When he exited the elevator, he started his journey back to his car, passing the security guards, going down the escalator and walking out of the casino. He had walked into the casino earlier with a different feeling than he had when he walked out.
When the city noise greeted him, he turned his head to look at the diner next door. It took everything he had in him not to walk in there and take a seat at one of her tables, especially seeing how packed it was now with men. He took a deep breath in and smoothed his hair down before he walked back to his car.
He unlocked the doors and slid in, glad the windows were tinted. At night, it was impossible to see in.
He punched the steering wheel with his already-battered hand, drawing blood from his knuckles for the second time today.
You’re welcome, brother.
Nero wanted to fight his brother like they usually had when they didn’t agree. But this time, he couldn’t. It was job related and you didn’t just get in a fight with the underboss unless you’re prepared to get your hand chopped off. Not even if you’re brothers. The family was built upon one thing, respect.
He knew his brother wouldn’t touch Elle in that way, but he still didn’t like the words that spat from his mouth about her.
That’s not why I’m even fucking mad, is what he told himself. They don’t fucking think I can do it.
He hated the fact they were going behind his back. Once you give someone the job, then it was their job alone. There was no bullshit. This was Nero’s first job, and he didn’t want any help.
I can do this on my own.
Nero watched Elle through the diner windows. He saw her laughing while she filled up cups at a table full of men. He gripped the steering wheel, having had enough. He was going to walk in there.
He got out of his car and saw Elle go to the bar. She looked down and started smiling. He had stopped walking immediately. The smile stopped him in his tracks. The smile she had on her face was one he hadn’t seen before. He felt his phone vibrate.
Bite me, he read.
He pulled up the keyboard. I’d love to, when I take you home.
He stayed put, watching her just a little longer.
She went back to the bar and smiled that same smile that made his chest a little weaker. He wasn’t sure what it was.
His phone vibrated again.
I’m sure you would, wolf. I can make it home to grandma on my own.
Nero texted back, You watch way too many movies. What’s your favorite movie, anyway?
Nero smiled as he got back in the car. Elle’s smile had calmed him down. Now that he knew what her real smile looked like, the ones she was giving her customers couldn’t even compare.
I don’t have one. I like too many. You? he read when his phone vibrated again.
Nero and Elle texted each other throughout her shift, getting to know one another. Nero surprisingly enjoyed it; watching her smile behind the bar when she thought no one was looking at her, while secretly texting.
He wasn’t into texting girls. Really never gave a shit what they had to say. High school girls only wanted to gossip and he only wanted to fuck them. Elle was different; she only answered his questions and asked her own of him. He told himself that this was a good thing for the job; she had to get to know him to completely trust him.
He watched her end her shift and put on her coat. He was relieved she was finally getting out of there. She walked the few blocks to the bus stop and got on while Nero followed right behind her the entire time. She exited the bus and he turned his headlights off, trailing her until she made it to her house.
When she got in, Nero rubbed his eyes. The night had been rough on him. He didn’t think he could watch her go to and from work again. The city was dangerous and Nero really knew exactly how dangerous it could be. He had no idea how she was still in one piece, or sane for that matter, for as long as she had been working there. He was going to have to come up with something. And by seeing her schedule, he needed to do it soon; otherwise, his sanity was going to be the one lost, for good.
He picked up his phone, rolling through his contacts before he hit call. It rang three times before it was answered.
“What do you need now, Nero?”
Nero laughed. “You didn’t let the two little girls get to you, did you?”
“Nope, not at all.”
Nero could hear something in the background. Smiling, he asked, “Is that anyone I know?”
“Nope, she goes to public school. I’d rather not have all your sloppy seconds.”
Nero started thinking. “Public school, huh?”
“Yeah, and they come without sticks up their asses.”
“Does she come with friends?” Nero knew he was going to go crazy if he didn’t find someone to get rid of his blue balls.
“A lot of them. That’s the best part about public school.”
“Well, let’s set something up.” Nero looked at Elle’s house. “Immediately.”
A deep laugh came over the phone. “Sounds like one little girl is getting to you.”
“Well, that’s actually why I called. Amo, I have a job for you.”
Chapter Fourteen
The Enjoyment of Terrorizing Little Kids
Elle woke the next morning exhausted. Her body wasn’t used to going to school and working. She knew it would take until the end of the week to do so. She got out of bed and went through her usual morning routine.
She looked at her small collection of clothes and couldn’t decide what to wear. I really gotta go shopping, soon.