He narrows his eyes at me. “I’m going to act like you didn’t just sass me for the time being, because there are more important things to worry about. But you do it again, and The Drake will be the least of your worries.”
I fold my arms over my chest, taking a step back even as I say, “That threat doesn’t work when I don’t even know who The Drake is or why everyone is so fazed by it.” Up until this point, the hit on my head seemed to be nothing but a nuisance. At least that’s the impression I was given.
Giovanni’s eyes blaze and he takes a step in my direction.
“Everyone’s fazed because other than me, The Drake is the best hitman this side of the US,” Lucia says, stepping into the office. I hadn’t even heard the door opening.
“Lucia’s biased,” Vito says as he steps into the room next. “She’s not better than The Drake, they’re equal. The only thing with The Drake is, he isn’t in our pocket, Lucia is.”
Lucia scoffs, aiming a glare at Vito. If looks could kill, Vito would be six feet deep. “Every word that just came out of your mouth was bullshit.”
”I’m going to cut this argument off now and not give you the satisfaction,” Vito says, turning away from Lucia who looks primed to fight. “What are we doing?” he asks Giovanni.
“Oh, looks like I arrived just in time for the fun,” Maximo’s voice sends a shiver down my spine and I turn reflexively, looking at him as he saunters into the room.
His gaze flints over me and a crooked grin crosses his lips.
My heart drops and my skin grows hot.
“Winter, out,” Giovanni barks sharply. “You know the way to your room.”
And just like that, I’m dismissed.
***
A couple of months ago, I would have cared that my fate was completely out of my hands, that I have no say in what’s going to happen to me, that everyone else has decided that I’m going to be a sitting duck until they say otherwise. I swallow, shaking my head lightly as I pick up my tray from the bar.
After I was dismissed from the meeting in Giovanni’s office, I’d gone straight to my room. I’d waited for a while, thinking someone would eventually come up. Maybe Vito to tell me not to worry or Maximo to do just the opposite, giving me his evil grins and harsh words.
But no one had come.
I’d fallen asleep waiting and I couldn’t determine how I felt about that, other than resigned.
My shoulders slump slightly after I place my drinks on the table, and I quickly remind myself that I’m at work. It doesn’t matter that it isn’t a real job, I can at least use it as a distraction for the time being.
And really, you’re going to end up dead before you leave here, does it matter whose hands it’s by? Maximo, the cartel, Giovanni?
Vito?
I let out an umph as I bump into a body and my hands reach out, as I runs through me. I try to scamper back, but hands lock around my wrist and as my heart races in panic, I look up to find Amarie watching me.
I relax.
Her eyes narrow and she tilts her head. “What the hell is wrong with you?” she asks.
I tuck my lips together, looking around. Amarie is the closest thing I have to a friend, and she has yet to betray my confidence to the Costas, and I don’t think that’s going to change any time soon, considering the fact that she’s not afraid of them.
When she’d first claimed not to be afraid of them, I thought it couldn’t be true, but now I have no doubt.
"There’s some shit going on,” I tell her, glancing around and looking for Enzo.
“Some shit?” She repeats slowly, her words a combination of amusement and confusion.
I nod my head sharply. “Yeah,” I rub at the back of my neck. “I-”
Just as I go to tell her about this drake person who supposedly is going to kill me very soon, the sound of glass breaking rings out in the club.
I jump, turning, but my heart slows when I realize one of the clients has just dropped their glass. “Could someone get over here and clean this shit up?” he shouts as if he isn’t the one who made the mess.