Page 4 of The Mafia's Captive

“I-I don’t know…” her eyes dart around the room as her voice trails away. She’s not at the point of quaking, but her fear is now palpable. It makes me hard. It’s so weird. And it’s not as if I’d do or have ever done any of the things I’m saying, but I know that rumors of what we do to people float around the casino to my bidding. The imagination is an effective way of keeping people in check. And it seems to work on Corina. “I don’t know what you’ve heard about me, but I have done nothing wrong, I swear. But if you think I’m in the wrong, tell me what I did. At least I can defend myself.”

Maybe this is the time to reveal my hand. But only just. “So, you have nothing to do with the stolen money.”

“Money?”

“So, you’re saying if we search your home, we will not find a stash of three hundred thousand dollars hidden under the mattress?”

Now she was shaking. More animated and slightly angry. “Three hundred grand! No! You have the wrong person! I didn’t steal your fucking money!”

“Do I? So, you must know the right person then? Your accomplice?”

Her voice becomes steely when she says, “I stole nothing.”

As if scripted, my phone rings at that moment. It’s from Tiny. I put it on loud and his voice booms into the room as he says, “We found it, boss, just like you said.”

“Did you now?” I say in exaggerated cadence, “would you care to share video evidence?”

“Sure thing.” The call disconnects and a few seconds later, he video calls. He’s in what I can assume is a tiny bedroom. The bed takes most of the space. On top of it is an empty duffel bag and a pile of cash spread next to it. “That’s all of it, I hear Tiny say. Three hundred large. We found it in the closet.”

“That’s not true!” Corina bursts out.

Meanwhile, Tiny’s meaty hand lifts one bundle, and he brings it closer to the camera. “Still has the casino bands and everything. Such a dumb thief.”

“He’s fucking lying!” She screams as soon as I cut the call. She was close to tears before, but now she’s furious.

“Ah. There’s the little hellion I was looking for. So tough to break.”

“I’m being framed!”

Her eyes dart to someone behind me. I follow her gaze, which is on Sal. She must have figured he’s the one who gave me the tip. How smart of her. Sal on the other hand is as hard as a rock, giving no emotion. I must give it to her, though. She’s such a consummate actress. I don’t know what she’s doing on the casino floor when she should be in Hollywood.

“Why the fuck would I steal your money?”

“I don’t know? Why do people steal?” She looks defeated at this, and I think I’ve got her, but she stays adamant.

“Why would I steal? I just made four thousand right now!”

“Which you weren’t making before.”

“And I could have made fifty grand if I had gone with your friend.”

“No, you wouldn’t. I wouldn’t have let you.” That came out of nowhere. And it’s true. When Hunter made that proposal, I knew he wasn’t playing. His eyes kept wandering towards her the entire time. He wanted her. And he wasn’t going to have her. He’s lucky I saved him. Knowing what I know, I wouldn’t trust her with any of my friends. However, I had to change tactics. If I’m not going to spend time breaking her, I’m going to let my absence do the work. I get up, adjust my suit, and say to her, “I think it’s about time you think about your situation, since you choose to remain stubborn.”

I get out of the room, followed by Sal and his underling. I leave her alone and let the other guys stand outside the door. “Make sure she doesn’t disappear,” I tell them.

“What are you going to do about her?” Sal asks as we make our way to my office.

“Get info. Get rid of her.”

Sal nods, knowing exactly what I mean. I’m usually not this cruel, and if her only crime was stealing the money, I might have given her a small punishment. She is too cute to die, but if you play with fire, you get burned. “And about the chips that’s left in the room. Get those too.”

“Of course,” Sal says and immediately directs someone with those exact instructions into his earpiece.

“By the way, thanks for ratting her out. Are you sure she’s working alone?”

“I might have to look into the roommate, but she seems clean.”

“Good.” We enter my office, leaving the rest of the guys out.

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