It’s not like you.”
“She reminds me of someone I’d rather forget. Not to mention, it’s impossible to ignore her when she’s popping off at the mouth like a teen who needs her ass spanked.”
“Maybe that’s what you should do,” Dallas suggests.
“What?” I frown, not following him.
“Spank her ass, dick her down and relieve some tension.”
“She wishes. No way am I touching that shrew.” I’m almost offended by the suggestion. The stirring in my belly further infuriates me.
Dallas laughs. “All right. We’ll keep working on finding Houdini from this end. You keep me up to date on what’s happening there.”
“Will do, Boss.”
“Stay safe. The men you’re dealing with are ruthless.”
“I know. I’ve got my eyes open,” I promise.
“See they stay that way.”
I place the phone inside of the pocket of my suit. I miss the clubhouse and my freedom. I filleted her over hiding, but in a way, I’ve been doing the same. No one knows my background. The information died with Rule.
So, why am I riding her? Because she reminds me of Jewel .
I sigh. It’s an unfair comparison. She lost everything, just like me.
How long will everyone else suffer for one woman’s mistake? How long will I?
I’m suddenly itching for a drink. The liquor keeps the memories and the guilt at bay. Immersed in liquor, women and people who know nothing about the man I was before Prophet existed, I can be halfway happy. Here, exposed and walking in Charles Rowe’s shoes, I’m uncomfortable in my skin. I resent the woman inside for that. Glancing at her through the sliding door I catch sight of my reflection. The last time I looked this nice I was in court. The memory pops into my mind unexpectedly…
… I sit in the front row, still dazed . She sits behind the massive desk, pristine in her little black dress. Her golden hair still shines and her blue eyes are just as big and round as they were the day we met. Her looks hold no lure for me now. I know what lies behind them. The Cupid’s bow lips that tremble, spill lies like the clouds release rain.
Tap, tap, tap.
Glancing up, I see Vita gesturing for me to come inside. I shake off the remembrances, ready to bury myself in someone else’s mess.
“My aunt called. We’re on for the takeover.”
“What does that mean, exactly?” I ask.
“We prepare to go to war. They’re coming in from Italy; we rally the troops here. Keep the loyal or completely ruled by fear out of the loop.”
“And Houdini?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “We’re seeing what we can round up information-wise, but if we tip them off…” The color rushes from her face.
I finish her sentence in my head… then her brother is as good as dead. “So, what do we do?”
She runs her fingers through her hair. “I hate to say wait, but it is a waiting game. It’s all about stealth and numbers. I’m sure I’ll be meeting with many people as they come in. They’re staggering their arrivals. Different places, as incognito as possible.” She shrugs.
“But you’re still worried.” I observe.
“Very. They haven’t called back.”
I immediately know she’s talking about the kidnappers and not her family. “Yet,” I add.
She shakes her head. “If it wasn’t for his screams, I wouldn’t even know if he was alive. Here I am, steering the ship meant to be under his command, like some kind of female Don.” Her lip curls up.
“It’s not what you wanted?”
“Are you seriously asking me that?”
“It’s a lot of money and power,” I say, watching her face carefully for signs of a monster lurking beneath.
“That’s meaningless without family.”
The anger in her face makes me almost believe her.
She huffs. “One thing we need to do is prepare. In my family, the phrase ‘dress for success’ is taken literally. We need to restock our wardrobe.”
“Are you serious? You want to go shopping right now?”
“And get our hair done. We need to be polished. We’re
“She reminds me of someone I’d rather forget. Not to mention, it’s impossible to ignore her when she’s popping off at the mouth like a teen who needs her ass spanked.”
“Maybe that’s what you should do,” Dallas suggests.
“What?” I frown, not following him.
“Spank her ass, dick her down and relieve some tension.”
“She wishes. No way am I touching that shrew.” I’m almost offended by the suggestion. The stirring in my belly further infuriates me.
Dallas laughs. “All right. We’ll keep working on finding Houdini from this end. You keep me up to date on what’s happening there.”
“Will do, Boss.”
“Stay safe. The men you’re dealing with are ruthless.”
“I know. I’ve got my eyes open,” I promise.
“See they stay that way.”
I place the phone inside of the pocket of my suit. I miss the clubhouse and my freedom. I filleted her over hiding, but in a way, I’ve been doing the same. No one knows my background. The information died with Rule.
So, why am I riding her? Because she reminds me of Jewel .
I sigh. It’s an unfair comparison. She lost everything, just like me.
How long will everyone else suffer for one woman’s mistake? How long will I?
I’m suddenly itching for a drink. The liquor keeps the memories and the guilt at bay. Immersed in liquor, women and people who know nothing about the man I was before Prophet existed, I can be halfway happy. Here, exposed and walking in Charles Rowe’s shoes, I’m uncomfortable in my skin. I resent the woman inside for that. Glancing at her through the sliding door I catch sight of my reflection. The last time I looked this nice I was in court. The memory pops into my mind unexpectedly…
… I sit in the front row, still dazed . She sits behind the massive desk, pristine in her little black dress. Her golden hair still shines and her blue eyes are just as big and round as they were the day we met. Her looks hold no lure for me now. I know what lies behind them. The Cupid’s bow lips that tremble, spill lies like the clouds release rain.
Tap, tap, tap.
Glancing up, I see Vita gesturing for me to come inside. I shake off the remembrances, ready to bury myself in someone else’s mess.
“My aunt called. We’re on for the takeover.”
“What does that mean, exactly?” I ask.
“We prepare to go to war. They’re coming in from Italy; we rally the troops here. Keep the loyal or completely ruled by fear out of the loop.”
“And Houdini?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “We’re seeing what we can round up information-wise, but if we tip them off…” The color rushes from her face.
I finish her sentence in my head… then her brother is as good as dead. “So, what do we do?”
She runs her fingers through her hair. “I hate to say wait, but it is a waiting game. It’s all about stealth and numbers. I’m sure I’ll be meeting with many people as they come in. They’re staggering their arrivals. Different places, as incognito as possible.” She shrugs.
“But you’re still worried.” I observe.
“Very. They haven’t called back.”
I immediately know she’s talking about the kidnappers and not her family. “Yet,” I add.
She shakes her head. “If it wasn’t for his screams, I wouldn’t even know if he was alive. Here I am, steering the ship meant to be under his command, like some kind of female Don.” Her lip curls up.
“It’s not what you wanted?”
“Are you seriously asking me that?”
“It’s a lot of money and power,” I say, watching her face carefully for signs of a monster lurking beneath.
“That’s meaningless without family.”
The anger in her face makes me almost believe her.
She huffs. “One thing we need to do is prepare. In my family, the phrase ‘dress for success’ is taken literally. We need to restock our wardrobe.”
“Are you serious? You want to go shopping right now?”
“And get our hair done. We need to be polished. We’re
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