Scarred King

22

I’m sitting in the living room, stretching my feet up on the coffee table, typing quickly on my laptop. I take pictures in my mind of article after article and summarize them neatly in one file. I smile to myself and take a sip of my coffee. This is exactly what I needed, a few hours of flirting with my brain. The sun has already set, and I haven’t seen Johanna all day. I pick up my cellphone to text her just as the door opens. She enters wide awake and smiling.

“I see you had a good night’s sleep,” I smile back, but I’m eaten up with concern.

“Not exactly,” she giggles and throws herself down on the couch opposite me. “Elena, I've had more fun in the last few days that I’ve ever had in my entire life.” She grows serious and puts her hand on her heart. “I think I am falling in love with him.”

“With Tommy?” I ask in disgust.

“Yes…” she says dreamily. “He makes me laugh, gives me compliments and makes me feel like a goddess in bed.”

“I’m happy to hear it.” I’m trying to stay calm but what I’d really like to do is go over and slap her hard across her face so that she could wake up from her crazy dream. “I think, you could find a man who is more suitable for you,” I say cautiously.

“Like all the boring ones before him?” she asks defiantly. “Or maybe like Ralph?” she sneers. “He might look like a movie star, but I have never met anyone as scary as him before,” she says and shivers.

“I’m not really going out with him,” I say dismissively. “I just decided to prove that we’re really not right for each other so that he’ll leave me alone.”

“Right,” she says as her eyes close.

“I don’t understand…” I say to her, “weren’t you meant to cover for me at work tonight?”

“I was,” she replies heavily without opening her eyes, “but Liam kicked me out.” “Really?” I ask excitedly, and I can’t understand why he decided to show some humanity tonight.

“He is so strange,” she mumbles. “One side looks like a monster and the other side looks like an angel.” And then it's like she switches off and falls into a deep sleep. In one sentence she managed to sum up all my feelings towards this creature who I can’t get out of my head.

My cellphone beeps and I open the text screen.

I will pick you up at midnight.

The number is unknown, but I realize that this is my polite date for tonight.

Okay. I reply, trying to understand why he choose such a late hour to go out on a date.

And dress nicely.

I stare at the text and feel like canceling the whole thing. Why does everyone feel the need to stick their noses in my closet? What’s wrong with my clothes? I decide not to text back, and go back to my textbooks. When I raise my head from my laptop again, I’m surprised to see that I only have a half hour to get ready.

Johanna is still lying on the couch deep in sleep. I put my textbooks away sadly and go to the bathroom. I wash myself quickly and as soon as Scarface’s image pops into my head I turn the water off and go to my room. “Dress nicely…” I imitate Ralph’s accent and grumble to myself. Maybe he’s taking me somewhere with a dress code. I consider texting him, but I change my mind. Instead, I go to Johanna’s room and open her closet. Just like mine, her clothes are all organized neatly. I pull a tight, black dress off the hanger, check the subtle cleavage and nod in approval. It’s too tight on the butt and chest, but that makes it look even better. I take some elegant, low-heeled black pumps out of Johanna’s shoe drawer and look at myself in the mirror. My curvy body looks as if it belongs to a different face. My looks too girlish. I roll my braid up and fasten it to my head with some bobby pins, as I’ve been doing recently. I apply some makeup and feel that I look perfect for going out somewhere respectable. I hear a loud knock at the door, so I pick up my purse and go answer it. Johanna doesn’t even stir.

“Ralph’s waiting for you downstairs,” the gorilla standing there says harshly, and I lock the door and go downstairs. A silver Hummer is parked across from the entrance and Ralph is standing by the door in a gray suit. As I get closer, I see that the color of his suit looks good with his fair hair and sky-blue eyes. For a short moment, I can even imagine that he’s a movie star and not a drug dealer.

“Elena. You're a sex bomb.” He says, undressing me with his eyes and just like that, the magical moment ends and I am back in my sick reality.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I compliment him coldly and sit down on the luxurious leather seat.

“Drive,” he orders the second bodyguard rudely, and the jeep rolls on the road.

Ralph puts his arm around my shoulders casually, leans into my neck and sniffs.

“What are you doing?” I gasp and move away. “You can’t touch me without my permission.” I shake a threatening finger at him, and he looks at me amazed.

“Not at all?” he asks.

“Not at all,” I repeat forcefully.

“Then what are we supposed to do in the car if you won't let me make out with you?” he sounds amused and I shake my head in despair.

“Talk. Listen. Get to know each other.”

“Okay. So, tell me about yourself.” He turns his upper body toward me and looks at me.

I tell him about the southern town I grew up in, about my decision to study physics and about my dream to become a researcher and then a professor. When I stop talking, I notice that he’s writing something in a small black notebook.

“Are you writing down what I said?” I ask in confusion.

He raises his head and smiles. “No. Why, did you say something important?”

“Were you even listening to me?” I mutter angrily.

“I lost you in that small town in the South.” He chuckles and I roll my eyes and groan. It’s going to be a long night.

The car stops and the bodyguard opens the door for us. Ralph gets out and stretches his hand out to me.

“You’re taking me to our bar?” I ask in horror.

“Of course not.” He takes me by the hand and walks around the large industrial building with me. “I am taking you to the club.” We stop behind a gathering of men in suits, and to my horror I realize that we’re going to a strip club. He walks past the long line, and stops in front of the bouncer. I can’t understand how, in all the time I’ve worked on the other side of the building, I've never realized that here on the back, there’s such lively and dynamic nightlife.

The bouncer moves the rope at the entrance aside and opens the black door for us.

“Wow!” my mouth opens in surprise. It looks like an exclusive nightclub. At the center, there is a stage surrounded by black leather couches and on some additional levels there are more couches and red leather armchairs. Waitresses who look like Playboy bunnies are running around the male clientele and the customers are drinking, eating and talking. He pulls me towards one of the upper levels and we sit down on a long corner sofa.

I look around me and see that apart from the waitresses, I’m the only woman in this place. “Why did you bring me here?”

“You told me I should take you somewhere I enjoy going to,” he replies indifferently.

“But…but…I meant…” I stutter and fall immediately silent as a tall girl approaches the main stage. Her face is covered by a tiger mask and she is wearing a flowing leopard-skin cape.

“Don’t worry. You'll enjoy this too.” He drapes his arm on the back of my seat and I can’t stop myself from staring at the flexible dancer in front of me. She is writhing sensually on the pole, wrapping her legs around it and pulling herself upwards.

“Ohhh… that doesn’t look very safe,” I mutter as she flings her body downwards and is held suspended by her crossed legs only. “If she falls, she’ll break her head.”

Ralph laughs and I can’t tear my eyes away.

“What a surprise,” I hear Mike’s amused voice and I turn to face his ginger head. “He finally allowed you in here?”

“Who?” I ask and turn back to watch the acrobat who has thrown her leopard-skin cape on the stage.

“Liam.” he answers, and sits down next to Ralph. “I heard that he gave strict orders not to let you upstairs or in here.”

“She is on a date with me,” Ralph answers instead of me and I glance at Mike. He looks even more amused than before.

“Then I'll spoil you tonight.” He gets up, and while I am still engrossed in the amazing performance taking place in front of me, he returns with a glass of wine for me and a glass of whiskey for Ralph. He sits down with us, and I can’t stop myself from asking him questions.

“Isn’t this supposed to be a strip club? Why is she still dressed?”

Mike laughs. “Have you ever seen a man who gets horny when a woman takes her clothes off on their first date?”

“Yes.” Ralph and I chorus together.

“Ah,” he scratches his head. “Well, maybe that’s not the best example.” The girl leaves the stage and the host announces that her name is Linda, a Middle-Eastern princess. He calls out name after name together with a short description of the girls as one after the other gets on the stage to enthusiastic rounds of applause. “Anyway,” he explains, “we warm up the atmosphere. You can see all the strippers perform and soon they’ll start mingling with the crowd.”

“To waitress?” I ask.

“Not exactly,” he laughs. “What you saw before was the main act. In a minute, there’ll be some more acts on stage.” He settles back in his seat. “We put a lot of effort into our shows. We have choreographers who come in early in the evening to work with the girls on their routines and we have two full-time tailors for all the costumes that you’ll see here tonight,” he says proudly.

“Wow,” I study the girls prancing on the stage, removing their capes and coming down to the audience in what looks like minimal bikinis. “So, when do they take all their clothes off?” I ask again, and this time Ralph laughs.

“Don’t worry,” the German answers, removing his gray jacket. His white button-down shirt is tight over his muscular chest and his long, muscular arms. “In a minute you will see more boobs than you've ever seen in your whole life.”

I sip my wine and follow the girls with my eyes. They linger by the couches, wiggling their butts and giggling. A guy sitting in an armchair to our left gestures to one of the girls and two seconds later she is sitting on his lap. She grinds her hips back and forth in time with the music and her chest rubs up against his. I feel like I’m invading their privacy, but I can’t tear my eyes away. The triangles of her bikini top are rising upwards and her impressive and artificial breasts are bare, right in front of his mouth. He strokes her hips, kisses her neck and grabs her breasts with his hands.

“Mike,” I gasp and point at them. “Look, he’s touching her.”

“Put your finger down.” He smacks my hand and I pull it back.

“But…”

“She’s a stripper.” He is calm again and smiles. “He ordered a private lap dance and he’s getting one.” He peeks at them and leans back. “He has three minutes to make out with her.”

I lean toward him. “But he’s touching her,” I whisper. “Isn’t there a ‘look but don’t touch’ rule?”

“What – are we in the eighties?” he snorts. “They can touch as much as they want to.”

My mouth drops open in shock when the guy starts sucking her nipple. “Even kissing?” I won’t let this go.

“Whatever he wants, except for putting his hand inside her panties.”

“Yuck.” I shudder and they both look at me irritably.

“If you are so disgusted by this, then why can't you stop looking at them?” Ralph puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me back. “And close your mouth. You don’t know what could get in there by mistake.” They both laugh out loud and I shut my mouth and make a face at them. I suddenly realize that all around me there are naked girls rubbing up on men. It’s everywhere. Breasts, butts, rubbing, licking, kissing. I feel like I’ve been dumped in the middle of a porn movie being filmed and there’s nowhere to escape.

Mike gets up, says goodbye to us and walks towards the bar.

“Let’s go, too,” I plead with Ralph and finish my drink in one long swallow.

“We just got here,” he says carelessly and orders another drink for me from one of the bunnies. He asks if I’m hungry and I shake my head. Who the hell could eat surrounded by all this porn?

“Tell me about yourself,” I ask him, trying to focus on the man sitting in front of me.

“What do you want to know?” he settles back on the armchair. Shit, now I can see everything that's going on behind him. I shrink into the couch.

“When did you start your partnership with Liam?”

“When they left the police.”

Left the police? They were policemen? I am shocked by this information. He examines my face and his gaze goes to my cleavage. I grab his chin and raise it. Suddenly I realize that the man sitting in front of me might be able to dispel the fog about the man who has my world in such upheaval.

“Why did they leave the police?” I ask with faked indifference.

“They were kicked out after that incident.” He moves his hand over my cheek and I am so curious that I don’t even try to bat it away.

“What thing?”

“You know, the incident…” he says impatiently. “What's with all the questions? I thought you wanted to hear about me.”

“You’re right.” I manage to fake a smile. “So, do you like your work?”

“It’s good money.” He strokes my cheek again and moves to my neck. “I would like it much more if we leave and you let me fuck you.”

“Ralph.” I push myself against the back of the couch. “Stop thinking about sex all the time.”

“What are you thinking about?” he asks curiously and takes another glass of wine for me from the bunny.

“About the fact that everyone here probably comes in their pants.” I burst out laughing and squint my eyes trying to take in all I see. “It’s so disgusting.”

“Don’t worry,” he comes closer again. “They know exactly when to get up.” I squint my eyes again at a black man patting a slender stripper on the ass and grinding against her over and over again.

“They're very experienced. They can feel when a man is about to come, and they change their positions.”

“But why?” I don’t understand.

“Have you ever heard of blue balls?” he chuckles and puts his empty glass down on the table. “They want the men to ask for a private room.”

I look around. “Where are these rooms?”

“You want me to show you?” his voice is low, and he puts his hand on my thigh.

“No. Come on, stop it.” I scold.

“Then stop asking all these questions that are making me horny.” He replies angrily. I am silent and a few seconds later a man in a black suit sits down on his other side.

“Giovanni,” Ralph nods at him.

“We haven’t seen you here for a while.” says the man in an Italian accent. “And I couldn’t find you anywhere.”

“What do you want?” Ralph asks impatiently. “You're disturbing me on my date.” He stresses the last word and looks at me contentedly.

“I apologize.” The Italian places his hand on his chest and smiles at me. I really don’t like him. “But I have a very interesting business opportunity for you, yeah?” he addresses Ralph again.

“You have one minute.” Ralph combs his fingers through his blonde hair and puts his hand back on my thigh, as if he’s worried that I’ll use this distraction to escape.

“Look,” the Italian continues in a flattering voice, “recently we can’t keep up with all our work. We have too many distribution areas, yeah?”

“And why should I care?” Ralph growls in annoyance, instinctively I put my hand on his to try and calm him down. Astonishingly, it works, and he leans back and takes a deep breath.

“Because we want to propose that you switch with us, Your area B for our C and D areas.” I have no idea what their codes mean but I listen attentively. “Look,” he brings up a map of the city on his cellphone. “We'll give you these big areas in exchange for your small distribution area, yeah?” Ralph sits up straight and I guess he is starting to get interested in this deal.

“I still don't understand your sudden generosity, you're so stinking greedy.” He keeps looking at the map.

“We have commitments to dealers, yeah? The distribution area is way too big for us and we can’t meet our commitments.” He gives me a phony smile and looks nervous.

“Can I see?” I hear myself asking and fall silent when they both look at me surprised. “Just let me look at the map for a minute,” I shrug in embarrassment.

“Since when do your bitches talk, huh?” The Italian’s tone has changed completely.

Ralph stretches his neck to each side and makes a threatening face. “Let her look at the fucking telephone before I cut your face and invite your sadistic brother to wipe your blood off the couch.”

The Italian looks as stunned as I feel at Ralph’s reaction and he immediately hands me the phone. I enlarge the map and photograph it in my head. “Let me see the areas you are talking about,” I say to Ralph and he points at three locations on the map, saying their letters. “Got it, thanks.” I give the phone back to the Italian and lean towards Ralph. “Ask him for a few minutes to think over his offer,” I whisper, and lean back.

“Okay, I heard you,” he says to the Italian casually. “Now give me a few minutes to think it over.”

“I need an answer now, yeah?” for some reason the Italian is insistent and the veins in my date’s neck look as if they are about to explode. He glares at the Italian who jumps out of his seat and walks over to the couches on the upper level.

“Never interfere when I'm having a business conversation,” Ralph says threateningly and squeezes my thigh.

“Fine,” I say indifferently and pull his hand away from my thigh. “Then I won’t tell you why you shouldn’t switch with him.”

“What the hell do you understand about my business?” he says mockingly.

“Nothing, I guess.” I pick up my wine glass and sip from it. “And I don’t know why I even care. I should just keep my mouth shut.”

“Okay. Tell me what you found out. I don’t want to spoil our nice date.” His mood changes suddenly and he is smiling again.

“Say please,” I raise my chin defiantly and he bursts out laughing.

“You are as crazy as me. Go on, tell me.”

“Say please,” I insist.

“Please beautiful, tell me what you saw in the three seconds you looked at the map.”

“It’s like this.” I sit up straight, excited to share my insights with him. “You're distributing an expensive drug, right?” I don’t wait for his reply. “Not crap like heroin or those pills.” He nods. “It’s a drug for rich people, who can afford this kind of addiction.”

“How old will I be when you get to the point?” He is impatient again, but I ignore him.

“Your area is an upscale one. Near the universities and business centers. Small but high quality.” He nods again and wrinkles his forehead. I have his full attention. “The areas that disgusting Italian is trying to switch with you are big, but they’re not located in the upscale parts of the city. You might even say that the population there is economically weak.” I stop to make sure that he understands where I’m going. When his veins swell up again, I realize that I’ve explained myself properly. “He’s trying unsuccessfully to sell rich man’s drugs to the poor and now he wants to set you up.”

“Son of a bitch.” He clenches his fists and stands up, gesturing the Italian back to our table. The Italian smiles enthusiastically and hurries towards us.

“Keep calm,” I request quietly. “Just say that you’re not interested and be done with it.”

“Of course,” he winks at me and the Italian sits down beside him. Ralph twists his upper body and punches the Italian in the face. I scream loudly as the Italian grabs hold of his bleeding nose and starts cursing in Italian.

“You sick son of a bitch.” Ralph raises his fist again and the Italian cringes and brings his arms up to protect his face. “You think I'm stupid? You try to sell me your stinking areas?”

“What are you talking about?” the Italian asks defensively. “Don’t listen to your bitch, yeah?” He sends a chilling look in my direction. “We wanted to give you…”

“Shut your stinking mouth.” Ralph cuts him off. “If you ever come to me again with an offer like that, I won't be punching you.” He falls silent and draws a spring knife from his sock. “I’ll cut off the part that makes you come here.”

“You’re sick,” the Italian blurts, moving away. “And you’re gonna pay for this, yeah?” He covers his nose with his hand. “And so will you,” he says to me. He looks crazed as he moves farther away and disappears into a side room.

“You handled that so well. Elegantly.” I say sarcastically and try to calm my racing heart.

“You…” Ralph spins around to me with an intense look on his face. “You really are something special.” He places his hands on my neck and pulls me toward him, his head gets closer to mine and I gulp nervously. His lips flutter over mine and then his head turns to the side and he kisses me gently on my cheek and moves away. I exhale in relief as my heart is threatening to jump out of my chest.

“Come.” He throws some bills down on the table and pulls me towards the stage.

“We’re leaving?” I ask hopefully, but instead of turning right, towards the exit, he turns left towards the connecting door to the bar. “Why are we going there?” I wail behind him and pray for this night to end. The bouncer opens the door for us, and when it closes behind me, I am in my workplace. The girl's familiar faces are sitting around the tables, Charlie is behind the bar and Scarface’s scruffy hair indicates that he is in his regular sitting spot. Ralph pulls me towards the round table, and sits down, I sit next to him, and when I raise my head, I meet the surprised gaze in front of me.

“You moved your date here?” Scarface sounds amused and I sigh in relief. I can’t take another temper tantrum.

“I want to leave now.” I stand up and Scarface examines my dress with great interest. Ralph tugs at me and I sit down again.

“Our date is not over yet.” He drapes his arm around the seat behind me and the scars on the face of the man opposite me stretch as he makes a face. “You should know what's going on now so we can be prepared,” Ralph says to Scarface and takes a cigarette out of the box on the table. “Do you mind?” he asks me with a smile, and I shrug. He lights the cigarette and starts telling him about the Italian’s offer. While he talks, the man who makes my heart miss a beat opens up a map on his cellphone and chuckles.

“This asshole tried to give you the junkies’ areas.” He rubs his chin slowly and curses. He caught on as quickly as I did. That’s impressive.

“Yes,” Ralph answers and blows the thick smoke towards him. “And if Elena wasn't with me, I probably would’ve got caught in his trap.”

Scarface glances at me quickly and now he looks disturbed. “Carry on,” he orders sharply.

Ralph tells him that I asked to look at the map, repeats the questions I asked and adds that I explained why those areas were problematic.

“And Giovanni heard all this?” Now Scarface looks troubled.

“No.” Ralph waves his hand dismissively. “But when he came back I had to make it clear to him, in a way we’re both familiar with, that he made a mistake.”

“You're an idiot.” Scarface clenches his fists.

Ralph ignores him and stands up. “Come upstairs with me,” he asks me, and I freeze on the spot. “I want everyone to hear what I have to say,” he shouts, and Charlie turns down the music. The place falls silent, and all eyes are on Ralph. I feel that something really bad is about to happen and I nervously tighten my hair back. “I'm offering Elena 3,000 dollars to come upstairs with me for one hour.” He puts his hand in his pocket, brings out a wad of cash, waves it in the air and puts it down on the table in front of me. I shut my eyes tight and open them again. I stare at the pile of money and the only thing that goes through my mind is that this is the exact amount I need for my first payment. His declaration shocks me, and the agitated look on Scarface’s face makes me dizzy.

“Maybe if you added another zero,” I manage to mutter.

“You're refusing me?” he asks, amazed and I cringe, praying that I'm dreaming and that this has nothing to do with me.

“Elena, come here,” Scarface growls at me and his order is like a lifeline. I don’t even stand up; I just throw myself toward the seat next to him. All images disappear, and now he is my man.

“I’ll take your offer!” I hear one of the girls calling.

“Shut up.” Ralph says angrily and sits down. He looks at me curiously from across the table, as if I am the biggest mystery of his life. The music is playing again in the background and my body is all sore from stress. I look at the pile of money again and feel nauseous. I can’t believe that I considered for a second how I could use it.

“You’re such an idiot,” Liam thumps his fist on the table.

“She’s an idiot.” Ralph takes the money back. “Who says no to such an offer? I could get anyone else for just one of these bills.”

“No…” Liam hisses and makes a fist again. “You’re an idiot because you don’t realize what kind of trouble you got her into.”

“Me?” I ask in a panic and my brain kicks in again.

“Don’t you understand that they think they lost out on this deal because of her?” he stretches his fingers and clenches them again. “Have you forgotten what they did to the Russian’s woman?” he shakes his head in fury.

“How could I forget?” Ralph replies and bows his head.

“So what do you think they’ll do to Elena?” Liam yells and I can feel myself cringe with anxiety. “Now I need to figure out how to fix this.” He stands up and I stand behind him.

“I think I should go home now,” I murmur.

“Come with me.” The angelic side is back, and he puts his arm around me. As soon as he does, the pressure that has been building up inside me disappears and I can breathe again. I realize that I need to escape this world right now.

We leave the bar together and when he climbs on the motorcycle, I notice a parked taxi. I run over to it, get into the back seat and yell out to the driver to get going. He does immediately, and as we exit the street I start breathing heavily. I’ll go to my apartment, take a shower, go to sleep and tomorrow I’ll find a new job. I’ll find two, I’ll find ten. As long as I don’t have to go back to that damn place again. What the hell did they do to the Russian’s woman? I can’t think rationally, there’s nothing rational about this place anyway.

The driver stops opposite my building and I walk towards the entrance quickly. The black motorcycle overtakes me and blocks my way.

“Stop it!” I cry in despair. “I want this terrible night to end, and I want to end it alone!”

“Get on right now!” he shouts back without removing his helmet.

“No.” I fold my arms across my chest, I am shaking with anger. “I’m through with you! I’m through with everyone!” I try to sidestep the motorcycle and he blocks me again. “Liam,” I am about to explode, “please let me go up to my apartment.”

He turns off the motor and speaks quietly. “Elena, look to your left.” I turn my head slowly. “You see the blue Volvo parked by the sidewalk?”

“Yes.” I reply angrily.

“Good. These aren’t your new neighbors. So get your butt down on the bike before I drag you by the hair.”

His tone frightens me. I glance at the blue car again. I can’t make out who is inside, and I don’t intend to get any closer to find out. I exhale in frustration, gather up my long dress and sit behind him. As soon as my arms are around him, he turns on the ignition and the motorcycle moves forward. I glance behind me and see the blue car following us.

The motorcycle gains speed and I hold on tight. He turns right and then left, drives through a red traffic light and turns left again. When I peek once again, I see that the car is still following us. We are in a street full of houses. I’ve never been here before. The farther he drives, the bigger the distance between the houses, each on a larger property. The motorcycle screeches to a halt in front of a brick wall with a white garage door to its right. He makes a V gesture with his hand and a guy standing on the wall holding a gun gives him a thumbs-up. The garage door opens, the motorcycle enters a dark room and the door closes behind us.

Scarface removes his helmet, gets off the motorcycle and grabs his file. He doesn’t say a word and I follow him towards a black door. He keys in a code into a small keypad set in the wall and the door opens. We walk in and I find myself inside a massive living room.

“Where are we?” I ask, looking around. In front of me there are large French windows looking out on a big yard, on my left is a modest white kitchen with an elegant island in the center. Across from me, I see a living room furnished in black leather sofas and dark wooden furniture and on my left is a staircase leading to an upper level.

“My house,” he answers and places his file on the kitchen island.

He picks up a remote control from the living room table, presses it and turns on the large television screen. I stare at the six squares showing different views of the house and its surroundings. The street is displayed in the upper right corner. I see the blue Volvo and a shudder goes through me.

“I don’t understand what I’m doing here…” I stutter and sit down on the bar stool at the kitchen island. “I've nothing to do with you, why are they following me?”

“Because you couldn’t keep your big mouth shut tonight.” He rubs his chin and looks at the screens. “You've made yourself way more connected to us now than you'd like.”

“It’s just a misunderstanding,” I insist. “I’ll go out there and explain that I just gave Ralph some innocent advice and that I’m leaving my job at the bar.”

He snorts in contempt and turns his head towards me. “As smart as you may be in your world, that’s how dumb you are in mine.” He approaches me. “If you go out there now, you’ll disappear in their car and no one will ever find you again.”

I look at him, shocked and take out my cellphone. “Then I’m calling the police.”

“Put your phone down.” he orders angrily.

“No!” I shout. “There are laws in this country. I refuse to be afraid of some Italian gangsters.” I tap the emergency number and he pulls the phone away from me and throws it down on the floor. The screen is shattered.

“Stop behaving like a silly little girl,” he said furiously, his anger flaring up. “You don’t understand how things work around here.”

“Then explain it to me.” I burst into tears, letting out all the frustration, stress and anxiety of the last few hours.

He comes next to me, and caresses my cheek gently. Beyond my tears, I see his worried expression.

“Don’t cry,” he says softly with his angelic face. “As long as you’re with me, you’re safe.” I sniff my nose and he turns back to the television screen. He picks up the phone attached to the wall. “Keep an eye out tonight,” he orders the person on the other end, waits for a reply and put back the phone. Now he is dialing on his cellphone. “Tommy, did Ralph update you?” There's silence, and then he speaks again, “Okay, add some security at the club.” Silence again and then he glances at me. “Yeah, she’s with me. We’ll sit down tomorrow and try to figure out how to fix this.” He ends the call and sits down on the long, black leather sofa.

“Will they leave in the morning?” I ask as I dry my tears, forcing myself to think clearly.

“It’s a bit more complicated than that,” he sighs and kicks off his shoes.

“What did I get myself into?” I ask wearily.

He leans back in his seat and stretches out his legs. “What did I get myself into?” he looks at me with a small smile.

“I can't stop my head from thinking,” I hit myself on the forehead again and again. “I’ve got to get rid of all these terrible movies playing inside my head.”

He stands up, turns off the television screen, and returns to the sofa. “Let’s talk about something else,” he suggests gently, and his smile grows. I can’t comprehend how his mood can change so quickly all the time.

“I don’t feel like it,” I grumble. “I’m too tense.”

“Tell me how your date went with the crazy German,” he asks and puts his arms behind his head. “I know you did it to annoy me.” He doesn’t sound angry, just contemplative.

“He really is crazy. First of all, he came to pick me up at midnight. Who goes out so late?” He doesn’t respond and I stand up and start pacing in front of him. “And then, of all places he took me to a strip club.” I shake my head angrily. “And not only did I have to watch all those things bouncing around,” I wave my hands in the air, “he ended our date by punching that Giovanni in the face.”

“Let’s talk about that club a little.” He narrows his eyes at me and bites his bottom lip.

“Horrible!” I declare and continue my pacing. “Those girls dance around among all those perverted men, and then they sit on them and—”

“Show me how,” he requests hoarsely, staring at me intently.

“No,” I say awkwardly. “I can’t move like that. Besides…” I stop and hug myself, “it’s so sleazy.”

“Nothing about you could ever be sleazy,” he stretches out his legs and leans back comfortably. “We’re alone here.” He presses the remote control and soft music starts playing on the stereo. “Now come over here and show me.”

I look at him quietly. My head is spinning, but now he’s here in front of me and I remember the sensuous way the girls undressed and the effect it had on the men. A chill travels down my spine and my body heats up. Suddenly I can suppress my anger at him for trying to interfere in my life so crudely, and I yearn to feel his animalistic lust. The awkwardness I felt before, vanished.

“They weren’t dressed like me,” I smile naughtily. I turn my back on him, unzip my dress very slowly as I feel his cat eyes drilling into my bones. I take off my dress and turn around to face him. “Something like this,” I say as my hands skim over my black bra and panties, he takes a deep breath. “That’s it,” I giggle and bend down to pick up my dress.

He jumps off the sofa, pushes the table aside and drags me with him. He sits back down as I stand in front of him. “You’re not done,” he looks like he is on fire. “Show me how they danced.”

“I don’t remember,” I lie. Suddenly I feel embarrassed again.

“You? You remember everything!” He lays his head back against the back of the sofa and I close my eyes trying to get myself in the mood. I imagine that we’re in the club. We’re the only ones there. He’s sitting in an armchair and I’m standing in front of him. The sensual music does its magic and I turn my head slowly and smile.

“You have three minutes.” I raise three fingers and giggle. He bites his bottom lip and stares at me intently. I sit on his lap with my legs spread and I start moving my hips in circles, making a brief contact and then raising my hips. He puts his hands on either side of his body and doesn’t touch me. The feel of his rough jeans rubbing against me draws me into an erotic turbulence. I lower my hips again, this time harder, he lets out a short moan and places his hands on my ass, caressing it softly. His cock grows hard through the thick denim and I continue moving slowly and sensually, placing my hands behind my back on his thighs. I throw my head back and stretch my upper body. His hold on my ass tightens and he pulls me toward him each time my hips move upward. His hands move up to my waist and then all the way to the sides of my breasts. He caresses me through my bra, and I lean into him, our chests press together as I whisper in his ear, “You deserve another peek.” I undo my bra, throw it on the floor and sit up straight. My breasts are right in front of his eyes and as I rub against him again, he grabs them and presses his head between them. His nose skims against my skin and this time I moan. “You only have one minute left,” I whisper, and he catches my nipple in his teeth and nips it gently. I moan again and his lips clamp shut around it as he suckles hard. I can feel him harden between my legs and I start to pant. “Half a minute,” I mutter and stand up, unwillingly disconnecting myself from his burning body. I sit back down on his lap with my back to him, stretch my body forward and lean my hands on the sides of the table, raising and lowering my hips slowly onto his erection. He pulls himself forward and every time I lower my ass, he presses it to his groin.

“What have I gotten myself into…” he pants, as a finger slips inside my panties. I’m so wet that it slides inside me easily. I pull his hand away and stand up, flushed. “No hands inside the panties.” I wave my finger at him. "Anyway, your three minutes are up.” I re-pin my hair around my braid and look at him.

“Come back here,” he breathes in frustration, and I take a step back.

“You can order a private room, if you'd like,” I fake indifference, fighting my need to throw myself at him.

“Then I will.” He stands up and pulls me to him, lays me down on the sofa and lies down on top of me. “How much time do I have?” he asks with a sneaky smile, and I wrinkle my forehead and think.

“Mmmm, I don’t know. I forgot to ask.”

“Good,” he buries his head in my chest. “Then let’s agree that I won’t stop until you come.” He starts sucking my nipple hard, twisting above me as he removes his clothes. Suddenly he pushes himself up and looks at me in anguish. “I don’t have any condoms here.”

“I have one in my bag,” I say excitedly and the look on his face grows cold. He stands up, goes over to my bag and returns with the condom on. I stretch my hands out to the sides and wait impatiently to feel him again, but he takes me by the hips and turns me over on my stomach. He sits on his knees behind me and raises my hips towards his.

“You felt that you needed to take a condom on your date with Ralph?” he asks angrily and enters me aggressively.

“No,” I mutter as my head slams into the sofa.

“You thought you might get lucky and he’d fuck you tonight?” his hands close around my neck and he penetrates me wildly again.

“No,” I cough. “I took it because I hoped that I’d end up with you.” I cough again. He loosens his grip and his thrusting grows slower.

“Sorry…” he murmurs, kissing my spine.

“You can’t do that.” I say angrily. “You can’t treat me like—”

“Elena, I apologize,” he cuts me off. “I’m not used to feeling possessive like this.” He kisses my neck and I exhale noisily, trying to catch my breath. His thrusting picks up again and his hand wanders down to stroke my clit. I moan louder and with his next thrust, my body starts to shudder and chills explode between my legs. He draws out, raises my hips and licks me where I am most sensitive and hot.

“Not now,” I cringe, still overcome by the intensity of my orgasm. He licks me again and slips a finger inside me. My body is still rejecting him, and I prop myself on my elbows trying to move away. “Just a minute,” I plead but he doesn’t stop. His finger is turning around inside me and then he takes it out and replaces it with his tongue. Like magic, my body reawakens and demands more. I moan and he turns me on my back and drives inside me. He sits up on his knees and puts my leg up on the back of the sofa, driving deeper inside me and then moving back and forth rhythmically.

“How much time do I have left?” he asks with a smile and I moan with pleasure. He raises my other leg on his shoulder and leans forward.

“Liam, I’m not that flexible!” I gasp, but he’s grasping my thighs and entering me forcefully. His thrusts are fast and then slow again. He releases my leg and caresses my chest. His lower belly is rubbing against my clit and I roll my eyes as the divine feeling returns. “You’re nearly out of time,” I manage to whisper, and start moaning out loud. His scars deepen as his face twists and his entire body starts to shudder. My body responds and I'm breathing heavily as the intense orgasm explodes inside me. I feel him shuddering all over as he lets out one last moan and collapses on top of me.

“I wonder if they enjoy it,” I muse wearily as I play with his ruffled hair.

“No,” he says and raises his head to give me a long kiss on the lips.

“But they look like they do.” He pulls out and puts his head on my chest and I stroke his hair again.

“The white stuff has its advantages.” He strokes my stomach and then stands up, throws the condom in the trash and puts his underwear on.

He grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator, takes a swig, puts it on the table and sits down in the armchair. His athletic body gleams with sweat.

“Why do you deal in it?” I ask cautiously as I put my bra and panties back on. I’m so hot, there’s no chance I’m putting the dress on as well.

“Because there are enough idiots who buy it,” he answers simply.

“But you know that it’s virtually impossible to escape that trap.” I insist, and sip some water. “They need the drug to get through the night and they get through the night so that they can afford the drug.”

“That’s really not my problem,” he says coldly. “If I don’t make money off people’s stupidity, someone else will.”

“Aren’t you afraid you’ll get caught?” I cross my legs on the sofa. “Aren’t you afraid of spending your life in jail?”

“No,” his tone is still cold. “I know both worlds well enough and I know how to play the game wisely. Anyway, I have friends who look out for me.”

“You’ve chosen such a dangerous profession,” I say sadly. “Is there any chance you’d ever give it up?”

“No. Is there any chance you’d ever give up your dangerous profession?” Suddenly he seems amused.

“What’s dangerous about my profession?” I ask, confused.

“Who exactly is responsible for all the nuclear bombs threatening world peace?” he laughs. “With your brain, there’s a good chance you could be personally responsible for some interesting developments in that field someday.” He’s still laughing as he sees that I can’t come back with a suitable answer. “And it’s because I believe in your abilities that I think you should stay away from that profession.”

I throw a cushion at him and laugh with him. I really want to continue asking questions, but he turns on the television and I see that the Volvo is still parked in the street. My mood dampens again and my body cringes.

“Don’t think about them now,” he says with a smile that doesn’t hide his concern. “Go to sleep. I’ll find a solution.”

Sleep sounds like a wonderful way to turn off my body now, especially my brain which is sending warning signals again. “Go upstairs to the bedroom,” he says and walks to the kitchen to pour himself a drink.

“Liam,” I say curiously. He looks up at me, as I go up the stairs. “How come you don’t have any condoms in your house?”

“I don’t bring girls to my house,” he replies and takes a sip from his drink. He sits down on the sofa and picks up his file.

“Then why did you bring me here?”

“You’re something else,” he answers without looking at me and my heart expands. “Besides, you didn’t leave me any choice,” he adds, and my heart shrinks back again.