Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

....

She shivered—soaked to the bone.

The rain had been coming down for an hour, and her cough wasn't getting better. She thought about going back home, where Papa lived, but he was a nasty drunkard. Being around him was hard, and the scar on the back of her head was a reminder of his violent tendencies. She couldn't keep putting herself through that man's abuse, not even if she loved him.

The skies roared, and Starla huddled up closer to the brick wall, trying to keep her teeth quiet.

She needed sleep—just enough to keep her going. But the icy rain and loud thunder were keeping her awake.

Starla knew where she was at all times—to stay safe from the criminals that prowled the streets of the city — but tonight, she didn’t know what district she was hiding in.

She just wanted to sleep.

...

It wasn't the chilly rain, or even the gentle thunder that woke Starla from her brief slumber.

There were voices—strange ones, aggressive ones, closing in all around her.

Her heart beat faster. The second she opened her eyes, a man standing under the streetlight at the end of the alleyway caught her attention. He wasn’t far, talking to someone out of view.

"Shite." The girl swore as she fixed her wool cap and got to her feet.

Her untied bootlace had gotten stuck underneath one of the garbage cans she had made a shelter by, and she fell, knocking over the metal lid.

"No!" Starla said to herself, and tried to collect herself from the cold, wet ground, but the sound of the metal garbage can lid hitting the ground had drawn unwanted attention.

"I heard somethin' down here!" A man hollered from the darker end of the alleyway, and Starla's breath picked up.

Their voices echoed, and she could hear sloshing footsteps.

Starla needed to leave. She looked over to see that the man was gone.

"Fuck!!" The Irish woman swore under her breath and turned her head as she pulled a pocketknife from her soggy pants pocket.

She had to get out of there - the voices and sloshes were getting closer.

This alleyway was long—where was she?

Her frozen ears were ringing, and her nose was dripping. She took the time to tie her boot and suddenly collided with the wall with a single hand to her chest, and held there.

"Ah!" Her body expelled a grunt from the quickness of the attack and the pain exploding in her back, and the crown of her head, eyes pinched shut.

There was now a familiar smell in the cold air. It wasn't the rain, or the garbage anymore. The smell was something…musky. It made her nostrils flare when she took in a slow inhalation, turning her head without looking her unknown attacker in the eyes.

"Well, look what we got here!" The man laughed, pressing his hand harder against Starla's sternum, and stepping a foot between hers.

It was sprinkling now, but the rain was still cold.

She was still holding on to her pocket knife, but the man ripped it right from her and pocketed it for himself.

"Ya’ know where ya’ are, babes?" The man's breath was warm and sour against Starla's face, and she could hear amusement in his downtown voice.

She turned her head to look at him, and immediately sneered, and pushed her arms against him attempting to free herself from his pin. He just chuckled.

He was dangerous—the tie, the vest, and the obsidian jacket gave it away. His combed-back hair with the buzzed sides was a hairstyle she'd often seen among mobster goons, but he looked like more than just a man with the need to pick a fight.

"I'm talkin' to ya', dollface, use ya' goddamn words!" He got violent and grabbed her face, pinching her cheeks with his icy fingers, and holding her head in place against the wall.

"He's over here!" Suddenly, another man called out, and he soon made himself seen. He looked similar to Starla's aggressor, but he wore a flat cap, a leather jacket, and wielded a baseball bat.

He was taller, and built bigger, but he didn't make her nearly as anxious as the man holding her face.

"Took ya’ long enough, shit, Lou!" the smaller man said and returned his attention to Starla.

He inched his face closer to hers, grinning. Showing a bit of teeth.

"If ya’ don't wanna talk, I have somethin' else in mind that mouth a' yours can do for me an' my boy!" Dino teased, his warm cigarette breath against her flushed cheek, and he slowly roamed inside her soggy coat with his free hand.

Starla opened an eye to see Lou smiling beside Dino, and she groaned against her throat like a caged animal.

She raised her hands and swatted at him, but the man was fast and had brandished her own pocket knife before her.

Her eyes bugged, but that still didn't stop her from growling and wriggling against the wall. Even after he pressed the tip of the blade against her cheek, moving it down around his own thumb.

"Heh—boss will love ya, gotta lotta’ spunk, that's for sure!" Dino smirked and took his hand out of Starla's coat before putting it around her throat.

He looked her over and licked his lips. She was dirty, smelled like a wet dog, and wore the baggiest clothing she could find, but the man still looked interested in something more than a brief scuffle.

His and Lou's gazes made her queasy, but it gave her more reason to keep fighting.

"Get off of me!" Starla clamped her teeth down onto the fleshy junction of Dino’s thumb hard.

The man immediately let her go, cried out and looked down at the blood. He swore at Lou, and they both fled after her.

There were more of them on the outside of the alleyway, but there were pedestrians, cab drivers and other regular people who would look out for her.

That's what she thought.

Once on the outside, her eyes bugged again, and she whimpered. Looking at the street signs.

She wasn't in Little Italy anymore. She was in North Park.

Starla wasn't like everyone else. She was a bum—had no job, no education, except for what she had taught herself while living on the streets, and memories of her life back on the farm. Memories of Papa and Mama before everything changed.

A few brute goons had caught up with Starla and grabbed her arms. One man was more than capable of holding her.

"Fuck off!" She spat in the man's face.

Dino and Lou made a return, and Dino viciously grabbed her by the hair and tossed her into the side of his car.

Her body hit it with a thud, and she cried out in pain.

"Better stay still, don't want ya’ dentin' up my new set a' wheels!" Dino said with a smirk and re-brandished her pocket knife, looking over the top of his car at the passing vehicles and passersby.

Lou and the others knew what Dino was getting ready for. Even if anyone saw or heard anything, that was all they could do.

 Marcu Morello owned that district.

He had everyone, even the police, in the palm of his hand. Starla was aware of the Morello family, but she already knew the dangers of living on the streets of the crime-riddled city.

She didn't stand after her body hit the car and dropped to the ground.

Dino widened his feet and flicked his head at the others to stand by while he unbuckled his belt and popped the button of his ashy-blue slacks.

He straightened out his back and grimaced at Starla.

"Hey, look at me!" he demanded, stepping on her fingers with his polished dress shoe.

She used her other hand to push against his leg. Starla continued to push Dino, but it only resulted in him chuckling and rocking on his heels.

"Get the fuck off me!" Dino was now laughing and decided against his previous affliction. He kneeled before her, and gently brushed her long, stringy blonde hair from her face.

"Ya' gotta pretty face under all that shit, babes," Dino quietly commented, meeting her hazel eyes with hardly any expression on his face. Tears wet her cheeks, her eyes were red and puffy, and dirt covered her skin.

She immediately swatted his hand away and stood, but he wrapped his arms around her waist and yelled for Lou to open the back door of his car.

Lou followed orders, and Dino forced Starla inside as soon as the door opened.

The girl screamed and kicked the back of the bench seat, even tried to rough up the back windows.

Dino gave the other goons orders before he hurried into the driver's seat with Lou in the passenger.

"Ya' keep it up an' I'll hurt ya' real bad!" Dino spat and turned back around. Started the engine and sped off as if the rules of the road no longer existed.

No tunes. No sounds, only Dino and Lou arguing about something.

Starla tried to listen, but exhaustion was quickly taking over.

The jostling of the car startled her awake, and her eyes bugged the second the back door swung open and Dino appeared.

"Fuck you!" She kicked her legs at him as he reached into the backseat for her. He seemed amused with her.

"Haven't been around an Irish broad in a long time, doll! So please keep spittin' those words at me!" Dino teased her and grunted when taking a muddy boot to the side of the head.

Lou got out, slammed the door shut, and pulled open the other door above her head to grab her arms. He latched onto her biceps quickly.

"Argh, fuckin' whore!" Dino spat and backhanded her across the face, stunning her for the time being.

She saw stars, and no longer fought to keep her eyes open or away from the two men.

A sudden crackle of thunder escaped from the black skies, and Starla fell unconscious.

Chapter Text

....

Starla was still wet and cold when she awoke, worsening her symptoms. She shook like a leaf, flopped over Lou’s shoulder like a used dish rag. He followed Dino in through the back of the lounge bar during the busier business hours.

Dino spotted Morello out in front, and he wandered over to his table, where Morello was playing a game of poker with a few off-duty officers.

“Don Morello, ya’ needed out back,” the Soldato informed him, keeping matters private and formal. The officers ended their conversation, and they and Morello lifted their chins at Dino.

He kept his injured hand hidden inside his jacket pocket.

“Thank you, Dino!” Morello replied and stood up from the chair with a sigh.

“Well, gentlemen, we will have to finish this game another night!” Morello said with a smile that had gained him one in return, and the taller officer nodded before scooting his chair from the table, standing to his feet and giving him a pat on the back, heading toward the entrance with the younger officer in tow.

Dino and Morello watched them exit the bar; Morello kept his smile until they were out of sight.

There were still a few patrons, but they were occupying the bar, minding their own affairs. Laughing and drinking away their worries while the jazz band continued to play.

Morello kept his silence, walking past Dino, assuming that he was close behind.

The music faded out of range after the two had entered the back office.

“What do you got for me tonight, Dino?” Morello asked, brushing off the sleeve of his pristine white suit jacket, and looking up, only to go silent.

Starla fought against Lou’s hold on her arms, but she was too small.

Dino closed the door, and Morello narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brows on his way over to the panicked young woman on the far side of the room.

The lighting was soft—it was the perfect glow, coming from the chandelier above the large cherry wood table.

“Tell me your name, young lady.” Morello wasn’t a very tall man, and what he lacked in height, he made up for in size.

He stood before her and looked down into her doe eyes. There was no aggression behind his statement, but Starla didn’t feel safe with him near. Lou dug his fingers deeper into her arms and she winced.

She flicked her eyes over to Dino, playing doorman, and started to wriggle again. Her long blonde hair swayed about her face.

“Just let me go, sir, I got nothin' for ya'!" Her emerald eyes twinkled with tears when her head was gently lifted with a single touch of Morello’s warm thumb on her chin.

He stayed quiet for a moment, taking in her expression—slowly flicking his dark eyes between hers.

Then she noticed the curl of his lip.

“Irish, eh?” Morello’s eyes fell heavy and let go of her chin, brushing back hair from her face as she looked down.

“I admire that in you, miss!”

What kind of game was that man playing?

“Now, give me your name, and I’ll give you a warm bed to sleep in tonight,” Morello said, and the tone of his voice was different – colder.

She was shivering, despite the undeniable heat surrounding her. The man’s offer was enticing, but Starla wouldn’t allow herself to be swayed.

She was smarter than that.

Lou tugged her backward when she lurched forward.

“Give me your name!” The white dressed man raised his voice and grabbed Starla’s flushed face, earning himself a wince. Demanding her name.

There was a rogue-colored bruise across her cheek, but Morello didn’t bother to ask about it. He looked down into her eyes, dismissing the tear that rolled down her cheek.

“S-Starla McKinney, sir!” She pulled in her quivering bottom lip, her body trembling from the cold and the pain of his fingertips digging into her damaged, dirty skin.

He scoffed behind thinned lips and smiled.

“You just earned yourself a warm bed – good girl!”

Chapter Text

....

As offered, Starla got a warm bed for the night with a bonus—a warm shower and clean clothes that actually fit her.

Morello’s lounge bar had a spacious second floor that was a man’s paradise, where he hosted illegal card games and housed some of the loveliest dames. Ennio had a hold on the liquor racket, but so did Marcu.

After her shower, Starla hurried back into the room down the hall. Wrapped up in a plush towel—something that she didn’t know existed.

The bruise was still there, and so was the tang of Dino’s blood. Soaked into her taste buds.

The taste brought back a memory that she had always tried to wipe clean off her cerebral slate. Alcohol would help for a while until it didn’t. All it did now was make her sick.


But Starla couldn’t live without it. Not yet. She was sick with it. And she was sick without it.

Before closing the door, the man in white had startled her. His big hand kept the door open, and the curl in his lips made her queasy.

His dark eyes stayed fixed solely on hers, despite her being covered in only a towel, and he invited himself inside. She watched him wander around with his hands in the pockets of his blazer.

The silence stayed with them for a while.


He turned to face her and waved her over. Outside the window, the world was black, and the long opaque curtains waved softly in the chilly, rainy breeze. Starla swallowed and gripped her towel tighter, taking careful steps towards the brick of a man.

Her eyes flicked over to the dress. She couldn’t wear that, but her old clothes were being washed, and she wasn’t keen on asking the Don if he had a pair of ladies’ slacks.

She also wasn’t ready to wear wet clothes again.


“Dino told me he found you in an alleyway near downtown,” he said as he looked down.

“He also found this,” Morello said, and with his cotton-white dress shoe, he pushed Starla’s leather pack out from under the bed and into view.

Her eyes bugged, and she rounded her lips.

“Oh!”

Morello saw her face light up and arched an eyebrow. He inhaled slowly through his nose and back out his mouth when he softly chuckled.

“How long have you been living on the streets?” He asked, but he must’ve looked through her things.

Starla’s nose crinkled, and she looked down.

“I won’t judge you, sweet-heart,” Morello’s tone was gentle and staring down at her, he settled his heavy hand on her shoulder, immediately frightening her onto the edge of the bed.

Her heart was racing and her stomach was churning.

“Ten years sir,” Her accent got heavier any time she’d clam up in his company. Morello pursed his lips and moved closer to her. Touching his thumb to her chin and getting her to meet his gaze.

His eyes roamed her. To the top of her head, all the way down to her toes.

“That’s a long time for a young girl like you to be on her own,” The white-suited man said, lips slightly curled, brushing the soft skin of Starla’s chin with the pad of his thumb.

She didn’t know what else to say. She just nodded and blinked.

“Well,” Morello said, and removed his hand from the girl’s chin, keeping his eyes on her.

“I won’t let you live that way again,” He insisted and something about his kindness felt fake – like a facade.

Starla was a young woman, but that didn’t make her naive to the games that people played.

“I can't afford to live here, I have no money sir,” That was where she was totally misunderstanding.

Morello gave a small smile again and shook his head.

“You most definitely will afford to live here – see cash for the rest of your life if you listen to me, sweet-heart!” He softened his cocoa eyes and his smile widened.

Starla’s throat emitted a dry cough and she put her hand to her stomach, thinking that her touch would keep it from growling so loudly.

Morello arched his dark eyebrows and straightened out his shoulders.

“For a woman of the streets, you have plenty of meat on your bones, but you haven’t eaten lately, have you?” Morello said with the same, icy smile on his face, his dark eyes looking down at her.

He read her like a book – saw right through her. Don Morello was a highly perceptive man.

Starla shook her head and loosened her fingers on the towel. Lifting her chin at the man.

“Get yourself dressed, I’ll be down the hall,” He said in a lower tone turning around. Before exiting the room, he turned back around to look at Starla.

That kind facade of his was gone, and a frightening aura took its place.

“We will talk business over a warm meal,”

After he closed the door and was gone, Morello’s clean and musk scent remained in the room with Starla. Her throat convulsed and she looked down at the dress at her side.

Chapter Text

....

It wasn't like Starla to accept anything from a stranger, but Morello's offer of a warm bed had been tempting.

She had no where to go.

Her only source of protection had been stolen from her during the brief assault in the alleyway.

She was lucky to have her pack with her.

Starla unbuckled the front of the wet pack and searched inside. She could see that most of her belongings had been stolen.


"No..." She pulled in her lip and sniffled, wiping at her eyes. She had no canteen of water, no half-eaten pastries she had robbed off a stand at a bakery in Little Italy, and no rags for her monthly.

What did they even do with her clothes? Her boots? Her fucking coat?


She needed to get out of here. That man in white was not the Angel that he'd portrayed himself to be.


...


She put on the clothes that were in her pack; a cream button-up blouse, a pair of ladies' tweed slacks, and a leather flat cap. Her suspenders were missing along with her boots and the only pair of socks she had.

The doorknob rattled, and she sucked in a hard breath as Morello walked into the room with another goon at his side.

The younger man and Morello both looked her over; Morello arching his dark eyebrow.

The dress still lay on the bed, and Starla was dressed like a hood.

"Oh sweetheart, that dress I put out for you is made of French silk." Morello got closer. His tone calm and gentle. The soles of his shoes making noise across the wood floor.

"Any other woman would've been fucking grateful!" Morello raised his voice and met the tender skin of Starla's face with the back of his hand.

The loud SMACK filled the room.

She brought her fingers to her swelling cheek as she fell onto the bed. Her lip trembling.

There was blood. Her nostril trickled crimson, but the small cut across her cheekbone clotted. Morello was too powerful of a man; made her see the entire galaxy.

"Now, I suggest you put that dress on and be a good girl, Starla." Morello moved towards the bed lowering his eyes upon her. Head tilted to the side.

She couldn't ignore the pain or the wetness on her cheeks and the blood running down to her lips. She didn't move when he shadowed over her, his weight sinking into the bed. And his arms on either side of her head keeping her in place.

His breath was warm; the smell of his musk and cigars kissing her nose. She crinkled it and winced at the sting of pain.

"If you don't I'll just have my boy here teach you a lesson in respect!" That last word left spit on her cheek.

She kept her eyes closed even after he grabbed her jaw and forced her chin up.

"Open your goddamn eyes!" Morello yelled.

Her eyes fluttered open and she saw the man's face inches from hers.

Another loud growl came from her stomach and Morello looked down.

Her unbuttoned blouse exposed the mid-section on her milky body.

"Put the dress on," Morello's cocoa eyes darkened, and he let go of her jaw to rest his large hand flat on her body and splay his thick fingers across her ribs.

One push down with his hand, and Morello could break the girl's ribs. The thought put a curl on his lips.

A gasp escaped her parted lips at the heat of Morello's hand on her cold skin. Her nose had stopped bleeding, leaving brown trails toward her lips and her body shook as she watched his heavy cocoa eyes move about her face before stopping on her lips.

"I won't tell you again." Morello said lowly and rose to his feet, straightening out his back and his blazer before leaving the room with his goon.

Her nose ran pink, and her eyes burned as fresh tears rolled down her face, laying there with her knees to her chest.

She didn't have a plan yet, but giving up wasn't an option.

Chapter Text

....

Morello was an evil man. The Devil in Angel's clothes.

Starla had everything she needed; a place to stay and food to eat. But at what cost? 

Being kept away from the world was a living nightmare.

Starla could hear the other women as she lay in bed in the evenings. They giggled and sighed, but she wasn't convinced. She knew that disappointing the gentlemen was not an option. Disappointing them would be disappointing Don Morello.

—

Morello had promised Starla safety and comfort. He had given her just that in the form of a bedroom.

During the late nights, the working girls would spend their off-time gossiping, but none of it was interesting enough to keep Starla occupied from her thoughts. But when she had heard about Morello's private auction that was coming up, that changed everything. Not long after hearing about the auction, Starla had been made into a working girl. No one was allowed to have her body, but her mouth and hands were on the table. 

She had a couple of regulars during her first week; one was a handsome officer of the law, and the other was the son of the city councilor, Billy Ghillotti.

He treated her horrible, humiliating her for the things that he had paid her to do and endure. Billy was the youngest out of the men she had seen stark naked or with their cocks out. Don Morello's rules rotted her slowly. His control made her sick. He had all of her under his thumb, in his pocket. Any place he could stuff her.

She was given food, clean clothes, daily showers, and a warm and comfortable place to hide away when the work day was through. She had everything because of him. She was even allowed to roam the ground floor with an enforcer on watch. But being the Don's favorite girl wasn't good, no matter what the other girls said about her.

--

It was late when Starla settled in by the open window, taking in the lively city. Breathing in the smells with her chin in her hand.

Lost Heaven was a beautiful city in spite of the crime and filth that ruled its streets. It had beautiful people who had beautiful lives. It didn't need forgettables like her. 

At 14, Starla was taken in by Tony Barrelli, a beautiful man of the city. He had found her scrounging for food in the trash bins behind his restaurant. They were close until his wife caught her stealing from their home a month before her 19th birthday. He had no choice but to let her go, and she was on her own again like she never knew him. She was accustomed to the streets. It was second nature to her to run back to them.

She wasn't aware of her dozing off until the bedroom door had smacked loudly against the wall and a man rushed into the room.

She blinked her eyes and gave them a quick rub before opening them again to see Dino standing there. The stench of whiskey entered the room with him, and he threw the door closed, giving her a look that churned her gut.

Starla got to her feet slowly and swallowed, stepping back and noting that his hand was empty.

"I don't do nothin' without money!"

Dino wasted no more time and came at her, ripping her away from the window. She cried out and folded her forearms against him but he was stronger and quicker even in his inebriated state. He swung her toward the bed and threw her upon it.

"Boss says this one's on the house for the way ya' treated me last week, doll face!" Dino said and Starla continued to fight. He moved onto the bed and settled above her, his knees around her waist squeezing her to keep her there while he worked on unbuckling his belt.

"No, get off me!"

He arched his scarred eyebrow and shook his head, keeping his back straight, easing down the zipper of his dress slacks. Starla pinched her eyes closed and tried to pull her legs out from under him and kick, but his weight made it impossible. His ass was settled above her hips. Dino reeked of booze and cheap cologne.

"Nah ah, doll, ya' mine ta'night!" The Soldato said lowly and pulled himself free from his boxers. Wetting his lips with a swipe of his tongue before giving her a sick smile.

When she turned her head, Dino forced it back with a pinch of her cheeks, looking at the scar left on her cheekbone.

"Shame that he hurt ya' like that, ya' know," As Dino leaned over her, the bed dipped and a little creak sounded from the frame. His face was too close to hers, a loose strand of his silver-black hair hanging freely. She didn't know that Dino had a soft spot for her. His voice was too soft, but his cock was still hard as stone.

"Now, open ya' pretty mouth for me, babes, an' we'll have a good time!"

Chapter Text

....

Days went by and Starla was no longer making money giving hand-jobs and delightfully sloppy head.

Don Morello had learned a lot about her and thought she'd make a good thief, considering her years of experience on the streets. His men were not trained properly for such situations. They proved their worth behind firearms and their fists, and that's what mattered the most to him.

She worked alongside Dino and Lou. Morello and his men were amazed at how much cash Starla had brought in on a weekly basis. She was young, beautiful when dressed appropriately, and manipulative as a cat.

She was transferring to the best room Morello had on the second floor, and Florence had to collect her things and take Starla's old room.

 She and the other women got along. Had to for business. A lot of them looked out for Starla but Florence was envious of her. Had even gotten her into some trouble in the beginning of her job as a working girl just because she could.

Don Morello kept an eye on McKinney. She was his best girl. Starla was special, but still didn't see it. Morello was the Devil, and he didn't deserve her trust. Not after what he had done to her and to the other women. Because of him, those women knew no other life than the one he had forced them into.

.

"Ya' still gonna hold that auction, boss?" Dino asked, expelling a plume of cigarette smoke into the air, slapping down another playing card onto the table after some time. Morello arched a dark eyebrow and looked Dino over with just his eyes before laying down his winning hand and smiling. Dino sat forward in his chair with a creak and swore under his breath. 

"Why do you ask?" Morello asked sighing contently, sitting back in his chair and puffing on a new cigar. Waiting to take the stacks of cash off Dino's hands.

Dino was quiet for a moment and shrugged, no longer looking over at him.

"Never forget that she's a whore, Dino," Morello said and stood up to collect the twin cash stacks from the table. Dino made a face before looking up at the Don and nodding.

" 'course, boss," He replied and snubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray atop the table.

Morello eyed his Soldato and hiding away the stacks of cash in his inner blazer pockets.

"Make sure she's ready for tonight, the auction will be held at the Hotel Corleone at 8:00 – I don't need any trouble." Don Morello said before waltzing away from the table and on his way downstairs.

Dino sighed, scrubbing his face with his hand and leaning back in his chair, balancing on the two hind legs with his feet kicked up on the table.

He crossed his arms behind his head for a brief time, and let out a groan. He got to thinking; where the fuck was Sergio going to be tonight?


-------------------‐‐-------------------------------------------------------------


{Salieri's restaurant}



In the back meeting room, conversation was going well.

Sam inhaled from his cigar and casually set the Lost Heaven paper down on the table, sliding it over to Salieri and standing.

The Don already knew about Sam's plan.

"You boys up for trip ta' the newly remodeled Hotel Corleone?" Sam arched a thick eyebrow, exhaling the smoke as he talked. Flitting his ashy-blue eyes between Tom and Paulie.

The two looked at each other and Paulie made a face when he looked at Sam across the table.

"Sounds like a fun time if the place weren't full of Morello's goons!" Paulie had a point, but he and Tommy would be going together. He eyed the paper and Salieri slid it over to him for reference.

"Hear me out boys, there's a private auction bein' held there ta' night," Sam said putting a finger on the table.

" - an' trust me when I say youse two ain't never seen a dame so fine!" Sam smirked and flashed them a wink.

"So ya' gotta be in with Morello ta' get in?" Paulie asked looking at Sam before looking over at Salieri.

" 'course," Sam said with a shrug and took another puff of his cigar.

"This is Marcu Morello we're talking about, Paulie, he wants to rile us up, it's what he's good at," Salieri said with a sigh as he leaned back and took a sip from his glass of whiskey.

Tommy was still quiet after reading the event in the newspaper.

"So, Tom, whaddaya think?" Paulie asked gently nudging him in the arm and smiling when their eyes met.

Tom licked his lips, slid the paper back to Sam and sat there frozen in time. Sam snapped his fingers twice.

"Tom, auctions like these happen all the time among the wealthy, jus' never announced like that," Sam tapped his fingers on the paper to get Tom to look.

Paulie patted Tom on the back and chuckled.

"It's gonna be alright, Tommy, Sam knows what he's doin' an' hey! we get in for free!" Paulie said aloud, trying to liven the mood, but Tom was stiff as a plank of wood.

"That's a young girl there talkin' about, Salieri, it ain't right!" Tommy said with his head low, and pushed a new cigarette between his lips, his hands shaking.

Salieri nodded, but they all knew how soft Tommy was with the women.

Silence filled the space for a brief time.

"What can ya' do, Tom?" Paulie said with a shrugged.

"Jus' do the job." Sam remarked making Tom nearly choke as he swallowed.

Chapter Text

....

Time ticked by so slowly.

Billy had left the room shortly after being serviced, leaving a handsome stack of cash on the bedside table. He always paid the most to give Starla the worst. 

She always took advantage of the extra time she was allowed after each client.

She covered her mouth as she yawned, smacking her lips and physically shivering at the foul taste of Billy's cock left on her tongue.

She slid off the bed in a powdery-pink silken nightgown and wandered over to the window where she spent a lot of her time reading the books on her bookshelf, stealing swigs from the small liquor bottles she'd pocket from the bar down the hall.

Starla was a smart girl, always replenishing the bottles at the end of the night.

"Youse the first girl ta' ever be put on display, ya' know?" Morello's oldest girl spooked Starla after making herself known.

Starla kept quiet as she looked over at the brunette woman standing over the threshold of her room. Blinking slowly. She never had anything to say to anyone. She wasn't there to make friends.

Starla was staring at the other woman, swallowing and keeping her silence.

Bernadette furrowed her brow and gripped the side of the wood door.

"You get to get out, and for what? Being so young and beautiful??" She stomped into the room and pulled the door closed with a click.

Bernadette was a beautiful woman, and Starla understood her viciousness.

Morello had forced all of the women there to do his bidding. Turned them into flesh-puppets who played their part how he wanted or they get hanged by their own strings.

Starla blinked and corked the bottle of whiskey she had hidden, but the glazed look in her eyes made Bernadette purse her rosy lips and cross her arms.

It was late but not late enough.

"I-I have a plan..." Starla said softly, eyes heavy, and it was evident to Bernadette that she was drunk.

McKinney swiped the back of her hand over her slobbery chin and lay the side of her head against the wall beside the window.

Bernadette didn't want to believe that Starla was stealing from Morello.

Starla's face was flushed and she swallowed, looking down with a pout on her lips.

The beautifully dressed older woman sighed and made her way over to Starla. Her 2-inch heels clacking quietly on the floor.

Bernadette could taste the whiskey in the air, the stench mixing poorly with her rose perfume.

She kneeled down to Starla's size and grabbed the bottle, narrowing her eyes and shaking her head.

"If youse get caught drinkin' without permission, the Don will cause ya' unspeakable harm, now how long ya' been doing this?" Bernadette was furious with her, but she kept her composure as she grabbed her chin and lifted her head.

Just a belch came out of Starla. It was gross and obnoxious.

She slumped forward into Bernadette's half-concealed bosom and let out a low groan. Bernadette didn't have react until the Starla began whimper and shake.

"I can't be here!" Starla's accent was heavier than Bernadette remembered and she clung to her like a lifeline.

She held Starla and soothed her with long fingertip strokes down her back, through her pale-blonde hair.

She felt warm but trembled like she had been out in a snow storm.

"I will help ya' get outta here, I promise."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

{Salieri's restaurant}

Tommy followed Paulie up into Vinnie's shop, almost colliding with his back the second that Paulie stopped walking.

"How does Sam know what she looks like?" Tom asked, staring mindlessly at the back of Paulie's overcoat. Vinnie waved the two closer.

Paulie shrugged.

"Maybe he an' the Don scoped out tha' place beforehand, don't really care, Tom, let's jus' follow Sam's plan an' get the hell outta there!" The older Mafioso said and grabbed the shotgun, his beloved baseball bat, and waited near the door for Tom to get himself figured out.

Vinnie saw that look on Tom's face before.

"Yer' good at what ya' do, Tom!" Vincenzo reached over the counter and slapped Angelo on the shoulder, giving him a smile.

"Come on, Tom, we don't got all night!" Paulie said loudly, a sigh punctuating the end of his sentence.

Tom cracked his neck and gripped his gun tightly.

"Yeah," Tom nodded and followed Paulie out of the shop and down to his midnight-blue motor.

Tommy swallowed hard and slid into the car.

Chapter Text

....

Tommy understood the plan; get inside the Hotel Corleone undetected before the auction and take the girl. It was a risky job, but it wasn't impossible to complete.

Road blocks and police officers would be on the premises as expected.

Tom was an excellent shot and good at keeping his head down while Paulie was a master at physical confrontation. He and Tommy were a great team.

.

Paulie tightened his grip atop the wheel as he took a sharp right.

"What does the Don want with the skirt anyway?" Tom asked and swallowed, drawing his eyes on to his partner.

Paulie sighed and looked out his window before refocusing on the busy street.

"Ya' been in the family long enough ta' know that the boss don't have ta' give us a reason fer the jobs he gives us, Tom," Paulie replied with a groan and took another right down an empty street, and a sharp left where they were hidden from the public eye.

Nobody had followed them.

Tommy swallowed again and looked down at his hands.

"Look at it this way, Tommy, we get ta' see the finest dame around! If that don't change yer mood, nothin' else I have ta' say will!" Paulie clapped Tommy on the back and smiled big.

Tommy shrugged and looked over at Paulie with his chin down.

"I wanna do the job right, but I gotta do right by the girl, ya' know?" Tommy said after clearing his throat.

The two Mafioso’s stared at each other for a time.

"You'll do fine, pal, jus' do what ya' gotta do, an' I know you'll do the right thing!" Paulie said with a big smile, keeping his warm hand on Tommy's back.

"Ya' always do!" Paulie cut the engine and pocketed the keys in his overcoat, pulling out his chained pocket watch from his charcoal slacks.

He let out a long sigh as he relaxed back in his seat and looked at the time.

"Well, we got a helluva' lot more time ta' kill than I thought," Paulie said eyeing Tommy with an arched eyebrow.

Tommy sighed and lay his head against the seat staring up at the cab's interior.

"Smoke?" Tom abruptly pulled out his cigarette case from his overcoat pocket and opened it, holding it out to his partner.

Paulie pursed his lips and plucked one from the case, shifting in the seat.

"Don't mind if I do!"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


{Morello's Lounge bar}

Things were chaotic.

Florence and a few other bitter women had told Morello about Starla's stealing and that Bernadette was helping her run away before the auction.

Floe was the snobbiest of all Morello's whores, but it could've been a change of personality ever since Starla came around. Jealousy made women old.

Sergio always pointed out her wrinkles when before she was smooth and beautiful.

Chapter Text

....

It was time to strike.

Paulie drove Tommy to the spot, bypassing all the traffic and road blocks.

"Ya' got this, Tom!" Paulie looked at his associate with a half smile and cut the engine.

They were hidden in the shadows of the alleyway. The night sky roaring as Tommy smacked in the clip of his revolver before sliding it back into his overcoat. Looking over at the burly Mafioso.

The stench of tobacco and Paulie's overpriced cologne made Tom's head ache and his stomach churn.

"Thanks Paulie," Tom replied, reaching for the door with vibrating fingers. He pushed open the door and shut it quietly, looking around and pulling down the brim of his hat.

Paulie got out after with a creak and a loud slam.

"Get goin', hotshot!" Paulie said with a bat over his shoulder and a shotgun leaning against his leg.

Tommy swallowed hard and nodded, sneaking out from the shadowed alleyway. Not soon forgetting the protection that Paulie always provided.

-------------------


{Morello's Lounge bar}



The auction was to start soon and Starla fucked everything up.


Morello had Dino and Lou take care of the whores. Had them locked away in their rooms while he drove Starla some place private.

She was dealt another backhand, and it only took one to knock her out of that disgusting inebriated state he had found her in; the heavy stench of whiskey and death permeating the interior of his beloved import.

She was panicked. There was so much blood, so much gore.

Starla's eyes wouldn't close, no matter how hard she tried to deny herself the sense of sight.

She tasted metallic tang on her tongue, possibly gulped down a bit of flesh during the attack.

Starla had been too close.


.


Don Morello had killed Bernadette. Shot her where she stood. A single bullet betwixt the eyes.

Starla should've known the consequences of gossiping and planning behind Morello's back.

She should've known that Florence and the other women weren't going to stick their necks out for her. They all wanted to see McKinney fall.

.

Morello weaved through traffic like a man hellbent on causing as much destruction as possible. The swerves and constant rocking of the vehicle made Starla's stomach churn.

He shot a brief glance over his shoulder at her dry heaving over the leather seat. He licked his lips and made it to the countryside with one last sharp turn that made the tires squeal.

His forehead was wet, and he panted as he stomped on the brakes on the side of the highway, stirring up the dust.

Starla was going to vomit all over the fine leather seats if he didn't get her out.

"Keep your damn mouth closed!”

-----------------------------------------------------------

{Salieri's Restaurant}

Sam occupied his time with a game of pool with Carlo when they both heard that Don Morello's private auction had been put on an indefinite hold over the radio.

Carlo put down his stick and eyed Sam from across the table.

"Shit, gotta get Tom an' Paulie outta there!" He sighed and placed his playing stick in its proper place, moving into the other room and up the flight of stairs to Salieri's office.

Sam was waved inside.

"I heard the news," Salieri said with a little sigh from his desk, keeping his composure alongside Sam.

"Take some muscle, and Sam, get our boys back!" Salieri said to him with a nod and Sam nodded in return.

"Yes boss."

----------------------

Hotel Corleone}



Something wasn't right.

By the time that Tom reached the back of the hotel, his breathing was unsteady and his mind panicked.

Traffic looked a mess when he peeked over the side of the hotel. People were heading back to their vehicles. Some even getting hostile towards the officers.

The street lights, headlights, and the display of lights on the hotel entrance illuminated much of the surrounding area, but Tommy wasn't going in through the front.

.

Tommy opened the door with a long creak, and continued to keep his head down after slipping into the kitchen.

The smells in the air were savory and warm, making him ravenous, when just seconds ago, he was feeling nauseous. Pots and pans boiled on the stove tops.

He had to be careful.

-----------------


Don Morello thrown Starla onto the shoulder of the road, and she lifted herself off the ground onto her hands and knees.

The air was cool against her spattered skin, and her once elegant up-do was now in a state of disarray.

Her long pretty pale-blonde locks matted together with blood and fleshy bits of a woman she once knew.

"You ruined everything you stupid whore!" Morello shouted into the darkness of the vacant highway, brandishing Starla's switchblade as he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her up.

She cried out, her sobbing making more of a mess of her makeup.

"You stole from me!" He said and held her tightly when he slashed her across the cheek. Paying no mind to the string of red that connected the blade to her face before speckling his white shoes.


"Agh!" Sounds of pain bubbled out of Starla, her cheek pouring a sheet of crimson.

Vehicles drove by but no one stopped.

He pulled her to him, a curl on his lips at the damage and fear he'd caused.

His breath was warm and smelled of mint and tobacco.

"I could kill you for all the shit you pulled, darling, but," He said softly, his blackened eyes heavy as they ogled her. His arm folding tighter around her small frame and his hand pulling harder.

She winced at the pressure of his fingernails digging into her scalp and batted her eyes open.

Starla could try to pry the bloody switchblade from Morello's giant hand, but she had another idea.

Starla wasted no more time as she got on her toes and pressed her snotty lips into Morello's, pinching her eyes shut as she brushed herself against him.

She could grab the switchblade and jab the tip straight into his gut and twist.

Morello let out a grunt when he threw her into the side of his vehicle with a single flick of his wrist and shot her a pair of wild eyes.

"No, don't do this, please!" Starla said, body shaking, weakened from the collision with the vehicle, struggling to stand again.

Morello's perfect suit was dotted in whore blood.

He had been the one to shoot her and cave her face in with two fists.

His display of dominance would remain burned into Starla's mind forever.

"You were my best girl, Starla, but you betrayed my trust." He said looking down at Starla staring up with wide eyes, watching him pull out his revolver from his blazer and point it at her.

It was the same one he killed Bernadette with.

"N-No-!"

BANG!

She had been shot. Right in the gut.

Everything around her went black and frigid.

Starla's senses faded and she fell.


"I gotchu', honey!"

Chapter Text

....

She had only awoke once.

Her stitches were still nice and taut, and all the ugly colors were finally blending into the natural paleness of her skin.

Tommy’s broken nose had healed up nicely, and so had Paulie’s leg gash. All that Sam suffered during the night of that job was getting his overcoat stained in blood.

A few days passed since then, and Starla had been holed up in the doc’s house, where she was being monitored and taken care of while unconsciousness kept her bed-ridden.

.

“I still can’t believe the amount a’ luck that was on our side that night!” Paulie said after taking another swig from his glass of whiskey, leaning back in the booth to get comfortable.

Sam hummed and took a hit of his cigarette, looking out the window.

“Morello’s gonna be on the lookout for the girl, but the Don’s gotta plan,” Sam replied, gazing over at Paulie and then shooting Tom a look across the table.

Tom pursed his lips and tapped his fingers on the table, leaning back.

“I could take ‘er in, let ‘er stay with me for a bit,” He said with a little shrug, and both Paulie and Sam snapped their eyes onto him like he had said something weird.

Paulie looked at Sam and arched an eyebrow, smirking before moving his eyes back on Tom.

Sam arched an eyebrow in curiosity and sat back, ashing his cigarette without taking his eyes off Tom.

“An’ have Morello’s goons bust down yer door? Bad move, kid!” Sam said and took another hit of his cigarette, scratching his jaw.

The boys went silent, save for Paulie’s slurping from the whiskey.

Sarah left the bar and offered Paulie another refill, drawing her eyes onto Tommy before walking away. Sam arched his eyebrows and sat up, narrowing his ashy-blue eyes at the man seated across from him. Lip twitching.

Tommy swallowed and looked over at Paulie, who was enjoying his drink. Eyes stared off in Sarah’s direction.

“She’s just a kid, Sam, besides, the doc has his own shit ta’ deal with, an’ if any fool comes bangin’ on my door, they’re gettin’ shot on sight!” Tommy assured the older mafioso and immediately, Paulie reacted with one of his obnoxious nasally chuckles.

“Damn right, Tommy!” Paulie cheered with a raise of his glass, and Tommy smiled, casually pulling out his cigarette case from his blazer breast pocket. Giving Sam a look as he put a fresh cigarette between his lips.

Sam licked his lips and crushed his cigarette with slight aggression into the ashtray, a little crease in his brows, nudging Paulie so he could get out of the booth.

“Better let the boss know, if that’s what yer trying ta’ do, Tom,” Sam said unblinking as he shot Tom and Paulie one last look before heading to the backroom.

It was bizarre to Tom how Sam could shut everything off just as easily as shutting off the lights. But, it was how he chose to live. How he best handled things.

Paulie threw back the last bit of the whiskey and slammed the glass down on the table with an obnoxious belch to which Tom gave a frown.

“Up fer’ a game a’ pool, Tom?” The burly mafioso asked, slapping Tommy on the back, nearly knocking the breath out of him, and he gave Paulie a faint smile and shook his head.

“Nah, I’m good, I’m probably gonna check with the doc an’ see how the girl’s doin’,” Tom rasped and Paulie nodded, sliding out of the booth.

“Tell tha’ doc I says hi!” He loudly added and strutted up to the bar for another round or two of whiskey. Tommy waved at Paulie and flashed Sarah a friendly smile before leaving the quiet restaurant with his mind set on one thing.

.

Her heart was still beating, and her eyes were still able to see.


But where was she? And where the hell was Morello?


“Oh, why hello there!” An unfamiliar voice spooked Starla from her groggy head space and just like that, all of her senses came rushing back, causing her to panic and lurch forward.

“No, no, don’t do that, dear, you’ll irritate the stitches!” The unfamiliar man said as he grabbed her shoulders and gently pushed her back down onto the bed.

Starla furrowed her brow and curled in on herself from the feeling in her lower gut.

The doctor stood from her bedside and hurried out of the room to fetch a glass of water and a clean wash rag. After he returned, he set the glass of water down on the bedside table and carefully seated himself at her side, looking down at her.

“How are you feeling, dear?” The generous stranger asked, his confidence sprouting as he gently touched the back of his hand to Starla’s clammy forehead.

She swallowed hard and darted her eyes.

She felt nauseous and faint.

The girl shook her head and furrowed her brow.

“Well,” He started and put the cool rag to Starla’s forehead before dabbing it on her rosy cheeks. “You are quite the lucky gal!” The man said to her with a little smile, but it faded as soon as he looked over her scar.

The stitches across her cheek were taut and the swelling was gone with a bit of rogue bruising in its wake. Starla tilted her head to the side and arched an eyebrow as she looked at the doctor.

“What happened, mister?” McKinney asked.

There was moment of silence and the doctor drew away the rag from her face, turning his eyes toward the wall for a time. He let out a sigh and returned his attention to Starla, but the sudden knocking at the front door got him up in a hurry.

“I will be right back, dear!” He said and set the rag down before leaving the dimly lit room again.

She was alone again, but the smells of warm vanilla comforted her. It was the home of a generous man.

Footsteps and muttering voices could be heard from beyond the open doorway and Starla gripped the top of the covers, hoping that if she draped herself with them, she’d disappear.

That didn’t happen, and she was only left embarrassed when the doctor returned to her bedside and gently tugged on them.

“Starla, dear, this is Mr. Angelo, he has been coming to see you since the incident!” The doctor informed her with a smile, and the moment her eyes flicked up to Tommy, her face flushed.

Tommy removed his hat and examined her with a smile. Hoping not to look too concerned.

“You’re healing pretty good!” He said and Starla pinched the covers, pulling them up to try and conceal her flustered self.

She still didn’t know why she was there, and Mr. Angelo was making it hard for her to figure out why.

Starla kept quiet, drawing her eyes back and forth between the two men.

Tommy’s eyebrows twitched and he looked over at the doctor.

“She doesn’t know what happened, does she?” He asked quietly.

The doctor shook his head. But in the end it wasn’t that bad.

---------

{Vincenzo’s shop}

He chugged from the half-full bottle of whiskey and let out a belch, slumping his ass against the work table behind him as he stared. Hoping tonight he wouldn’t drink himself to sleep.

They all knew it was Vincenzo who had found that girl the night of Morello’s auction and sure, Salieri and the boys praised him for being at the right place at the right time, but, Vinnie couldn’t help feeling like all of the attention was being put on Tommy.

“Kid’s gotta crush, tha’s all!” Vinnie belched again after another swig and laughed to himself before setting the bottle down and looking over his weaponry.

Chapter Text

.... 



 Starla had healed within a week, and the stitches were promptly removed. Her mind was set on finding Don Morello and getting back her things, but Salieri had already made plans to meet her before she could leave. She had thanked the doctor and gave him a goodbye hug for all of his help, only to leave his company and find herself up against Mr. Angelo and two other men beside him. 

She was reluctant to get in the strange vehicle with the three strange men, but the two gangsters coaxed her along the only way that'd work. 

 
----------- 
 
{Salieri's Restaurant}  
 
 
 

It was no surprise that Starla was out of control and jumpy. She had been at Salieri's for an hour making a fuss.
 

Paulie manned the door while Tommy tried to keep her calm.
 

"Hey, sweetheart, come sit down, we still have much to talk about, and if you keep up with your wild antics, you won't be leaving any time soon." Salieri said to her and gave her a smile when she looked at him.
 

Sam took another hit of his cigarette before taking a sip from his coffee.  
 

He leaned back in the chair and watched Starla try to push Paulie out of the way. It was amusing.
 

Tommy shot a quick glance over his shoulder at Salieri who gave him a nod.  
 

Tom then lurched at Starla from behind and grabbed her arms, folding them behind her back.  
 

"You're safe here, it's all right!" Tommy said to her calmly, but her energy was bursting out of the seams.
 

"Let me outta here!" She cried, struggling against Tommy's grip. Her long blonde hair flying all around her and her hat falling off.  
 

Paulie let out a low chuckle and bent over to pick it up.
 

"Ain't going nowhere actin' like that, doll face!" his expression hardened as he brushed off the hat and smacked it back on Starla's head.  
 

She shot him a glare and flared her nostrils, watching the corner of his lips curl into a grin but she gave up the fight, finally allowing herself to relax in Tommy's grip.  
 

"I just wanna see Mama again, and tell her I'm sorry!" McKinney dropped her head and sighed.  
  
. 

 
Sam shifted in his seat and walked over to Starla. Letting out another cloud of smoke.
 

"Caitlyn's a wonderful dame, but she ripped me off," Sam said blinking slow and puffing on his cigarette, keeping his cold gaze on her.

Paulie and Tom shared a look before looking back at Don Salieri.
 

"I-I don't understand!" Starla shook her head and pulled in her bottom lip, sniffling.
 

Salieri cleared his throat. Drawing attention from everyone in the room.
 

"I've known the McKinney's since they immigrated to the city in 1919," Salieri said taking a slow sip from his coffee.


Tommy's throat bobbed and Paulie furrowed his brow.  
 

"And ya' knew 'bout this, Sam?" Paulie asked unfolding his arms from his chest, and arching his dark eyebrow as he looked at Sam.

He shrugged and let out another cloud of smoke into the room.  
 

"Some things are better left unsaid, but tha' boss's girl had ta' go and get herself picked up by Don Morello," Sam said and laid his slow-blinking eyes back onto Starla.  
 

"I'm no one's girl, and I don't know you, mister, I don't know any a' youse!" Starla said with a wrinkle in her forehead, fighting against Tommy's hold again. 

Chapter Text

.... 
 

Paulie, Tom, and Starla shared the same confused look. 
 

"Our affair didn't last much longer after Don Peppone caught word," Salieri said with a sigh.  
 

Paulie looked down and furrowed his brow, biting at the skin on his lip. Tommy breathed out his nose as he sat Starla down in his chair and weighed her shoulders down with his hands as Sam moved to stand at Don Salieri's side.  
 

"Mama was a-a whore from the start?" Starla asked, her voice trembling with her lip.
 

Her eyes and nose burned. 
 

She dropped her chin and wet her hands with tears. Tommy swallowed and dug his finger into her shoulders. His eyes looking over at Paulie. 
 

"Ya' coulda' told me, boss," Paulie said loudly to drown out Starla's cries, his brow furrowed and his body shifted toward Salieri.  
 
 
"You know now, and so does the girl!" he replied to Paulie with a nod at Starla.  
 

"That washed-up broad stole from Sam an' tried to strangle me, boss, and we got 'er rat of a daughter sitting right there, trying ta' sway us with 'er blubbering!" Paulie raised his voice but kept his composure.
 

Sam drifted his eyes over to Starla, watching her shift under Tom's hands, and Salieri finished his coffee, nodding with Paulie.
 

"The girl will not mess with the family, Paulie, and she knows that, don't you, sweetheart?" Don Salieri fixed his eyes on Starla and watched her lift her chin.

Her emerald eyes sparkled under the warm lighting. Nodding her head.  
 

Tommy eyed Paulie and pursed his lips.  
 

"So you all know this girl?" Tommy asked, and Salieri, Sam, and Paulie all looked at one another before looking at Tom.  
 

"Tha' Don an' I do, but not Paulie, he only knows tha' girl's whore of a mother," Sam answered taking a long hit of his new cigarette, sitting back down across from Paulie.  
 

"I honestly had no idea tha' whore had a kid, Tom, but man, ain't that woman a real kick in tha' teeth - woulda' robbed me blind too if Sam weren't there!" Paulie half-laughed before falling silent when Starla began crying again.  
 

Sam leaned back in his chair, finishing his coffee, and Salieri rubbed his chin. Paulie drummed his fingers on the table, and Tommy made a face as he pulled out a handkerchief from his leather jacket pocket, and handing it to Starla.  
 

He didn't say anything and she took it with a sniffle.  
 

Sam narrowed his eyes and Paulie pursed his lips.  
 

"Heh, such a softie with the dames, I tell ya'!"  Paulie chuckled, patting the top of his hair. The burly enforcer loved his hair more than he loved fucking.
 

Starla frowned at Paulie's remark and wiped her eyes with Tom's musky handkerchief, fading into his smell after brushing it over her nose. 
 

"Thank you," She said quietly, handing the handkerchief back, and he took it with a small smile.  
 

All eyes were on them, and Paulie shifted in his chair.
 

Sam blew a plume of smoke into the air, letting it float above his head, reveling in the silence.  
 

"Anyways, boss, what's tha' plan with tha' girl, an' what about Morello? Don't ya' think he's out lookin' fer her?" Paulie asked, leaning back in his chair. 
 

Salieri blinked and rubbed his chin.  
 

"She will work in the kitchen where she won't be seen, and she will do so until Morello's search goes cold," Salieri said, pulling out a cigar from his vest pocket and settling it on the ashtray. 
  

"Once everything calms down, she will do her part at the motel, but be treated with respect and be properly taken care of," He finished, giving his boys a look that they understood. 
 

Starla lurched out of the chair and ran over to the door.  
 

Tommy and Paulie got up from the table quickly. The legs on Paulie's chair scraping across the floor as he got up.  
 

The door was locked from the outside.
 

"Calm down, sweetheart, it's gonna be all right!" Tommy tried to calm her again, putting his hands out to her.
 

Paulie set his eyes onto Tom and then back onto Starla.  
 

"Gotta be a good girl an' listen!" Paulie said lowly.
 

She shook her head rapidly, slamming her back against the door.  
 

Salieri held the cigar between his lips and lit it up with a matchstick, puffing a few times. Sam inhaled from his cigarette and held it for a while before expelling the smoke as he and Salieri watched the new scene unfold.  
 

"Starla, you will be taken care of, I promise, just relax and we will get this meeting wrapped up pronto!" Don Salieri said softly and met her eyes with a smile, but her fear kept her wild. 
 

"I want ta see mama!" She wiped at her cheeks fast, keeping her back pinned to the door.  
 

"Come sit back down, and we will let you see her, just relax, Starla, you are in safe hands now!" 

Chapter Text

.... 


Don Salieri knew how to run an underground business. 
 

His words and his rules played like a mantra inside Starla's head.  
 

They were simple. 

Be respectful. Be a lady. Be kind.  
 
. 
 
The meeting wasn't over. 
 

"One thing I want to make clear with you, Starla, is that you will not be keeping any of my boys company, not yet, I want to see you grow as a woman and bring life to the motel first!" Salieri said to her with a bright smile.
 

Paulie and Tom gave each other a look, and Paulie shifted forward in his chair again.  
  

Starla looked down at the table and swallowed, picking her nails.
 

"I need to know what happened to me, Mr. Salieri, sir!" She said meekly, lifting her chin and meeting Don Salieri's eyes.
 

Salieri nodded and ashed his cigar.  
 

"Of course you do, sweetheart, and I will talk more with Vincenzo about it after getting you settled," The Don said to the girl with a smile, and she put her hands over her stomach.  
 

"About the motel, boss, how are we gonna keep the girl a secret? S'only been a few weeks since takin' it back," Tommy asked, folding his hands over the back of Starla's chair.
 

Sam looked at Salieri and took another hit of his cigarette before setting it on the ashtray.  
 

"Go ahead, Sam, you know the plan, tell the boys!" The Don insisted and leaned back in his chair.  


Sam had the floor. 
 

"So, plan is, we keep the doors open ta' the people we protect," Sam casually explained, plucking his cigarette from the ashtray to steal another hit.  
 

"As fer' the outta' towners and the rest a' the city not directly involved with Morello, they're required ta' pay extra, show proper identification, and they are then free ta' enjoy their stay at the Don's motel, simple as that." Sam said with a shrug. 
 

Paulie arched a dark eyebrow and leaned back, folding his hands over his lap, humming. 
  

"Whose gonna look after the girl?" Tommy asked, laying his arm on the back of Starla's chair.
  

Her cheeks flushed from the sudden heat crawling up her neck.
 

"I have a couple a' guys who will be on watch duty during her stay at the motel," Salieri answered and bit his cigar.
  

"Can't I go out at all?" Starla asked.
 

Salieri puffed on his cigar before setting it back down.  
 

"The only way you're gonna have independence like that, Starla, is if you change your entire look and learn to speak like one of us, do you understand?" The Don answered and watched her brow furrow.  
 

The scar across her cheek was a distraction. A distraction that Sam had already mentioned many times to Salieri.  
 

Tommy put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.  
 

"I don't want that, sir, can't there be another way?" Starla asked more hurriedly and pulled her hat from her head, twisting it in her hands.  
 

Salieri shrugged.  
 

"I can't risk business, sweetheart, you know the kind of people we are, so, if you want some independence, you're gonna have to change everything about yourself, and to be honest," He said, his tone smooth. Eyes solely on Starla. "I'd hate to see that happen."


She felt a rush of heat flood to her face in an instant.


Salieri put his hands in the air and smiled at everyone. 
 

"Whose hungry?" 

Chapter Text

.... 

 He knew the girl was alive. 
 

Don Morello had shot her in the gut.  
 

He wanted her to live in fear of him. 
 
. 
 

He had paid Caitlyn a visit at the Hotel Corleone. She hadn't been busy at the time of his unexpected arrival, and had gotten more of his attention than she ever had in the past.  
 

He had lusted after Caitlyn the first time that he had seen her cavorting with Salieri in the shadows of the city streets, but Don Peppone would never had allowed his boys to get romantically involved with a whore, and Salieri's secret had gotten out that same night.  
 
. 
 

As Morello looked down into Caitlyn's wet jade eyes, he gave a big smile. 

He hadn't laid with a whore in over 10 years, and he wasn't about to do so now, despite the lovely display of skin Caitlyn put on.  
 
 
"Your precious daughter is a whore now, too," He said into the flushed skin of the woman's cheek, his weight causing her to sink deeper into the mattress and bite her lip.  
 

Morello's thick hands stayed on either side of her head, over her hair. "But she's a hell of a lot better than you ever were!" he went on again.


He reeked of good things a man like him never should. 
 

"She, she's a good girl, Marcu, n-not a whore!" Caitlyn said meekly, her cheek in the sheets and her knuckles white.  
 

Morello scoffed and grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him. 
 

"You'd love to think that your only child was a good girl, wouldn't you?" he said bitterly and squeezed his knees tighter around Caitlyn's hips.  
 

She pinched her eyes closed, feeling her tears roll down her face, his laugh swelling inside her brain. 

He lived to control others. 
 

It was a rush, an unexplainable kind of high that even his filthiest fuck couldn't match.  
 

"Your girl has been marked, doll, and she knows who rules her world!" Don Morello said softly, grabbed Caitlyn's throat like it was silk, caressed it with his rough fingers before adding his other hand to steal away her breath.
 

She reacted any way that she could. Every panicked breath tightened her throat, and the sudden strong taste of blood stained her tongue.  
 

Caitlyn's eyes fluttered closed and she stopped kicking, coughing blood.  
 

"P-pl-please!" She garbled.
 

Morello deepened his gaze and pressed his lips into Caitlyn's.  
 

He continued to strangle her and pressed his body flush to her, crushing her to the bed, and pushed his tongue through her lips, tasting her blood.  
 

It required certain things to awaken Don Morello's libido, and hearing Caitlyn gargle and gasp, feeling her only slightly struggle now, got his heart racing.  
 
. 
 

He slowly pulled his lips from hers, a thin string of blood connecting them, and he licked it away before moving off her, straightening out his blazer.  
 

"See you, sweetheart!" Morello said as he left the room and didn't bother to close the door, sauntering down the hall. 

Chapter Text

.... 

Starla had made quite a bit of cash working at the Don's motel, waitressing and entertaining men in the late hours of the night.  
 

The men who came around were respectful, and never once questioned why they weren't allowed to properly fuck her. The deal she'd made with Salieri was that whatever she was willing to do was fine with him, whether that'd be penetrative sex or oral.  
 

She had informed him of her experience with men.  
 

Straight up lied to his face when she had told him that she had had sex before but had been brutalized by past lovers and clients while under Morello's rule.  
 

Starla had more to offer the men that frequented the motel than just her body, and Salieri's respect for her had grown immeasurably.  
 

Some men paid extra just to listen to her talk in her native tongue or massage away their aches with her silky, skilled hands.  
 

Not every man that came to the motel to see Starla wanted her body. And not every man was just any Joe shmoe.  
 

Sam and Paulie had come around a couple of times between them, out of curiosity, not for pleasure, to see what all the hubbub was about.  
 

Starla McKinny wasn't like any other whore residing in the city. She was young and too innocent for her own good.  
 

She slightly intimidated Paulie, but in a way that kept his curiosity.  
 
. 
 
After pulling taut the back of her velvet crimson corset and flattening the front of her black skirt, Starla inhaled and exhaled softly from her mouth, looking herself over in the full-length mirror in the corner of her room.  
 

The weather was gloom but the fragrant mid-spring breeze seeped into the room through the open window, bringing a little smile to her face.  
 

She was getting ready to meet her next client, and who was one of her favorites. 
 

He was going to be here any minute.  
 

While waiting, Starla made sure that everything was perfect.  
 

Her makeup was light, her long, pale blonde hair was pinned up in a girlish bun, her mother's pearl earrings sparkled in the slit of sudden sunshine, and her body was scantily yet beautifully clothed in his favorite outfit.  
 

The bed was made and her floral perfume filled the welcoming space.  
 

She batted her eyes when the door creaked open and her well-groomed client entered the room. A genuine smile brightened her pretty face at the sight of Vincenzo, and he gave her a little waggle of his brow and a charming grin.  
 

"Always such a doll, aint ya?" He purred and closed the door as he delightfully ogled her and licked his lips.  
 

Starla bashfully looked down and brushed a tendril of hair behind her ear with her fingertips, listening to Vinnie's soft creeping footsteps.  
 

He was tall and handsome. Gentle and kind.  
 

When he got close enough to her, Vincenzo settled his heavy hands upon her hips and slowly backed her up into the side of the bed.  
 

She sat down, her heavy hazel eyes focused on his, and knew exactly what to do, until he grabbed her hands in his and shook his head.  
 

Starla gave way to a little frown, but when Vincenzo touched his thumb to her chin, and directed his head to the bed, she knew to lay back.  
 

"I ton't —" She was immediately cut off with a finger to her lips.  
 

"I wanna taste you this time, princess, s'that alright?" He asked with a warm smile, not moving another muscle until Starla gave him an answer.  
 

She never had a man ravish her before, but the idea was enticing. 

Chapter Text

.... 

Starla laid upon the cotton sheets as delicately as a porcelain doll, gazing up at Vincenzo with the warmest of eyes.  
 

Her first physical wasn't until next week, and Vinnie didn't know of any of her past sexual escapades or if she had been sullied by the hands of disease, but what he did know was that the girl had no visible filth.  
 

She was perfect in his eyes.  
 
. 
 

It was always a bit strange how Salieri had his boys get poked and prodded, yet after their mostly clean results, none of them were still allowed to fuck the pretty Irishwoman, whether it'd be with their cocks or fingers. 
 

And anal sex was never spoken of, although Paulie was pretty crass and open about some of the things he did at the Blue Tropics, especially when he and Sam got to drinking after a stressful job.  
 

Tom usually tried not to stick around too long after Sam would get drunk, as he knew well that he'd only add perverted fuel to Paulie's obscene flame.  
 
 
"Ya' got us all by the balls, dontcha' know that, sweetness?" Vincenzo teased in his usual low, raspy tone, bending slightly at the waist to grab Starla's feet which were dangling off the foot of the bed.  
 

Starla reflexively jerked at the man's unexpected handling and lifted up on her elbows, parting her lips to let out a hurried breath.  
 

Vinnie quirked an ashy brow at her and slowly towered over her. Arms on either side of her.  
 

Mr. Ricci was old enough to be her father, and more than half her size. He nearly resembled Marcu's overwhelming body structure, which was more than enough to send her into a brief cerebral panic.  
 
. 
 

The things he'd usually pay for were handjobs and the girl's healing massages. And, as much as it would excite him to ravage her throat and make a mess of her pretty face with his cock, Vinnie cared too much about her to make his day dreams a reality. 
 

"Ey doll, what's the matter?" Vinnie asked, showing genuine concern as he stroked her temple with his fingertips, and leaned his lips into her ear.  
 

The bedframe and springs creaked under his weight any time he'd move, and Starla began to tremble.  
 

Vincenzo was immediately alarmed and cautiously left the bed, looking down at Starla curled into a ball.  
 

"Oh princess, don't do that, what can I do?" Vincenzo felt real worry for her and truly wanted to make her feel better.  
 

"H-he's gonna kill me too!" The girl quietly sobbed and buried her wet face into the pillow above her head, turning over onto her belly.  
 

Vinnie sighed and rubbed his forehead.  
 
 
"Morello ain't gonna touch you, never again!" He barked and didn't realize how worked up he had gotten until he noticed his fists.  
 

The mood was entirely ruined but that didn't mean that Vincenzo wanted to leave.  
 

"Ey, I'm here, you can cry to me, darlin'!" He knew that mentioning that bastard wasn't going to solve Starla's problem, so, 
 

Vinnie decided to return to the bed, first sitting down beside her, letting her take her time to get comfortable with him there, and flashing her a toothy smile when she pulled her face from the pillow.  
 

"But, but you pait, ton't ya' want'a be pleast by me?" Starla sniffled, her light mascara hardly leaving any marks on her flushed face, and Vinnie shook his head.  
 

"Not right now, doll," The man rasply replied, wiping away her tears with his thumb.  
 

"Lemme make youse feel better, kay?" Vincenzo said quietly with a nod, flitting his honey eyes between her own, and gently pinching her cheek.  
 

Starla wiped her nose with the back of her hand and moved over, allowing the man to settle down onto the bed beside her. It had been far too long since she had been cared for in such a way, but the girl was quick to revel in the opportunity.  
 

She promptly laid her head against Vinnie's chest,  settled her hand next to her face, and moved in close.  
 

He was a walking heater.  
 

Vincenzo gently chuckled to himself and wrapped his strong tattooed arm around Starla and caressed her face with the other hand.  
 

He'd never admit it, but Vinnie never wanted this moment to end.  
 

During the last few months, Vincenzo had been banned from many of the gentleman's clubs for being too rough with the whores, but with Starla, he only wanted to be gentle.  
 

She was smaller than any woman he had laid with, and had so much life in her still that not many of the city whores possessed.  
 

"Youse can talk to me 'bout anything!" Vinnie quipped and gave her cheek another teasing pinch before turning his head.  
 

Starla breathed in the clean scent of his shirt and the soft hairs sticking out from under the low neckline.  
 

A little hum had escaped Vinnie's chest and Starla's throat tightened and her heart started to beat like a drum.  
 

"Vinnie," She bashfully uttered his name, cheeks aflame, and fingers clenched into the side of his shirt, surely wrinkling the fabric.  
 

He hummed in response, raising a brow and softly tracing the shell of her ear with his thumb.  
 

Her eyes looked up to find his and there was something there that made Starla thoughtlessly react.  
 

She moved upward, her right leg hooked over his waist, and ghosted her lips over his. It was such a bold move that had Vincenzo immediately starving for more.  
 
. 
 

Starla never kissed a man with harmless intention.  
 

The two nights that Mr. Trapani had come around, he had just left one of the gentleman's clubs inside the city, had already gotten his sexual appetites fulfilled for those two evenings, yet he still thought about Starla enough to come into her room, look her over with that bone-chilling stare of his, and touch her face before leaving.  
 

He hadn't said a single word either time.  
 
 
Paulie, he was a bit sweeter than Sam. He had been drinking the two nights he had come to her room.  
 

Plopped down on her bed, called her a silly pet name, before somehow managing to hobble back out of the room and downstairs to play poker with the others.  
 

Sam and Paulie were definitely a strange pair, and maybe they knew her secret. 
 

Maybe they stayed away, didn't pay her, didn't touch her for she was a virgin, and they knew it.  

Chapter Text

.... 


Sneaking booze, it was one of the many things Starla was good at.  
 

She couldn't remember the first time she had ever tasted liquor on her tongue, but she did remember how much better it made her feel, and how, that after a few swigs, every pain, every worry, and every bad memory had vanished.  
 
 
Since being off the streets, for as long as she had, Starla had an almost endless supply of beer, liquor and wine, and, at first, it had been too easy to get her hands on without anyone really taking notice.  
 

She wasn't under Morello's rule anymore, and even though Don Salieri was a kind, respectful man, Starla still felt anxious in his company, and rightly so. He was a powerful man, and a man she had only hoped to forget.  
 
. 
 
Starla had gotten herself dressed in her casual attire, which consisted of brown tweed slacks, black boots, a girlish button up white blouse, a dark plum overcoat, and leather suspenders with a flat cap atop her head.  
 

She'd never be thankful enough for the doctor's generosity in taking care of her and buying her new clothes.  
 

He had been the only man who didn't make her queasy. 
 

She knew that she wasn't safe in Salieri's hands, but he had been respectful and strangely compassionate towards her, but there was no way it was going to last much longer, considering that Ennio Salieri was simply using Starla as a means to make money.  
 

Tonight, she was going to sneak out.  
 
 
From the sounds beyond her bedroom door, Starla immediately could tell that the guards were downstairs playing a game of poker, their rowdiness filling the cool air.  
 

She was the only woman at the motel, and right now, she had free reign of the top floor. 
 

She knew how easy it would be to grab an empty pillow case from any one of the closets and stuff as many valuables into it as possible, but she didn't. Fear was holding her back.  
 

After she snuck out from her room, Starla creeped down the barely visible hallway, aiming straight for the back patio.  
 

She thought to herself, 'too easy', with a little smile, but as soon as she made the final step out that creaky door, and took in the moonlight, the cold barrel of a gun was suddenly pressed square into her temple.  
 

Her lips fell open and her shaking hands lifted up in surrender.  
 

"If you scream, I'll hurt you, so, I suggest ya' do as I say and walk back inside!" Starla knew that voice. It was gravelly and deep. 
 

"I was just—" The girl mumbled and paused, eyes darting all around. Taking in the floor beneath her feet and lifting her head again to gaze at the dark scenery surrounding the dimly lit motel.  
 

"Go!" Tommy barked and grabbed onto Starla's bicep, his grip like a vice.  
 

Starla gulped and slowly turned back around to the open doorway. It was dark inside.  
 

Dark and cold, and she just, 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬, she wanted her freedom back 𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘥. 
 

On the quiet and slow stroll back into the hallway, Starla thought about how kind Tommy had been to her prior to this moment, but that thought quickly dissipated like a cloud of smoke in the air.  
 

Tommy Angelo was a mafioso. He was a bad man. A man that she needed to fear.  
 
 
"Are youse going to tell on meh, Mr. Angelo?" Starla let slip from her mouth and all she got in return from him was a groan and another reminder that he still had a gun pressed against her.  
 

She pinched her eyes closed and swallowed hard.  
 

Booze kept the memories of him away. It kept the trauma from mauling her open like a ravenous bear.  
 

Nobody knew that Starla had gotten back every last painful memory of what Morello had done to her. What his boys had done to her. Nobody but Sarah.  
 
 
Once she was past the threshold of her room, Starla was immediately spun around and caught in Tommy's fiery gaze like a deer in headlights.  
 

He slowly lowered the gun but kept that same hard expression on his face. And, as if he hadn't heard a word she previously said, Tommy opened his mouth and raised the gun again.  
 

"We are bad men, keep that in mind before ya' do somethin' stupid again, ya' understand, Starla?!" He snapped under his breath, not wanting to cause unnecessary attention, staring deeply into her eyes.  
 

There were tears welling in the corners of them, and Tom crinkled his brows and chin before turning on his heels and leaving the room. 
 

He did what had to be done. Salieri needed Starla to be afraid and to know who was in charge at all times.  
 
. 
 
Not long after Tommy had left, Starla fetched her hidden bottle of bourbon from between the mattress and the bedframe, and guzzled a lot of it down before dozing off.  
 

Oh, how she longed to never be afraid of men, but longing for such a thing was merely impossible. 
 

The only kind souls she could confide in were Sarah and sweet Ralphie during her short breaks while working the kitchen at Salieri's restaurant.  
 

Even then, Sam or Paulie would catch her talking, and scold her as if she were some kind of misbehaved child.  
 

Starla didn't feel safe anywhere. 

Chapter Text

.... 

Starla's first physical had went well. 
 
 
Salieri had asked Sarah if she could accompany the girl, to which she had agreed without a second thought.  
 

Carlo had drove the girls to the doctor's home in the early morning. Right about the same time that Morello and Sergio routinely went for a leisurely drive about the countryside. As if doing something normal would ever make them so.  
 
. 
 

Now the doctor knew.  
 

That generous man with the kind eyes and tender touch now knew that Starla was a virgin.  
 

It was embarrassing and deeply upsetting. She had wished to keep any intimate bits like that far away from such a nice man like him, but she had been telling a fool's tale for too long.  
 

There was no way that Don Salieri wasn't about to know now, either, and the made up consequences of her lie were overwhelming.  
 
. 
 

Starla was working in the kitchen with Sarah, cooking up breakfast for the boys before they had to leave to get another job done.  
 

The restaurant wasn't too busy this morning, but the clock upon the wall only read 6:20. The morning rush didn't start until at least 8:00 at Salieri's.  
 

After wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, Starla grabbed both Sam and Paulie's plates, and carefully zigzagged her way past Sarah and the morning cook, and pushing open the door with her back.  
 

The two mafiosos were sitting at the bar, smoking, and talking about their card game from a few nights ago when Starla set the plates down. 
 

Two over-easy eggs, topped with a seasoned tomato slice, two crispy pieces of bacon, and a plain bagel for Sam, and a mess of biscuits and sausage gravy for Paulie.  
 

Sarah usually cooked most of the meals, while Starla took orders and prepared the needed dishes and utensils.  
 

In spite of Salieri's rules, Sarah and Starla became quite close.  
 
. 
 
Before the girl could slink back into the kitchen, Paulie gently smacked the bar with the bottom of his coffee cup, grabbing her attention.  
 

"Refill, dollface!" He quipped and casually rubbed his nose, waiting for Starla to take the stark white porcelain cup from his big hand. She gave him a nervous smile, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and took the cup, gulping when she brushed her fingertips against his warm tinted fingers.  
 

Paulie made a funny face and raised a bushy brow before poking at his meal and taking the first bite.  
 

Sam eyed Starla while he sipped from his coffee, and set it down, examining his meal.  
 

"Heard ya' got a little thing fer' Bertone," Trapani unexpectedly said as cooly as a cat, causing Paulie to stop mid-chew and gaze curiously between him and Starla.  
 

The girl raised her blonde brows and cleared her throat, directing her eyes into Paulie's empty coffee cup in her hand.  
 

Sam bit down into his bagel with a little crunch, watching Starla through his lashes.  
 

"I, no, I ton't, Mr. Trapani, woult ya' like some more coffee?" The girl changed the subject as casually as she could, knowing full well that she shouldn't waste her time on the clock chatting, especially about personal matters.  
 

Salieri's boys were free to pester Starla, as long as they remained focused on what was more important.  
 

"Sure," Sam uttered back and took another bite out of his crisp bagel before poking into his runny eggs with a fork.  
 

He looked down for a short time before refocusing his ashy blue eyes on Starla again, putting the bits of runny eggs into his mouth. 
 

Trapani didn't bother to hand over his cup, so Starla stepped into the space between him and Paulie, and grabbed it, brushing her bare forearm against the slightly soft sleeve of his grey suit. She had hoped not to. McKinny wanted nothing, nothing at all to do with him.  
 

Luigi was back in the kitchen assisting Sarah, and Starla scuttled behind the bar to pour the two mafiosos another cup of black coffee. 
 

The radio on the far end of the bar played a tune that made Paulie gently slap the bar as he ate away at his breakfast while he read the paper.  
 

Starla didn't care about what they did, or even about them, but something about Paulie made her curious.  
 

He was the fun guy.  
 

The guy who liked to have a good time, the guy who always made people smile and laugh.  
 

Whether that was by being a doofus or making a crude joke about the dame he had slept with the night before.  
 

And maybe, he was sweet deep down.  
 

She had also noted that Mr. Lombardo liked to drink. Not purposely, of course not, but there had been late nights at the motel where Starla had found him passed out in one of the rooms. 
 

Three nights in a row. And she thought she had a problem.  
 
. 
 
After Mr. Trapani and Mr. Lombardo left the restaurant, dressed in their finer suits, Starla grabbed their plates and cups, and headed into the kitchen with her hands completely full.  
 

Luigi gave her a friendly smile and went back up to the front while she and Sarah spent the little free time they had to chat.  
 

"What do I do?" Starla quietly asked, leaned against the edge of the sink, fingertips drumming on the cold porcelain.  
 

Sarah pursed her lips and raised her brows, standing before the girl.  
 

"What do ya' mean?"  
 

Starla kept her eyes on the floor, her blonde eyebrows furrowing, lost in contemplation.  
 

Sarah made a face before reaching out to the girl and grabbing her arms. The touch surprised her, but Starla was accepting of it. Not even Vincenzo's gentle touches had made her feel the least bit safe like Sarah's did.  
 

"I, I'm still a virgin, a-and when Mr. Salieri finds out, what will I do?" Starla raised her head and looked straight into Sarah's honey-hued eyes, pulling in her bottom lip to keep it from quivering.  
 

She was afraid, afraid for her life.  
 

Sarah knew that Salieri was a dangerous man, but he wouldn't dare harm Starla. Unless the business was at stake.  
 

How could a girl's virtue ruin anything?  
 

"Don't worry 'bout it, hon, I'll let Don Salieri know that you'll be workin' with me more!" 
 

The older woman's words brought a genuine smile to Starla's face and the two women gazed silently at one another until Sarah dared to gently trace the scar across Star's cheek with her thumb.  
 

Starla reacted by pushing herself from the sink basin and away from Sarah.  
 

Still, without a word, the two women resumed working as if nothing happened.  
 

Sarah should've known that Starla was still going to be bothered by it, but honestly, the girl's scar gave her more character. No matter the history behind it, Starla should look at her scars and see them as a way to be stronger. 

Chapter Text

.... 

During her shift, working mostly in the kitchen at the restaurant, Starla had snuck out back a couple of times to see how Ralphie was doing.  
 

A few Soldato, that usually hung around out back, had teased her about the mechanic and how she wanted to fuck him silly in the back of one of the cars, and luckily for Starla, the soldato had laughed just loud enough for Vinnie to check it out, and order them to leave her alone.  
 

Nobody but Paulie messed with Vincenzo.  
 
 
But, Paulie only played around, and he seemed to be the only Soldato who could take the firearms dealer's beatings.  
 
. 
 
Before Starla and Sarah's shift was over for the night, Salieri made an unexpected appearance, sounding the bell above the front door as he waltzed into the restaurant.  
 

Luigi was busy refilling glasses and carrying them over to one of the booths on a platter. 
 

When Sarah's slightly spooked gaze met Salieri's, she knew then she couldn't go into the kitchen to give Starla a heads up. They both greeted each other with smiles and Salieri sat down in his usual booth, lighting the cigar he pulled from his inner blazer pocket and looking over the paper that had been left on the table. 
 

Sam was busying his time with a pretty regular in the billiards room, and Tommy and Paulie were out in back, drinking and talking about past times.  
 

Nothing was out of place, but Sarah couldn't help feeling anxious while Salieri sat there.  
 

The moment that she turned to go into the kitchen, Salieri looked over in her direction, puffing on the thick cigar. A plume of smoke wafting above his head. 
 

"Sarah, could you get the girl for me?" He asked in a way that disguised his true intentions, but Sarah could hear the demand in his tone.  
 

Women weren't truly safe in a world where men like Salieri and Morello ruled.  
 

All of Salieri's men, they were dangerous. They were foul and cruel. 
 

But, Sam, Paulie, and Vincenzo, and even Tommy? They were the ones you didn't mess with for a second. Whether you were a man or a woman. 
 

They saw women as a pretty thing that could be played with like a puppet.  
 

Sarah nodded and made her way into the kitchen.  
 

Starla was busy wiping off the few counters and the stovetop when the back door squealed open and in stomped Paulie and Tom.  
 

It was the end of spring and the nighttime air felt lovely on the skin.  
 

"Ey, ain't youse two s'possed to be gone by now?" Paulie quacked loudly, and all three of them realizing quickly that Starla wasn't reacting.  
 

Paulie just scratched his neck, and sighed, leaning his low back against the counter.  
 

Tom made a face and put his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket, motioning with his head at Sarah for her to follow him out of the kitchen and into the other, much quieter room, where the stairwell was.  
 

She reluctantly trailed behind him and crossed her arms, raising a brow at the mafioso when she pressed her back against the wall.  
 

"What, Tom?"  
 

Sarah watched him take in a deep breath and kick at something on the floor.  
 

"I wanna take the girl in an' look after her, but she don't talk to me no more," Tommy sounded and looked a wreck, and Sarah never liked to see him in such a state. 
 

He was definitely sweeter than Sam and Paulie, but he was still a man, and just like any man, Tom had urges, needs.  
 

Sarah wasn't aware of the night Tommy had caught Starla trying to sneak out of the motel, and what went down, but she was aware, just like everyone else, that he liked the girl a bit more than he probably should. 
 

Sarah wasn't upset about it.  
 

She had already told Tom that she wasn't looking for anything serious yet. They'd get all tangled up together on occasion, but hadn't as of lately.  
 

There was always so much going on when living the life of a mafioso, and Sarah wasn't ready to get into a romantic relationship with a man who could die at any given moment.  
 

"Come by my place ta' night, we'll talk more about it, but I have to bring Starla out there to Salieri." Sarah uttered back quietly, moved into Tom's personal space, and put her hands on his tense shoulders before she pecked a warm kiss on his cheek.  
 

He smelled slightly of booze, highly of cigarette smoke, and faded cologne.  
 

The cologne and smoke smell was normal for Tommy, but not the hint of booze. He had been going out a lot with Paulie and getting into only god knew what kinds of trouble.  
 

Maybe it was a good thing that Sarah kept her distance from Tom.  
 

He nodded and gave her a faint smile before opening the door, leading to the billiards and meeting room, and leaving.  
 

Sarah was finally able to fully breathe now that he was gone. Her mind was in a panic about Starla, but she had to bring her out to Salieri.  
 
. 
 
Ennio had drove Starla back to the motel, but before they got there, he decided to enjoy the dark country roads a little bit.  
 

The girl was uneasy the entire time.  
 

Completely unable to get comfortable, to become less afraid, no matter how hard she tried to soothe herself with waves of self talk.  
 

Nothing worked. 
 

Her pale blonde hair blew all around, and she'd catch Salieri glancing over at her with a smile.  
 

She couldn't pretend that she didn't like his car.  
 

It was luxurious, fast, and what she liked the most about it was the top having been folded down. Starla hadn't been in such a fine motor since...Morello. 
 
. 
 
"I know that you are a virgin, dear, I knew long before your physical," It finally came out.  
 

She finally heard Salieri utter that word that unfortunately made her even more afraid. A woman's virginity was something sacred, something that was meant to be saved until the right man came along, but, Starla couldn't see that happening.  
 
 
Sex was never a thought of hers growing up on a little farm.  
 

At just 4 years old, Starla knew how to properly feed and milk the family goats, as well as help mama with the vegetable garden and papa with sheering the sheep.  
 

Sex hadn't become a part of her life until she was 14, when she had witnessed her mama bouncing on top of Don Salieri in the room that belonged to her mama and papa.  
 

Papa was away at work when it happened.  
 

They both saw the young teen standing frozen in the doorway, but there had been no point in hiding their affair any longer from her after that.  
 
 
Starla had been lying to herself for so many, never-ending years this. whole. time. 
 
. 
 
After leading Starla through the motel door, he waved her further upstairs, and she followed, despite the sick feeling in her gut.  
 

A handful of rooms were occupied, and when they got to Starla's, Salieri walked inside behind her and closed the door.  
 

"Mr. Salieri, what is this?" The girl immediately reacted, mindlessly grabbing the older man's wrist, furrowing her blonde brows as she looked up at him.  
 

He could tell just by looking at her that her heart was beating hard and fast.  
 

Salieri didn't want her to be afraid of him tonight.  
 

"I want to make you an offer, sweetheart,"  

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.... 

Starla gulped and fluttered her eyes when Salieri reached out and stroked her cheek with the backs of his thick fingers.  
 

He took a slow step forward and gave her a gentle smile.  
 

"What is your offer, Mr. Salier?" The girl said meekly, rubbing her arm.  
 

He looked down at her, contemplating how he was going to tell her what he planned to offer her. It wasn't that it would be hard for him, but he didn't want to cause a bigger panic in the girl.  
 

The corners of Salieri's honey eyes creased as his smile grew and he chuckled, looking at Starla's ear when he tucked a strand of her hair behind it.  
 

"I am offering you experience, dear, but only if you want it," He casually answered the girl and her eyes bugged, fingers wrapping around his wrist and tugging in an attempt to get his hand away from her.  
 

She shook her head and when she tugged harder on Salieri's wrist, he let go, still smiling.  
 

"You know you're a beautiful girl, Starla, and so do my boys and every man who comes around to pay for your company," The Don muttered and walked past her and over to the open window.  
 

"They are willing to pay more to be inside of you, sweetheart, do you understand?" He turned his attention away from outside the window and looked back over at Starla, who was already against the door, ready to leave.  
 

She shook her head again and grabbed the doorknob.  
 

"I ton't want that!" She turned it and opened the door, and slowly regained control over her breathing.  
 

Salieri's eyes were heavy and his smile was still visible, leaned against the windowsill.  
 

"If you leave, you will be sent right back to me, I have men on watch 24/7, Starla." He said to her like it was nothing, draping his wrist over the other on top of his thigh. 
 
 
Why was freedom so far away yet so very close?  
 
 
"I don't want you to be afraid of me, Starla, I'm only here to make things easier for you," Salieri said softly as he slid off the windowsill and sauntered over to the girl.  
 

"I won't do anything to hurt you," His tone dropped almost to a whisper when he got close enough to Starla again and brushed his hand down the side of her head, feeling the softness of her hair.  
 

He felt her jerk at his gentle touch, and saw her eyes glisten with tears before she looked down.  
 

"I ton't know much about...about sex, o-or what to do, I only let those men take control, Mr. Salieri, I, I am not a good woman for the job," Starla almost choked up, but strangely enough, the Don's familiar chuckle and his thumb on her chin comforted her.  
 

He lifted her chin and looked down into her sparkling eyes.  
 

"You are perfect for the job, you just need an experienced man to show you things!" His smile was warm and Starla felt compelled to listen to him.  
 

Salieri had a way with women, knew how to treat them with respect, and show them that good men existed — when money was involved.  
 

"My boys won't be gentle or patient with you once you're ready to make more money, and I want you to have a good time, sweetheart. Sex shouldn't be something to fear." His eyes flitted between hers, smile fading, and he gripped her chin more firmly.  
 
 
She shook her head again, breaking from the trance he had put her under.  
 

"Just let me go, sir, and I, I'll never say a wort, I just want my life back!" Starla pushed herself from Salieri, and began to shake.  
 

He looked at her hands and made a face.  
 

"You belong to me now, Starla, and I have been nothing but patient with you. I have given you a place to live, a job, and everything else that you won't get from those god damn streets!" The Don raised his voice, pointing back at the window, but not in a cruel way like Morello had.  
 

Her eyes dropped to the floor and stared at the tips of her work shoes.  
 

"What about papa, Mr. Salieri? He has nobody but me!" She swallowed and folded her arms around herself, fighting back tears.  
 

Salieri moved forward into her space again and caressed her cheek with his thumb, tracing her scar.  
 

He felt for the girl, he truly did.  
 

She heard him take in a slow breath and lifted her teary eyes.  
 

"You will be able to visit him, sweetheart, I would never keep you from him, but you are my girl now, and you need to understand that." He meant those words and Starla was no fool. Not anymore.  
 

She nodded and Salieri's smile returned as he held her cheek in the warmth of his palm.  
 

"Get some sleep, tomorrow Tommy will pick you up  give you a ride to the bar," Salieri casually said and brushed the side of her head before walking toward the door. 
 

Starla watched him open the door and turn back with more to say.  
 

"I will only give you a week to think about my offer, after that, if I don't have an answer, you will start working as a proper whore," Those words stung worse than Morello's ever did.  
 

"Goodnight, doll!" Salieri smiled brightly before leaving the room, and Starla couldn't stand any longer.  
 

When she dropped to her knees, she didn't cry.  
 

She just thought about how her life had changed so drastically, so fast.  
 

70 days being off the streets was far too long for Starla. But, she had to listen and do things right.