Maid for the Mafia by Jaylee

The Club

**ROMANY**

The red and pink lights of the club pulsed vibrantly from every surface of the nightclub. Flashing and dancing in time with the base of the hard hitting rock ballad remix that blasted through the giant speakers. I was seated in the very back. In the lonesome of a forgotten table watching the sea of sweating ravers as they gyrated across the floor.

My mind was a mess. Had been since that afternoon when my entire fucked up life took a detour out of hell and straight into oblivion. Now I was sitting there, waiting for my cousin Ruby. Hoping that somehow she might be able to shed a little sunshine on the black pit of my existence.

Taking a deep breath, I reached for my Long Island Iced Tea and lifted the straw to my lips, the quick pants of my breath steaming the chilled glass as I drew in a mouthful of barely flavored alcohol. "Shit," I choked out. The bartender at this place obviously knows the value of a drunken dollar. He didn't skip on the sauce at all.

Lifting my eyes toward the dance floor again, I scanned the throng of half naked patrons for my cousin. She said eight o'clock. It's nine. Where in the fuck is she? Pulling out my phone, I text her again.

Me-

Ruby??? Where the hell are you? You said you had my back, but you're nowhere to be found. If you're not here in five minutes, I'm going to leave.

I stared at my phone, already collecting my purse in sad resignation that yet again, someone in my life had let me down, when my phone pinged with a response. Ruby-

Chill out Ro. I'm upstairs in VIP talking to the boss about you. Just give me a sec.

Me-

Talking to your boss about me????? Whyyyyy?!?!?! I already told you I DON'T WANT TO WORK HERE!

Ruby-

panties on - or take them off - I don't care, but just chill for a few

me as I tossed out my straw

over my chest, I glared into the distance. My mind circled over the events of that afternoon and the bastard that destroyed my life. Matthew Jenson, my ex-boyfriend, ex-roommate, ex-English professor. The sorry son-of-a- bitch that should be here instead of me. He should be the one sitting here trying to drown in cheap ten dollar drinks. Not me! He's the one who insisted that he was in love with me and we should have an affair,

me expelled and the worst part about it is, I went along with

he couldn't support me without his job and that he wanted to marry me. Dumb bitch that I am, I believed him. I went along. Signed my fucking life away in

so much as a second thought. I hope the next girl he preys on has more sense than I did. I wish I knew who she was going to be so that I could warn her. So

out on the streets like a goddamn beggar. Which brings me to my cousin, who promised to help me out.

My phone pings.

Ruby-

stairs up to VIP. Tell the giant bear man on the balcony that you're with me and

DeMarco? Are you serious???

Ruby-

Just come on! Hurry!

boss. Known all over the city for his shady business dealings. There are even rumors of him having ties to the mafia and although my cousin has never confirmed the rumors, I know *her* so I know they must be true. She's been working for him for ten years, from the time she was fifteen until now. But if you asked me how she makes her money, I couldn't tell you. I have absolutely no idea what great skill has kept her employed by DeMarco all

I don't think she

am, but I feel like I'm centuries behind her. I can still remember the day she told my uncle to fuck off and skipped town to live her own life. She bounced out that day, found a way to make money, and raised herself all on her own. Ruby's a survivor and as smart as a whip. She is independent and intimidating. Sometimes I wonder how we can even be related, because where she stood

the six-foot wide staircase and up toward the glowing red sign that read VIPs Only. My ears were hammered from all the music and my head was starting to ache. The flashing of the lights on the dance floor seemed to burn into my eyes, warping my senses and affecting my balance as I stumbled toward the beefy bouncer

dark chuckle. His fat hand shot out to steady me as I tripped

at him, with a minute shake of my head. This must be the bear Ruby was talking about. His wide forehead and mean features contrasted his friendly smile with just enough flare to make him look like exactly that, a bear. "No," I answered. "I'm Ruby's cousin.

in a half smile. "Aha. Miss Romany," he crooned. His black eyes studied me, his eyebrows furrowed as he took in my height and disheveled

he was referring to Ruby's bright red hair. She's been dying it