The doorbell rings as I set a cup of coffee in front of one of the male customers that are in the cafe today. It's been a week since I started my first day in Maya's maid cafe. Luckily Luca hasn't dropped by, so I assume he's still in the dark as to where I work. Though he always finds a way to annoy me whenever I'm training at Sean's bar. I've managed to avoid having an actual conversation with him though. Every time he tried to get too close I managed to slip away before he could say anything.

Slowly I'm starting to get the hang of how things are going around here. I've worked in several bars before so I have some experience, but a maid cafe sure is something different and I'm far from being relaxed around here. I doubt I'll ever be, this is way too far out of my comfort zone. Forcefully I bow toward the customer in front of me as I murmur with a plastered smile across my face.

'I was glad to be of your service today ...master.'

The man looks disappointed as I tell him my shift has come to an end and another maid will take my place, but I couldn't be any happier. Surprisingly lots of different types of people come to these kinds of cafes. Most of them are nice, but this particular man is just a creep who just comes in to look at the maid's behinds. Which makes me want to punch him every single time. I sigh to myself as I walk back to the changing rooms, I throw my apron in my locker as soon as I enter and start undoing the corset that's slowly trying to suffocate me.

'You're getting better at this.'

Maya laughs as she enters the room. I glance back at her grumbling, contemplating whether that's a good or a bad thing. Violet follows behind Maya also taking off her attire, she looks over at me and smiles when she says.

'You're doing a good job in front of the customers, though I can tell our way of speaking still makes you a little uncomfortable.'

'That's putting it mildly...'

I sigh while I close my locker and walk to a mirror that's hanging on the other side of the wall. The vision staring back at me doesn't even look like me. I think as tie my hair up in a bun and wipe the smudges of make-up off my face that Kizzy put on earlier. Luckily she didn't put on too much and it comes off rather easy. I go over my schedule with Maya once more, confirming I can get a day or two off the day after tomorrow, if necessary. She smiles saying it's fine although she hopes I won't get hurt. I shrug back at her as Violet turns to me and says.

'Would you mind if I came some other time to watch you fight? I've got a gig tonight.'

'By all means, if you wanna go there I can't stop you.'

She smiles as if she expected me to say something along those lines. I throw my bag over my shoulder and leave while I hear them both wish me good luck. I throw them a cheeky smile as if to say I won't need it before popping in my earplugs and start listening to one of my playlists as I head out the door.

At the end of the alley, I take a turn towards Sean's humming along with the music. It's still a few hours before the start of the actual fights. But since going to the ranch, cooking, eating, and coming back will take too much time I decide to go there straight away and just order something there. My pay hasn't been bad so I can afford a little treat.

The streets are bustling with people since it's about dinner time and there are mostly cafes and restaurants around this area of town. Bourbon street is a whole other story, I've been avoiding that place like the plague since it's a shitshow every hour of the day. I'd much rather stroll around in the back streets of the French Market. No matter what time you swing by there, tourists make sure that you won't even have room to move without brushing against each other. Although right now this place isn't much better.

I manage to slip through the mass of people at a decent pace until the crowd finally becomes thinner and I gain some breathing space again. Suddenly someone grabs my arm and yanks me to the side. The sudden force makes me topple over and I collapse head-first into the stranger who grabbed me as we tumble onto the ground together. While we're dropping a horse and cart dash past the place I stood only moments ago, making me gulp as I watch it happen from the corner of my eye. That was close. I think to myself as I blink a couple of times looking down.

Then for the first time, I'm reminded I'm in some stranger's arms as I stare at his sturdy chest against mine. Shit. My heart begins to tremor along with the heavy paste of the music still playing in my ears as the arms around me tighten their grip. Clutching me close to his chest as he sits up with me on his lap and my body freezes in shock. W-Who the hell does he think he's hugging?! It all happened in a flash and I didn't even manage to see the face of the one who saved me, but... somehow this doesn't bother me as much as it should. That thought alone jolts me wide awake and I try to wriggle out of his arms pushing him backward. I don't go around embracing people, let go! I grumble as I continue to struggle in his hold while he yanks out my earplugs and swears.

'Are you insane?! Who walks around here with earplugs on one of the largest streets in town at one of the busiest hours?!'

Stunned I stare right at Luca's face which is only inches from mine. W-Why is he here? His eyes bore right into mine, his expression stern. If only I'd turned the other way and gone back home... I cuss. Not being able to remain in eye contact with him any longer from the position we're in, causes my eyes to dart around as I scramble up from his lap muttering annoyedly.

'Are you an idiot too then, for tackling people down with you onto the ground out of nowhere?'

Aggravated Luca squints his eyes at me while he gets up and grabs my arm walking me to the side of the road. Or rather, dragging me along. Once he stops in his tracks he scans me from head to toe while he continues his ranting.

'Fuck that Karma! Horse carts are a common thing here in New Orleans, you should know that by now! That cart nearly killed your ass. Those things make you oblivious to your surroundings in such a thick crowd. It was either in my arms or underneath the horse's cart, take your fucking pick!'

'The horse wouldn't be nagging at me right now, so maybe I should've taken my chances...'

I mock looking down, knowing there is some truth to his words. No music while dodging the masses, got it. Luca growls annoyed and slams me against a wall just around the corner of an alleyway we stood next to. Out of sight from the people in the main street, his fist slams the wall as he cages me in. Luca? His anger seems somewhat over the top and I cock my head a little studying his face in the darkness. His eyes waver slightly as he draws his face closer until I can feel his breath against the skin of my neck. Luca ...what the hell are you doing? My knees buckle a little and I unintentionally close my eyes when I hear him whisper in a deep rough voice as his lips brush past my ear, his stubble tickling against my skin.

'Are you hurt?'

Is he... worried? About me? It takes me a few seconds before I'm able to respond in a quiet voice.

'N-No...
So, thanks?'

I can feel him smile against my neck and his body seems to relax a little as if he's truly relieved. You really were worried? I wonder as his fingers slide through some of my hair that has come loose from my bun due to our fall earlier. He moves his hand over to my neck, brushing over the spot he kissed last time and a shiver runs through my spine. N-Not there... I plead in my mind as I hear him whisper.

'As thanks, let me make sure you're really alright.'

His voice sounds almost pained and all my body wants to do is throw itself at him. Fucking hell, why is he so sexy?! I can't be doing this! I beg my heart to stop beating so wildly. I ball my hands into fists and shut my eyes tightly as I try to suppress all of these unknown feelings lurching through my body. After a few breaths, I force the words out of my mouth I need to be saying, instead of cowering under his touch, while chewing on my bottom lip in frustration. Fuck no, this ain't happening Luca.

'Bite me!'

My voice comes out as a mix of anger and despair. He has no right to make my body act all weird, and I want it to stop! I can't think straight. He draws back a little and gazes straight into my eyes, his own filled with lust and it's only then I realize my choice of words was a very poor one... I'm screwed! I think to myself although I can't deny the rapid beating of my heart as his eyes wander down to my lips while he whispers playing with my hair.

'You're gonna regret you said that. But with the way you're looking at me right now, this chance is just too good to pass up.'

No sooner than the words have left his mouth his fingers cock my head a little to the side and he hungrily starts to kiss me all over my neck. Sh-Shit! Every time his lips come into contact with my skin a jolt of electricity runs through my veins and I can't help but moan. N-No! He softly slides a hand over my mouth to keep others from hearing as he bites down on a sensitive spot, the same one he kissed me the first time. Oh, fuck! I muffle a groan against his hand and my knees buckle, pressing my body even harder against his.

He tightens his grip around me, holding me up as he draws back his teeth. The scratchy feeling instantly replaced with his tongue gliding across where he just bit me. It wasn't painful, rather it feels hot and burning as if my skin caught on fire. I cling to him for dear life and let him do as he pleases while my body shudders under the pleasure of his touch.

When he starts to draw circles with his tongue to soothe the spot he has bitten, my body writhes against his and soft moans keep escaping from my mouth. I've never enjoyed having sex with someone, anyone, but just a mere kiss from him on my skin ...and I nearly come undone. I curse my body for being so weak and not obeying me, but the way he handles my skin just feels too good and I squeeze my eyes shut out of shame.

He drapes another few kisses from my neck to my shoulder and eventually draws back a little. That... Fuck... I swear, stumbling as I try to stand straight and lay a hand on my chest trying to calm down the storm raging in my heart. W-What was that?! For fuck's sake! My breathing is still ragged from his assault on my body when I look up to see Luca smirking. Y-You! I groan aggravated, although his eyes betray him and I can see them waver ever so slightly. You surprised yourself with that behavior as well. For another few seconds, I stare at him in a daze before I finally regain a bit of my composure and I mutter outraged.

'I- I hope you're satisfied. Because from now on, you touching me is off limits! This ...whatever the hell that just was, ends right now. Just leave me the hell alone.'

Once I get that out of my system I quickly grab my bag and dart off in the direction of Sean's bar. A part of me wants to scream at him, punch him, for the turmoil he's causing inside of me. But another part of me wants to run back into his arms and continue where we just left off... Unable to look back I keep my eyes to the ground and stalk through the streets at lightning speed.

As I walk past one of the shop windows I see a bright red spot at the corner of my neck which makes me freeze in place. I can feel the blood rush all the way up to the tips of my ears as I bite my lip and curse silently. H-He gave me a damn hickey?! I quickly put on my hoodie to hide the spot. That, and the fact that my face and ears are blazing red right now. With my fingers I touch the same spot, feeling a little bite mark he made with his teeth. Damn it! A shiver runs through me as I remember his fingers and lips on me, but I quickly shove those thoughts aside. No! Get a grip Karma, he's just a playboy. I lecture myself and I continue walking. Don't go there, under no circumstances! I continue to scold myself until I enter the bar.

Heading straight to one of the empty booths in the back before I plop down, as instantly all the strength to keep me up leaves my body. Sean motions to me that he'll be with me in a sec and I turn my attention to the wall still keeping my hoodie on, lost in my own thoughts. That never should've happened! I mutter to myself when suddenly someone pops down across me and as I lift my head to see who it is, I can't help but sigh aloud. You're like some bloody ghost I can't get rid of, following me around and popping up wherever I go... Luca studies my face before he quietly says.

'We need to talk.'

'I need you to leave me alone. What on earth were you thinking?!'

I whisper-yell while pointing toward the hickey on my neck before quickly covering it back up. This is fucked up! Luca grins a little as if he's proud of it, but his smug look quickly fades as he draws a little closer his expression serious.

'That aside, I need to discuss something with you.'

I bite my lip, seeing the stern look on his face before I nod slowly. Sean drops by and takes our orders. Apparently, we're having dinner together as well. Yay... I grumble to myself as Luca also orders a main course and something to drink for himself. He looks around the cafe for a few seconds scanning the room and so do I. The first thing I notice is Micah sitting at the corner of the bar his eyes trained on me. S-Shit. I get a gut feeling he's been around Luca this entire time. Does that mean he saw? Oh, fuck! I stare at him in shock as my brain jolts into overdrive. Whenever I'm with Luca I can't focus and lose sight of what is happening around me. It's irritating! I grumble to myself as my face turns bright red, merely thinking about the possibility Micah watched us just now. I'm so fucking mortified right now... I think looking down while I make a silent promise to myself to never let something like that happen ever again. It was a one-time thing and after this, I'll make sure not to cross paths with Luca again. I nod to myself. That's it, that's the plan. With my new resolve, I turn back to Luca looking him straight in the eyes as I snap in a low tone, making sure no one overhears.

'So, what is it this time?'

'My dad has ordered me to keep a close eye on you. I just thought you deserved to know.'

Fan-fucking-tastic! My newfound resolve instantly flies right out of the window the second the words leave his mouth and I can't help but yelp out loud nearly jumping.

'W-What?!'

He shushes me to be quiet as I see some heads turn in our direction and I sit back down trying to regain my composure. This can't be happening! I grind my teeth in frustration. What right do they have to make decisions for me?

'I don't need a bloody babysitter!'

I snap through clenched teeth as Luca gives me a slight grin.

'I am no nanny.
Or do you have fantasies about that? If that's the case, I don't mind playing along. I didn't take you for such a dirty one, Karma...'

He whispers teasingly, but all I'm able to do is stare back at him in total shock. W-W-What?! I panic, but before I'm able to utter a response I see Sean coming toward us with our food and I bite my lip while glaring at Luca the entire time. He places the plates of food and drinks in front of us studying our faces for a second before excusing himself and walking off again. Once he's gone out of earshot I grumble to Luca.

'You wish! First of all, I don't have some kind of weird fantasies. Or fetishes for that matter! And I rather fucking die than have you around me constantly, you drive me nuts! Tell Rocco to find someone else.'

'I can't. Orders are orders, that's how things work in my family. Even I can't go against a direct order from my dad. Which is precisely why he gave it to me in the first place.'

Luca bites his lip in frustration and I can't help but stare at the gesture perplexed. He doesn't want to be bound to me either, so why? I ask myself as I start eating my pasta. If he doesn't want to be around me, then what was he trying to do? After a few minutes, I try to break the silence and whisper quietly.

'What you're saying is, we're basically stuck together?'

Luca looks up at me and his eyes thin to slits as he murmurs seriously.

'Just to be clear, I need to keep an eye on you from my dad because he thinks you're too dangerous to run about. But...'

His eyes bore right into mine as he falls silent for a second. He lets out a breath before he continues his voice barely a whisper.

'What happened in the alleyway had nothing to do with that, whatsoever.'

'I told you already, it won't happen again. So forget about it!'

I tell him as I keep my eyes trained on my food, trying desperately to cling to my resolve from earlier even though I don't dare to look him in the eyes. If I do I know my own will betray me. Somehow my own words make my chest hurt, but I don't back down and continue eating.

We both eat without saying another word after that. Occasionally, I glance over at Luca who seems to be deep in thought. I wonder what goes on in that head of yours... I sigh, as I finish my plate before pushing it to the side of the table so I can finish my coffee. When I look over at Luca I see he's also finished and I clear my throat before speaking up.

'So... What does it mean exactly, having you as a guard dog?'

I see him lift an eyebrow amused at my reference and I glare back at him. No pun intended. Even though you did, in fact, bite me... I think to myself as I continue to look at him. He slowly takes another sip from his coffee looking at me all the while before he answers.

'My dad just wants to make sure you don't fly off the handle. Trust me, I won't be following your every move if that's what you're worried about. I may not look like it, but I'm a busy man myself.'

'I don't trust you. And I definitely don't want you following me everywhere I go.'

'Why is it that you have so much trouble trusting people?'

'I have trust issues because people have lying issues.'

I tell him in a stern voice. I heard the honest interest in his voice when he asked me that, but it is just too personal.

'Besides, you guys are the same. You don't trust me either. Otherwise, I wouldn't be in need of a watchdog in the first place. So why should I confide in you?'

I ask while gesturing over to Micah who's still sitting loyally in his place watching over Luca from a distance.

'I trust you won't do anything to me.
You've had multiple occasions, and several reasons, to do something and you still didn't. Micah is overprotective and you just managed to step on his toes.'

Luca says as he stands up from his seat. I noticed Micah is indeed protective when it comes to Luca, so I guess that makes sense. But why would he trust me so easily? Startled I look up at him as he leans in a little while whispering in a low voice.

'Including what happened in the alley... You could've yelled, pushed me away, slapped, or even beaten the shit out of me ...but you didn't.
You can deny it all you want, but I won't forget.
...The look on your face. The taste of your trembling body or the sweet sound of your moans... I refuse to forget any of it.'

He straightens up and walks away without saying anything else, not even giving me a chance to respond to his words. Goddammit! At least let me yell at you before you walk out! Especially after you spew shit like that! I curse silently as I watch Luca stalk out the door, Micah right on his tail leaving right after him. Once I'm sure they're not coming back I slump back down into the bench en knock my head on the table in defeat. This is a fucking nightmare.

'Please someone, wake me up from this god-forsaken hell hole!'

'Hate to break it to you, Cher. But that ain't happening. You just have to get used to them.'

I hear Sean sigh as he plops down across from me. I lift my head to see him stacking the plates onto a tray while cleaning the table with a small smile spread over his face. I heave a sigh, drawing my arms back so I'm not in the way as I mutter.

'How can anybody get used to that?! It's like every single one of them is slowly sucking out all of my energy, and my sanity along with it!'

'What about Luca?'

Sean asks nonchalantly as he leans back on the bench, a washing cloth still in his hands. I snap my head up toward him and tell him brimming with frustration.

'Oh fuck, don't even get me started on him! I can't turn around without him popping up out of the blue! And every time we attempt to strike up a conversation, I end up on the brink of madness once he leaves. I just want all of them to leave me alone and go back to their lives before I came here, I'm not interested in a conflict with them.'

'I can't tell you how to get rid of them, because you simply can't. But I will tell you this, he is different when he's around you.'

At the last part of his sentence, his eyes briefly drift over my neck. Right after, he stands up and walks off with his tray in hand. Stunned I look after him. Different? How? I can't help but wonder. I see Sean coming back toward my table with two coffees in hand. He sits back down and hands me one of the cups as he continues as if he's chatting about the weather, all the while pouring a shitload of sugar in his coffee.

'You can't tell?
I see and hear a lot of things as a bar owner that I probably shouldn't. The Whitfields have been coming here for decades, so I do know more than most.'

He stirs his coffee and I can't help but grimace at the thought of how badly it must taste. That crap is going to give you a heart attack. Sean chuckles as he sees my expression and takes a sip before he says with a lopsided grin.

'You both actually have a lot more in common than you think, he also likes his black.
These last few years Luca has been very quiet and detached towards everyone and everything. He makes his conclusions quickly, has a big mouth, and a very short fuse. The smallest and dumbest things can wind him up in a flash, while at other times he doesn't seem to care about anything at all. But whenever you're with him he's different. He doesn't have that empty look in his eyes anymore.'

I stare at the dark liquid in my cup as I go over Sean's words in my head. I've only seen Luca while he's around me, so I can't really tell if he's different. Is he though? His characteristics sound familiar, he's arrogant and quick to judge. That sure sounds like how he is whenever he's with me. But somehow the fact that Sean says his eyes look dull and empty whenever he's not around me bothers me. Is it something he doesn't want me to know? It's not that I wanna pry into his private stuff, I shouldn't even want to understand. But whenever I'm with him he has enough spirit for five people... My mind drifts back to what happened in the alley and the way his eyes nearly bored a hole in my soul. Empty would be the last word I'd use to describe his gaze back there. There were so many emotions swirling inside of his eyes. Lust, fear, and anger among many others. Just thinking about his intense gaze is enough to make my knees start to grow weak again, and I quickly shake my head.

'I just can't wrap my head around him. He~'

I fall silent for a moment, biting my lower lip not knowing how to continue, or what I was about to say exactly. Sean quietly studies my face, waiting for me to finish my sentence. My brain is swimming with so many thoughts I have trouble keeping up with them myself. What are you trying to achieve by telling me all this?

The way he pointed out the mark on my neck a moment ago made it obvious he knows it was Luca's doing. I don't know why Luca would act differently around me, he's surrounded by girls all the time. I'm just some shabby girl. So why would a hickey draw Sean's attention? I'm sure he has done that to a shit load of girls, girls far more appealing than me. Somehow the thought of him kissing other girls like that makes me incredibly agitated as my fingers tremble softly around my cup while I place it down on the table. Quickly I draw my hands back into my lap so Sean won't notice my inner turmoil as I continue speaking through clenched teeth.

'He's just a playboy, looking for another girl to fuck and pass the time with. I'm not interested.'

I squeeze the words out of my throat as if I'm trying to convince myself instead of Sean before looking him straight in the eyes while I continue.

'I don't know why you're telling me this, but I'm not one of those pretty girls who'll flaunt all over him. I'm a fighter and that's all I'll ever fucking be.'

Sean heaves a sigh as he stands up, dropping the keys to the basement in front of me as he says.

'Alright. If you wanna avoid him that much, I suggest you head down already. He'll probably be back soon enough since they're in charge of the bets.'

I nod and he looks me over one more time before turning around, as he walks away I hear him mutter in a low voice.

'Try to look further than what you can see on the surface. Maybe one day you'll both find salvation...'

What's that supposed to mean? I ask myself watching Sean's back disappear behind the bar. Luca finding salvation? From what exactly? I ponder, but I decide to shove those questions to the back of my mind for now and grab the keys Sean left on the table for me, heading down to the basement. I have more important things to worry about. I try to convince myself as I drag my feet down the stairs.