The Mafia's Maid

​CLAIRE

"If you scream, run, or try to call for help, I'll amputate your legs. Got it?" I nodded, my heart threatening to beat out of its rib cage.

He cocked the gun and slid it into my right jean pocket, clutching the handle. The gentle ding of the elevator doors met my ears as we reached the last floor.

"Walk." he commanded, and I obeyed, wiping away the tears that rolled down my cheeks. Just like that, I was being controlled like a puppet. What have I gotten myself into?

I faked a smile and walked with him towards the main entrance of the building. People were staring, their eyes following all three of us as we walked.

I was dying to scream for help because I knew that once I walked out that door, I'd be walking into my death sentence.

"See that car? Get in." he whispered. We got to the entrance and stepped out of the building. That was it. That was how I became his slave.

42 HOURS AGO

Sweat glistened on my skin as the spotlight followed my every move, the rhythm of the music pulsing through my veins.

I was holding onto the pole like my life depended on it because, truthfully, my life actually depended on it.

"Strip, b*tch." I heard from the crowd as I squatted and rose up, twirling with the pole and entertaining the lustful eyes of the crowd.

I had been doing this for weeks, months maybe. I had to. My mum was dead, and my father sold every valuable thing we had to buy drugs and alcohol. Over the years, we went bankrupt, so I had to look for a job. After working several months at the bar, I had to take up a second job, and this was my only way out.

As the song ended, the lights dimmed, and the applause of the faceless crowd reverberated in my ears.

I walked back into the dressing room and covered myself instantly. Sitting in front of my mirror, I sighed. I wasn't comfortable with this lifestyle, but I had no other option.

The door to the dressing room swung open, revealing Diamond and Roxy, the two spoiled brats who think they are better than everyone. I hated them so much.

"Roxy look, it's that pathetic dancer." Diamond sneered, leaning against the dresser next to mine.

"Little Miss Claire, the pole princess. You really think you can replace us with those outdated moves you put out there tonight?"

I ignored them and slid back into my clothes. I just did not have the energy tonight.

Roxy flipped her hair over her shoulder. "You know, Claire, you might want to put a little more effort into your routine. Maybe then you wouldn't look so... desperate."

I clenched my fists, trying to ignore them. It was really getting hard to.

"Aw, did we hurt your feelings?" Diamond cooed, mock-pouting.

"Don't worry, honey. Some of us are just born to shine, and others... well, they just do what they can to survive."

Before I could retort, Elena, our boss, walked in. Her presence immediately silenced the room.

"Diamond, Roxy, out." she barked.

"I've got business with Claire."

The two girls exchanged glances, smirking as they left the room. Elena turned to me, her expression softening slightly.

"Claire, you’re needed in the VIP lounge. Exciting, right?" she said with enthusiasm.

My heart sank. The VIP lounge was where the high rollers and the truly dangerous types spent their time. It wasn’t just about dancing there.

"Do I have a choice?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

Elena shook her head. "You know you don’t. Look, don't get scared by their faces, okay? Just dance like you usually do, and they'll empty their pockets for you. It's that simple. Don't be afraid."

I subconsciously nodded, but deep down, I was still scared as hell.

"Now go, go, go." she prompted and walked out of the dressing room.

I stood up from my seat and took off the dress I was wearing. I touched up my makeup, adding a little more red to my lips and a little more glitter to my eyes.

I had to look perfect, or at least as perfect as I could.

As I made my way to the VIP lounge, the deep laughter and chatter of men met my ears. I summoned enough courage to walk into the room, directing the attention of every man in the lounge. The smell of rich whiskey and weed filled my nostrils.

I just wanted to dance and get it over with.

The VIP lounge was dimly lit, making it a little difficult to see the faces of the few men in there.

I moved from guest to guest, performing the same practiced routine. I got to the man in the middle. He had intimidating brown eyes and black, silky hair.

A devilish smile played on his face as he watched me approach him. I stood in front of him and danced, just like I did for everyone else.

He slapped my behind and squeezed it firmly, making me jerk away immediately.

"What the f*ck do you think you're doing?" I raised my voice at him. He stood up from his seat and pulled me to his chest. This man was twice my size. F*ck!

Deep down, I was intimidated and scared to death, but I still wasn't going to let anyone try to touch me. I'm a stripper, not a wh*r*.

"Stop touching me!" I slapped him and pushed him away.

"How dare you lay your hands on the boss?" one of the men stood up. It was obvious he was one of those ruthless, rich, spoiled men that loved harassing strippers.

The intimidating man gave the other man a signal not to come close to me.

"Never try to touch me again." With those last words, I walked out of the room and slammed the door behind me. Who the f*ck does he think he is to aggressively hold me like that?

I felt so disgusted.

For a fleeting five minutes, I was wiping off the makeup and glitter in the dressing room when Elena walked in.

"Claire! What the f*ck did you do? Did you piss off Mr. Rafael? Because he is requesting to see you, and he looks so p*ss*d." Elena demanded.

"He touched me. You know I don't like it when these men try to harass me." I retorted.

"This is Mr. Rafael we are talking about. Who cares if he touched you? Let him do whatever he wants. Do you not realize how rich this man is?"

"I am not a wh*r*. I can't let anyone touch me like that."

"Do you know that he can shut down my club because of what you did? I don't even want to hear whatever you have to say. He wants to see you, and you better not mess things up this time." she stormed out of the dressing room immediately.

"This way, please." a young, tall man dressed in black walked in immediately.

I followed him to one of the very vacant VIP rooms in the club and watched him close the door behind me.

"Claire, right?"

I heard from the darker part of the room. Before I could utter a word, he stepped out, puffing out the last remnant of smoke from his mouth.

I glared at the same dark brown eyes, the same stature, and the same face. The same f*ck*ng man that tried to harass me a few minutes ago. How did I not realize that he would be the one calling, trying to get what he wants from my body?

"Why did you call me here? What do you want?" I struggled to maintain my breathing. It was difficult, and the room wasn't even stuffy. It was well-ventilated.

His whole aura was enough to make me melt on the spot. The expensive cologne hit my nostrils as he closed the gap.

"We need to talk. Take a seat." he commanded.

"You and I have no business together. Please let me out of this room" I tried opening the door, but it was locked.

"You are very wrong. Now take a seat, or I'll pull out your arms" he threatened, placing his huge hands on my shoulder. F*ck! It was really heavy.

I walked away and took a seat.

"I have come to take you as mine"

"Yours? You are insane. I do not belong to anyone." I retorted, furrowing my brows at him.

"Your father stole $1.5 million from me. You both are too poor to pay up, so I have come to claim you as mine for the payment of the debt" he mocked with a smirk on his lips.

"I do not understand. Who are you, and how do you know my father? My father would never steal money from anyone." I felt so perplexed. Why would he accuse my father of being a thief? Yes, he was an alcoholic, but definitely not a thief.

He laughed and showed me a CCTV footage of my dad at his usual club, walking into one of the VIP rooms drunk.

He saw a bag of cash, picked it up, and quickly left the club. He was right. My dad really stole.

"You and your father have 48 hours to refund my money"

My heart sank instantly. Where on earth am I supposed to get $1.5 million from?

"Please, I'm really sorry for this. He was completely drunk."

"Provide my money within 48 hours, and I'll let you and your drunk father live. If you do not have the money, then I'll buy you off."

"I am not a commodity. I will provide your money." I stood up and walked to the door, ready to leave.

"We will see, Matteo! Open the door." The man opened the door, and I tried to walk out, but I was pulled back.

"Remember that I'm watching you." he whispered into my ear. I pulled my hand from his and walked away.

CLAIRE

My eyes widened as I walked into the house. It was completely shattered; the windows broken, all the vases and framed pictures destroyed.

"What the f*ck?!" I gasped, heart racing. At the end of the sitting room, I saw my dad. Blood rolled out of his mouth, and his face was brutally beaten.

"Dad?! Are you alright?" I rushed to him, my voice trembling. If he spends another five minutes here, he'd die.

*******

I sat by his bed, waiting anxiously. It was Mr. Rafael; I'm sure it's him. Finally, Dad opened his eyes, wincing from the pain.

"Dad, are you ok?" I asked, my anger barely contained. "Who did this? Was it the man you stole from?"

He sighed, avoiding my gaze. "How did you know I stole from him?" he admitted. "I was drunk, Claire. I didn't know what I was doing."

"Just tell me, is he the one that did this to you?"

"Yes." he replied, making my stomach turn.