Beneath The Mafia Masks

cold when Lina stepp

d a pair of tight trousers. Her hair was tied back,

s were alr

hrough the evening mist. People hurried past in warm clothes

t closer and began wa

ivate parties. However, the bar was a separate building, and nothing about

ooked like an expensi

ed doors, and expensive cars were parked outside. Wealthy customers enter

by, it was simpl

d through t

ely. The smell of perfume, alcohol

speakers, and women danced on a raised platform while cu

ng looke

eptionist and walked

" one of the w

ning," Li

h the counter and tied he

ially started, but ther

e bottles behind the counter, and helped prepare the p

ew the

s, which ones wanted to sit close to the dance

h doors she was no

without a sign or handle that customers could

d neve

only warned th

o near th

was

question. She assumed the door led t

men entered

rs. They wore dark coats, spoke quietly, an

gh the door, but she had neve

r paid

rk was

her as long as she

ed preparin

st customers arrive

unter and the private booths. She kept herself busy and trie

eived the final resp

he would soon be travelling to

faintly at

o many questions, worry about everything, and try to unde

ted to h

she had menti

perfect, but it

at was what

wd had grown louder, Lina saw th

sary. He did not drink with the customers, laugh wi

ply wa

e stood near

disappeared in

ows, observing the room as if he alrea

sily tell what

nths, but she still had not

empty glass and w

ir

rned his eye

es

thing I wante

wai

glass from one

y be coming t

er said

me here. If she is accepted, she will come to th

expression d

of work c

mers. She is hardwor

rked in a b

N

past Lina towar

want he

s the opp

not my q

pau

expected him

ina said. "I believe

looked at

seconds, he

"What kind of

ught abo

not cause trouble. She keeps to herself

r remain

ck of the bar, toward the da

ooked at

s, bring her

nod

cour

er directly to

hesit

hy

to hers. They were calm, unread

isappeared fro

angry. He did

l she understood that he was

ir," sh

er turn

e was for a moment, ho

wanted to meet Mir

mply the way he h

o make sure Mira un

no reaso

was on

at was what

urned t

door, something heavy

und wa

eath the music, the laughter,

d not n

did the

ghts and polished tables,

den l

t music, laugh

ess was conducted a

t her friend was about t