Heartless

Sit Down

                 

This girl knew way too much.

Tommy had the one thought echoing through his mind as he marched down the hallway. When he reached the bar he stopped, calming and regaining his composure. Tommy was not a man of rash action, even at his angriest.

Toni stood behind the counter washing dishes. She didn't notice him as her attention was focused on the shot glass she was currently drying.

Tommy tried to ignore the way her hair was tied up so that only a few curly strands fell loose over her eyes and ears and the way her thoughtful brown eyes focused on the glass she was cleaning. And the way she hummed so silently that only she and him could hear over the noise of the pub. And the way her skin glowed with a radiance he had never seen a woman carry. And the way her eyes slowly looked up and landed on him. She gave him a small smile before saying, "Hi Tommy."

This made Tommy feel something he hadn't felt in a long time. Almost like a part of him that died long ago was now being reborn with every glance she sent his way. Like he could feel his heart again.

But he had prospered in this business for years without a heart. There was no need for one now. In this moment, all she was to him was a loose end, a liability, a weakness.

And Tommy hated those. He hardened his face and moved closer. Grabbing her arm he began pulling her from behind the bar.

"Ow, Tommy what are you doing?" She asked struggling against him. He noticed as more of her hair came loose from her bun.

"Just shut up and come with me." He said.

All of her protests ended as she was roughly brought into his office.

Once inside, Tommy slammed the doors behind them. He walked over to his desk and sat down.

Toni stood frozen against the doors. Her body tense, her heart rate soaring. She had an idea what this was all about.

After lighting a cigarette and taking a puff of it, Tommy spoke up calmly.

"Sit down, Toni."

Toni's body betrayed her as she stood stock-still. Taking this as defiance Tommy shot up from his chair. Leaning over his desk he made a sound most closely described as a growl, "Sit down now."

She took slow and hesitant steps across the room and into a chair in front of his desk.

He was looking directly down at her. Tommy was leaning so closely to her that she could see the fire in his eyes.

"Now," he said standing straight up, "Arthur tells me that you've been helping him with the numbers." Tommy turned around, he was not enjoying how frightened she looked.

With his back facing her and his head to the side he asked, "Is that true?"

Silence. He turned back around and slightly raised an eyebrow.

"I.." she began to look away.

"Don't lie to me," he commanded.

"Yes, I have," she answered.

"I'm going to get to the point," he leaned over his desk again. Despite how much he disliked it, he had to scare her into submission.  "You seem like a smart girl. I'm sure you understood all you read on those receipts."

Toni looked down and nodded her head.

"So you understand my business." He said.

"I...I only saw names of companies, I don't know what they mean." Toni said.

Tommy released a low chuckle, startling Toni. She looked up at him.

"I wish I could believe you, I really do. But its all just too convenient. A new barmaid comes to my establishment and within a week she's getting inside information. I don't believe in coincidences." Tommy said.

Then he went into his desk drawer and pulled out a gun.

Toni inhaled sharply as her eyes focused on the weapon. It seemed as if her entire life was playing out before her eyes. Her mom, her dad, her dreams, her regrets, all in a single moment. She wasn't ready to die.

Suddenly Tommy's voice brought her back to reality and her eyes snapped back to his expression.

"You know too much," he said.

Toni realized she was crying now. She felt eerily set apart from her trembling body as tears stained her cheeks.

"Please...please...don't do this." She begged.

He pulled the safety back and Toni's breath hitched. Her breathing was coming in shallow now as she struggled to bring enough oxygen into her lungs. She could feel her heart beat uncontrollably as the moments that seemed to be her last crawled by.

Tommy spoke up, "I'll give you two options."

"Die..."

She shook her head no.

"Or work for me."

"What?" Toni asked, "I...I don't understand." Her body still trembling.

"You will soon."

~

Well that was a lot huh? Even though its a really short chapter, don't fret. I have more on the way. Plus I have some things to think on in regards to this story and its set up. Again, thanks for reading.

~Dallas Rey