GRAYBOUND: A Morally Gray Mafia Love Story

Celine

The day was finally here.

I grinned to myself as I wiped the top of the brass counter with a napkin, singing and moving my body to Gasolina by Daddy Yankee, playing loudly from the speakers in the dimly lit La Rosa bar. The dance floor was packed with young, vibrant people, creating just the right atmosphere for a late night out in Naples.

“Celine,” Alessia, one of the waitstaff called out, drawing my attention from the music to her. She stopped a few feet away from me, holding up a tray housing an array of cocktails. “Dino needs an extra hand at the VIP lounge. Grab a bottle of Nero di Luna on your way. Second door.” She left in a hurry without waiting for me to respond.

I grabbed the requested wine from the shelf, our bestseller from the Gray red wine collection for years on end, along with two glasses, placing them on a tray. I headed towards the narrow staircase and walked past the bouncer standing guard, up to the VIP area, stopping by the second door. I grabbed the handle and pushed it open, the sound of merry laughter from the four men seated on the long velvet chair, greeting me. There were a couple of half-naked ladies dousing them in expensive liquor as they gave them sensual lap dances.

Before I could even take a step in, a familiar face among the four struck me like a fatal blow, freezing me in place. Cold shivers ran through my spine, my eyes bulging with sheer horror as they remained glued to the man from that night in August I swore I'd never relive. That singular act that changed my life forever. The one I prayed I'd never have to be reminded of, yet here was a ghost from my past, reopening scars I thought I'd healed from.

My pulse quickened, my chest rising and falling rapidly. Hot tears filled my eyes, blurring my vision slowly as memories flooded back in bits and pieces, vivid like it was only yesterday. The smell of alcohol and cigarettes. Four guys in their mid 20s seated in the same room, on the same velvet chairs as now. The shrill sound of their delighted cackles while 18 year old me swayed my hips in tears. My screams of agony and pain as I curled up helplessly on the floor while firm legs violently kicked me repeatedly on the stomach and face. My hands covered in blood with a lifeless body laying next to me on the cold floor.

“Celine,” A sharp gasp escaped my lips as I felt a hand on my shoulder, jolting me back to the present. I turned swiftly and it was Dino, staring at me with a confused scowl. “Why are you standing out here?”

I blinked back my tears, forcing out a stiff smile in response. As Dino disappeared into another room I took slow steps into the VIP room, the stench of cigarettes filling my lungs. When I got to their table I subtly tugged at the mini skirt and tank top imposed on us by the management, deliberately avoiding where that man from my past was seated, before leaning over just enough to place the tray on the table.

As I began to offload the wine and glasses, a strong hand shot out to where my hand rested. I flinched back in reflex, my body reacting before my mind could process that he was just grabbing the cigarette pack. He flashed me a puzzled glance, but shrugged it off, returning his attention to the thirsty women caressing him.