Cara's pov
My waiting job was harder than I anticipated. I was constantly on the move, making repeated journeys from the bar to the customers, the average in a day being about fifty times or so.
Rico's, the bar I worked in, was the busiest in the area. And that was solely because of the other services that were provided. A service I had explicitly informed my boss I had no interest in giving during my very brief interview. Rico, my boss, had tried to sell the financial perks of the job to me but I was adamant. I may love to f u c k but it wasn't something I'll do for money. I was too proud for that.
I made my thirtieth trip to customers since my shift began five hours ago, smiling politely as I offloaded the uncapped Heineken bottles from the stainless steel tray in my hands onto the old wooden table. One of the men at the table flashed a creepy smile but I ignored it. I always did when one of the customers dared to move funny to me.
Stupid drunk creeps.
"You look pissed." Diana, the bartender and the only other female staff who didn't work extra hours in the back area of the bar, asked when I returned to the counter.
I like Diana, she was funny and wholesome and had helped a lot when I just started the job. She was the most friendly person I've ever met and that says a lot considering the fact that I wasn't anything but aloof the first time we met.
It was an attitude I learned to put on over the years. Time and time of getting hurt and disappointed by people has taught me that. It was my very own defense mechanism but Diana had that easy aura about her and I couldn't help but unclench.
I drew a harsh breath as I rested my body weight on the countertop. "Just men being men."
Diana nodded in understanding. She too had been subjected to unwanted advances like me and every other woman that worked here basically. I snorted under my breath, the bar had women that would let you hit for a fee yet it didn't stop the customers from bothering us.
"So have you heard?" Diana piped out, deftly cleaning the beer mug in her hands.
I propped my elbow on the cold marble surface of the countertop. My interest piqued. "Heard what?"
She carefully dropped the mug and picked another. "Rico's selling the bar."
I blinked at her, the news taking me by surprise. My boss loved this bar more than he loved his own family. He was so weirdly passionate about it that you'll find him grabbing a mop and bucket as soon as he spots just a little smear on the floors. It seemed so out of character that he'd want to sell it now, after running it for almost twenty years like he claimed to have.
"Why?" I found myself asking.
Diana's shoulders lifted in a shrug. "I don't know, he hasn't even mentioned it to any of the staff. I just overheard if from one of the whores. The deal is supposed to be sealed by next week."
"Wow," I murmured, having nothing else to say. I wondered who our new boss would be and hoped to God that he was as nice as Rico.
A slurred voice called out for me and I got up with a sigh. Diana regarded me with a sympathetic look then flashed me a reassuring smile which I returned before making my way to the already drunk customer, the smile morphing into a robotic one.
I couldn't wait for my shift to be over.
****
A sleek black car was parked in front of my apartment building. Panic spread across my body when I guessed who it belonged to. I wasn't ready to face Luca Salvatore again, I wasn't mentally or physically prepared to see him even though it had been weeks since I last saw him at the party. Weeks, since I felt his presence and his burning touch.
The back door of the car swung open as I drew closer to it. Sucking in air, I braced myself.
"Cara?"
My eyes widened in surprise as my stepsister stepped out from the car, an hesitant and equally desperate look in her eyes.
"Gina," I cleared my throat. "What are you doing here?" My eyes darted to the too many bodyguards around her, their forms unflinching.
Her eyes dropped to her shuffling Miu Miu clad feet and she worried at her lips. She definitely didn't fit in a place like this. Her green sundress and designer accessories were a sharp contrast to the dilapidation of the place.
I had no idea why she would be here and I couldn't think of any reason. We weren't close in the least and last I checked she seemed to hate me.
"Are you just getting off work?" She met my gaze and asked instead.
I frowned, not seeing the need to answer.
A sigh left her lips. "I'm sorry. I just-" her eyes shut and I knew she was having a hard time containing her emotions. It was a feeling I recognized too well. A bit of the wariness I felt loosened out of my body.
I watched her as she gathered her breath as if about to say something she didn't want to. "I didn't know who else to turn to." The admittance left her chest in a hard breath.
"Let's go upstairs," I said quietly, motioning to the dark stairway on the side of the building.
She was hesitant for some seconds but I heard her soft steps following behind me. I stared meaningfully at her when we got to my door and she instructed her human boulders to remain in the hallway. They didn't look too happy about it but they relented.
Gina stepped into my space and began looking around. I wondered if she thought it to be shabby and beneath her. It was after all.
However, she surprised me with her next words, "your space is cool."
I snorted aloud, not believing her even a second.
Indignation flashed in her eyes. Eyes I realized were similar to her brother's. "I meant that," she said.
Deciding to take her word for it, I jumped straight to the point. "Why the hell are you here?" I regretted it as soon as the words left my mouth, her expression was back to being worried and anxious.
"Sorry that came out wrong." I gestured to my only sofa. "Please sit."
I grabbed my study chair from the corner of the living space and positioned it across her. I sat down and crossed my knees.
Gina perched on the worn leather, her entire frame tense. She remained mute, suddenly interested in her fingers in her laps.
It suddenly occurred to me how serious whatever bothered her was. I mean, it had to be really serious for her to come to me of all people.
"Gina," I prompted and she pushed out a tensed breath.
"I'm not ready. I don't think I can do it."
"Do what?"
Her eyes welled up, "marriage."
Sympathy bubbled in my chest. "Oh, Gina."
She barked out a laugh. "I know I've been nothing but a b1tch to you but I didn't know who else to talk to. My brother might not understand nor will my father or your mother who is excited at the thought of planning her first wedding."
Very typical of Mrs Torello.
Gina continued, the tears in her eyes now falling down in streaks. "My friends aren't really my friends and all of them are too marriage-hungry to understand how I feel about this. I don't even know him. Why would anyone expect me to go along with it?"
I wasn't an expert on matters concerning the affairs of women in the mafia world but I knew ninety percent of their marriages were never out of love. Just business and alliance. But I didn't say this to her. I didn't know what to say to her at all but I had a good understanding on not wanting to be forced into marriage.
I regarded her, angry on her behalf. She was just nineteen for f u c k sake. I cursed Luca in my head, upsetting women just seemed to be a talent of his.
"Do you really have to?" I asked while being fully aware that she did. It was how it was in her world.
Gina swatted her tears. "Luca said I didn't, he said I was allowed to refuse but I know it would be selfish of me to."
Well I guessed I had blamed him too early.
"He's doing this for my sake, the bratva have declared war on us and Luca is having a hard time ensuring everyone and the businesses are safe. Getting married to another powerful man that would protect me with his life would help lessen the burden but I can't-" she broke off, her expression pinched.
"I can't imagine being bound to someone I don't love." She chuckled. "Selfish I know."
I didn't find it selfish, it was her life we were talking about. She'll have to bind herself to a stranger just because grown men can't get along with each other.
I mused about what she had said, a war was going on. I might not be the mafia specialist but I knew the bratva was just as powerful as the Costra Nostra. It was suddenly obvious why Luca hadn't come by in weeks. He was busy trying to protect everything and everyone. Some of the animosity I felt towards him dissipated.
"I don't think it's selfish." I told her.
Her eyes flitted over my face as if she didn't believe me but a spark appeared in them once they recognized my sincerity.
"I might not know much about the whole war thing but he gave you a choice."
Her shoulders slumped, she still believed it would be selfish of her to refuse. This confidante business was really not my forte. I was barely winging my own affairs.
I tried to go about it another way, "why don't we do this." I got up and sat beside her on the sofa. "You go on dates with the guy, whoever he is. Get to know him. You never can tell, you might like him."
Gina considered my suggestion, her expression hopeful for a second before fading back to worry. "But the war-"
"Forget the war," I cut in. "We are talking about your happiness."
She regarded me for a moment and it pleased me immensely to see light returning to her eyes.
"Okay," she nodded, a smile spreading on her lips. "Okay."
I returned a smile of my own. I should add confidante to my resume.
She laughed softly, regarding me with a new light. "I'm really sorry for how I treated you at my father's wedding. I was just overwhelmed by the thought of having a new mother."
I considered squeezing her hand but I didn't want to be too forward. "I understand."
"Thank you."
We remained silent after that, the both of us not knowing what else to say. When the awkwardness became unbearable Gina laughed, then laughed louder the sound genuine and honest. I couldn't help myself by laughing too. And we laughed away the silliness of the situation.
"How do you feel about shopping with me next week?" She piped up.
I considered the offer for a second and nodded, deciding it couldn't hurt.
We exchanged contacts and before she left, she expressed her gratitude once more and promised to update me on the marriage issue.
I was back to being alone, my mood lighter and brighter. I felt bad for judging her wrongly especially being a lifelong victim of judgment myself.
I pranced to my bedroom, happy that I now had one Salvatore I genuinely liked.