Authoress Tyna's Library

🥀His Sweetest Obsession ❤️‍🩹🗡️

🔥(A Steamy Mafia Romance)🔥

🖊️ Written By:
© Tyna Williams 💕

📖Chapter 3📖

🥀NICOLA🥀

"Oh, if I catch that Bruce, I'm so going to—" June's coffee poured out of the cup, spilling on her hand on account of how tightly she'd been squeezing it. "Oww! It's hot."

I laughed indulgently as I passed her a tissue paper and took the battered coffee cup out of her hand, tossing it into a nearby trash can.

"As much as I appreciate the murderous energy, I'd be much happier if you looked after yourself first before trying to fight my battles for me, J."

"Still, it's just not fair!" June protested, tossing the damp tissue away. I watched it land on the grass a few feet away and get carried away by a gust of wind.

"Well, life's not fair," I mused, looking down at the swirling dark brew I had in my hand.

"He literally attacked you. Why would she put you on probation instead of banning him or something?"

Even as she spoke, I saw in her eyes that she already knew the answer. Yes, Bruce might've followed me to the bathroom and made a move on me but in a place with a clientele as powerful and as exclusive as Elysium, the word of the staff had almost zero worth next to that of a patron. Bruce would have had to do more than “leer at me” (as my manager has put it) to face actual consequences.

And as luck would have it, there was no video evidence that he'd even done anything so it was just my word against his. I never stood a chance. I was actually lucky to get off with only probation. My manager had almost fired me when she heard another patron had had to intervene. Bruce had been the one to tell her it didn't need to go that far. He'd had a panicked look in his eyes that really made me wonder what my saviour had said to him.

"I'll be fine, J. It's not the most ideal situation but I can handle it." I flashed her a smile to reassure her but she seemed to be thinking about something else. "What is it?"

"Have you reconsidered quitting and leaving New York?"

"June—"

" I know. You don't want to run away and you shouldn't have to but Nicola, you know it's only a matter of time before he approaches you. He's definitely been keeping tabs on you and when Bruce tells him he saw you, he'll make a move sooner or later. I just want you to be safe."

"I know you do and I appreciate it..." I waited for a moment before I spoke, "I'll think about it, June. I promise."

"And that's fine by me." She had a huge grin on her face and after everything that had happened in the last twenty four hours, that made me feel better than ever.

I wasn't lying when I said I'd think about it. As much as I didn't want to quit and run away, last night's events and the repercussions they could have had given me a lot to think about.

I leaned back on the bench, tilted my head up and stared at the clear blue sky, wishing things would just get easier.

* * *

"You're going to be working at the VIP lounge today."

"Huh? How come?" I asked, thinking I'd heard her wrong.

Working at the VIP lounge at Elysium was considered a privilege because it paid more and tips were usually given generously. I'd only worked a shift there once and I'd made roughly the same amount I earned in a week on my regular shift.

"Someone requested it," Tammy said. She looked slightly annoyed but I couldn't stop myself from asking, "And they asked for me? You know, by name?"

"Yes. Keep in mind that this doesn't mean you're no longer on probation. Just work tonight's shift at the lounge and try not to cause a scene." The last part was accompanied with a pointed look and I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from mouthing off at her.

It wasn't all her fault. That was just how things worked here...

"Well, thank you for letting me work the shift regardless. And I apologise once again for yesterday."

"Whatever. You're dismissed."

I stepped out of her office and promptly made my way to the VIP lounge to start my shift. The VIP lounge was located on the highest floor in the building and had this otherworldly feel to it. Despite only being a floor higher than the general club area, it felt completely detached and was almost suffocating with all its glitz and glamour.

Elysium took great care in its appearance but the VIP lounge took it a step further and I got the feeling that every single thing around me was worth my entire existence and more. But beyond the fancy decor, the people here scared me more than anything else.

Entry to the lounge was by membership only. Every single member had to fulfil several requirements and be approved by a board before they were granted membership. So every single person I'd be serving tonight was probably rich beyond comprehension and very influential. Members ranged from A-list actors to the country's top leaders in various fields of business to those who ruled the city's less appealing side.

Besides the members, while every employee was trained to work at the VIP lounge after they were given the job, only a selected few who were efficient and had proved their worth and loyalty went on to work there.

Having only been here for a short period of time, I shouldn't have gotten to work here so soon. The first time I had, someone had missed their shift and Tammy decided to give it to me on a whim. I shouldn't have stood a chance at getting to work there after last night's disaster but it made sense that a member's request carried enough weight to override that.

As grateful as I was for another chance to work at the VIP lounge, I also had many questions about it. Who made a request that I work a shift at the lounge and what could have prompted them to do so?

I didn't get more time to contemplate that as the minute I got up there, I was thrown into a flurry of activities that kept me on my toes for hours. Patrons at the lounge were far more demanding than the patrons I served in the general area and I was also constantly reminded of the fact that a mistake might just ruin my life.

Thankfully, my night went better and about an hour to the end of my shift, I had enough tips to help June cover at least half the rent.

Then, as the pattern was in my life, everything started to go horribly wrong.

It started after I'd just finished attending to a patron who had been very particular about what they wanted but ended up being very generous. I was on my way back to the counter when someone suddenly palmed my ass, bringing me to a halt.

My natural instinct was to go off on whoever had touched me but I was quickly reminded of where I was and what that could mean so I took a deep breath before turning around. Then I saw who it'd been and my resolve to stay calm went up in flames.

"I thought that was you, Nikki. Never did see a finer piece of ass," Bruce smacked his lips. My eyes twitched, my grip on my composure slipping.

"What are you doing here, Bruce? There's no way you're a VIP member." I made sure to keep my voice level so as not to attract any attention but the mockery in my words was apparent.

Bruce appeared unruffled by my words though, responding haughtily, "I have friends in high places. One of them invited me."

"I'm sure this must be a momentous occasion for you then." His smile dropped, mine grew a little. "In any case, I'm very busy so if you don't mind... Sir, I'll be leaving now." I turned to leave again but Bruce grabbed my wrist and pulled me back so forcefully I ended up on my knees in front of him.

"We didn't get to finish our business yesterday and I think now's a good time as any to do so." Then without warning, with my wrist still in his grip, he moved my hand to his crotch and palmed himself with my hand.

His eyes glazed over and he moaned softly, a sound that made my skin crawl. I knew that I'd have nightmares where that sound was the only thing I heard for hours on end.

As quickly as it'd happened, I was up on my feet and pulled my hand out of his grip before he could do worse. I was panting heavily, my anger and disgust too much to put into words while I tried to think of what to do next.

My eyes fell on the half full bottle of red wine that was right in front of him which probably cost more than my pay for the entire year. Before I could stop myself, I grabbed it and tipped the whole bottle on his head.

The people gathered at his table as well as those seated at nearby tables went silent, finally paying us attention. I became aware of the amount of eyes scrutinizing me and I got the sense that I'd made a huge mistake.

"Ahhh! My dress!"

My eyes widened and my heart rate took a nosedive when the lady seated beside Bruce let out a guttural scream which got everyone's attention now.

"You– you ruined my dress!!!" she screamed again, her bloodshot eyes fixed on me as she drew closer.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I'm s–"

I was cut off by a slap so hard my head reared to the side and my knees trembled. I barely got a chance to recover when she grabbed my ponytail and yanked on it, hard enough to draw tears.

"Do you know how expensive this dress is? Think about what your entire existence would cost and multiply that by seven!! I should skin you alive for this!"

"But you're not going to," someone said coolly.

Her head spun in the direction the voice had come from and I saw her eyes widen ever so slightly. A quick glance at the table behind her and I saw that they too had turned their head in the direction of the voice, their faces a mix of shock, awe and fear.

Curious, I followed their gaze and my eyes fell on a figure making his way through the crowd to where I was standing. A figure who looked very much like the man who'd saved me from Bruce yesterday. But there was something different about him. I couldn't quite put my finger on it but he felt different.

When he finally reached where I was, I could swear the air turned a few degrees colder.

At first, he didn't even acknowledge me. Instead, his eyes were on the lady holding me who squirmed under his cold gaze.

"I– I didn't really mean what I said. I was just acting in the heat of the moment!" she explained quickly and anxiously, all signs of her earlier anger gone.

He ordered in a clipped voice, "Let go of her."

She did so immediately and I stumbled back, my head still swimming from the impact of the slap. She was stronger than she looked, I'll give her that.

"Since she messed up, I'll take responsibility and pay for your drycleaning. But this better not happen again." His eyes narrowed, forming sharp slits.

Her head bobbed up and down. "Of course! Of course! I understand, Enzo!" She wasted no time in grabbing her purse from the table and leaving the lounge's restaurant in a hurry.

After she left, “Enzo” turned his attention to Bruce who withered under his gaze and almost jumped out of his skin when he spoke to him.

"You're coming with me." Then his black eyes flickered to me. "You too."

As he turned around and began to walk away, two burly men appeared seemingly out of the shadows and grabbed Bruce by his arms, dragging him to his feet and taking him with them. My legs started moving and I found myself trailing behind them, even as I wondered what the hell was going on.

I followed them out of the restaurant and into the area that held the rooms available to VIPs who wanted to indulge in some wanton pleasures privately. The men went into one of them and in spite of the alarms going off in my head, I followed them in.

I watched as Enzo settled down on a large leather couch at the farthest end of the room. He lit a cigar amd puffed on it while the men worked on restraining Bruce. Soon, his hand and feet were bound and he was gagged.

I stayed close to the door, hoping to make a run for it if things got weird but I realised how futile it was since the men could easily come after me if I ran. Still, being close to the door helped to calm my thumping heart a bit.

"He touched you, didn't he?"

Enzo had spoken so suddenly, his deep voice filling up the enclosed space. His question had also taken me by surprise that all I could utter was, "Huh?"

My eyes darted to Bruce who was staring at me with fearful eyes then back to Enzo whose eyes gave nothing away. I gulped and forced the words out. "Yes, he did. But I don't get why—"

"Would you rather his fingers be broken or cut off instead? The choice is yours."
..am I f**king dreaming?