I had been sitting hidden under blankets upon blankets in my bedroom, anxiously eating a bar of chocolate while watching Netflix for the past twenty minutes.

Yes, I know I'm a paranoid little baby.

But why else would those men be coming into the apartment complex? Chewing on my nails, I almost fall off of my bed, accidentally dropping my laptop on the ground when I hear a firm knock on my door.

Oh god, oh god, this is bad, very very bad.

I literally know no one in New York, besides Alice who I befriended one drunken night at a club. But she would be working now...

I stand on shaky legs as I approach my front door, and it's times like these I wish I had one of those peep holes to see who is on the other side. Taking a deep breath, I open the door to be greeted by my worst fear.

Stood in front of me is one of the men dressed in the black suit. He wears sunglasses despite being inside, and I stare at the earpiece in his ear. The man easily towers over me, and if he were to tackle me, id have no chance in fighting back.

"Hello?" I say hesitantly, just wanting to slam this door in his face.

"Miss Jones?" The man asks, confirming my identity. I give him a curt nod before he holds his hand out towards me. I stare at it expectantly until I realise he's waiting for me to shake it. My hand extends.

"My name is Luca and I am a part of your security detail."

That's when I absolutely lost my shit.

"Get the hell out of here!" I scream, not caring about making a scene.

The man just looks down at me, not even fazed.

"Did you not hear me? Leave! Take the rest of your men with you, and go give someone else a heart attack!"

"Miss Jones, we are under strict orders--we are not permitted to leave you alone."

I shake my head seething in anger. This is ridiculous! I cannot believe this man, I cannot believe he thinks he can do this! I was worried that someone had discovered me!

Huffing I purse my lips in a tight line. "Fine, but don't expect to be watching me for long, I will make sure that you are gone before the morning!"

I then slam the door on Lucas face and bang my head on it, groaning.

Taking my phone from my pocket, I instantly dile the number to the person who is responsible for this. After three rings, they pick up.

"What the hell! I told you no security, not ever!" I screech into the phone before he even has a chance to say anything. "Dad, please, I just want a normal life, I don't need any of these guards watching over me." My voice slowly starts to calm down, but I still feel a burning fire within me.

"Honey, Sai che non posso (You know i can't)." He says, his gruff voice trying to sympathise with me.

Even when he's half way across the world he still thinks he can control my life!

"Do not start to speak to me in Italian, that won't work, not this time. Even in Australia you had these stupid men following me, you said no more."

"Mia, let me explain--"

"Please!"

"The reason I have my men protecting you is because I'm in New York."

I choke on air. What? He's actually in New York, we are in the same city?

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I ask.

I hear a tired sigh on the other end. "I only just arrived, and you know I cannot tell you these sorts of things in advance. But as I was saying, I want to see you Mia. I miss you."

I can feel myself tearing up. I will finally get to see Dad after so long. This feels surreal.

"When?" I whisper into the phone, feeling as though he may just start laughing and telling me it's just a joke. But i know he won't, he wouldn't do that.

"Dinner tomorrow night at seven; my new restaurant, i'll send you the address."

"I'll be there." I say. I had heard of his new restaurant that was opening up in the high end of New York. Dad owns a multi-billion dollar company with hotels, restaurants, casinos, while he also has to deal with things such as the mafia.

I know, crazy right! I should think it's strange, but I've always known about my family heritage. I am proud of it, maybe not all the killing and violence, but I myself am my father's daughter. I am a Marino, meant-to-be heir to the Italian Mafia.

Even crazier!

But I have always been adamant that I do not want to be in charge of the family business, and that is why someone else is taking over for me. I do not know who, but I couldn't care less. I am making my own life, I am content with just being normal.

Of course I am lucky enough to have the chance to be normal at all as my mother and I moved to Australia when I was young, changing our names due to my father's wish that we stay out of it all. But I always knew I would be a part of it one way or another.

That's why I've been training. In defence mostly, and I must say I am quite skilled, same with a gun. Yet I hope to never use those skills, not while I am attempting to live normally.

And so that explains why my father has so much security on me. If anyone were to see him with me, they may just be trying to get to him through me... Luckily most people don't even know my father has a daughter; me. Not even most of those in the Italian Mafia, so I've been pretty safe my whole life.

Anyway, I confirmed the details with Dad and we hung up. I can't believe tomorrow night I will be seeing him! And who knows, maybe i'll get the job and be able to tell him the good news!

That night I went to bed thinking of how my life is just coming together. Nothing could possibly ruin this high I am on. I mean, what could go wrong?

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Hello!

I hope you enjoyed today's chapter, the next one will be extra spicy!