Corruption Calls

Chapter Three

It's surprising just how slow days turn into weeks when you're anticipating something. People walk in and out of bars all the time, but when you're waiting for one person in a city full of people to walk through that one door, a single day can feel like a lifetime. That's when Steve began to give up. Waiting for a certain red-headed woman to walk into the bar he had spent the last two visiting began to disappoint him each day she never appeared. With a small sigh and one last swig of his whiskey, he stood up and straightened the jacket of his suit, turning away from the window of which he had watched the snow flutter down. He shoved his cigarette into the ashtray, extinguishing it's embers, before he headed behind the bar. Just as he checked the time on his pocket watch, he heard the door creak open and the mutter of conversations paused for a brief moment. He looked over to the door. His brows softened and his lips formed a small smile as he instantly recognised the auburn hair.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't return." Steve stated, walking towards the woman. He reached a hand out to her shoulder, guiding her in from the cold.

"Well, no one has ever told me I shouldn't keep a gentleman waiting." Natasha responded, looking around the bar. She noticed some men standing by the door behind the bar, watching her.

"Clearly you've never met a waiting gentleman before." Steve answered. "Shall I take your coat for you?"

Natasha looked up at the broad man beside her as she removed her coat and gloves, handing them over to him. "I want to know where the money comes from."

Steve softly hushed the woman as he took her coat and gloves. Without another word, he lead her behind the bar, through the doors, and past the men who had been watching them. The hallway lead to a door with a glass pane on the top half, which Steve knocked on three times. After a moment, there was a response and the door opened.

"She's here, boss." Steve said as he looked inside the room at the large figure who was sat at the head of the table. Natasha peered inside and saw the man, who also saw her. She shifted somewhat uncomfortably as she stayed by the door while Steve entered the room. She could smell the stench of cigarettes and cigars mixed with the aroma of whiskey.

"Natalia Romanov. Daughter of Ivan Romanov. Born in Stalingrad. Nineteen years of age." The Boss announced as he stood up. He tossed a paper file onto the polished oak table as he inhaled deeply from his cigar. "Immigrant like this boy here." He added, his left hand motioning to Steve.

Natasha glanced up to Steve, before looking at the Boss again. "How do you know all this about me?" She inquired.

The Boss smiled and nodded to Steve, who ushered Natasha towards him. Natasha attempted to turn away as the Boss' hand found it's way to her face, but he moved her chin so he could look at her properly. She could smell the smoke embedded into his skin, enough to almost make her choke.

"Young. Pretty. Clean." The Boss noted aloud. "But I can smell your fear. I can feel your uncertainty." He continued, finally letting go of her. "Steve trusts you, so I do too. You are now part of the family. Don't let me down."

With a simple wave of dismissal, Steve took Natasha out of the room, shutting the door gently behind them. He looked down at Natasha with a satisfied smile. "Welcome to the family."

Natasha's brows furrowed, a frown appearing on her face. "What family? Who even is your "boss"?" She questioned. "And how dare he touch me like that?!"

"Keep your voice down, will you?" Steve snapped in a hushed tone. "You'll probably know him as James Coonan. Now, Boss does whatever he wants, whenever he wants, no questions asked. He is the reason why you got all that cash."

Natasha took a step back as her eyes fixed on Steve. "The James Coonan? You didn't tell me that! Do you know what would happen to me if the police found out I had even taken a glance at him? He's a mafia boss!" She scolded. She then shook her head and strode towards the door. "No. I can't do this. What was I even thinking?"