The Mafia Puppet

es

er, sweat, and desperation. My hands moved mechanically, wiping glasses and pouring drin

the din. I glanced up from the bar to see him

ked. "They're waitin

ugh the crowded tables. The patrons at table five were al

placed their drinks on the table. "We t

. The lecherous grin on his face to

but as I stepped away, I felt a

at the man responsible. He was leaning back in his chai

red. "Just havin

ugh the noise. "Try buying a personality first. Maybe then

turned red, his smirk replaced by anger. "Watch your mo

refused to let him see any fear. "You'll call the manager? Go ahead.

Marcello stormed over,

re?" he demanded, his eyes da

problem," the man said, his v

llo snapped, but his glare was direct

man as I turned and walked toward the ba

om, Marcello rounded on m

you think you're d

yself," I said thr

"Do you know how much trouble you could've caused? We

sed to let them gr

my face. "You're supposed to shut up, smile, and do

to let him see it. "Fine," I

ore waving me off. "Get back to work. A

ngue and walked out, my head held high ev

ed, and my head throbbed from the constant noise. I grabbed my coat and

own. Marcello's words replayed in my head, mixing with the guil

the lights were on, and I felt a pang

setting my bag

my spine, and I hurried to her room. The

loor, her body limp, h

es beside her. I shook her gently, pa

open, and a weak gr

urmured, her voi

cradled her head in my hands.

t dizzy," she

me," I choked out. "

work too hard already, cara mi

red me half to death," I

smile. "I'm fine.

r and anger. Once she was settled, I sat on the edge