Rescue the Barista

mobster. Worrying about whether you’re going to get killed, worrying about whether I am, worrying about you getting arrested, or me being interrogated?” her face is streaked. “I’m just not going through that, Angelo. I’m so sorry.”

Chapter 12 Jamie
The next few weeks are hard. My business plan was good. I’m happy about how it goes. Until henchman Vito starts to show up.
I did what I planned. Put most of the money aside. I talked to Summer about the management of it, to keep myself accountable. I didn’t need to use much of the extra that I borrowed to pay back the loan and the ‘vig’ which is mob speak for, ‘interest,’ apparently.
With Summer’s help, I ran small, highly targeted social media campaigns. I used guest coffees as the hook to draw people in, and I got them from other suppliers.
Massimo complained that his supply came with an ‘exclusivity’ clause. I checked with my business attorney and told Massimo, “It does, but it goes both ways. The coffee chain that you supplied and nearly put me out of business for is less than half a mile away, so good luck taking that to court, Massimo.”
So everything was going pretty well. Considering. At least for a while, it was.
So, it’s a slow afternoon, and getting slower. As it’s December and there’s a chill in the air, I should be getting plenty of drop-in trade, and the people who come ought to be staying longer. And they would. If it weren’t for Vito.
Vito and his crew have eaten all but two of the cakes and pastries, and drunk enough coffee to start-up a social media platform. Nico and H are okay guys. They’re polite, pleasant and well-mannered. Vito isn’t any of those thing, plus he’s huge, epic ugly and aggressively loud.
Every week, since he started hanging out here, the takings are down. If it goes on like this I’ll have to let Donna and Chris go. Though I don’t see me staying open long after that happens. All that I’m doing now is paying back the loan and watching my little business slowly die.
Worst of it is, I could be fucking the mob guy, having a great time all night every night, and he would solve all my problems in here. But I chose my business. that means I have to solve my own problems.
The last real customer of the day just shuffled away with his MacBook, shyly looking back at me on his way to the door.
I need to do something right now or I know I’m going to put it off and get more and more scared. The longer I put it off the harder it gets to do it. I thought about it enough times. It always seems like the wrong moment, and it always will be.
I step out from behind the counter. “Vito,” I put my hands on my hips. I know that’s the wrong move. I’m trying to show power. I don’t have any. Still, I started. I have to follow through and do it now. I’m trying real hard to stay calm inside. I wish I could get Angelo to take care of this. The fact that he doesn’t makes me really afraid for how it’s going to turn out. But I can’t go on.
Vito hasn’t even looked round but the air in the room hangs thick and quiet and cold. Neither of the other guys move a muscle.
“Vito,” I tell him flat, “You’re killing my business.”
He still doesn’t look round. I see him look from Nico to H and I see his face pull.
“Bitch say something?” he says, and he starts to laugh.
I can’t see his lazy, thug’s grin, but I hear it in his voice.
“Listen, little lady, you wouldn’t have a business if it wasn’t for Angelo coming in with a financial injection.” I know he’s looking at the others to squeeze a laugh out of his double meaning.
It’s making me angrier. And that’s his technique, of course. I don’t say anything.
“Seems to me,” Vito says, his whole frame rippling as he chuckles, “You’re getting the good end of this deal. Angelo puts a fat wad in,” and now the other two begin to chuckle. It isn’t a nice sound. Only Nico keeps a straight face. “So, I think Angelo is buying some hospitality for his crew,” he turns his sloppy grin and his narrowed eyes to me.
His tongue flicks across his lips as he looks at me.
I’m trying really hard to stand stock still. And not to be afraid. I can’t see that I’m doing very well at either. There’s a tremble in my knees. I hold his gaze steady, though.
“Vito, do you see any paying customers in here? You are driving them all away. I won’t have a business if you go on like this.”
“Well, I thought you was in the hospitality business. This sounds pretty un-hospitable to me. ” His chair scrapes as he hauls himself to his feet. I know I have to stand my ground. He’s huge. And I’m terrified. Still, I stand, absolutely still, and facing him. My feet apart, my hand still on my hips.
It takes a slow, deliberate step towards me. Standing right in front of me, I can feel his breath on my cheek. His stomach is almost touching my breasts. He takes another step, and I have to move back. He advances again, and I’m backed against the kitchen door. Inside, I’m shaking like a leaf. I want to hold onto the door frame, I want to run. His huge frame blocks me completely.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie.” His eyes flicked around in their little narrow slits. Half a step forward, his huge body presses me back against the door.
“You can be hospitable if you try.” I feel his voice rumbling in his gut as it presses