Jack

“Jack Sinclair !” A man who was probably Nico Gambino called me when he saw me, his words spoken with a thick Italian accent, “How are you?”
Seated on the couch in a sitting room, he was wearing a dress shirt and slacks which looked very expensive. But what left me with no doubt that he was a mob boss were the men in the room with him. There were over six men in various positions in the room, and some of them were heavily armed.
“I'm fine,” I answered as politely as I could, “But I would have been a lot better if your men outside hadn't groped me.”
When I'd arrived at Nico's bungalow, some Italian men had searched me thoroughly before they let me in.
Nico laughed, “Sorry about that, you know how these things are. They have to make sure no hitman gets to me.”
I brushed Nico's apology aside, “May I sit?”
“Of course, you may.” Nico motioned to the couch opposite him and I sank into it.
It was cushy and beige, and just like everything else in the room, it was decidedly feminine.
“Ah, you must be wondering about the interior décor,” Nico smiled proudly, “My daughter decorated it. She lives here.”
I couldn't care less, but I pretended to be wowed, “She did a good job!”
“I know,” Nico still had the look of paternal pride. After a while, he stopped smiling and snapped his fingers. One of his men passed him a tablet PC and he tapped it a few times before looking up, “I'm looking at your file right now. It says you're an orphan, you're twenty-four years old, and you're a former Mixed Martial Artist. You're well versed in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing and Capoeira. You were a promising MMA star with a bright future, until you were involved in a scandal that led to you being blacklisted by the top list fight organisations.”
I gritted my teeth as I felt my cheeks bloom. I hated that Nico Gambino had seen that part of my life. It was a part I'd tried my best to wipe away. I'd changed my name and reinvented myself, but with Nico Gambino's vast resources, he'd uncovered my past. I felt so ashamed but I exhaled and willed myself to remain calm.
Nico seemed oblivious to my turmoil and continued, “According to what I have here, Jack Sinclair is not y—”
“I know what you have there, Mr Gambino,” I interrupted him, “You've got my past. We all have pasts, Mr Gambino.”
Nico quirked an eyebrow, “Yes, we do. But from your past, I know what type of man you are.”
“No, you don't. My past is my past, Mr Gambino, nothing more,” I asserted, “You know how well-versed I am in fighting. I'm capable of protecting your daughter to the best of my abilities, as long as you pay me. I take my job seriously, Mr Gambino. I can guarantee you won't find me lacking.”
Nico grinned with approval and clapped slowly, “Well said, well said, Jack. Truthfully, I watched a few of your fights and I can see why you're called 'Python'. I think you're the man for the job, Jack.”
I was elated by Nico's words. For a moment, I'd thought my disgraced career would cost me the job, but it seemed that hasn't fazed Nico.
“Sir, I'll be glad to work for you.” I answered happily.
“That's great.” Nico snapped his fingers again, and one of his men produced some documents and a pen.
Nico instructed the man to give them to me.
“That's our contract. It's brief and easy to understand. Sign it and you'll be in my employ.” Nico smiled.
I kept the pen on the table before me and perused the document. Like Nico had said, it was brief and easy to understand, but some of the terms stated there were ridiculous.
I wasn't to have sexual intercourse with his daughter, even if she tried to seduce me. I was only allowed a day off in three months. I was supposed to live with his daughter so I could guard her around the clock, and I was supposed to attend her classes at the college with her. Failure to follow these terms would lead to termination of the contract, and although it wasn't stated in the contract, I was sure my life would be at stake too.
Nico cleared his throat and I looked up.
“I'm sure you think some of the terms are excessive, but I take them seriously, especially the one which says you're not allowed to have sexual intercourse with my daughter. I don't want her taken advantage of. Do you understand?” Nico asked.
“Yes, I do,” I answered without hesitation, “I control my libido, not the other way around.”
“You'll be a great man, then, Jack,” Nico lauded me, “So will you sign the contract?”
I didn't like having many rules checking my lifestyle, but I had no option. I needed the cash badly.
Sighing inaudibly, I nodded, “Yes, I'll sign the contract. But I have a question.”
“Please ask.”
“How long does this job last?”
“Until she gets married. I have a man ready to marry her as early as next year. So you'll have this job for six months.” Nico informed me.
Six months, that was kind of a long time, but I figured the time would pass quickly.
I took the pen and signed. Nico's man took the document from me and returned it to his master.
“Shall we seal this with a drink?” Nico wanted to know.
“Absolutely,” I agreed. This would be my chance to taste fine Italian red wine.
One of his men whispered into Nico's ears and Nico chuckled.
“Forgive me, Jack. My daughter lives here, I doubt she has drinks suitable for men.” Nico apologized.
“No problem, Sir.” I hastily told him.
“Very well then,” Nico put his hands together, “You're going to live here with my daughter whom you'll meet very soon. I think she went shopping. You know how daughters can be.”
I didn't know, but I wasn't about to let on. A few seconds later, I heard the clacking of high heels on the marbled floor. Soon, the door to the room was flung open and a tiny woman entered, carrying a multitude of designer shopping bags that obstructed her face.
“Hi Daddy! I'm home,” She yelled in a voice that seemed somewhat familiar.
“My dear, Donatella. Welcome!” Nico's face dissolved in paternal love, “How did your shopping go?”
“I was going to shop only for limited edition bags, but one of my favorite stores had a sale and I ended up buying shoes, and a few dresses. Would you like me to try them on for you?” His daughter chattered.
Good God! How was I supposed to deal with her? I hated motormouths. They were a threat to the peace and quiet I perpetually craved.
Nico wordlessly instructed his men to relieve his daughter of her shopping bags, which they did.
That afforded me a good look at her face. She seemed to notice me for the first time, and our gazes locked. I immediately recognized the fiery red hair, the hypnotic green eyes and the ruby red lips. It was the dancer from the bar!