Page 4 of Unbroken (Russo Mafia)

We end up pulling in front of a club of some sort. I’ve never been considering we are underage.

“Um, Lucca. We can’t go in there.” I stare wide eyed through the windshield.

He chuckles. “Sure, we can. I know a guy. Come on, I have some explaining to do.”

Hesitantly, I get out of the car. I’ve never been to a place like this, considering last week was my very first house party. This all seems too much out of my comfort zone. I take a deep swallow and follow him. He easily approaches the door like he owns the joint. Lucca fist bumps the bouncer as he opens the door. The club is quiet as I step inside. I guess I was expecting something different. The club is adorned in red velvet. The shocking part is the stripper pole on the stage. I halt my steps.

“Did you seriously bring me to a strip club, Lucca?” I hiss at him.

He tugs my hand, making me stumble into his side. “It’s not what you think. We’re closed for the night. Family emergency and all. Don’t worry I wouldn’t allow you inside if it was opened.”

I can’t help but think about everything I know about him and not once has this come up amongst the talk around school. Who the fuck is Lucca Russo?

We walk down a hallway coming to a door that’s labelled office. He knocks before he enters. The room is packed with bodies. What the hell did I get myself into? I thought I was going on a date. I grip Lucca’s arm. He must notice my discomfort because he wraps his arm around my waist.

“It’s okay,Tesoro.These men work for me.”

Work for him. I’m so confused.

“What’s the outcome, Paul?” Lucca asked someone in the room.

“It’s not good boss. Three casualties. Five injured. They are currently getting checked over by the doc.” I’m guessing the man that answered is Paul.

Should I even be listening to this conversation. Once I hear things, I can’t un-hear them. I’ll know more than I would ever want to.

“How did this happen? It was supposed to be a simple job. Get in, get out. So, explain this to me.”

Everyone in the room is silent. They look between Lucca and me.

“Don’t look at her. She can’t help you.Cazzo dimmi adesso!” he yells.

I wish I spoke Italian. The deadly stare on his face speaks otherwise. Maybe I’m fine never knowing what he says. I try to move out of his grip it only makes him tighten it. He swung his head in a no. My heart stuttered.Shit.

“We all know what happens when I lose my patience, no?” His nostrils flare in anger.

Paul stumbles forwards. A shorter man with a round belly. He looks to be in his early forties with greying hair around the hairline. His eyes are doubled in size, a sheen of sweat is noticeable on his forehead.

“I think… we have a rat.” His body trembles when he spoke.

I can feel the anger vibrate through Lucca. I do the only thing I can think of and place my hand on his back making gentle strokes up and down. His body relaxes some. There is no way that an eighteen-year-old oversees whatever this is.Right?

“A fucking rat.” He rubs his temples. “I don’t have time for this tonight. I’ll see everyone tomorrow at the house.”

He directs me towards the door.

“Sorry you had to see that. It wasn’t what I had planned for the night. I also didn’t want you to be tangled in my shit. There’s only a select few that know about what I do,” he tells me, on our way out of the club.

“You know, I could’ve waited in the car.”

He lets out a huff. “Like hell I was leaving you by yourself, Charlie. Come on, we can still do something tonight.”

When he said we would do something, I wasn’t expecting to get ice cream dressed up like we were going to a fancy restaurant. Then again, I didn’t have anything else to compare this date to. It was all new to me and weird as fuck. I still never asked him what he was mixed up in. The less I knew the better I feel. Pulling into my driveway, I’m already nervous. I’m not an idiot. All dates end the same. A kiss. Will he figure out that I haven’t been kissed before? Yes, I’m eighteen and still a virgin. No guy has ever made me want to jump in the sack.

“I had a great time tonight, thank you,” I tell him.

He chuckles. “Even the beginning, when you figured shit out that you probably never wanted to?” He reaches over and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

My cheeks flame. My gaze falls on his lips when his tongue comes out and licks them. I’m a goner. I tear my eyes away from his lips only to be met with fire written in his eyes. My breath hitches when he inches closer.

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