Hired By A Mafia Boss

chapter 7

Ava's POV

"So, you stay here all day, alone?" I asked, savoring the rich flavor of the sauce. This guy really knew how to cook. So glad I didn't pass on this meal.

Leo walked over to the fridge and pulled out a can of diet soda. "Yeah, but not anymore. You're with me now." He wiggled his eyebrows playfully.

I rolled my eyes, amused. "Yeah, I'll be around. So, is Mr. Vaughn married?" I asked, my curiosity about the man I couldn't seem to shake getting the best of me.

Leo nearly choked on his drink. "Are you for real? How can you ask that? Don't you read the mags?" His expression was pure disbelief.

I scratched my forehead, feeling a little out of the loop. "Is he?"

"Nope. Most eligible bachelor five years straight. Now stop asking about him. You should be asking about me, not him. Got it?" His tone had a hint of jealousy.

I smirked. "Jealous?"

"You wish," Leo shot back. He stopped what he was doing and locked eyes with me, suddenly serious.

"What?" I asked, shifting uncomfortably. I hated when people stared at me like that.

His gaze was intense, filled with concern. But why? "Why are you doing this, Ava?"

Confused, I frowned. "Doing what?"

"Working for my boss. You don't look like someone desperate for money. Hell, you don't even seem like Vaughn's type. When I heard there was a new hire, I was curious. Thought it'd be some new bodyguard, or spy, or something else, just not a painter. That's the strangest job I have heard of. Vaughn has more better things to do than hire a painter. So why are you here?"

His tone told me he wasn't joking about those questions. But why was he questioning me? What was Mr. Vaughn's type?

I took a sip of my soda. "I need money. I don't want my mom working alone. I want to help her, and Mr. Vaughn said he'd pay me well. Drawing and painting isn't that difficult, and honestly, I kinda like it here. It's quiet and comfortable."

Leo muttered something under his breath, but all I caught was 'poor thing.'

I pushed my chair back. "I should get going. Want to impress your boss when he comes back." I paused before leaving. "By the way, I enjoyed the food." It was better to stop this conversation before it took a different dimension. I just met Leo; I couldn't trust him. I couldn't trust any of these men.

***

"What the hell are you looking for?"

I jumped, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest. Spinning around, I found myself face to face with a very grumpy man, AKA, my boss.

Was he serious? No—were these people for real? They kept sneaking up on me. My mind scrambled for words, but when this man was around, coherent thought became impossible. "Uh... uh... I... was..."

"Snooping around my house like a thief?" His voice was sharp, accusing.

My shock turned to anger. "Don't talk to me like that, mister!" I shot back, fuming. How dare he? I was just looking for the laundry room to drop off my apron. Leo was nowhere to be found, and it wasn't my fault the man lived in a mansion.

He took a slow, deliberate step toward me, and my instincts screamed at me to step back. But no—he couldn't just talk to me like that. "You have no idea who I am, do you? No idea what I could do to you for speaking to me that way."

A shiver ran down my spine, but I stood my ground, swallowing hard.

"You're a stubborn brat," he muttered, his eyes dark with something unreadable.

My tongue tingled with the urge to snap back, but I forced myself to stay calm. "Mr. Black, you might want to see what I painted instead of threatening me." I tried to sound neutral, not wanting to fuel his temper.

"Don't call me that," he barked. "I don't pay you to give me nicknames. Hell, I don't pay you to flirt with a damn cook. Little whore."

His words hit like a slap to the face. My breath caught in my throat, my pride taking a brutal hit. How did he even know about lunch with Leo? And whore? Was he bipolar or something? Had he lost his mind?

"I should get going. Call me if you need my work again," I glared at him, dropped the dirty apron on the floor and turned away.

"Don't you dare walk out on me."

I turned back, meeting his gaze defiantly. "Or else?" I challenged with a raised eyebrow, before walking out.

"The nerve of that guy! Calling you a whore? Why didn't you quit on the spot?" Draya was pacing my room like she had been the one insulted.

I adjusted my pillow and leaned toward the window, watching the sun set. "Dray, life isn't about quitting at every bad moment. I know I'll get paid well, and besides, where would I find another job? New York is huge, but getting hired isn't easy. I'll give it a month and see if I can handle it. Handle them."

"I hate when people take advantage of your kind heart, Ava. I love you, but I won't always be around to defend you." Her voice softened. I knew she was strong, but beneath it, she was sensitive. She had struggled with depression before and never wanted me to go through the same pain.

I smiled at her. "I love you too, Dray. And if it makes you feel better, I'll punch him next time. Believe me, there won't be a next time."

She laughed. "Like you even know how to throw a punch."

I playfully punched her arm. "See? I know. By the way, how was work today? And Adam?"

Her smile widened. I knew she loved her job at the café. "Stressful but worth it. And Adam? Still the same. Oh! Before I forget, I found a better apartment. Applied for it before it got snatched up. You'll love it!" Draya moved out of her parents due to some major family issues and I knew she was struggling financially, but this girl was never one to give up. She rented out a room at someone's place to save up, so hearing her say she was getting her own place was such a huge deal for us. It meant things were getting better.

"Really?" My eyes lit up.

She nodded eagerly. "I can't believe it myself. My very first apartment. It's just a studio, but I'm so excited, Ava. Plus, in just a couple of months, we'd wrap up grad school and get better jobs."

"I know, right? Just two more semesters, and we'll be done." Her excitement was contagious.

 "Oh, Ava, I can't wait for us to work in a big company together."

I raised an eyebrow and wiggled it teasingly. "I can't wait to order you to get me an espresso while I work." I teased. This girl really did have a huge spot in my heart. I loved Draya. She always had big dreams for us.

She threw a pillow at me, laughing. "Little vixen. I can't wait for you to know how it feels to have a dick inside you. Perhaps his dick if you play your cards right."

I shrieked, smacking her with another pillow. "You corny white girl!"

We both collapsed into laughter, the tension of the day melting away. But that thought...it lingered in my mind longer than I would have liked.

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