ELIJAH (Book one of the Mafia romance)

1

"Momma, What's wrong? Why did those men have to kill Papa, Lucien and the others?" wetness stained my cheeks watching my little feet run along with my mom, most of my weight been pulled by her as we ran through the hidden walls in our home leading to my room.

"There's no time for that my little one. Know that they are bad people out there who will kill us for any price that's why you have to go." she unlocks the door poking her head into my room quietly pulling me in. I was so confused watching her open another wall getting my backpack out. My parents always plan ahead in case of unfortunate events like this. It was our emergency get away bag, new passports and euros filled to the brim so we won't be tracked by our cards.

I began to cry knowing what is about to happen next and so did she. "Momma I can't leave you. I won't survive out there alone."

"You are a Vatore and Vatore's always survive." she says boldly even with the tears falling down her eyes. We heard voices snapping our head to the door. She smiles warmly kissing my forehead.

"Quick, you have to go." pulling me back to the hidden hallway. I stop abruptly watching her.

"To where momma?" crouching low her warm soft hand tuck fallen tendrils behind my ear. I didn't want to go, I don't know anywhere. All my life, I've never left the comfort of my home and now I'm supposed to run away. More tears spilled from my eyes. This was meant to be the best birthday ever but those men had to ruin my life. Taking everything from me.

"Anywhere my baby. Never stop running till you find the men who ruined our family. Brutally killing the ones, you love. You have to avenge us." I nod sniffing and crying.

"I will momma. I will." I promise her just as they broke the door. She pushed me locking me out of sight.

"Go! Go!"

"Momma! No! Come back momma!" Shouts and screams came from momma and I knew she struggled with the men taking her captive. I stood there crying clutching my bag.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Silence. Tears spilled uncontrollably from my eyes as my hand clasp my mouth shutting the heart wrenching scream that almost escaped which would alert them of where I am. Foot steps is heard as I sobbed running from the door.

"Find her! Find her!!!"

I jolted awake sweating profusely fear coursing through my skin. My eyes scanned the surroundings of my very new apartment. Breathing heavily, I held my heaving chest trying to calm myself and accept it was just a bad dream. A bad dream which have been following me for the past eight years since I ran away from Italy. To the wall, my eyes traced every faces I pin on a board with locations of each victim I've hunted down and killed leading to the death of the Vatore empire. My family.

Pulling the covers off me, my fuzzy covered feet lands on the floor. You must be missing out if you have never slept wearing a fuzzy sock in your life. Its another whole definition of epicity. That's my own word for epic if you get confused. Connecting my phone to the wireless beats by Dre speaker, my favorite track sit still, look pretty a Barden Bella cover blasts off the small but mighty device. The sun shining like no tomorrow, cars hooting and driving through, music at a distance, people talking and laughing. I dance around my apartment cleaning and rearranging the place to my taste. Singing and screaming along with the lyrics of the song as I fix the common room, bedroom and kitchen into a pretty decent condo. What a great day to start a new life in another state. Did I tell you how much I love this country even if this is my second state here after living in about seven different countries with different identities. Trust me, my life is a bliss.

I've been a stripper, an escort, a nanny, a tech engineer to a secret service agency, the list goes on with the fun identities I have for each country and let's not go to the names. Now in Florida, Miami I got a job as a waitress in a prestigious hotel near Miami beach. I get to wear a white bikini bra and little matching short skirt prancing around with orders of customers by the pool area. Well my last job was at a local diner in New York, a bustling city that have more humans than housing. Let's just say, I dealt oh so well with the pervy manager who sat in for the owner of the place who I might add is so hot even in his forties. I would definitely fuck him for free if not that he was rarely ever around and he has such intimidating aura around him. Plus, he is Russian. That's a red flag I won't take a blind eye at. Ladies heed my words, never, ever, dismiss the red flag no matter how much your lady bits' throb for it. To me, Five words.

Never mess with the Russians.

After placing each set of cutleries like my momma use to do, I pick up the bread and jam since I'm out of my Nutella and simmering cheese fried omelet. Buttering the jam on the bread, carefully I place the omelet on it before sealing it with another jammed bread. I smile appreciating my handwork. Food is what I call BAE. Before Anyone Else. I'm Italian and I love food. Go hug a transformer if you want to give me attitude.

Moaning at the first bite, I twirl dancing out of the kitchen with my yummy goodness locked in the grasp of my fingers. Back to my story, I won't say life have truly been unfair to me. Taking my family away from me, killing the people who brought me pains and misery, jumping from one country to another in fear of been caught by the last surviving member and ruining my last chance at revenge. Nope. Life is good.

The only question I ponder is who is the leader to all the dead souls I killed. He was sleek, leaving no traces of him with his counterparts and the foolish souls never ever saw his face. Like ever. Making my job harder than it is. But I'll catch him, it's just a matter of time and that time I won't misuse. So here it is, my story of my very own shitty life. Looking out my huge window at the beach far off, I reminisce the moment back in Italy. A crazy smile crept on my face. I'm no longer that little over price girl, pampered and showered with love from her family. I'm a grown woman with ample fitting chest, wide hips just like my momma, slim waist and toned legs that could go forever. A force to be reckon with now, and Miami is my new home. A home close to killing the bastard who took that little girl away from me.

Once upon a time, I was once a princess. Now I'm just a girl on a mission.

Loud techno music blasts off the speaker, everyone on the dance floor dancing and jumping with their partner. I smile at my partner and friend Julio, a sweet Mexican goodness with long brown hair plaited into a cornrow by your very own mua. We are coworkers at the hotel and lately we have gotten closer to be noticed by everyone at work. He works at the bar while I work at serving. He's a sweet, cute hunk and looking like a boyfriend material so why not give it a try. I decided to go for it because I do like him, together we make such a perfect team.

Most sorted after guy by coworkers even our guests and I, the new waitress. I'm so tired of running and escaping good relationships in the past because of my own past and likely present. I have a good feeling I'll be here in Miami longer than the last places I've been at and having a healthy relationship is just what I need to keep me from my fears. Hopefully, I may tell him about my real identity and not what everyone thinks they know.

"Hey! You thirsty?" He shout loud enough for me to hear amidst the noise of the speakers.

I nod smiling. "Yeah. Let's go to the bar." He grins a roguish smile taking my hand pulling me in between bodies till we got to the bar. I don't drink, never had all my life. I watch as Niki the guy at the bar slide a coke to me, giving him a sweet smile he returns it with a wink. Perks of being friends with the bartender. I sat on an empty stool watching the clubbers dance with the groove. Picking the straw, I held it as I sip my iced coke loving the chill that went down my throat. My eyes dart to Julio talking with Niki, paying them no mind I look away to the VIP area and then at a certain door at the far end corner.

The few times I've been to this club, I noticed something weird due to my observations. That door never opens from the outside, only from inside after you have been scanned by the hidden camera. I heard from Cameron, a friend at work that this is no ordinary club. Silly me just had poke further and know what is truly behind those doors. Why quit when you haven't tried, right?

I dropped my almost empty glass forgetting Julio for a second stalking towards the VIP lounge. Those doors wouldn't open for me so I have to get one of those fat belly Shrek lookalike to help out. Just as I got there, a bouncer tried stopping me.

"I'm with him." quickly the lie fell out of my lips. Pointing to a man having girls flocking around him. He gruffs still blocking my pass. "If you don't let me pass this minute, guess where you next pay check will come from?" I smile daring him to stop me. He huffs again looking at the man then at me, seconds passed before he let me through. "Wise choice." I taunt walking past him and straight for my target.

Not to seem needy or desperate, I went to the bar asking for a drink purposely meeting the Shrek lookalike eyes. I know men like him, a whiff of young goodness have them thinking with their below the belt faculty. And I thank my outfit for that. Smiling seductively, I look back to the bartender mixing my drink, slyly raising my leg over the other showing off my thick thighs playing oblivious waiting for him to pick the bait. They always do.

"Don't you think that drink is strong for you?" told you they always pick the bait. I turn smiling softly sizing him up. If he doesn't fit the profile, I'll just have to get a lie out. But he did and I know men like him will be regulars behind those doors.

"Oh! You think it's for me?" looking at the brown liquid. "No, no! It's actually for you." sliding it to him. His eyes couldn't bulge more than it just did. I smile playing innocent and sweet. "I hope you like it."

"Hmmmm, a girl with good taste and bold heart." he says taking the drink in one gulp winching after that.

"Me? Nahhh. I have a very fragile heart." I flip my hair aside resting on the comfy high chair.

"Such a charmer." he says blinking his eyes. I smile watching as the drink take effect on him. If only he knew I asked for mixtures of the strongest drinks, he wouldn't accept a drink from a stranger.

"I know what I want and always go for the kill." looking him dead in the eyes, his eyes follows my hand caressing my thighs before dropping on my chest. I grin.

"So what do you want?" playing dumb I reply.

"I thought I could have some fun here but I'll just go home. Very boring night for me." I stood up about to leave.

"No!" His voice raise. I chuckle turning to him, he seem to realise how crazy he sounds, now talking on an easy tone. "No. I can show you fun." this is just too easy.

Tipping the guy at the bar, I smile watching him. Beefy hand came to my exposed lower back ushering me out of the lounge and to where I wanted. I grin slapping his hand away.

"I can walk myself." I whisper seductively to his ear and I swear I heard a groan. It was just a means to seduce him, letting him watch my backside sway in temptation, seducing him with the little to nothing I wore for Julio. Julio! Fuck! I'll get back to him as soon as I get behind those doors. The camera panned at us, hiding behind his face, it chimes open revealing a dim lit elevator. Okay. This is getting creepy.

Once locked in and moving inside the little box, the SOB came at me. Ugh. I forgot to take care of him. My hand reach for his neck pressing hard on his major point, his eyes dilate in surprise before closing, passed out on the floor.

"Sorry, you were just means to an end." I pull him over to the corner with much difficulty.

Righting myself, the elevator opens causing me to smile. Finally, I get to reveal the secret behind night fantasy. The smile on my face turns upside down at what I see in front of me. I couldn't be that blind in the dimly lit floor. I know what I'm seeing.

A sex club.

My feet stood in shock watching girls dancing on poles scantily dressed, some fucking, having threesomes, it was out of the book for me.

It smells like pure unadulterated sex here.

My mind screams at me to turn the fuck around and run out of here. But my body betrayed me by moving further into the scene. Hearing moans, grunts and screams from the masked participants. Is this a dream or what? Because I'm definitely watching live porn in front of my eyes.

Compared to what the girls I see dancing or having sex, I'm dressed like a saint here and I hope no one notices the odd looking girl in a silver sequence poor excuse of a decent gown.

"Excuse me, Miss?" Too soon to speak.

"Uhm...hiiiii." I say nervously looking at the huge brute, tattoos scattered all over him.

"Can I see your ID?" I blink not knowing how to fix the lie. It's just so obvious I'm the odd one out amongst naked masked men and women. Fuck! Is that a sixty-nine going on there? That is so hot.

"How did you get in here?" the voice of the brute snaps me out of the lustful cloud hovering around me.

"From outside." I squeak out watching another couple fucking hard, moaning and grunting. Is this heaven or hell?

"You need to come with me." I didn't register the sentence quick enough till I felt myself been pulled to another part of the floor.

"Let go off me! Unhand me you brute. I'll sue you if I see any bruise on my arm. Let go off me. I demand to see the manager! I demand to see the manger!" I tried wiggling off him but his grip was strong and firm. "Let go off my arm." he dragged me till we got to a door and entered while I kept struggling and kicking.

"Boss." I turn at the sound of the word and my! oh my! I felt my panties melt away. Quite literally.

The big man behind the desk stands up buttons his jacket strides majestically till he got to my face. And there I see cold grey eyes and brown if not black hair demigod gazing down at me. He is surely the most handsome man I've ever come in contact with. How is he so perfectly sculpted? Hypnotize, I fail to realize the brute was gone and I'm here with the BOSS. Alone.

"You want to see the manager? Here I am." smooth velvety voice had me second guessing why I'm not with Julio this moment. Yep, I came and came again.

He towered over me and I tell you I wasn't a short girl. Five, nine is not a joke but I had to crank my neck up to see him fully. I've seen green, blue, hazel, amber, fiery red, grey even, his was exceptionally a beautiful silver grey. I could look all day in those eyes and get lost in them. Seconds passes with both of us looking and assessing each other, his eyes rake all over me, caressing my soft curves with his smoldering gaze. I could not move even if I wanted to, I let him watch me as I tried not to squirm hard under his gaze.

From the plunging v in front of my dress, my slender waist to my wide hips and long legs, he finally got his eyes back to my hazel eyes. I didn't miss the dark look he has. Deep down I prayed my body please him to his taste. Is that wrong?

Not saying another word, he turns walking to the wall end pressing the wall and it opens revealing expensive bottles of liquor behind it.

"I'm Elijah. Would you like a drink?" I didn't get to dismiss how my body reacted to his voice. It was like a default begging to please him. I frown hating the foreign feeling. Get yourself together Sonia. He's just a man.

"No, thank you." He nods pouring himself a drink. I decided to make myself comfortable since Mr. mysterious isn't going to be a gentle man enough to do so. My feet moved towards the ceiling to floor huge window, getting closer I see it looks down to the carnal sex playing in front of me. Bodies move amidst bodies; this was like a different world for them to express their sexual desires. My thighs rubs against each other at the heavy throbbing in my area. The office got to be sound proof because not a single sound is heard from down below, just the sensual music in the office plays. Even with that, the music mix so well with the people having wild sex down. My eyes scans partners landing on a threesome couple. I know she must be moaning loud as two dicks thrust in and out of her. It was hot and sinfully I wish I'm in her place.

"What is your name?"

"Nia. Nia Badmus." I gave my new name to him glancing away from the lustful sin below us. Not a nod, a smirk, poker face scrutinizes me. Walking towards the mahogany table to grab my purse which I left there absentminded going towards the window then and now deciding to bolt the hell out this hot man and his sex club. "Well, thanks for saving me back there. I had a feeling your bouncer was ready to eat me up back there." Nothing, just watching me emotionless. "I have to go."

"How did you get in here?" That stop me on my tracks. I smile.

"I got lost." Wanting to escape again his next word halts me.

"I keep thinking what a little girl like you will gain from poking her pretty little head in nothing of her concern. The government wouldn't be too daft to cross me. They know." He smirks devilishly going towards his table picking a little device. "But then I watch this video." Pressing it. "You can't be a spy, probably an over curious little girl."

Video of earlier when I entered the club with Julio covered the huge window. When we talked with our friends before we all went dancing. He zoomed to when I dance dirty on Julio who looks like he's having the best time of his life rocking behind me. I see eyes of some guys in the club watching me slyly as I danced with Julio. Watching me like they wanted a piece of what Julio is getting and they'll snatch me away from him if they can. I took my eyes away from the screen when I saw myself again with the Shrek lookalike at the door. Busted.

"Do you know what I do to girls like you?"

I gulp looking at the mysterious dark man. I was scared watching and waiting for the man to say or do something crazy, but I didn't let it show. Face poker, I gave nothing away watching him walk back to the couch sitting at the middle like a god asserting and commanding power. I've been around a lot of people and was trained by the best to be able to read people and understand body language. But this man was hollow, from the moment I stepped into the huge office I couldn't read him and he gave away no emotion. I got scared. Really scared. It was a rare thing for me.

"Will you dance for me princess?" As much as I want to believe it is a request and request do get denied. I could not deny him. It was a command posing for me to defy him and I'll get to see the devil behind those eyes.

Hearing the click clack of my heels tap the floor, I move back to the table dropping my clutch purse. I knew I was in deep shit and if I didn't do as he commands I'll be in a deeper shit.

He sat there waiting for me to dance for him. I was so freaking scared facing him slowly, my heart thumping like crazy in my chest. My tongue darts out to lick my sudden dry lips. The last time I was this scared was years ago when I watch the death of my family and that feeling crept back. Sounding bells went off in my head, he tilts his head looking daringly at me.

What have I gotten myself into?