♛ I took a deep breath as I stepped into the bar, my heart pounding with anticipation. The red dress I wore hugged my curves and I knew I looked stunning, but I didn't feel beautiful. I was here on a mission, to lure in a man who owed Warren money, and I was terrified. But my brother's safety was at stake, and I would do whatever it took to save him.

I found a stool at the bar and ordered a drink, trying to look relaxed as I waited. I scan the room, looking for the man I'm supposed to lure in and spot him sitting alone at the other end of the bar, nursing a drink himself. He looks over in my direction, and I give him a small smile before turning back to my drink.

It didn't take long before he decided to walk over and take a seat beside me, ordering a new batch of drinks, softly pushing one towards me.

"So, what brings a beautiful woman like you to a place like this?" he asked, leaning in closer.

"Just looking for a good time," I replied with a coy smile, trying to hide my disgust.

The man chuckled, "well, you've certainly found it with me. Name's Tony."

I only smiled in response as he itched closer. I could feel his eyes lingering on my body, making me slightly uncomfortable, but I chose to ignore it. I knew I needed to play my part well if I wanted to help my brother.

As he flirted with me, I tried my best to keep up the conversation, even though I was feeling increasingly uncomfortable as he got handsy with me. But I had to keep going, for Koen. I needed this man to trust me, to let down his guard so that Warren could get to him. So, I forced a smile and batted my eyelashes, trying to keep my disgust at bay.

Meanwhile, Warren and Rocco were watching from a distance, and I could feel their eyes on me. I tried to stay focused on the task at hand, but the man was getting too pushy. He started to grab at me, and I could feel my blood boil with anger and fear. I knew I had to stay calm, but I couldn't take it anymore.

"Hey, don't touch me like that," I say, pulling away when his hand starts to brush against my chest.

"What's wrong, babe? Don't you like this?" Tony asks, leaning in close.

I could smell the alcohol on his breath, and it was starting to feel uneasy. I knew I needed to keep him interested long enough for Warren to make his move.

"I don't like being touched by strangers," I spat, trying to keep her voice steady.

Tony's hand moves up to my thigh, and I jump out of her seat as he continues to disregard my words.

I knew I had to keep the act up but this was very unlike me and I couldn't keep my breathing steady anymore as he moved closer and closer, his hand slipping higher up my thigh. I tried to push him away but my hands were shaking from fear and I had never felt more helpless before.

My Papa had always made sure that I wouldn't have to see the ugly side of our family business. I would hear things from Mama but it would always seem like a made-up story because I couldn't imagine that violent side of Papa. He was my knight in shining armor, my protector. Until Koen came along and his mannerisms changed.

He finally had an heir to follow up his spot if anything were to happen to Zio Paolo. He had more authority now. He was contributing to the business, giving them another Made man.

He was no longer around as much, always busy trying to rise up and establish his own place in his brother's empire, pushing away his family.

All he cared about was for Koen to be old enough that he could begin his training to join the family business, further establishing his authority. And all I cared about was preventing that from happening. I wasn't going to let my brother turn into one of those emotionless, prideful men. And that is why I was here right now, helping my enemy with his dirty business.

I was snapped out of my thoughts as gasps erupted around the bar and I looked around to see as Warren grabbed Tony's wrist, forcefully removing it from my thigh, and held a gun to his head.

"You owe me money, and you've been dodging my men for months. I think it's time you pay up," Warren growled, his eyes narrowing in anger.

Tony stuttered, trying to come up with an excuse, but Warren wasn't having it. "I don't want excuses, I want my money. And if you don't have it, I'll take something else."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as Warren's words sank in. I had never witnessed a situation like this before, and it scared me. This is what my parents had shielded me from. Yet here I was now, for my brother's sake.

"What do you want me to do?" Tony finally asked, his voice shaking.

Warren leaned in closer, his gun still pointed at the man's head. "I want you to get me my money, and I want you to do it fast. Or else I'll be paying a visit to your father."

Tony leaned back in his chair, "Look, I'll pay you back. Just give me some more time."

"You've had plenty of time," Warren replied firmly. "Antonio made it clear that I can't touch you, but he never said anything about giving you a little scare."

I could feel the tension rising in the air as Warren's words hung heavy. Tony looked like he was about to protest, but Warren cut him off.

"Rocco," Warren said, motioning to his right-hand man. "Take him out back and teach him a lesson."

Rocco stood up, towering over Tony, who scrambled to his feet, his eyes wide with fear. "Please, I'll pay you back. I swear it."

Rocco grabbed him by the collar and dragged him towards the door. Tony looked back at me, pleading for help, but I just looked away, feeling a pang of guilt in my chest for baiting him, but he deserved it for his disrespectful behavior.

As they disappeared out the door, Warren turned his attention to me, "You did good, little Santoro. You've got a future in this business if you ever decide to stop chasing that stupid business degree."

"I don't want to be a part of this. I just want this to be over so I can have my brother back with me," I spat as he smirked, leaning in closer, his lips brushing against my ear.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll take care of everything. You just keep playing your part, and we'll get your brother back in no time."

I never wanted to be involved in this world, but now it seems like I have no other choice.

As I walked out of the bar, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of a mess I had gotten myself into, and whether I could ever escape it.