Mafia's Coded Heart

id's

usual tonight. The neon lights, the laughter, clinking of glass and the stench of smoke in the air combin

flirtatious smile to the men I passed. Although I was trying to keep a low

men's eyes on me in order to serve them well and I didn't mind it at all. This pla

le and all, but for me, it was perfect. No one ever looked twice at the ho

e through the earbuds in our ears and I hummed be

but one of them stood out today as the air around him did too. The entire atmosphere shifted as people subtly tur

I would have recognized the power

San

ers warn their daughters about, the kind that if you crossed his path, it spelt instant death. And he was here, at Nexu

something of high value and I hated the way my curiosity was drawing me

was when I noticed he sat at the table. Do I seriously ha

king on its prey. My pulse quickened but I kept my expression neutral, forcing a smile as I approached the table he w

voice light and smooth. "Ca

y body, assessing me like I was some merchandise he was considering buying. I

asked, his voice low and smooth

fraction a second, befo

. "Astrid. A pretty name for a pretty face." He leaned back in his seat, hi

n neutral. "I think you've got the wrong person

g one. "You see, I've been looking for someone with a particular set of skills and that led me to Ash Veg

ve been able to keep a low profile all this while but they could still find me if

words but the glint of the predator in his eyes remaine

d for someone who was on top of the food chain as him to come down here looking for m

going to work for me." He finally said aft

t instant, his smile vanished, replaced with a cold d

ve a choice,

urned to leave, but one of his men stood in my way, his expression blank but threate

self." He said softly. "You are comin

s trying my best to keep calm. "

ee reason but I guess I was wrong." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small vial. I've s

t was too late. His hand clamped down on my arm as he pressed the vial against

om spinning as the liquid started to tak