Free Fallen Angel: A Mafia Romance - Part 1 (Roman Crime Family) by Alisa Anderson, Cameron Skye

1
     
    Time to face the music. Do or die this time.
    She had tried everything at this point. Knocked on every door. Stood in every line. Went to every audition.
    Nothing.
    Don’t call us. We’ll call you .
    She was so sick of that shit. If she heard it one more time, she would scream bloody murder.
    It had been over six months since she arrived in New York. Her money was close to non-existent. If she didn’t do something soon, she would be completely broke.
    Thank God her best friend Allison lived there or she would have been homeless otherwise. 
    “What the hell am I doing here?” 
    Allison wrapped her arm around Jess’s shoulders. “It’s no different than dancing on a Broadway stage. You’ll make a ton of money, and have the rest of the day for auditions. What’s not to love?”
    “Right. And tell me you’re not just trying to make me feel better.” 
    “Well…yeah. I am.” Jess punched her arm.
    “What? It’s true.” Allison laughed, yanking her hair.
    “Trust me. How long have I been here, Jess? I know we had different plans when we were kids. But plans change. This is how it has to be for now, ok? Just for now. Until that first gig comes through. So come on. Don’t chicken out on me. I told him you’d be here. He’s expecting you.”
    They walked through the doors of Takers Gentlemen’s Club, Jess scanned the room to see who was there. The place looked empty, thank god. Her eyes darted around quickly, nervously, taking it all in.
    The stage, the tables. The VIP Room. The club definitely looked less seedy from the inside. It wasn’t Broadway, that’s for sure. But it helped.
    “I cannot believe I am here right now.” She muttered under her breath.
    Allison must have heard her, shooting her a look. Urging her to shut up.
    Jess ignored her. “Allie…I need a line. Some kind of rush to make me go through with this. Hook me up?”
    “Jesus, Jess. If Nick catches you-”
    “Allie, just give me some coke, will you? I need it to calm my nerves.”
    She sat on the edge of the stage, dipping her pinky finger in the bag Allison held out. Sniffing, she felt the rush up her nose. Instantly feeling ten feet tall. Like she could fly.
    Much better. Her nervousness depleted, but not entirely.
    She continued scanning, looking for a reason, any reason at all, to run like hell. And not look back.
    That’s when she saw him.
    His dark looks gave him a dangerous, yet vulnerable air. Making her want to take him in her arms and hold him...and seek her own protection. He wasn’t exactly what you’d call beautiful. But lord, the man had something about him.
    He walked across the club to where they were standing. She took in a deep breath as her chest tightened, literally she could not breathe.
    Jesus. Get a fucking grip. 
    “Who do we have here?” His voice was deep. Confident. Sexy. Used to being obeyed, without question. 
    “This is the girl I told you about, Nick. The one auditioning for the open slot.”
    Allison pushed Jess forward. She glared back at her, feeling like she was on display at an auction block.
    He looked her up and down. She could swear she saw him lick his lips.
    Yep. No reason at all to feel that way.
    “Where you from, kid?”
    “Manhattan.”
    “Really. New York, eh?” His tone mocking. 
    Jess cleared her throat. “Kansas.”
    “Ah. Better.”
    “I wasn’t trying to lie. If that’s what you were thinking.”
    “I wasn’t aware you were a mind reader.”
    “I’m not.”
    “Then how do you know what I’m thinking?”
    Jess bristled. “I don’t. If you recall, I said, if that’s what you were thinking. Never said that’s what you were thinking.”
    Nick eyed her sharply. Jess willed herself to watch her smart mouth, it always managed to get her in trouble. Allison looked like she was turning a shade of green.
    “So what’s your name?”
    “Why do you care?”
    “Jess!” Allison shot her a look she ignored. She was irritated. Tired of feeling so