Page 18 of The Taker

Me: I’m riding with them for at least their first day. I’ll try my hardest to be on time.

I may have given into this whole arrangement, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to be a pushover for him.

Mafia Monster: That’s fine, but if you’re late, you pay the consequences.

My mouth waters at the thought of what he considers consequences.

Oh, like when he shot that guy and left him to bleed out in an alley?

I’m not sure what’s more pathetic—the fact that my inner thoughts sound like a conscience I love to ignore, my equal parts anticipation and shame over hisconsequences, or my forgetting about how he murdered someone.

“Oh you’re a sick little fuck, aren’t you?”

The memory of the amusement in his deep voice sends shivers through my spine.

“Who is it?” Lucy asks.

“My new boss, Rocco. That’s enough cookies. Bedtime, Lulu.”

“What exactly is your new job?”

I hate lying to my sister, but I will never admit the sordid, embarrassing truth. Sometimes, being an adult is grinning and bearing the worst so the people you love can thrive. And I’ll endure anything to make sure they have the best of everything.

“I’m his personal chef and assistant. Now off to brush our teeth and hit the hay. You have a big day tomorrow.”

On our way back to her room, I knock on Julia’s door again. “Turn it off. Time for everyone to go to bed for school tomorrow. First warning.”

“Leave me alone!” she screams before turning off her torture music.

As I tuck Lulu under her brand new, hole and fray-free lilac duvet, she smiles at me.

“Thank you for taking this new job, Leo. I know you lovedSquisito, but this new room is so cool.”

“You’re welcome. Love you.”

I note all the flowers, unicorns, and girly shit right before I turn off her light, only imagining how Rocco knew she loved all of these things. It reminds me of the two reasons I did this in the first place.

To give them better, and to keep them safe.

He may have provided all of this, but he did it at a price. A man Like Rocco Vettore has no qualms hurting people who don’t step in line. And as fast as he can give us this new, beautiful reality, he can take it away.

I sprint backinto the building, three minutes after I was supposed to meet Rocco. Traffic was complete shit, and I swear his driver purposely took the long way from the girls’ school to make me late. I sigh in relief as the doors to his private elevator close behind me. Fishing the passcard out of my wallet, I type in the keycode for the penthouse apartment and sigh when it starts to ascend.

Surely he won’t notice that I’m a few minutes late? I’m sure even mafiosos get stuck in New York City gridlocks from time to time.

That’s fine, but if you’re late, you pay the consequences.

Rocco’s text flashes through my mind, and I already know he won’t let this go. The way his eyes lit up as he bit me—the grin that spread across his face while he was choking me—are proof that there’s something malicious lurking inside him. Something he barely keeps restrained.

A dark, evil thing that will consume me whole if I don’t tread lightly around it.

Why does that evilness make my heart palpitate?

The elevator dings, the doors revealing a familiar apartment. The elegant cream, gold, and blue hues stand out in the natural light from the entire wall lined with floor to ceiling windows. I walk toward it, marveling at the city skyline and the cars and people below. The last time I was here, I didn’t notice the beautiful view.

Hmmm, maybe because the shades were pulled down…or you were too busy choking on his dick…or you were mentally spiraling over him murdering someone for touching you.

The thought blares through my mind before the sound of someone clearing their throat startles me.

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