Riding with the Mafia Boss

Liora Vance pushed her hands deeper into her coat pockets as the cold bit at her fingers. The camera strap around her chest was tight like a noose. When you walked through Brooklyn at night, the shadows didn't move slowly, making it hard to take your time. She kept her head down as her boots clicked on the wet ground. Her heart was beating fast under all of her clothes. "Damn it," she said quietly, her eyes moving to her phone. It's twelve minutes late. She only had a burner number and the name of a club, The Verdant Room, from the buyer.

A man had his back against a close lamppost and was smoking. As she walked by, his eyes followed her and chilled her like cold water. She sped up, but she fought the urge to run. Her long braid flew over her shoulder when the wind blew hard, and she could smell old metal and dirty city air. Are you here to see the show? He called out to her. The woman didn't answer. Walked faster. Don't bother. Do not turn around. A guard stood outside the back door of the club with his arms crossed over his black bomber jacket, which didn't cover his gun very well. He looked at her as if he were making a list of her flaws. She forced her voice to stay still and said, "I have an appointment." Job taking pictures. He made a noise and didn't move. Name? They didn't give it to me. The camera by her side was held in her hands. I was told to keep quiet. The guard didn't move. After that, he moved out of the way and opened the door. Under the floor, music beat. Something low and dirty, like jazz that had been ripped apart and put back together again. It was hot inside. And strength. Red velvet drapes. Lights made of glass. A flight of stairs that wound up like the tail of a snake. The air smelt like cigar smoke and spiced booze. She was unsure of the doorway. Are you going in or not? The bouncer told them. Liora took a step forward, and her heart beat quickly like a live wire. Her boots got stuck in the soft carpet. She heard the door slam shut behind her. There was a problem. It wasn't a club. It was a silk-covered trap. She had walked right into it. The barman said, "I said no flash," as Liora walked by. His tone wasn't mean, but it was tense with something that wasn't said. She brushed her braid behind her shoulder and said, "I haven't even taken a shot yet." He looked at the far end of the club with a raised eyebrow. Then you're early. Or too late. It depends on who asks. She walked past him and looked around the room. There was a lot of wealth in the club, but not the slick, business-like kind. It was old money and power that was built on bones that no one talked about anymore. A group of men in sharp suits sat at a table in the corner, and poker chips softly clanged between them. No one smiled. Their faces were as hard as stone. Liora's throat got tight. Someone next to her said, "You look lost." She turned around. In a black corseted dress, a server held up a tray of empty glasses. Liora replied with a raised chin, "I'm not lost." I have to work. Who is it for? I don't want to know your name. The server's mouth moved. Good behaviour. Helps you breathe. Liora pushed past her and went to the back wall with the curtains, where she had been told to set up. The velvet was thick, rich, and too quiet behind it when she touched it. She put her bag down and took out her camera and a small stand. She fought the urge to look over her shoulder. At the bar, a man looked right at her. Hair pulled back and a face that looks too good to be true. He raised a little of his drink to look at her. She didn't return the touch. That's what she did instead. Behind glass, she could see a narrow room through a hole in the curtain. It was dark, private, and silent. She said to herself, "I was told to film the scene and not ask questions." Someone behind her told her, "Don't ask." She jumped and spun. Too close was a man in a black suit that fit well. He had olive skin, a strong jaw, and gold cufflinks that looked like blades. The man asked, "Photographer?" She said yes. After that, shoot. He was gone behind the curtain before she could say anything else. She held her breath and her heart from beating. She had her finger on the button. What she saw next really scared her. Liora was holding the camera, but it was shaking. With her body tucked against the wall like a ghost, she changed the lens and zoomed in through the small hole in the velvet curtain. There were three men in that room. There was no music this far. No sound except for the pulse in her ears and the low hum of the electric lights inside the glass room. One man sat with his hands tied behind a chair. He had blood coming out of his lip. He was still breathing, but his head was tilted forward. She said in a whisper, "This wasn't part of the gig." She made one click. She said, "Is that... duct tape?" One more click. One man put up his fist and looked sure of himself. You should have known not to talk to the Fiores. I swear I didn't say anything. Oh, the man spoke up. But you did hear. That's even worse. A gun showed up. Sleek. Black. Well known. Liora's eyes got bigger. She put her finger on the button for a moment. She told herself, "Don't." You are not meant to take part. The man sitting down whimpered. I have kids, please. You should have thought of them. Even though the shot wasn't clear, it seemed to shake her to the core. The wall behind him was covered in blood. His head was slouched to the side. There was only one red line going down the window. Liora tripped and fell backwards. Bile rose to her throat. She gasped, "Oh my God!" She just looked at the camera with her eyes. The flash was off. No, no, no She fumbled with her fingers and pulled the camera off the stand, ripping it apart. She got down on her knees, her heart in her throat. Behind the glass, someone moved. One of the men slowly turned his head towards her. Still. Stay calm. The way a wolf sniffs the air. He moved forward. put his hand on the glass. And looked at her straight on. Eyes the colour of steel. It's cold. Checked. Almost getting bored. Romeo Luca. Liora went cold. She held the camera close to her chest. Her lungs wouldn't move. Behind him, the body was slouched in the chair like a doll that had been left behind. Luca didn't even move. Not once. Liora could hear her heart beating loudly. Her breath shook. Luca Romano kept his eyes on her. He saw her through the glass, through the smoke and shadows. Not only noticed her, but also treated her like she had broken a rule she didn't know existed. She fell backwards. The strap for the camera got caught on the curtain. Her hand shot out to get it out of the knot. Hey, let's do it! Luca cocked his head behind the glass. Not sure. As still as a picture. Someone next to him spoke, but Luca didn't answer. He kept his attention on her. Liora pulled the camera away, and her heart hit her ribs hard. Liora, be smart. Think about it. When she pressed the power button, the screen came to life. Get rid of. Delete now The pictures came and went. Blood. Faces. Flash light. Her hands were shaking too much for her to press the right one. Ma'am? She jerked her head up. At the end of the hall stood a new man who was tall and clean-shaven. It's not safe. Not a guest. Something cooler about the way he stood. He told you that you shouldn't be here. I was told to shoot from this spot by the client. He put his hand inside his jacket. She turned around and ran. The carpet is being stomped on. She was short of breath. Doors went by quickly. Behind her, a waiter yelled, but she didn't stop. She pushed through a staff door that was only half open and slammed into the cold alley. It was too quiet on the street. Her steps were heard. The trash cans looked like guards. She knelt down and threw up in a dark corner. Her stomach turned against her. She shook and gasped as she wiped her mouth with her hand. She then got down on her knees and looked through her camera one more time. Get rid of it Right now. She erased one, two, and three, and then stopped. One picture was unique. Cloudy. Something sharp was caught in her flash. Luca's face turned in half. His eyes were shining. She did it again. Once more. She missed one, though. A shadow broke off the wall behind her. And someone was looking at them.