Chapter 3 The Night She Met The Mafia Heir
Jonathan was at home when he received a message from Dave.
Dave — “My friend, want to go out tonight? I’ll pick you up at nine, there’s a new bar downtown.”
Jonathan — “Cool, I’ll be waiting!”
Jonathan and Dave spent a lot of time training together, and Nathan often used those moments to poison his mind against Elizabeth. But when Jonathan was younger, he never paid attention to Nathan’s comments. He had never seen or heard from anyone else that she wasn’t a decent person.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth arrived at 230Fifth, excited to be there with Ralph. The place was on top of a building, offering a full view of the city. Colorful lights surrounded some of the tables, giving people a sense of privacy.
“Elizabeth, what do you think of the place?”
“There are a lot of people here, huh?”
“You’re just not used to it…”
Ralph picked up a drink and placed it in front of her. Elizabeth first smelled the glass and made a face. Ralph couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s for drinking, not smelling,” he said, still laughing.
“Oh, sorry! It’s just a habit—I remember things by their smell. Sometimes it’s awful.”
“Okay, so what do you drink?”
“I’ve never had any strong drinks.”
“Really? When was the last time you went out?”
“This is my first time,” she said, a little embarrassed.
He laughed again, remembering when his friend Dave had told him to seduce and take some girl to bed. Dave said she was experienced and liked to go out—but he never mentioned she was his own sister, or that she had never been out before. Ralph found her innocence charming. He thought Elizabeth was beautiful, the kind of girl who could win anyone over. He felt that Dave’s request had been unnecessary, because that desire was already growing inside him.
Ralph ordered another drink and distracted Elizabeth with a live music show happening in one corner of the bar. She was really starting to enjoy herself. It felt good to see people dancing, to talk to someone other than her brother—Adam was the only one who ever paid attention to her.
“Elizabeth, I ordered something else for you. It’s very light—almost like juice, actually.”
Elizabeth smelled the glass and caught the scent of freshly cut fruit. She smiled and took a sip.
“Elizabeth, are you dating anyone?”
“No, but my father told me I have a fiancé, just waiting until I’m old enough to marry.”
Ralph froze. Why would Dave ask him to seduce his own engaged sister? Elizabeth seemed so sweet, so innocent. He started realizing he might be part of something wrong.
“Wait, how old are you?” he asked.
“I’m seventeen.”
Ralph cursed Dave silently. He had just taken a seventeen-year-old, engaged girl to a bar.
“Elizabeth, it’s late. Let’s get out of here.”
“Can I at least finish my drink?”
“No… I’m being nice here—it’s better if you don’t.”
Ralph wanted to get her home before the sleeping pill took effect. He had given her only a small dose, and Elizabeth hadn’t even finished her drink. He thought she would just feel more relaxed—more open to spending the night with him.
“All right. Let’s go,” she said after taking another sip.
Ralph started down with her in the elevator, and Elizabeth suddenly felt dizzy. Her legs wobbled, and Ralph caught her before she fell.
“Easy, Elizabeth. I’ll take you home.”
They were standing very close when the elevator doors opened on the ground floor—where two men were waiting to go up.
“Calling it a night already, Elizabeth?” Jonathan said, feeling his blood boil.
Now, Elizabeth would meet the man she had been promised to marry.