Page 22 of The Sicuro

“Anders.” I acknowledge his words. “Thanks for the food.” He walks out, I pour us some coffee and make my way upstairs with it.

She’s sat up in bed, sheets tucked over her tits and under her arms. I hold the bags up, “Breakfast”.

“Sounds good.”

I place a coffee beside her before climbing back into bed, passing her the bags, for her to choose what she wants.

As she bites into her bagel I sit with my coffee, waiting for her to ask any questions that she may have. She doesn’t, so by the time she hasfinished eating and brings her cup to her lips I speak.

“So, you have questions?”

She nods, and I can see that she is thinking about how to word what she wants to know.

“Why would people want to hurt you?”

She’s straight to the point, which I admire about her. I explain about my grandfather developing the ‘assistant start-up’ business for people who couldn’t get loans from banks and how they would repay as ‘legally’ as possible. That I have now taken over the business since he died., Keeping that fact he’s not dead to myself. She doesn’t need to be put in any more danger.

“That doesn’t explain why someone wants to hurt you.”

“Some time ago a member approached one of the girls, requesting that she work for him in his business. He didn’t go through the appropriate channels, and even became forceful. As you know all staff are protected so he was ‘dealt with’ accordingly.”

“Mr O’Connell,” she responds, her expression flat.

“Yes. After my grandfather passed, O’Connell’s son decided that he wanted to retaliate, which resulted in additional disruption.”

“Does this have anything to do with what happened in the bar the evening of your grandfather’s funeral?” I can tell by her expression that she is starting to put things together.

“No, that was another situation. But nothing more will come from that, as that was taken care of that evening.”

She stays silent, as do I waiting for further questions.

“Do you hurt people?” Her voice is even and calm.

“It’s not routine for me to be involved in the ‘dirtier’ side of the business but I am not averse to it.”

She’s looking straight ahead as if making eye contact with me will force her to stop talking.

“Have you killed people?” her voice flat and monotone. I lean forward, gently hold her chin and pull her gaze to mine.

“Yes.” I reply, keeping my eyes locked on hers, waiting to see a change in her eyes but there isn’t.

“I won’t let you get hurt.” My attempt to reassure her seems futile.

“I know.”

I don’t know if she believes me or not. This has been a lot to take in. We fall silent whilst we finish our coffee, after some time, she looks at me, a soft smile on her lips.

“I need to go into the office, come with me?” It sounds like I am asking her, but there is no way this girl is being let out of my sight, not yet.

“Asking or telling?” She grins, making my shoulders relax. “I need to go home first, to get a change of clothes and whatnot.”

“Anders can take you, then bring you in. I’d like you to stay with me for a few days, get what you need to cover that. Sarah is on shift I’msure you have some catching up to do with her!”

I watched her on the cameras, when she walked in you could see Sarah grin and laugh at her, she’s now leaning on the bar chatting and she seems relaxed. I offered Sarah to move on to bar work, she’s trustworthy and able to pick things up quickly, meaning I can have Kelcie taken off shift when I need to. I walk down to get her, as I open the door, Sarah clears her throat, standing straight.

“Can I get you anything, Sir?”

“I’m good thank you.” I gesture towards Kelcie to follow me. She finishes her glass of water and does.

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