Chapter - 3

"Go on, boy, touch her arms," the gangly man with a cigarette dangling between his lips urged his equally gangly nephew, his beady eyes taking in Sofia's dancing form with an almost predatory gaze.

"I-I can?" The twenty something boy whispered, his eyes wide behind his rimmed spectacles.

"Of course, go on," the man urged him again, pushing his greasy hair away from his forehead with the hand that wasn't holding the cigarette.

As the boy touched her arms, Sofia wished the private dance she was giving would be over already. But the song she was supposed to dance for had just started. She still had to endure three minutes of the boy's uncle leering at her, practically eye fucking her right there on the floor.

She hated men like that, cheap assholes that they were. Suddenly, said asshole grabbed her boobs which were covered in a heavily padded bright red bustier.

She stopped dancing instantly, pulling back and slapping the man's hand away. "We follow a strict no touching policy while giving private dances," Sofia said firmly.

She did not tolerate things like that. She was a stripper, not a hooker.

"Oh, come on, what's a little bit of fondling, huh? Not like you don't enjoy it," the man said, making a grab for her boobs again.

Sofia stepped back again, out of his reach, her nostrils flaring. "I do not. This is not some cheap joint where you can get away with things like that. Nor am I some cheap whore who would allow things like this."

"You're whatever I want you to be. I fucking paid you, you bitch," the man snarled at her, standing up, his voice barely audible over the pulsing music around them even though he was nearly shouting now.

"You gave me ten dollars for a private dance on a song," Sofia bit out through gritted teeth. "It definitely did not include any touching on your part as far as the rules go."

"Fuck the rules. I'll do what I-" he suddenly cut himself off, his eyes widening to the size of saucers as he looked at something behind Sofia.

Just as suddenly, Sofia felt herself being pulled into a hard body, a familiar arm coming around her waist to hold her close.

Vincenzo. She would recognise that scent anywhere.

"Out. Now," Vincenzo ordered, his voice loud but eerily calm, easily carrying over the loud music. It was both scary and sexy as hell.

Judging by the way the man's face turned the colour of milk, Sofia had a feeling he knew who Vincenzo was. The two nodded vigorously before scurrying off.

Sofia smiled, turning around in Vincenzo's arms. "I would've handled it just fine, Mr Moretti. This is not the first time something like this has happened and it definitely won't be the last," she said, leaning close to him to be heard over the music.

Vincenzo pulled back, frowning down at her. As the strobe lights shone over his tanned skin and chiselled features, Sofia marvelled at how handsome the man looked even when he was clearly angry if the way he was clenching his jaw was anything to go by.

"It is the last, Sofia," Vincenzo said firmly before turning around and leading Sofia upstairs with him to one of the champagne rooms.

Wait, had he just called her Sofia?

How did he know her real name?

Looked like someone had done their fair share of research, Sofia mused to herself. She had prepared for it, of course. She'd made sure to keep a squeaky clean record, forging any and every document necessary to avoid any suspicions. She had been meticulous in her work. But she was still nervous. You never knew with the mafia.

Once inside, Vincenzo took a seat, this time allowing Sofia to take a seat in one of the leather couches next to him instead of on his lap like the previous two times.

"Did you do a background check on me or something?" Sofia asked as soon as they were seated, cutting straight to the chase.

"You are not going to dance for anyone but me from now on. You got that?" He said instead, his tone brooking no arguments.

Sofia raised a brow. "And how am I supposed to make money while you're gone, Mr Moretti? You've come here today after almost two weeks."

Vincenzo leaned back in his seat, his chocolate brown eyes never leaving hers. "I want you to come work for me as a translator. I have a few Irish men I have some business with. I want you to be present while I talk to them and you will tell me if what they're talking about amongst themselves is the same as what they're telling me."

"And what if I don't want to?"

"Did I say that you have a choice in the matter?" Vincenzo said, his voice dangerously low, the kind that left you feeling cold all over.

Sofia gulped. "And how do you know that I was actually telling the truth about knowing those languages? What if I lied about it?"

"I've done my research. I am no fool, Sofia."

No, he wasn't.

And she would do well to remember that.

Sofia nodded. "Right. And how would you know if I'm telling the truth or not? What if I give you wrong translations? You would be none the wiser."

"You wouldn't do that unless you have a death wish," Vincenzo answered, the threat clear in his voice. "Do you, gattina?"

Sofia quickly shook her head. "I don't."

Vincenzo nodded. "Let's get going then," he stood up, ready to leave.

Sofia got up too. "We're going right now?" She squeaked out.

"We are. You will be staying with me from now on."

"What? Why?" Sofia asked, her eyes wide. Sure, she had wanted to get into his house, be more involved in his life. But she hadn't expected it to happen so soon. And his sudden demands were making her head spin. She needed a few minutes to absorb all this.

"Because I said so. Come. Now," Vincenzo ordered, before continuing to walk at a brisk pace ahead of her.

Sofia scurried after him, almost jogging to catch up to him.

"But.... but what about my things? My clothes?" She sputtered, clearly baffled as they made their way out the lounge and down the stairs.

"Already taken care of."

"And what about my job? I need to inform the manager first."

"Consider it done, gattina," Vincenzo said, placing his hand at the small of her back as they entered the packed floor. The people around parted like the sea had for Moses, clearing a path for him. And the best part was, he didn't even have to say anything to get them to do it. She was sure most of them didn't even know who he was but his aura was that of a lion, coiled to attack, and no one wanted to be obstructing the path of such a man. It was as hot as it was intimidating.

Sofia let out a breath as they made their way outside, away from the pulsing bass and the sticky heat inside. A moment passed before she felt the full effect of Boston's cold weather, realising she'd forgotten to take her coat and her skimpy bustier was no match for the freezing temperature in the middle of the night.

Suddenly, she felt a coat being placed around her from behind, Vincenzo's scent enveloping her, drowning her.

"The car will be here soon, gattina," he whispered into her ear just as his arms came around her from behind, pulling her into his hard chest.

She nodded silently, looking down at his arms covered in only a crisp white shirt. That was when she realised that he had removed his own coat and placed it around her. Her heart melted a little at his thoughtfulness.

Instinctively, her hands went to wrap them around his. "You gave me your coat, Mr Moretti. You must be freezing."

She heard the smile in his voice when he replied, "Do not worry, gattina, I have you to keep me warm."

She shook her head despite herself with a smile. Who would've thought that the seemingly cold Don Vincenzo had a flirty, almost playful side to him as well? She obviously wasn't going to complain.

Soon enough, a black limousine rolled to a stop in front of them, the driver stepping out and opening the door for them.

Vincenzo nodded at the man. "Get in, Sofia," he murmured softly into her ear when she didn't move instantly.

Sofia did as asked, Vincenzo following close behind. The car started moving as soon as they were inside, however, the heavily tinted windows and the even darker night did not allow much view of where they were going.

Vincenzo held her hand in his, entangling their fingers together. She looked up at him. "I want you trained in self defence. We shall start your training tomorrow. Learn as much as you can before my meeting two weeks later."

Sofia raised a brow. "Why do I need training in that? Will I be in any danger?"

Vincenzo looked deep into her eyes. "Not as long as you stay by my side. But the men I work with, they're.... dangerous, so to speak. I am not taking any chances. I want you to be able to defend yourself should the need ever arise."

Sofia nodded slowly, soaking his words in. She wasn't dumb. She knew what she was getting herself into was dangerous. "I already have some training in self defence. With the kind of job I have, it's almost a prerequisite," she told him.

"I know you do. Which is why it should be easy for you to catch up in fourteen days. I'll put my best man to it."

Sofia smiled to herself before leaning back in her seat. He had definitely done his research well.

"And I shall give it my best."

Vincenzo nodded. "It is what I demand of all my employees. I will pay you well, of course."

"I wouldn't expect anything less of you, Mr Moretti," she told him with a wink, making him chuckle.

"Of course, gattina," Vincenzo said, smirking at her, just as the car came to a final stop.

"Let's get you into your new home," Vincenzo muttered before opening the door and pulling her along with him.

More like the dragon's den, Sofia thought to herself wryly, wishing the dragon wouldn't burn her to ashes.