The mansion was more like a museum than anything else. Priceless art lined the twisting hallways. I was lost as soon as we started forward into the interior. The place felt like it was built like a maze.
After a few minutes of walking, Rafa stopped outside a door. He turned toward me.
“You’re about to meet my boss.”
“Okay,” I said. “So what?”
He shrugged. “Come on.” He opened the door and stepped inside. I followed him and looked in at what seemed like a totally normal office.
There was a desk closer to the door and another desk toward the back of the room. There was a coffeemaker and a hot plate on the counter to the right, plus a little refrigerator.
Sitting behind the desk was another man. He smiled and stood up as we entered. He was about the same height as Rafa, handsome, and tattooed. But where Rafa seemed hard and rough, Vince was smiling like a businessman.
“Cassidy,” he said, coming around the desk. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” We shook hands and he grinned.
“It’s not often that Rafa brings a girl home.”
Rafa grunted. “Careful.”
“Does he have a lot of girls?”
Vince laughed. “Are you the jealous type?”
“No,” I said. “Not really.”
“Good. Because you’re not the first woman he’s been with.”
“Surprise, surprise,” Rafa said.
“I’m scandalized,” I answered. The men laughed.
“I’m glad you came with him,” Vince said. “I know it was a hard decision for you. This can’t be easy.”
“It’s not easy,” I agreed. “Frankly, I don’t even know what’s going on.”
“Welcome to our world.” Vince smiled at me, and I decided that I liked him.
“It gets easier,” Rafa added. “You’ll get used to it.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to men trying to kill me.”
“You will,” Vince said. “Trust me. We deal with it every day.”
“That has to be an exaggeration.”
Rafa laughed. “He’s not kidding. I don’t think I’ve gone a single day without at least one man wanting to kill me.”
“One? You’re lucky,” Vince said. “Try being the fucking boss.”
“Anytime you want to step down, I’m game.”
“Don’t get cocky.”
“It’s not cocky if you can back it up.”
“This asshole thinks he’s the best thing in the world,” Vince said to me, rolling his eyes.
“That’s because I am.”
I smiled at the two of them, unable to help myself. They were muscular, dangerous mafia men, and yet they bantered with each other like they were brothers. It was disarming and charming, and although I was still terrified, I felt a little at ease.
This wasn’t a horrible place. It was an office where men came to work. Sure, they were gangsters, and their job wasn’t legal, but they were still just people.
And I trusted Rafa. As crazy as that was, I found that I really did trust him. Maybe it was stupid, but after every I’d already done with him, it just made sense for me to give myself over to it.
“All right, listen,” Vince said, walking over to his desk. “You’re not exactly an official guest here. Get it?”
“I guess,” I said.
He picked up a little packet. “This is the usual welcome shit. You’ll find this house is really just a glorified hotel. Room key is inside, plus your visitor’s badge. Don’t bother wearing it.”
“Okay,” I said. “Why give it to me?”
“Just in case someone gives you shit. I don’t know.” He shook his head. “Anyway, you’re free to wander. Check the place out. But don’t leave the grounds without talking to me or Rafa.”
“Fine,’ I said. “I can handle that.”
“Food and shit is free. Order whatever you want.”
“Order?”
“Room service,” Rafa said, grinning. “Welcome to paradise.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“I can handle that,” I said, laughing.
“Here.” Vince handed me the packet, and I took it from him. “Rafa knows where your room is.”
“Thanks, Vince.”
“No problem. Just keep your head down. We’ll work this out.”
I nodded and followed Rafa back out of the room. I was exhausted, but I was running on adrenaline and curiosity.
We headed back down another series of hallways. I started to notice staff members standing around in the shadows. Some of them were doing cleaning tasks, and some of them were walking quickly like they were busy, but most of them just seemed like they were standing around.