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t like the latter.”

Hell. Just the sound of my name rolling of his lips frankly turns me on. But I need to focus. Focus. My life’s clearly on the line here.

“I’m not bluffing, if that’s what you’re thinking. The agency isn’t as good as you think it is” he said.

Oh I knew what he meant. At first I thought the agency were one of the good guys, but as time passed, I discovered dirty secrets within those walls. I knew, but I didn’t say anything. Who was I to stick my nose on someone else’s business?

“What do you need me for?” I asked. I need to make this clear. Dealing with the mafia is like dealing with the devil.

Asking him that question seems to have lifted up his mood.

“Take a seat” he said, gesturing towards the seat in front of his desk.

Reluctantly, I made my way towards his desk. His office was pretty huge with leather sofas in the middle, a coffee table, shelves lined with books and an artistic chandelier positioned on the middle of the ceiling. When I made it to his front, he seems a bit distracted and on cue, he cleared his throat. I raised an eyebrow at him before taking a seat and crossing my legs.

“I’ll get straight to the point. We’re taking down the Mortellis”

Arturo. I should’ve known he’d be crazy enough to get on the wrong side of the Aleksandrovs. And now, I’m in the middle of two mafia wars. Freaking Fantastic.

“Why?” I asked. I needed more info even if there’s no way of getting out of this mess. At least I won’t be clueless.

“Let’s just say they took something very dear to me”

Huh. I guess I won’t be getting any info then. He’s vague answer only lead me to the conclusion that this feud goes very deep and personal. Maybe it’s his lover. A pang of disappointment hit me.

“Okay. How much are we talking about here?” dismissing my outrageous thoughts. At least I’m getting paid here. The bills won’t pay for themselves.

“Your monthly salary as my employee is two hundred grand. Complete with compensation and benefits. The room you were in earlier is yours. You can’t leave the grounds without my permission”

Oh wow, okay. That’s a huge amount of money. My former employers pay me a minimum of fifty grand, sometimes to eighty. But two hundred is wow.

“What about my flower shop?” I asked. How could I forget my precious shop. Because dollar signs were clearly flying in your eyes. I dismissed the nagging thought. He took a second to contemplate my question.

“Tell you what, I’ll pay for all the flowers in your shop right now, but you have to shut it down. Joining the mafia isn’t a part time job” He said.

Letting go of the shred of normalcy I ever had in my life was hard. But I know joining the mafia was a one way ticket to hell. A well-paying hell. I thought bitterly.

“You are dismissed” he said, winking at me. Yes, the guy winked at me. At this point, I don’t know whether to swoon or not, because let’s admit it, that wink was totally hot.

I stood up and walked towards the door muttering curse words at myself from thinking of such absurd thoughts. Great. I’m just sexually frustrated. Yeah, that’s it. Right?