The Mafia Don’s little Con Artist

5 - Just for a while

Liz took the news surprisingly well. She wasn’t thrilled by the idea, but I think she was mostly relieved that I came out of the situation unharmed, and she nearly fell over when I told her how much I’d be getting paid. I tried to get her to quit working at the club, but she insisted she’d die of boredom at the apartment, and that she’d have Gavin look after her.

There was no use arguing, and I trusted her to stay safe and smart, so I let it go.

This opportunity comes with more risks than I care to count, but the hardest part is that I’ve not been away from Liz for a single night since we met in that..hell hole of a group home. Blood doesn’t dictate who your family is, and Liz is the only family that I have.

When I first told her what Don Morozov proposed, and that I’d have to be gone for eight weeks she seemed a little disappointed, but also excited for me. It wasn’t something I was expecting, and I thought she might just be trying too hard to pretend she was okay with it all.

But when I considered changing my mind about the job, she stopped me.

“It’ll be good for you Soph. For both of us.” Liz claimed. “I’ve always wondered if I could take care of myself..you’ve been doing it for me for so long, and it’s not fair to you.” She blinked her pretty blue eyes at me. She was entirely my opposite: pale skin, blue eyes and orange red hair.

“Liz! I wouldn’t change a-“

“I know,” she insisted. “But it’s still not fair. I’ve relied on you too much. I’m grateful for all of the sacrifices you’ve made for us, for me, but I’m not a little kid anymore Soph.”

I know this. I’ve known for quite a while that Liz is a woman now.

Well, she’s 19. A legal adult.

But caring for her, keeping us afloat, is all I’ve known for so many years. Maybe she’s right, maybe some time apart will be good for us, and the money I’m getting is important too.

“Plus,” Liz adds. “The charity thing he’s taking you to tomorrow, didn’t you say your new hunky guards were gunna take you shopping for a dress?”

“Ugh yes.” I groan. “I wanted to take you with me but-“

Liz rolls her eyes at me. “Girl stop! Go shopping. Get spoiled and con the s**t out of those rich criminals. Take advantage of this!” She squeals.

I smile at her optimism, and know that’ll be one thing I’ll miss most. No one talks me down from a pessimistic ledge like Liz can.

“I love you.” I whisper into Liz’s ear, as I hold her in my arms. “I’ll visit or call as soon as I can with updates.”

“You better.” She threatened lovingly. “And just..be careful. You’ll be out there alone with the wolves..so be careful.”

I leaned back and gave her a nod before separating. I walked out the front door, and knew that we both wouldn’t allow our true emotions to show until we were alone. We never cried in front of other people, including each other. A habit we picked up in the foster system.

It’s the reason I’m so good at pulling a poker face and bullshitting my way through life.

People seriously underestimate the power of ‘fake it till you make it’, but not me.

“Right on time, Ivan.” I greet the men, and handed over my one bag. I was told not to bother packing a ton of clothes since I’d be shopping tomorrow for a new wardrobe befitting of a future mafia wife.

“Miss Sophie.” Ivan nodded and placed my stuff in the car. Andre was driving, and I had the backseat to myself on the drive back to the penthouse.

-

When we arrive to the penthouse, Andre and Ivan insisted on inspecting inside before letting me in alone.

“So..sleepover?” I tease them.

Their faces of shock and horror melt my resolve and I burst into laughter.

“Okay..relax you guys..” I scoffed. “Where will you be sleeping?”

“We stay in the room across hall, outside. We will take turns guarding the door with Mick and Ruslan.” Andre tells me.

“You’re leaving me alone with Morozov?!” I freak.

“Boss is not coming here. He will stay at different home tonight.” Ivan reassures me. “You will be safe, miss Sophie. We will leave at 9:30am to begin..mm shopping for clothes. Da?”

“Uhh..Da!” I answer him.

I catch them both fighting to suppress a smile or laugh.

“Don’t make fun of me! I figured I might as well learn some Russian while I’m here.” I shrug.

Ivan clears his throat. “Yes, of course. We do not laugh at you.”

“Apologies.” Adds Andre.

“Ugh stop being so serious ..and okay, I’ll see you in the morning.”

Both men make a final sweep of the house before they’re confident that I’m safe and alone, and take their leave.

“It’s just for a while.” I tell myself. “She’ll be okay. I’ll be okay. I can do this.”

As curious as I am to explore the rest of the penthouse, I’m exhausted and will have eight weeks to look around later. So I change into some pajamas, and settle into the guest room.

It’s way too large of a room, with an entire wall made up of glass windows that peek out over the city below. It’s beautiful, and also terrifying.

Everything in here is black. From the tile floors to the silk sheets, everything is cast in a shadow of darkness. I brush my teeth, and hop in the massive cloud like bed, snuggling into the nest of pillows I made.

A place this nice and it looks like it’s almost never used.

What a waste.

Well, not for the time being though. I’m gunna soak this all up, just like Liz told me to..

As my mind shifts to my sister, I feel a sudden sense of fear and panic overwhelm me.

“No no no.” I say aloud. “It’s fine. Everything is fine. I can do this. It’s fine.”

I click the remote that closes the blinds, and shut my eyes tight, willing sleep to take me over before my thoughts can run wild.

The smooth texture of the blankets and the plush bed beneath my tired body aid in calming me down. My eyes blink open slowly before fluttering closed, and I’m pleasantly surprised that sleep has come for me.