Mafia's Little Pearl

Jade's POV:

I glanced around before crossing over to the other side of the road where the bar I was working at was. I knew he was looking for me, I just knew it. Only the thought of him disgusted me and I hoped silently that none of his men had found me yet. If there was anything I knew about my uncle, it was that he was never going to give up.. not until he found me.

The three weeks I had been away from the house was really healthy for me and as soon as I got the job I wanted, I was going to leave the country and never come back again.

I walked into the bar, the 'closed' sign still hanging by the window. Everyone looked busier than usual as they went about their activities.

I went to change into my work clothes and saw Betty inside.

"The red one is here!" Betty shouted making me giggle. "You came just in time."

" What's going on?" I asked inquisitive, dropping my bag on the bench and proceeding to remove my top.

"Well, they say the owner is in town and he's coming to the bar today." She replied tying the end pieces of her shirts together to form a crop top revealing her navel piercing.

"The owner? I don't think I've seen him before." I told her which she shrugged at.

"You've not worked here long enough. The man is scaryyy and handsome...but scary." She said stressing out the word 'scary' as she did her makeup.

I wore my red shirt and black skort uniform hastily and did my makeup before someone came in to tell us to hurry up.

"Nice boobs red one," Betty said out of nowhere throwing a gum into her mouth and smirking slying.

I rolled my eyes at her smiling at the compliment, "Shut up",

Soon enough we opened up and got busy with customers and I didn't forget to scan the area and be on an alert for when the 'scary owner' walked in.

I was standing at the counter waiting for the next set of drinks when I looked over to see Betty signaling me that she'd be going out through the back door for a smoke which I nodded to.

"Okayy!" I said grabbing the tray and turning to go head towards the table.

Suddenly the door flew open and men who were dressed in all black bounced in, each with a gun screaming at everyone to remain where they were.

What in the world was going on?

The tray I was carrying fell from my hand in shock as I looked around confused.

One of the men shot their gun in the air making everyone scream and soon enough, everyone was running recklessly out of the bar trying to save their own head or hiding in one place or the other.

I hide behind a table knowing fully well that if I joined in the commotion and stampede that was starting to occur, I might lose my life.

More shots in the air followed and I saw a man drop to the floor face down. The armed men spread out grabbing each hostess and checking their faces asking each other if they've 'found her'.

From where I was, I saw a man walk into the bar, dressed in a leather jacket and black jeans. He had his hands in his pockets and looked angry as hell.

"Where is she?" He asked looking around and I suspected he was with the other guys that came in earlier.

"We haven't found her yet boss," one of the men replied.

He slapped the man across the face. "cafone!" He spat out. "Find her now!"

The man apologised to him then walked away.

He looked towards my direction and locked eyes with me, then started to walk to the table I was at.

My heart started to pound faster and I was really saying my last prayers.

He stood in front of me and tilted his head to a side, his frown getting deeper. "Flores?" He asked.

I nodded slowly wondering if my uncle had finally caught me.

"Little bitch." He said as he grabbed my head pulling me up from my hiding place.

I winced at the pain as he pulled me with him while we went to another table which was closed to the door, then threw me onto one of the seats there.

The boss pulled out a gun and cocked it to my head.

I gasped silently, my hands shaking, knowing the last thing on my mind today wasn't even a gun to my head.

"Where's Tequila?" He asked staring into my eyes. I noticed the scar that ran down his forehead move with every muscle there.

"Who's Tequila?" I asked a bit more confused and at this point, I didn't know if I was to be grateful it wasn't my uncle even though I was at the verge of losing my life.

He pushed the gun into my temple and screamed angrily asking me where he was for a second time.

I shook my head unable to talk again.

The door flew open once again and another group of men trouped inside. They outnumbered the others and had their guns pointed out at the others. I was guessing they weren't on the same team.

One of the new guys who had his hair packed in a man bun and came forward pointing a gun at the guy who had his gun to my temple.

"oh Saint oh Saint. My amico! Look who we have here," The guy with the gun to my temple said letting out a dry laughter.

The guy called Saint frowned at him. "Shut the fuck up! I want the girl right now."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," The man replied rather sarcastically. His tone yielding amusement. "That'll be a no."

At this point, I couldn't even wrap my head around what was going on any longer. The two guys seemed like they knew each other but weren't friends at all.

I could see the other guy, Saint growing impatient.

"I asked first." Saint said finally before sending a signal to his men with a quick head tilt in our direction.

With that, a fight broke out between the two groups; Saint's men and the other men.

I saw Saint shoot a bullet to the man's hand making the gun that was pointed to my temple fall out his hand. I heard the man wince in pain as he staggered backwards.

I took a huge breathe watching everything unfold and started thinking of an opportunity to run away. I knew I had to leave here and I had to leave fast, I'd had enough for the night and I was very much overwhelmed.

I waited for some few seconds, seeing the scar guy hadn't gotten up from the ground and Saint was busy fighting off the guy that suddenly attacked him, I took the opportunity that had opened up before me and ran towards the door.

I had only taken a few steps forward before I felt someone hit my head from behind.

Next thing I knew, I saw black.

Saint's POV:

*The day before*

The airport was crowded, each person going about their daily activities while the only thing on my mind at the moment was finding where the fuck Tequila was and making sure I made him regret ever crossing me.

"Do you see them?" I asked one of my men who walked beside me.

"Yes boss, over there," he replied signalling to where CJ and the rest of the gang stood.

"Anything yet?" I asked CJ as we got into the car.

"Nothing. We're still trying to track him".

I puffed out some smoke before putting off the cigarette and throwing it out the window.

"Let's head to the red bar then."

We drove through the back of the bar into the garage leading to the bar basement, somewhere we used as our hideout most times.

Getting there, CJ gave me a briefing on the business and how Tequila had ruined things. The more I looked at my shattered hardwork, the more I promised myself I was going to kill him.

I gulped down the remaining alcohol and stood up ready to leave. "Let me know when you find something more about them."

"I hear his dad and his two cousins are his only family. His mother is nowhere to be seen." CJ said.

I gulped down the remaining alcohol and stood up ready to leave. "Let me know when you find something more about them."

We drove off and as we passed the bar, one of the hostesses caught my attention.

She had bumped into someone, breaking the glass cups and spilling the drink everywhere.

She was getting scolded and she looked downwards, saying something. I was guessing she was apologising.

Her bright red hair which was packed in a ponytail bounced with each movement of remorse she did. She turned to go over the counter and as I saw her face, I was mesmerised. She was fucking beautiful. And instantly, I wanted her.

"who's that?" I asked still looking keenly at her.

"Oh, she's a newbie. Started working barely a month ago. She's just a bit clumsy. Nothing to worry about," CJ replied. "Why?"

I shook my head at him. "Let's go," I said, glancing at her one more time.

~~~

*The present day*

After CJ had informed me about finding one of his cousins, we headed out to the bar again. It seemed luck was on my side because she worked at my bar.

I'll go check what is happening," CJ said then went to peek around.

A few seconds later, he came back to the car.

"Saint, It's Matrix. And he's got Tequila's cousin."

I puffed out some smoke angrily and threw the cigarette to the floor. "Why did he show up all of a sudden?"

"Surprises me too," CJ said reloading his gun.

"Do we take him down too? He's not got a lot of men in there."

I got out of the car signalling to the other car filled with my men to get out and head inside.

"Not today. Matrix is quite sneaky. The girl is the priority today."

As much as I hated Matrix and had a long history with him, I wasn't going to settle our differences this night. At least not yet.

"Keep the girl alive!" CJ called out to my men as we trooped into the bar.

I walked into an unexpected surprise of seeing the red-haired girl from yesterday sitting in front of my archenemy, Matrix looking like she was going to pass out any second while he held a gun to her temple.

I stalled for some time while I thought for the smartest move to make knowing if Matrix left with her that night, she'd be as good as dead. I cocked my gun at him and shot his hand making him stagger behind.

As my men fought his, I looked up to see the girl attempting to run away and before I could reach out to her, Matrix knocked her out. He shot a gun in my direction and then fled before I could reach him.

I signalled to CJ to get the girl and take her to the basement while the others finished the work there.

~~~

Jade's POV.

I opened my eyes slowly and looked around, an unfamiliar sight in the almost dark room was staring back at me. A faint headache floated at the back of my head making me moan in pain and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Where was I?

I sat up suddenly, my hair falling onto my chest and arms. I still had my uniform from the red bar and the last thing I remembered was trying to escape from death and getting knocked out.

The door opened and the light flicked on. I saw a guy with blonde hair whom I hadn't seen previously seen before walk in.

"She's awake boss!" He called out, walking out and in seconds a different guy walked in, anger visibly on his face. His man bun made me remember him and if I was correct, his name was Saint.

"Where's Tequila?!" He asked in a loud tone making me jerk up.

Why the fuck was everybody asking me about Tequila. Who the fuck was he?

"I don't know who that is," I replied quietly looking at him and watching as his frown deepened. I sank into the bed gripping the sheets as my hands started to be sweaty.

It was as if my answer infuriated him the more because the next thing I saw was a glass cup hitting the wall beside me and shattering all over the floor.

I felt a little piece slide softly across my cheek and a little pain followed.

I was still shaken from that before the next thing I knew, he had strided to where I was and had his hands on my neck choking me.

"How the fuck don't you know your fucking cousin?!" He said in a louder tone as I struggled to breathe, kicking the air and scratching his biceps.

My cousin? Was my cousin called Tequila?

"Ma..mar.." I started, attempting to speak.

"What the fuck are you trying to say?!" He shouted loosening his grip a bit.

"Marc... Marcel?" I asked finally getting the words out. He stopped, released his hands and stepped back folding his arms.

I coughed, finally breathing. "I don't know where he is. I haven't heard from him in three weeks."

Saint punched the wall and turned to glare at me. His brown eyes stared like he could see my soul.

"I'm not letting you go. You're mine now until I find Tequila. Or Marcel. Whatever you know him as."

"I didn't do anything wrong, I'm rea -" I started in an attempt to plead with him before he cut me off. I was still in hiding from my uncle and I honestly didn't want to get involved with this whole thing.

" You'll get everything you need," He said then called in the guy that was previously there.

"Rex will guard you and also drive you where ever you want to go."

"Can I at least still go to the bar? I need Betty by my side and my sister comes unannounced from time to time," I pleaded watching as he gave it a thought for some time.

He insisted I wouldn't which I continued pleading to.

"No," He said "And that's final."

Rex passed something to Saint who threw it at me. I looked down to see my phone, slightly cracked on the screen. It wasn't like that before.

"Someone has been blowing up your phone", He told me then turned to leave.

I turned it on to see Betty's missed calls and before I could even call back. She started calling again.

"Jesus christ Jade. Are you okay? Where are you?!" She screamed immediately I picked up making me relieved to hear her voice.

"I'm fine," I lied trying to hold back my tears.

I heard her sigh over the phone. "I'm so glad you are. On my way out I saw a man in his mid-forties with a bunch of dudes asking around for you. They told me y'all are related."

My heart skipped a beat.

Had my uncle finally found me?

My uncle might have found me.

This rang continuously in my head and traumatic events I didn't want to recall kept on replaying in my head alongside. "No," I muttered shaking my head. I needed to leave this place, I needed to move to somewhere else, I needed to escape and lastly, I needed a plan for it. I just had to come up with it quick enough, I had already promised myself I wasn't going to go back. Ever.

It was the early hours of the morning as we left the bar quietly and drove to Saint's house which was where I would be staying starting that moment. I pretty much learnt he was the owner which Betty talked about and I knew I had to put my guard up around him. I was even more shocked when Rex said, "How don't you know Saint Gennaro Guerra, the infamous man and you live here?"

And that was when it all clicked. I'd heard lots of stuff about him and let's say none of them were really on the positive scale.

His house was quite large and beautiful. I scanned the area as we walked in and one thing I noticed was his tight security.

How the hell was I going to escape?

I got a room on the second floor, with a change of clothes, pills to calm my headache and dinner even.

When I was done cleaning up and having my bath, I slept off since I was so tired.

I needed a plan, I needed one.

I didn't see Saint the next morning or afternoon when Rex came to drop off my food and by evening, I got a knock on the door from Rex telling me to get ready to head out.

I was confused but a bit happy since somehow I was leaving here and I might have an opportunity to escape.

We reached the bar and everywhere looked new and normal like something devasting hadn't occurred there the previous day.

The first thing I did was hug Betty tightly cause I was tired from everything that had happened so far. Rex sat in a corner and his eyes never left me.

Before I could even explain everything that had happened to Betty, she already had me dressed and serving customers.

I looked over each time to see Rex glaring at me and making sure I was still within eye view. I didn't mind to an extent and in a way, I felt free kind of. I wasn't in a stranger's house that I had just met and no one was pointing a gun to my head. My uncle and his men weren't in sight either and I was ready to run for my life anytime.

I finally filled Betty in on everything that had happened and she in turn told me how scared she was when she heard they took me and how she thought I was going to die.

"At least you're here, I almost called Suzy for real," Betty said before downing her remaining drink.

Yes! Suzy! I just remembered.

I took out my phone and called her and within three dials she picked up. Betty excused herself and left.

"Hello," She said from the other end, her tone as flat as it usually was whenever I called her.

"Suzy, I'm in a bad place right now, I need your help," I told her feeling the desperation in my voice.

She went silent for some time before sighing. "Jade, I won't come back to the house, I'm sorry but I can't,"

"Suzy I haven't even told -"

"I can't Jade, I don't want to be involved,"

"Marcel is missing," I said probably hoping it would change her mind.

"I don't want to get involved. Bye." And with that, she hung up.

I let out a sarcastic laugh before chunking down the alcohol in front of me.

Sisters would be there for you every time. What a funny statement.

I pretty much just kept on going, shots after shots, downing all the alcohol trying to forget everything. At some point, I thought I saw Saint at a distance but I waved it aside since I might have been starting to imagine things.

At this point, the bar was pretty much packed and I was extremely tipsy. I looked over once more but I couldn't see Rex. It seemed I was free or maybe they decided to let me be.

I walked towards the dressing room to rest for a bit and before I could open the door I felt someone come to stand closely behind me. I turned to see Saint, surprisingly. Turns out I wasn't imagining things.

He cocked a smirk at me and I looked into his eyes, getting lost in them, he didn't look like his normal self; a slightly neutral expression that looked like he was piercing your soul with his eyes. From what I saw, he looked tipsy too.

Apart from that, all I could see at the moment was his beautiful face and the closeness between us. I looked down on his lips and placed a finger on it while he grabbed my waist pulling me closer to himself. My head felt empty and all I could think about was kissing him, knowing what he tasted like, feeling him. He closed the gap between us, kissing me before I could even do so and I melted into it not thinking twice.

We made out for some time before we went into the dressing room, taking me with him and bolting the door behind us, all never taking his lips off me.

Next thing I knew our clothes were dropping drastically on the floor and I was admiring his hot body.

He ran his hand in my head pulling out the band which held it together.

"You should let your hair down more often," He said.

The last thing I remember was him taking out my panties and flinging them away before sliding a finger into me.