The expensive mistake.

a glimpse of the mafia

From the outside, The Black Cat’s polished exterior and flickering neon lights gave it an air of sophistication, drawing people seeking an escape from the boring nightlife.

Tricelle took Eric’s hand as he pulled her next to him. She looked up at the signs and lights realizing that he had brought her to a club.

‘So much for eating’ she thought sarcastically.

They walked past a long line of people waiting to enter.

“Mr. Black.” A large bouncer said with respect as he unclipped the red rope which kept people out. Stepping aside, he made way for Eric.

Tricelle noticed that it was only Anton walking behind them.

Inside the club the music thumbed through the air like a heartbeat, the air pulsed with energy as people chattered, danced, and laughed.

Eric released Tricelle’s hand and gave her a seductive smile before he disappeared into the crowd. Amidst the celebration, there was an undercurrent of tension as soon as people noticed Eric. Hushed whispers floated through the crowd as eyes darted toward the muscular man walking toward a reserved table at the far end of the club. He greeted a few men and shook their hands. In a few minutes, he was flanked by his loyal enforcers. His presence was confident; the way he commanded the room was almost mesmerizing. Wait staff moved around him like moths drawn to a flame.

Among the throng of people, Tricelle stood near the bar scanning the area.

“I presume this is not your scene?” Anton’s voice was almost lost between the loud music and laughter of people.

Tricelle turned and smiled at the brown-haired man,

“No, definitely not. I believe this is my first time in a club.” She quickly glanced back at Eric who was sitting in the far corner. She was curious why he left her there.

“Why didn’t you follow, Mr Black?” a frown appeared on her face.

“He asked me to stay with you, and I think it would be better if he handles the club affairs before we join him,” Anton said as he gently guided Tricelle to the bar.

“Club affairs?” Tricelle asked confused, as Anton waved at the bartender.

“Yes… The BLACK Cat?” Anton said with a mocking smile on his face.

“Black…Cat, I see that took longer than I am proud of,” Tricelle said with a laugh.

Anton ordered two red drinks that glistened in the flickering lights. She took her glass with a smile and tasted the sweet strawberry drink. The taste sent a strange tingling feeling down her throat.

Anton also took a big sip before he gave her a look that asked, ‘How is it?’. Tricelle just gave him a big smile with a nod “It’s nice.” She said as she took another sip. Her eyes wandered around the energetic room, thinking why she had never tried coming to places like this.

Across the room Eric sat in his customary booth, his dark features dominated the formidable aura that surrounded him. The beautiful servers floated around, their smiles warm and enticing, their movements graceful, almost choreographed, as they weaved between tables and the dancers.

Though many of the waiters attempted to catch his eye with flirtatious glances, their advancements fell flat against the wall of his indifference. He was staring at the blue-eyed woman standing near the bar. Her updo hair had become slightly loose, with soft strands falling down her back. She radiated an aura of mystery that intrigued him. ‘Why are you so intriguing, Tricelle?’ He thought to himself.

“Sir, the information about the man and woman you requested will be ready first thing tomorrow. A tall, skinny man in a gray suit standing next to Eric said. Eric turned his attention back to Fredrick. Fredrick was one of Eric’s best associates. He could find a fly in a cornfield if he had enough time.

“Thank you, Fred, I just have an odd feeling about them. The man seems to have information on me and I don’t like it.” Before Eric could finish, a woman with raven-black hair sat next to him, placing her hand high on his thigh. Her emerald eyes sparkled like gems in the light.

“Ramona,” Eric said with a flat tone.

“Good evening Mister Black, I didn’t realize that you would be here.” Her catlike voice sounded awful to Eric all of a sudden. He used to seek her out from the crowd, but tonight he wasn’t interested.

“I need to finish up a few things, and then I have company,” Eric said without looking at her.

“O come one, it never stopped us before,” Ramona said as her hand moved up.

Fredrick immediately excused himself when he saw Ramona rubbing her hand softly up and down on Eric’s leg.

Eric didn’t flinch or push her away, his attention was still across the room. He was used to women throwing themselves at him. Usually, he entertains it, but tonight was different.

At that moment, Tricelle captured his eyes and held them with a magnetic grip. He could see that she was curious about what Ramona was doing there. Her face turned a light pink before she turned back to Anton.

“I am warning you,” Eric said again, this time his voice was stern. Ramona seemed like a spoiled child being denied candy.

“As you wish,” She said, trying to hide her disappointment, leaving Eric alone and heading to the bar.

Tricelle was watching the stranger leaning close to Eric, her eye flashed with a sudden jealousy before she pulled away her gaze, focusing on Anton.

Anton was ordering their second round when the bouncer came and whispered something in his ear that made his carefree expression change into a deep frown.

“ Tricelle, I need to take care of something, stay here.” Anton started to walk away before he turned to her again. “Don’t speak to anyone.” He warned her before he left.

Tricelle stared at Anton, who hastily approached a group of men near the entrance. Tension radiates from his posture. The atmosphere around the men suggested a storm brewing. It was like a drama unfolding in front of her, she smiled at herself.

‘I may have had a little too much to drink.’ She thought as she finished her first drink, taking the second in her hand.

“I haven’t seen you here before,” a husky voice behind her said. Tricelle turned around, standing behind her was a man who wore scrappy jeans and an unbuttoned denim shirt that revealed a great tangle of tattoos across his chest. He had a lean face with dark brown hair and green eyes.

For a moment Tricelle remembered Anton’s words, ‘What harm can it do’, she thought to herself.

“No, I don’t come to places like these.” She could see he was looking at her up and down.

“I can see that.” The man said with a provocative smile. In the corner of Tricelle’s eye, she saw that Eric had joined Anton near the entrance. The man saw that she was watching Eric.

“Yeah, that’s a man I would stay away from.” He said while he took a sip from his beer.

“What is it about him?” Tricelle asked, genuinely curious. The man leaned closer to her, for a moment she could smell the cigarettes and beer on his breath.

“He’s not just fearsome," the man said, glancing nervously toward Eric. “People underestimate him because of how ruthless he can be. But in his world, he needs to be.”

Tricelle stared wide-eyed at the stranger,

“Like the Mafia?”

The man smiled at her while he nodded. As Tricelle turned her attention to where Eric was standing, she saw that the group of men, Anton and Eric, were gone.

“Let’s have a shot.” The man said loudly as he waved to the bartender, he pointed to a golden bottle on the shelves.

“I don’t think so,” Tricelle said, taking a step away from the stranger.

“Come on, a sexy lady like you deserves a shot.” Tricelle smiled at the compliment,

‘One more wouldn’t hurt.’ She thought with a smile. 'I can worry about everything tomorrow.'

The bartender placed two short glasses in front of them with the golden liquid.

Tricelle took her glass and downed one shot, feeling the burn as it flowed down her throat.