Chapter 4 Hidden Desires

H "You're not getting paid tonight." Nico froze, his grip tightening around the strap of his guitar case. He stared at Pablo, the owner of the Bluebar who wouldn't meet his eyes. "What did you just say?" Pablo exhaled heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. "I’m sorry, kid. Giovanni owns this place now. He made it clear—anyone who plays here answers to him." A cold wave of realization crashed over Nico. He had expected Giovanni to be ruthless, but this? This was low. "You’ve gotta be kidding me." Pablo’s silence was answer enough. Anger boiled in Nico’s chest. He had played. He deserved to get paid. "I played. I get paid. That was the agreement." Pablo winced. "You don’t understand. I’m sorry, Nico. But it’s not just me. Giovanni… owns the place now. He’s the one calling the shots.” Nico’s chest tightened. “Giovanni?” His voice was barely a whisper, tinged with frustration. "I don’t care who owns this place. I did what I was asked to do. I played. And I’m not leaving until I get paid." Pablo looked torn, but he took a step back, clearly uncomfortable with the confrontation. "You don’t get it, do you? Giovanni’s the one who runs things now. It’s not about what you did or didn’t do. It’s about what he wants. And right now, he doesn’t want to pay you." "Doesn't matter." Nico’s voice was firm, shaking with a mix of anger and determination. “I played. And I’m not leaving here without my money.” Before Pablo could respond, a shadow lurked over them. Nico looked up, his heart skipping a beat. It was tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a dark suit and sunglasses even though the night was deep. It was one of Giovanni’s men. Nico took a step back. The man didn’t speak at first. He just stood there, silent, watching Nico like a hawk. Finally, he spoke, his tone flat, almost disinterested. "It’d be best if you leave now, Nico." A chill ran through Nico’s veins. The guy’s words were calm, but filled with threats. “No,” Nico said, shaking his head, his impatience growing. “I’m not leaving. You tell Giovanni to come down here and tell me himself.” "Nico." A familiar voice sounded through the Bar. ——————- Nico turned sharply to find Marco standing at the corner, hands in his pockets. The sight of him made Nico’s chest tighten. Marco was more than a mentor—he was like a father. The man who had given him a home when he had none. "Marco? What are you doing here?" Marco sighed, looking tired, older than Nico remembered. "I was waiting for you. We need to talk." "About Giovanni?" Nico scoffed. "I already know enough. He’s a bastard trying to back me into a corner." Marco shook his head. "You don’t know everything." Nico stilled. There was something in Marco’s voice—something grave, something that made his stomach twist. "Come on," Marco said quietly. "Let’s take a walk." They walked in silence for a few minutes, the distant hum of traffic filling the quiet between them. The streets were mostly empty, dim street lights casting long shadows on the pavement. Nico kept glancing at Marco, waiting for him to speak. Finally, Marco stopped near an alley and turned to face him. "Giovanni isn't just some businessman who took over my bar. He’s dangerous, Nico. More dangerous than you think." "Yeah, I figured that out already," Nico muttered. "He’s trying to cut off all my options, make me work for him." "It’s not just about work," Marco said, his voice grim. "It’s about power. Giovanni doesn't just own businesses—he owns people. And once you’re under him, you don’t get out." Nico clenched his jaw. "Then why are you still working for him?" Marco hesitated. "Because I don’t have a choice." That sent a fresh wave of unease through Nico. "What does that mean?" Marco exhaled slowly. "It means I owe him, Nico. Just like you do now." Nico’s stomach dropped. "I don’t owe him anything." Marco looked at him, his eyes filled with something between pity and regret. "You do. The moment you walked into that bar tonight, the moment you played under a roof he owns, you became part of his world." Nico shook his head. "That’s ridiculous. He can’t just claim me like some... possession." "That’s exactly what he does," Marco said. "And if you keep fighting him, he’ll make your life hell." Nico swallowed hard. He already felt the noose tightening around his neck. First, it was the bar. Then, his pay. What was next? Would Giovanni start threatening the people around him? Marco took a deep breath before adding, "He’s been watching you, Nico. He’s seen you play. He likes what he sees." Nico’s stomach twisted. "What?" Marco nodded. "One of the nights he visited the bar, he watched you perform. He didn’t say much, but I could tell. He was drawn to it. And now that he owns the place, he wants you to keep playing. For him." A chill ran through Nico. This wasn’t just about money. It wasn’t just about control. Giovanni had made up his mind—he wanted Nico in his pocket, performing on his terms. Nico’s breath hitched. His mind reeled at the idea of Giovanni sitting in the shadows, watching him play, judging him without a word. "Since when?" he demanded. "How many times has he watched me?" Marco hesitated. "A few times. More than you’d think. He never made his presence obvious, but he was there." Nico’s skin prickled. He imagined Giovanni, leaning back in a dark corner of the bar, studying him like some kind of prize. "And you didn’t think to tell me?" Marco sighed. "I didn’t want to worry you. And I didn’t think it would come to this. But it has. And now, you need to understand—he isn’t just offering you a job, Nico. He’s making a demand." Nico shook his head in disbelief. "This is insane. Why would a guy like Giovanni give a damn about some musician playing in a bar?" Marco's jaw tightened. "Because it’s not just about the music to him. It’s about control. Giovanni doesn’t want just any musician playing in his bar. He wants you. Your music, your presence, no one else." Nico's blood ran cold. "That doesn’t make sense. There are hundreds of musicians out there. Why me?" Marco sighed. "That’s the thing about men like Giovanni. When they set their eyes on something, they don’t settle for second best. And for whatever reason, he’s set his eyes on you. It’s not just about the music. It’s about control and he doesn’t like people saying no to him." Nico took a shaky breath, trying to push down the rising panic. "So what happens if I refuse?" Marco’s expression darkened. "Then he makes an example of you. Maybe not right away, maybe not in an obvious way, but he will. You’ll start losing gigs. You’ll find yourself blacklisted from places you used to play. People will stop wanting to be around you because they won’t want to risk getting on his bad side." A heavy silence settled between them. The weight of Marco’s words pressed down on Nico’s chest. "What do I do?" Nico asked, hating the uncertainty in his voice. Marco placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "You play smart. You find a way to survive without letting him own you. But that’s not easy, Nico. And if you’re not careful, you’re going to get hurt." Nico met Marco’s gaze, determination burning in his chest. "I won’t let him win." Marco sighed. "Just be careful, kid. You have no idea what kind of game you’re playing." He wasn’t going to let Giovanni control him. Not without a fight.