DEDICATION
For all the good girls who love villains and have a trigger warning kink.
Vanessa Brooks
Dante Salvato sprawls inhis boothlike a kingwaitingto be served Iguess he is royaltyinVegas He owns this casino whereIservecocktails,aswellasdozensofotherpropertiesaroundthecity.Themanhasmoremoneyandpowerthanhe knows what to do with. Not to mention he runs plenty of illegal underground businesses too. He has the type of law enforcementconnectionstomakepeopledisappearforgood Rumorhasitthathe’skilledatleastthreeofhisloverswhenhe grewboredwiththemandthathe’llputabulletintheheadofhisownguardsifhethinksthey’redisloyal.
All Iknow for sureisthathe’stechnicallymyboss’sboss,andtoday,hiscurrentthroneistheboothinmysectionofthe casinolounge.
TheothergirlsIworkwithlovetowaitonhim Therehavebeenliteralcatfightsintheparkinglotwhensomeonesnatched uphistablewhenitwasnotintheirsection.Normally,IwouldpasshimofftoGeorgiaorJessica,butI’mindesperateneedof money.Despiteall thebloodonhistattooedhands,Salvatoisaverygeneroustipper.Notthatgivingservershundred-dollar billsforacoupleglassesofboozemakesupforalltheviolence
“HisHighnessiswaitingforyou,Van,”Gavin,oneofthecasino’smalestrippers,saysashefinisheshisnightlyroundof shots It’shisritualbeforehetakeshisclothesoffforthescreaming,greedyhordeofwomen “Hurry,beforehedecidestocut yourheartoutforwastinghisprecioustime.”
“I’mgoing.”Isigh,thenturnbacktotheprettyman,flashinghimasmallsmile.“Hopeyouhaveagoodnight.”
“You,too.”Hegivesmehistrademarkedwinkandgrinthatmakesdollarbillsraindownfromtheskyandslipsatwenty ontothebar.
Pullingmylong,straightblondehair over thefrontofmyshoulder tocover moreofmyface,Imakemywayover tothe table.Salvatoissittingwithtwoothermenwhoaredressedinsimilarblacksuitstohisown.Oneclearlylookslikehe’salso anItalianmobster,whiletheotherhasmoreofablond-surfer-stuffed-into-the-suitvibe
“Good evening, Mr. Salvato,” Isaysweetly. Ipull outmysmall notepad frommyapronpocket, keepingmyeyes down, usingmyhairtoshieldthemfromview.“WhatcanIgetyoutodrink?”
“Awhiskeyneat,scotchontherocks,andanold-fashioned.”WhenSalvatofinishesorderingforhimselfandhisfriends,I can’thelpbutpeekupatthetwomentomakesureit’swhattheyactuallywant.
Neither glances awayfromthe screens ontheir phones,though,while Salvatostares atmyboobs Usually,Itrytoavoid lookingdirectlyathiminsuchcloseproximity.Hisjet-blackhair,constantfiveo’clockshadow,andglacialblueeyesaretoo much He’stoomuchsittingdownwhenonlyhalfofhisbig,muscularbodyisvisible Whenhestandsup well,it’snotfair thatGodgavethisonemangoodlooks,power,andmoney.Noonestandsachanceagainsthim.
“That’llbeallfornow,butterfly,”heeventuallysaystodismissme.
Butterfly
Makingmywaybacktothebar,Ican’tdecideifIlikeorhatethenicknamethathebestowedonmeyearsago.Onenight, whenIfirststartedworkinghere,hecameinwhileIwaswearinganopen-backdress,revealingthetattoosrunningdiagonally down my back. Sure, butterflies are beautiful, but they’re also fragile, which is probably what a man as physically and financiallydominatingas Dante Salvato sees whenhe leers atme I’mfive-footnothing, one hundred and tenpounds, and a nobodywaitress.Idon’teventechnicallyowntheclothesonmybodybecauseI’mstillpayingofftheinterestforthemonmy creditcards.
MylifeisthecompleteoppositeofMr MafiaKing’s Today,I’mjustgladSalvatodidn’tlookanycloseratmyface.
AssoonasIblurtoutthedrinkstoourbartender,James,heturnshisbacktometogetstartedonthem “Youluckedupand hitthejackpottonight.”
“Solucky,”Isarcasticallyagree,withmyforearmsbracedonthebarcounter Awarmtingleofawarenessdownmyspine causesmetoglanceovermyshoulder.Sureenough,Salvato’seyesarestillonmyass.
“Ohshit,Van,”Jamessayswhenheslidesthewhiskeyinfrontofmeandpeeksaroundtoseetheoglingmanbehindme. “Hewantsyoubad.”
“Hedoesn’twantme Hejustwantsatightholetofuck” “Georgiasaiditwasthebestfuckofherlife,”heresponds.
“Whowasthebestfuckofmylife?”Thewomaninquestionappearsbesideme,sweepingherlong,wavybrownhairover hershoulder.
Itipmyheadinthedirectionofthedirtybusinessman
“Oh,yeah,”shewhispers.Bitingherbottomlip,sheliftsherfingerstowaveathim.Ibetmyweek’spaycheckhedoesn’t evenknowhername,muchlessrememberitfromtheir“memorable”night.“Heruinedsexforme.Iwouldcrawlonmyhands andkneesoverhotcoalsjustforanothertasteofhisbigdick”Herheavysighasshegawksathimispathetic Georgiaisjust onewomaninamillionwhohe’sscrewedandtossedaside.Atleastshesurvivedhimandisstillbreathingtotellthetale.
“I’lltaketheirdrinkstothem,”sheofferswhenJamesfinishespouringtheold-fashioned “Youcanstillhavethetip,Van” “That’sokay.Icanhandleit.”
Thesmartmovewouldbetoacceptherofferandreapthebenefitswithoutthework
Ishouldn’twanttobenearhim,tohearhissexistremarksashegawksatme,buthe’stheonlymanwhoevenbotherstrying toflattermelately.
The truthis,while Iwill never give inandwon’tever encourage it,Salvato’s flirtingmakes me feel goodaboutmyself Special.Someonelikehimdoesn’treallywantmythirty-six-year-oldsinglemombodythat’sneverseentheinsideofagym.I know it’s all anactwithhim He’s a horny, tenacious spider, weavinga beautiful web to draw womeninso he candevour them.Hewantswhat’sundermydressonlybecauseIwillalwaysdenyhimaccess.
Slidingthe three glasses together betweenmyhands, Ipickthemup and carrythemto the table. Myheartraces, and my palms turnso sweatyIworryImaydrop the glasses. Finally, Iplace the old-fashioned infrontofMr. Salvato’s seatinthe booth,thescotchtohisright,andthewhiskeytohisleft.
Again, I’mpracticallyinvisible to the other two menwho are still engrossed intheir phones ButDante grins up atme beforeheswapsthetwodrinks,puttingthescotchinfrontoftheblondandwhiskeyneatbeforetheothermobster.
“Sorry,”Isay “IsthereanythingelseIcangetforyou,Mr Salvato?”
Hedoesn’tanswerrightaway.No,hemakesmestandtherewaitingnervouslyuntilheliftshisglassandtakesaslowsip. Onlywhenthebottomofhisglassreturnstothetabledoeshespeak.“Youcouldcomesitthatfineassofyoursonmycock.”
And there it is
“Jesus,Dante,”oneofhiscompanionsmutters.Theguywithhislong,dirtyblondhairtiedoutofhisfacesoundslikehe can’tbelievehejustsaidthat Theotheronejustcacklesloudly
Inanyotherworkplace,Salvato’swordswouldbeconsideredsexualharassment.Here,at The Royal Palace,though,there isnohumanresourcesoffice Asmybosstoldmemyfirstweek, “If you don’t want to put up with the shit talking, then you better get the fuck out of here.”
Iputup withitbecause I’ma highschool dropoutwithno skills whatsoever. The tips are nice, evenwhensome ofthe customersgethandsy
Insomealternateuniverse,ImayevenbestupidenoughtoclimbonSalvato’slapandridehimrighthereinthemiddleof hiscasinowhilehisfriendsandeveryoneelsewatches Justthinkingaboutithaswarmthpoolinginmylowerbody WhatcanI say?Ihaveanunfulfilledexhibitionistfetish.Inreallife,though,Iwouldn’tbeabletolookatmyselfinthemirrorforbeingso weakandnaïve
Weakfor lettingamanhavethatkindofpower andcontrol over me.Naïvefor believingI’mspecial andnotlikeall the otherwomenhe’sused.
“Asusual,I’llhavetorespectfullydecline,Mr Salvato”
“Didshejustshootyoudown,Dante?”thelaughingmaninthethree-piecesuitasks.Hewipesawaytearsfromunderhis browneyesandsays,“God,I’msogladIgottobeheretowitnessthishistoricoccasion”
Salvatoglowers athis friendfor a moment,thenturns tome.His cobalt-blue eyes are gorgeous anddangerous all atthe sametime Hotenoughtoburnyouandcoldenoughtonotcarewhenhesetsyouonfire Ihaveabsolutelynocluewhat’sgoing oninhisheadrightnowduringthesilence.“Titushasapoint.You’retheonlywomanwhohaseverrefusedme.Whyisthat, butterfly?”
He’sneveraskedmeforareasonbeforetoday,justthrewoutanofferandacceptedmyrejectionwithamusement Tonight, though,heactuallylookspuzzledand…aggravatedbymyblatantrefusal.
Shit Timefordamagecontrol ThelastthingIwantistoangerthebeast
“MaybeIwouldconsider itifIwasn’tcurrentlyseeingsomeone,”Iexplain,sincecallingMitchmyboyfriendwhenI’m roundinguptofortysoundsridiculous.It’sthebestIcandotoletthemobbossdowneasy.
“Hedoesn’tdeserveyou,”Salvatosaysarrogantly,asifheknowshimpersonally.Oneofhisarmsstretchesoutalongthe backoftheboothasifofferingmetheplacetocurlupnexttohisside.“Iwouldworshipyou,treatyoulikeafuckingqueen…”
“Queenforaday?No,thankyou,Mr.Salvato.”
“Wow. Well said.” The blond friend who wasn’t cackling salutes me with his whiskey before swallowing every drop down Hishandsomefaceisfamiliar,buthe’sneverspokentomebefore AllIknowisthatwhereverDantegoes,hegoes “Oneofthesedays,whenyoufinallysayyestome,you’regoingtoregretwaitingforsolong,butterfly,”Salvatoremarks. Hewatchesmeovertherimofhisglassashetakesanothersipofhisold-fashioned
Withhisarmstillraised,hissuitjacket gapes open. The top three buttons ofhis sky-blue button-downare undone to draw attentionto his broad chestand gunina shoulderholster It’seasierthanitshouldbetoignoreit,totakeintherestofhisupperbody There’snotieinthewayandthe dress shirt is fitted to his flat stomach. He probably bought extra abs and has like ten of themhiding underneath the snug material.
I don’t bother disagreeingwithhimbefore I force myeyes to lookawayand retreat Turninghimdowninfront of his buddiescouldbeenoughtogetmefiredorkilledonabadday.There’snopointpouringgasolineonthefirebyassertingthatI will never sayyestohim Hecouldputaguntomyheadandthreatentopullthetrigger,butIwouldratherdiethangivein Evenwithouttherumorsofhimmurderinghislovers,menlikeSalvatodon’trespectwomen.Neverhas,neverwill.He’ll spendhislifemovingfromonewillingvictimtothenext,usingthemandthenthrowingthemawaylikegarbage
IhavemyhandsfullwithMitchasitis,thankstothegiantholeherecentlydughimselfinto.Theholeresponsibleforthe extratwolayersofconcealerandfoundationIhadtouseonmyfacetodaybeforeIcameintowork.Afterayeartogether,I’m beginningtothinkit’stimeformyworthlesslive-inboyfriendtohittheroad
Dante Salvato
“Igetthefeelingthatshedoesn’tlikeyouverymuch,”Titusremarkswithashit-eatinggrin.“WonderifIwouldhaveabetter chance ”
“Fuckoff.”Ifhewasn’tmyfriendandsecond-in-command,I’dbetemptedtoshoothiminhisface.
Atfirst,gettingrejectedbythetinyblondecocktailwaitresswasamusingbecauseI’dhadalltheotherwaitressesexcept her. Now, years later, her consistent rejection is annoying as fuck, leaving me frustrated, distracted even. Her weak-ass explanationdoesn’tevenmakesense.I’mDantefuckingSalvato.Womenhaveliterallylefttheirhusbandstobewithmefora night
Ofcourse,theyallthinkthatthey’llbetheluckywinnerwhoturnsonenightintotwo,andtwonightsintoadiamondring. Theydon’trealizethattheywouldhaveabetterchanceoficeskatingacrossthedesert Hell willfreezeoverbeforeImarry anyone.
“Poorgirl,”Elisayswithoutsarcasm “Thelastthingsheneedstonightisthetwoofyoutryingtogetinherpanties” “Whatdoyoumean?”Iaskhim.
Ever since the MMAfighter forfeited his life to serve me lastyear, he goes where Igo and does whatItell himto do. Lately,thethiefseemstothinkthattheforcedproximityhasmadeusfriends We’renot.
He tried to steal millions fromme, frommycustomers Now Iownhim He’s a reminder to anyone who mayconsider crossingme that there are some fates worse thandeath. Maybe he needs a reminder that Istill hold his life literallyinmy hands.
“Youdidn’tseethebruises?”Eliasks. “Bruises?”
“Onherface Hermakeupandlipstickwerethick,butIcouldseetheblackeye,thebustedlip,thebruisesonherthroat ” “Wait,”Iinterrupthim.“Whothefuckareyoutalkingabout?”
“Theprettylittleserverwhojustrejectedyou,”Elisayssimply “Eh,itwashardtoseearoundherhair,butIthinkhe’sright,boss,”Titusagrees. Isearchtheroomforher,findingherforearmsrestingonthecounteragain,showingoffherassunderhershort,tightblack dress.How thehell didImiss seeingbruises onher face,onher full pinklips?Iknow thatfacelikethebackofmyhand.I alwaysimaginethoselipsstretchedaroundmycockwheneversomeoneelseissuckingit. Whothehellwouldhurther?Shesaidshe’sseeingsomeone Wasitherboyfriend?I’llslicehishandsoffandshovethem downhisgoddamnthroat.
“Getyourassup,”ItellEli Heimmediatelyslidesoutoftheoversizedbooth,allowingmetostandandheadforthebar Mystepsfeelheavierthanusual,liketherageineachofthemcouldmakethefuckingfloorshudder.
Thebartender sees mecomingandfreezes witharaginhis hand.His facegoes ashadelighter.“Ca-canIhelpyou,Mr. Salvato?”
She, however, doesn’t see me coming. Hell, I don’t evenknow her first name. Whenshe peers over her shoulder, I’m inchesaway,toweringoverher.ShehastotipherheadbacktoseemyfacebecauseI’matleastafootandahalftallerthanher eventhoughshe’sinheels “Bathroom.Now.”
“Uh, what?” Her wide, emerald-greeneyes shiftfromme to the bartender, who shrugs While her face is turned away, I finallyseetheshadowunderneathherlefteye,downaroundthesideofhernose.Andfuck,Icanalreadysmellthebloodofthe personwhohither
Atfirst,Idon’tunderstandwhyshehasn’tmovedherasstodowhatIfuckingtoldhertodo.WhenIspeak,peoplelisten. Thechoicesareeithercomplyordie.Usually.
Finally,Ihearhergasp It’snotthegoodkind,either It’sthesoundmenmakebeforetheybegfortheirlives Itonlytakes meamomenttorealizehertrainofthought.ShemustbeassumingthatI’mtiredofherrefusingmeandwilltakewhatIwant fromher She’ssuchalittlethingIcouldeasilyscoopherupwithonehandandcarryherwhereverIplease Mydicklikesthat ideaawholehellofalot.MyheadremindsmethatthereareprobablymorebruisesIcan’tsee,andpickingherupwouldhurt her Theheadsofwhoeverlaidhandsonheraregoingtoliterallyroll
“You’regoingtowashthatmakeupoff,andthenwe’regoingtotalk,”Iexplaintoherthroughmyclenchedteethtotryand ease her worry. Does she actually think I would force myself on her? Jesus. I get everything I want or need fromwilling women Well,allexceptforher
She winces whenshe finallyrealizes what this is about and looks relieved for about half a second. “I’mso sorry, Mr. Salvato Itriedtocoverthebruisesupsocustomerswouldn’tseethem”
What the fuck?
“Areyouapologizingtomeforsomeonebustingupyourface?”
“Yes,”sheanswerssoftly,butwithconviction.
Thisconversationisherrealvoice,notthefakesugaryonesheuseswhentakingdrinkorders,usingsiror“Mr.Salvato.” Andnow Ireallywanttohearherchantingthatsamewordoverandoveragainwhenshe’sunderneathmebeforeImakeher screammyname.Myfirstname,notthatproperbossbullshit.Iwanthercomingundermescreaming,“Dante,”atthetopofher lungs
Shit. Mydickis always tryingto distractme fromhandlingbusiness. I’ve purchased 737s, sports cars, and penthouses I don’t want or need all for one end goal pussy. I have a feelingthat all those things together wouldn’t evenbe enoughto persuadethewaitress.
Andthatcertaintydrivesmefuckingcrazy.
“You’renotintrouble,butterfly,”Iassureher,tryingnottotakemyanger outonher “Wecantalkinthebathroomdown hereorupinmyoffice.Yourchoice.”
She gives me a tight nod and then starts walking to the right toward the women’s bathroom I follow her inside The fluorescentlightsarebrighterthanthesun,whichiswhyIwantedtoseeherfaceunderneaththem.
Withouthavingtorepeatmyself,Iwaitwithmyarmscrossedovermychest,leaningonthedoorframeasshegrabssome towels,wetsthemunderthefaucet,andgentlyscrubsherface Icounteverywincefromthebruisesforpaybacklater There arefourofthem.Herbottomlipisnoticeablyswollen,withoutanycoloronit.
“Putyour hair up,” Itell her whenher face is bare, still beautiful, justa little damaged Her eyes narrow slightlyatmy order,butshedoesn’targuewithmeorlookatmebeforepilingherlightblondehairupinamessyknotonthetopofherhead.
Whenshe turns toface me,Iglide closer toher Close enoughtotouch,butIdon’t The marks are evenworse thanthey wereinthemirror’sreflection.Darkbruises.Recentones.It’slikemypasthascomebacktohauntme,butatleastthiswoman isstillalive.
Someonefuckingchokedherandpunchedherinherdelicatefaceatleasttwice Imaybreakmen’sjaws,noses,andevery otherboneregularly,butseeingthatkindofdamageonaninnocentwoman’sbeautifulfacemakesmystomachturn.Iwanttodo somethingtomakeitbetter,Ijustdon’tknowwhat
“Is this all ofthe bruises?” Iask.Her bowedheadshakes side toside.Ifuckingknew it.Iwanttodemandtosee every singleone,butIknowshe’llrefuseifIask “Whodidthistoyou?Yourpieceofshitboyfriend?”
“No.Hewouldn’thurtme,”sheanswersasherpalmcomesuptogentlytouchtherightsideofherribs.Mostlikely,some arebruisedunderneathherdress.Ifherboyfrienddidn’tkeephersafe,thenhe’sstillapieceofshit.
“Thenwhowasit?”
“I-Idon’tknowtheirnames.”
Names Plural Jesus
“Wasthisarandomactofviolenceorwasitdoneonpurpose?”
“Onpurpose,”shesayswithaheavysigh.“Look,Mr.Salvato,I’msorryIdidn’tcoverthemupbetter,butIhadtocome intowork.Ineedthemoney.Ididn’tthinkanyonewouldnotice.”
She’sright.Ididn’tnotice.Iwastoobusystaringathertitsandass.IfElihadn’tmentionedit,Iwould’veneverknown.
“Doyouowesomeonemoney?”Iask,sincethat’sthenumberonereasonforabeatingbystrangersinthistown.
“No. I don’toweanyone.”
“Whodoes,then?Yourboyfriend?”
“Yes.”It’sbarelyawhisper,butittellsmeeverythingIneedtoknow.
Son of a bitch He’s a dead man “Whodoesheowe,andhowmuch?”
Shakingherhead,shesays,“Ihonestlydon’tknow,butI’mguessingsomemobsterlikeyou”
“Itsureasfuckwasn’tmymen.”
“Well, Iwas inthe dark, too, until lastnightwhentwo goons came into the apartmentand ransacked it, demandingtheir payment Hedidn’thaveit,oranythingelseofvalueforthemtotake,sotheydidthistomotivateMitch”Sheglancesup,eyes wide,asifshedidn’tintendtogivemehisname.
“Mitchwhat?”Whensheholdsmygaze,jawclenchedtight,refusingtoopenhermouth,Itellher,“I’llfindoutonewayor another.”
“Fine MitchMcKinny Butit’snothisfault!”
“Oh,I’msureit is hisfuckingfault,”Itellher.Andhe’sgoingtopayforit.“Getyourthings.You’recomingupstairswith me.”
“What?Why?”
I’mnotentirelysurewhatI’mgoingtodoyet,butIhavetodosomething.AnyplansIhadtonightnolongermatter.Figuring thisshitout,makingsurenobodyhurtsheragain,isnowmypriority
“Callyourboyfriend.Tellhimtogethisassdownherenow.I’llbewaitingforyoubytheelevatorbank.”
“Idon’t…Ishouldgetbacktowork!JamesandGeorgiacan’t ”shestarts,butIinterrupther.
“Idon’tgiveafuckaboutJamesorGeorgia.”Shit.Idon’tevenknow hername.Foryears,I’velustedafterherandonly evercalledherbutterflybecauseofthedaintyinkonherback.“Iwanttoknowyourname.”
“Vanessa”
She’s lying.
“Vanessawhat?”
“VanessaBrooks.”
I’mnotsurewhy,butI’dbetmyleftnutthat’snotthenameshewasbornwith.Peopledon’tblurttheirnamesoutthatdamn fastunlessthey’remadeupandtheyhavetopracticeusingthem.
“Go getyour things. Don’tkeep me waiting, Vanessa, ” Itell her before Iturnaround, jerkthe bathroomdoor open, and walkout
IwanttoknoweverythingthereistoknowaboutVanessaBrooksandMitchMcKinny.Then,I’mgoingtofigureoutaway tokeephersafeandmakehermine
Shit, shit, shit!
ThelastthingMitchandIneedistogetDanteSalvatoinvolvedinthisnightmare. Itwould’vebeennicetohavesomeonestanduptothosethugsastheyhitmeandkeptkickingmewhenIwasdown,though. Thepainwasbadbutgaspingforairwhileonesqueezedmythroat Ireallythoughthewasgoingtokillme TodayistoolateforawhiteknightordarkknightorwhoeverSalvatothinksheisgivingmeorders.
Whydidhehavetobedownheretonight?SometimesIcangoweekswithoutseeinghiminthelounge Theonetimemy faceisamess,heshowsupandcausesascene.
TakingmyhairdownbecauseIhatethathegavemetheordertoputitupandwashthemakeupfrommyface,Imarchback outtothefloorandtellJames,“Ihavetogo.I’msorry.Hopefully,he’llletmecomebacklater…”Iremovethefewtipsfrom myapronandlayitonthebar.
“Iknow Mr Salvato told me you’re done for the night He looked pissed What’s goingon, Van?” the college-aged kid asks,thenhisjawdrops.“Andwhathappenedtoyourface?Didhedothat?”
“No,hedidn’tdothis,butheispissedaboutit I’llexplaineverythinglater Pleasedon’ttellanyonewhathappened,”Ibeg him,becauseIdon’twanttobedraggedthroughthecasino’srumormill.
“Mylipsaresealed,”hesays.“Hopeyou’regoingtobeokay.”
“I’llbefine,”Iassurehimwithasmile.IhavesurvivedworsethanDanteSalvato.
Backintheemployeelockerroom,IopenminetograbmypurseanddigoutmyphonetocallMitch. “Hey,babe Aren’tyouatwork?”heasks,sinceheknowswecan’thavephonesonusduringashift “Yes,andshitjusthitthefan.Whodoyouowemoneyto,Mitch?”
“Itoldyounottoworryaboutit I’mhandlingit”
“WasthatSalvato’smenlastnight?” “Fuck,no.”
Iguessthat’sarelief.“Well,Dante Mr.Salvato justsawmyfaceandmademetellhimwhathappened.Hewantsyouto comedownto The Royal Palace. Now.”
“Me?Whatthefuck,Van?Whatdidyoutellhim?Whothehelldoeshethinkheis?”
“I’msorry.Justcomedownhere.Ifyoudon’t,thenhe’llprobablysendsomeonetopickyouup.”
“Fuck!Youshould’vekeptyourmouthshut!”
“Thatwasn’tanoption!”Ishoutathim.“Ihavetogo.He’swaitingonme.”
“Jesus,Van.Idonotneedthisshit…”
“AndyouthinkIdo?”IyellathimbeforeIendthecall
Thisisn’tmyfault,it’shis,andnowImightlosemyjob,butMitchdoesn’tseemtocareaboutthat.Allheworriesaboutis himself,probablybecause he’s never had anyone thathe’s responsible for keepingalive He doesn’thave a twenty-year-old sonincollegewithtuitionthatneedstobepaideverysemester.
Istuffmyphoneintomypurseandthrowitovermyshoulder Rushingoutofthelockerroom,Imakemywaythroughthe casinofloorandtothehotel’selevatorbank.Dante’sleaningashoulderagainstthenearbywall.Hisscowlsayshe’srunning outofpatiencewhilewaitingforme.
HelookssopissedIexpecthimtoyellatmefortakingtoolongwhenhepushesoffthewallandstalksforward Insteadof cussingmeout,hesimplysays,“Ready?”
“Yes,sir,Mr Salvato Mitchisontheway”
“Good,”hegrumblesashejabshisfingerontheelevator’s up button.Ihaveafeelingit’snotgoingtobeagoodthingfor Mitch Salvatowantstoblamehimformymessed-upface,andinaway,he’sright
I’veneverhadanyluckwithmen,notwiththeonewhoraisedme,theoneIwassupposedtomarry,theonewhoknocked
me up,or anyofthe ones wholikedme well enoughtodate me once or twice,buthadnointerestindealingwitha mouthy teenageboy.Mitchismyfirstandonlyseriousrelationshipever.HeandColeactuallygetalongprettywell.Itprobablyhelped thatMitchdidn’tmoveinwithmeuntilColeleftforcollege
The elevator finallyarrives. Once itempties out, Dante waits for me to getinbefore he follows, swipinga card for the penthousewhileamanandwomanjoinusandpressthenumbersix Ikeepmygazeforward,butit’simpossiblenottonotice thetall,toweringman’sreflectioninthemirrorsstaringbackatme.He’seyingmeupanddownwhilerunninghisindexfinger overhislipslowly,thinkingdeepthoughts Likelydirtythoughts
Whenthe manand womanexitonthe sixthfloor, he speaks. “You’re too…delicate.” He says the words as ifthey’re an insult.“I’dhavetobecarefulwithyou,wouldn’tI,butterfly?”
MycheekssuddenlygrowwarmbecauseI’mprettysurehe’sthinkingaboutushavingsex
“Good.Nowyou’rethinkingaboutittoo,”hesayswithagrin,shovinghishandsintothefrontpocketsofhissuitpants.
“No,I’mnot”
“Sure,youare.”
Oh,comeon!Howmanyfloorsdoesthisplacehave?Thirty-eightapparently We’reonlyontwelve “Iwouldsmotheryouinmissionary,”Danteremarks.“So,youwouldprobablyhavetorideme.”
Ishakemyheadbecausetherearenowords.Insultinghimwon’tdomeanygoodrightnowwhenI’mathismercyandhe knowsit
“Puttingyouonallfourscouldwork,too.Idoloveitfromtheback.”
“This is the slowest elevator in the world,” I mutter And hottest There’s hardly any air flow It has to be about two hundreddegreesinhere.Sweatisliterallybeadingonmyforeheadandneck.
“You’reblushinglikeaCatholicschoolgirl,butIthinkyou’reolderthanyoulook.”
Atleasttalkingaboutmyageisbetterthanthebestsexualpositionsforus.“HowolddoyouthinkIam,Mr.Salvato?”
Again,hiseyesroammybodylikeelevatorsupanddown,up,anddown,fromheadtotoe.“Twenty-eight?Twenty-nine?”
Ican’thelpbutsmile,eventhoughithurtsmydamnbustedlip “Thankyou”
“Well?Tellme.”WhenIhesitate,headds,“Icouldjusttakeyourpurseandfindyourlicense.”
“Fine I’mthirty-six”
“Wow.Thirty-six?You’resopetiteitthrowseveryoneoff.”
“Howoldareyou?”
“Forty-five.”
Inodandtellhim,“Youactyounger.”
“Hmm That’snotacompliment,isit?”
Thankfully,Idon’thavetoanswerbecausetheelevatorfinallyjerkstoastop.Thedoorslidesopen.ThefirstthingInotice inthe hallwayare the two huge meninall black Guards, obviously, one standingoneither side ofthe heavy, double metal doors.Dantewalksupandpunchesinacodeintothewall-mountedkeypad.Ihearthelockturn,andheopenstherightside, holdingitformetogothroughfirst.
ThepenthouseisevenbiggerandfancierthanIimagined Therearestairsthatspiralup,up,andupsomemore Themarble floorsspillintoahugekitchenwhereasmallwallwithafireplaceseparatesitfromadiningroom.
“Where’syourlivingroom?”Ican’thelpbutask,asifthat’smybiggestconcernatthemoment “Secondandthirdfloors,”Danteanswers.“Myofficeisthisway.”
Wepassbytheglasswindowsanddoorleadingouttoaninfinitypool Thesunbeginstoset,andseveralbeautifulwomen inbikinisrelaxinloungechairsliketheydon’thaveacareintheworld. Mustbenice.
Dante’sofficeisjustaboutwhatIexpected Acavernousroomwithtwofloorsofbooksliningthewalls There’saleather sofa,somechairs,agiantcherrywooddeskthat’ssolargeitlookslikeitwasbuiltintheroom.Onceinside,hegesturestothe sofa andsays,“Getcomfortable,” while staringdownathis phone now inhis hand,typingaway “Eli is onhis wayhere to waitwithyou.”
Beingcomfortableisapparentlymylatestcommand,andsincethere’snothingelsetobedone,Igoandplopdownonthe caramelbrownleathersofatowait.
Dante
herplacesofemploymentgoingbackfifteenyears DMVrecordslistaddresseswhereshe’slived There’snotasingleblemish onhercriminalrecord.It’salltoosqueakycleanforathirty-six-year-oldwomanworkinginabarasacocktailwaitressfora measlyminimumwageandtips
TheonlysurprisemyteamuncoveredwasthatVanessahasason.He’stwentyyearsold,andthere’snofather’snamelisted onhisbirthcertificate
WhenIcomeinfromthebalcony,Eli isstill standingasdirectedoutsidemyoffice,wherethelittleblondebombshell is waiting
“McKinnyhasarrivedandbeendetaineddownstairs,”hesays.
“Abouttime,”Imutter.
Havingoverheardus,IseeVanessastandupasiftojoinus Buttoningmysuitjacket,Itell her,“You’restayingherefor now.YellforEliifyouneedanything.”
“Okaythen,”sheagreeswithasighbeforeshesitsbackdownandcrossesherlegs
“Here’sthedocumentyouwanted.”Elioffersmeatri-foldedslipofpaper.Trustingit’sexactlywhatIaskedfor,Istuffit insidemysuit’sbreastpocket
“Makesureshedoesn’tleavethisroom,”Iwarnhim.
“Yes,sir.”
He remains in his sentry position next to the open doorway to wait while I head to the basement to have a talk with McKinny.Likethepenthouse,italsorequiresacard,alongwithafingerprintscantokeeptouristsout.
WhenIstepoffthe elevator,mydress shoes are loudinthe quietspace,echoingaroundthe concrete floor ofthe mostly emptyopenspace. I make mywayover to the single occupied chair inthe roomwhere a mansits withfour of myguards surroundinghim.Ina wordhe’s…messy.His brownhair andbeardare longandshaggy,his clothes, a band tee and athletic shorts,arefadedandwrinkledlikehesleptinthem.
“Mitchell McKinny?” I ask when I’m standing in front of him, as if I haven’t just downloaded his entire life history includingphotosandvideos
“Yes,sir.”
“Didyoujustgetoutofbed?”
“Ah,yeah.”
“Sleepingwhileyourgirlfriendworksallnight?”Sleepinginsteadofsellinghissoulorwhateverhehastodotopayoff hisdebttokeepheroutofharm’sway.
“I’mlookingforajob,”hesays,whichisprobablyalie.
“You’reashittyboyfriend,”Itellhim “Excuseme?”
“Youletherworkten,sometimestwelve-hourdaysonherfeetwhileyoufuckaroundbehindherbackandblowmoneyon idioticbetswithverydangerousmen.”
“I’msorry?”
“Are you?” Iaskas Iwalkup to himso close, he has to tilthis head up to see myface “Because Idon’tthinkyou’re sorry.”
“Howisthatanyofyourbusiness?”
“It’smybusinessbecauseImadeitmyfuckingbusiness.Vanessaisalsomyemployee.Youscrewedup,andshetookthe fallforyou”
“Ibeggedthemnottohither!”
Tiltingmyheadtotheside,Iexaminehimcloser.“Unlikeherface,yoursiscompletelyunmarred.Whyisthat?”
“Theysaidtheywerehurtinghertomotivateme”
“MotivateyoutopayoffyourdebttoKozlov?”
“Howdidyou ”
“Ihadmypeopleaskaround,”Ireply.TheRussiansarenotagrouphewantstofuckwith.Iwouldknow.Theyonceputa hitoutonme, one thatIbarelydodged bylayinglow inEurope until myfather and the Russianboss Yuri Petrov reached a truce.
“HowlonghaveyouandVanessabeentogether?”
Heshrugs “Idon’tknow Iguesswe’vebeenlivingtogetherforayearorsonow,datingforalittlemorethanthat”Yeah, he’sdefinitelynotamanwhobuysherflowersonanniversaries.
“Andwhyareyoustringingheralongwhenyouobviouslywanttobeafreemanagain,screwwhoyouwant,dowhatyou want?”
“I-Ineversaidthat.”
“Youdidn’thaveto.ThephotosandvideosIjustreceivedofyoufuckingatleastfour ofKozlov’sstrippersandwhores saysitforyou.”
“Oh,shit!Pleasedon’tshowthattoVanessa.I’ll-I’lldoanything.”
“Anything?”
“Yes,sir Nameit”
“MysourcestellmethatyouoweKozlovseventy-sixthousanddollars.”
“How?Thegirlswerefree!”
There’snofuckingwaythat’strue.InVegas,menhavetopaythosewomentoevenlookatthem.
“No,dumbass,theyweren’tfree NowomaninVegasisfree” “Shit.”
“Well?”
“Yeah,IoweKozlovalot Ididn’tknowitwasthatmuch” “Iroundedup.Youknowhowinterestworkswithassholeslikeus.”
“Jesus I’llnevergetthatmuchcash ” “I’llpayoffyourgamblingandwhoringdebt.”
“Youwill?Why?
“BecauseIwantVanessa.”
“Vanessa? My Vanessa?”
“Yes”Although,shewon’tbe his Vanessamuchlonger “Whatdoyoumeanyouwant her?”
“WhatdoyouthinkImean?”
“Likehowlongdoyouwanther?Anightorwhat?”
Hedoesn’tgetangryorevenlooktheleastbitappalledthatIjustinsinuatedthatIwanttofuckhisgirlfriend.He’saselfish assholewhoisreadytogetdowntothedirtydetails,notevenconcernedthatVanessamaybeopposedtosuchanarrangement madewithouther permission.Ihavenodoubtthatfor somuchmoneyhewouldbewillingtostandbackandletmetakeher evenifsherefusedme Andwhenshefindsoutjusthoweasilyhewould’vesoldherbodytomelikeheownsit,she’sgoingto befuckingfurious.
“Well,ifIwerepayingawhoreagrandanightthatwouldbuymeseventy-sixnights”
“Seventy-sixnights?Youwantmetogivemygirlfriendtoyouforseventy-sixnights?”
“Yes,butIwantherdaystoo.”
“Andyou’regoingto…”
“Fuckherasmanytimesaspossibleinthoseseventy-sixdays.”
“Whatifshedoesn’twanttofuckyou?”Nowhefinallyaskstheimportantquestion “Sheseriouslyhatesyou,man” She hates me? What the hell?
“IfVanessarefuses,thenI’moutseventy-sixthousanddollarsandyougether backsafeandsoundinseventy-sixdays If shestillwantsyoubythen.”Ishould’velethimthinktheworst,butfindingoutshehatesmethrowsmeoffmygame.
“She’llneveragreetothis.”
Ishejustrealizingthatnow?God,he’sanidiot
“HowlongwouldittakeyoutopayKozlovoffathisinterestrate?”Iaskhim. “Fuck,Idon’tknow Years?”
“That’s whatIthought.Years.Decades,maybe,withthe interestgrowingeverysingle day.Unless he justdecides tokill youandcuthislosses”
“I,ah,Iheardhe’sdonethatbefore.”
“Hehas.SohaveIwhencollectingdebtsbecomestootedious.”
“You’llreallypayitalloff?Tonight?”heasks,likehe’stryingtofigureoutthecatch “I’llpayitoffbeforeyouwalkoutofthebuildingtonight.Dowehaveadeal?”Iholdoutmypalmtohimandhestaresat it
“Fuck.Vanisgoingtokillmeor-orleaveme…”
“Hopefullyboth,”Iadmithonestly ThenIbaithim,knowinghe’lltakeit “AtleastKozlovwon’tkillyou Hell,howmuch doyouwanttobetshewillinglyfucksmebeforethenightisover?”
“Doubleornothing?”heeagerlysuggestswithagrinbeforeshakingmyhand.
Forhisaudacityandstupidity,Ihaulmyleftarmbackandslammyfistintohisfuckingmouth
“Ow!Whatthefuck?”Hetriestostandupandmymengrabhisshoulderstosithisassbackinthechair.“Youdidn’tsay youweregonnahitme!”
“Didn’tsayIwouldn’teither,youstupidsonofabitch.Youstillhaven’tlearnedyourlessonabouttakingidioticbets.You don’tdeserveher.”
“Hell, I know that,” he mutters as he dabs his fingertips over his lip. I’mhappyto see themcome awaywithcrimson stainingthemsincethatwasmynon-dominantlefthand.
“Youbetterhopeshegivesashitaboutyou,”Itellhim.“BecauseifVanessarefusesmyoffer,I’lljustslityourthroatright hereandnow.”
Hisjawdrops,andIpunchhimintheeyesohardwithmyrightfistthatmyknucklessplitopen “Fuck!”heexclaimsasheclutcheshisfacebutremainsseated.
“Justafew moreblowstogo Standhimup,”Itell mymenwhojerkhimupbyhiselbows Ilandablow tohisgutthat would’vedoubledhimoverifnotfortheholdtheyhaveonhim.Islammyfistupintohisribsafewtimesashecriesout.
“Drophim,”Iorderthem,wantinghimsittingforthefinalpart Whenhe’sslumpedinthechair,Iwrapmyfingersaround his throat, squeezing hard, and tell him, “Don’t you fucking dare drag Vanessa into any of your bullshit again. Do you understandme?”
Hisfaceturnsred,thenpurplewhilehenodshisheadvigorously,asmuchasI’llallow Finally,Irelaxmyfingersandhe sucksinabreath.
WhileIwanttomakedamnsureVanessaendsthingswiththisasshole,I’mnotjustdoingitoutofthegoodnessofmyheart Iwanther.Iwillhaveher.It’llbewhatshewantstoo.Eventually.I’mnotgoingtomakeiteasyforhertorefuseme.Istill findithardtobelieveshe hates me
“TellElitobringherdown,”IinstructmymenwhileIpulloutmyhandkerchieffrommypockettodabatthebloodonmy knucklesbeforeitgetsonmycustomsuit.“Now,Mitch,tellmeyouknowthenamesofKozlov’smenwhohurtVanessa.”
herearewegoing?”IaskSalvato’sfriend,ormaybeassistant,Eli Hepushesthe B buttonontheelevatorandhasto scanacard,thenscanhisfinger.Hedoesn’tanswerbutIcandrawenoughinformationfromtheBtofigureitout.“The basement?Whyarewegoingtothebasement?”
“You’llfindoutsoonenough,”hesayswhilestaringstraightaheadasthefloorstickdown Hedoesn’tlookconcerned In fact,helooks…downrightgiddyasherocksbackandforthonhisheels,hummingatune.
Again, the elevator takes forever Whenthe door finallyopens, we step off into the grungybasement so at odds to the luxuriouspenthouse.Idon’twaitforEliasIheadforthegroupofmenstandingaround.Atfirst,Idon’tevenrecognizetheone sittinghunchedoverinthechair Hisfaceistooswollenandbloody
“Mitch!” I exclaim, slappinga hand over my mouth. “Oh my god. Why?” I demand fromSalvato who is staring at me expectantlyfromwherehestandsbesidehischair.
“Weweretalkingbusiness,”hesaysashepullssomethingsilveroutofhispocketandopensit Aknife Averybigknife “Hisfaceshouldatleastlooklikeyours,don’tyouthink?”
“No!”Iexclaim ToMitch,Itellhim,“I’msosorry Ihadnoideahewoulddothistoyou”
“It’sfine,”hereplies,liftingthefrontcollarofhiswhitefadedrockteetodabathisbleedinglip.
“Fine?”He’snolongerblamingme?
WhenSalvatogoesaroundbehindthechair,Ialreadyknowwhathe’sgoingtodobeforehedoesit.Still,Igaspwhenhe grabs a handful ofMitch’s hair inone hand, bendinghis head backward, and pressingthe blade to his throatwithhis other hand
“Please…pleasedon’t…”IbegwithoutaclueastowhattosaytostopSalvatofrommovingthatknife.
“Sosweetthatshe’sworriedaboutyouafteryoujustagreedtosellhertome,”thearrogantmafiakingsays “What?”
“It’snotasbadasitsounds,”Mitchwhispers.
“MitchellhereowesabadmannamedKozlovalotofmoney,asyoualreadyknow.”
“TheRussians?YouowemoneytotheRussians?Ohmygod,Mitch!”Iexclaim.“Itoldyoutostayawayfromthem!”
“I’msorry,”hesays,butit’stoolatenow
Lastnight,Iwasn’tsurewhotheguysworkedforbutknewitwasbad.Thisisn’tbad;it’safuckingdisaster.Salvatoisa saintcomparedtothosemonsters
“How muchdoes he owe?” IaskSalvatosince Mitchnever gave me anamountlastnightandprobablywon’tnow even withaknifetohisthroat.
“Seventy-sixgrand”
“Seventy-six…”Islapmypalmovermygapingmouth.“How?Howcouldyou?”IaskMitch,slightlylessconcernedabout theknifethreateninghis life Wedon’thavethatkindofmoney!Hell,I’mluckyifIhaveseventydollars inmybankaccount whenpaydayrollsaround.
“I’mgoingtopayitofftonight,”hesays “Tonight?How?Bysellingbothofyourkidneys?”
“No,he’ssellingyou,”Salvatorespondsgleefully.
“Me?Sellingmetowho?TheRussians?”God,myheadisaching Thiscannotbehappening “He’snotsellingyoutotheRussians,”Salvatosays.“He’ssellingyoutome.” “You?”
Suddenly,thiswholeclusterfuckbeginstomakesense.It’sonebigsetuptoscrewmeoverthankstoastupidpieceofshit andaconnivingmegalomanic
“Atagrandforeachday,that’sonlyseventy-sixlittledays,”Salvatoexplainsasifhe’saninfo-commercial hostoffering
meanincrediblebargain
“Whatisseventy-sixdays?”Iaskinconfusion.
“InexchangeformepayingoffMitchell’sdebttotheRussiansandlettinghimliveafterheletyougethurt,thensoldyouto melikeawhore,you’remineforthenextseventy-sixdays.Andnightsofcourse.”
What The Hell SalvatothinksI’mgoingtobe his?Asinhisproperty?Dayandnight?
“No Hell, no God, Mitch You are unbelievable! And you,” I say pointing a finger at Salvato “You are one insane, persistentprick!”
Thefourmenstandingaround,themafiaking’sguards,gocompletelystillastheyturntowatchSalvato’sfacewaitingfor hisresponsetomyinsult
“So,Ishouldjustkillhimandbedonewithit?”theassholeasks.“Ican’tsayIreallyblameyou.”
He presses the sharp side ofthe blade to Mitch’s neckso hard blood drips downhis throat, causingthe asshole to start sobbingandbegging.Thesightofbloodmakesmequeasy.Idon’twanttoberesponsibleforendinganotherman’slife.Idon’t wantmorebloodonmyhands AndevenifMitchisdead,theRussianswill demandIpayuphisdebtandprobablykill me, too,whenIcan’t.
“Wait!”Iexclaim.
“See, that is loyalty,” Salvatosays toMitchas he pulls the knife away,leavingthe woundhe made tocontinue dripping bloodontohisshirtcollar.“ButIthinkweshouldbecompletelyhonestwithVanessa,don’tyou,Mitchell?Makesureshestill thinksyou’reworthsavingaftershefindsoutyou’vebeenfuckingaroundbehindherback”
ThepsychomafiakingwipestheknifebladeonMitch’sshoulder,leavingacrimsonstainbehind,thenstaresatmesmugly. ThebloodissodistractingInearlymissthebombhejustcasuallydroppedatmyfeet.
“Fuckingaround?Howdoyouknowhe’scheatedonme?”Iask.
“Ihavethephotosandvideosfromvariousstripclubsandbrothelsonmyphone.Therearefourorfivedifferentwomen. Hardtotellsincetheylooksomuchalike Hereallydoeshaveathingforblondes Wouldyouliketoseethem?”
“No,”Isnap,swallowingaroundthegrowingknotinmythroat.Ibelievehim.DanteSalvatodoesn’thavetobluff.Mitch doesn’tbotherdisputingthedisgustingallegationseither
“I’msosorry,babe,”hewhispers.“Youworkeverynight,andIgetlonely.Itwon’thappenagain,Iswear.”
Ican’thelpbutscoffathisworthlesspromise.“Asshole!NowI’mgladhebustedupyourface.”
“Itwasmypleasure,”Salvatosaystriumphantly.
Once,aboutamonthafterMitchandIfirstmovedintogether,Isawthetextsbetweenhimandanotherwoman.Heblocked her number andsworethenthathehadn’tcheatedonme,thattheywerejusttalking Talking,right Sure Iwantedtobelieve him,togivehimthebenefitofthedoubt.WithColeincollege,Iwasalsolonelyandneededhishelptopayrent.Notthathe’s contributedlatelysincehegotfiredfromhisjobworkingsecurityatanothercasino
“Well, butterfly, now thatyouhave all the facts, what’s itgoingto be?” Salvato asks, the knife glintingunder the lights whenheplacesitbackinfrontofMitch’sthroat.
Runningmyfingers throughmyhair, Itell himthe truth “I Idon’tknow Idon’treallyunderstand whatyouwantfrom me.”
Salvatoarchesaneyebrow,andhisheatedblueeyessweepupanddownmybodytomakewhathedesiresveryclear “I’mnotgoingtosleepwithyou,”Itellhim.
Salvatomakesasoundofdisagreement “We’llsee” “No,youcrazybastard,wewon’tsee!I’mtellingyouit’s never goingtohappen,sothat’snotgoingtobepartofwhatever dealthisisyou’retryingtomake.”
Again,theguardsallbristleasifIinsultedtheminsteadoftheirboss “Van,please!”Mitchhuffs,browneyespleadingwithme.“Don’tmakethisworse.” Iglareathim,lettinghimknow thathedoesn’tgettohaveasayinthis I’mnotfuckingsomeassholewheneverhewants forseventy-sixdaysandnightsjusttopayoffhisdebt.Nobodyisevergoingto own me,noteventemporarily. Although,ifIabsolutelyhadto,IwouldmaybesleepwithSalvatoonelittletimetokeepMitch’ssorryassalive Iwould hateit,butIwoulddoit.Once.Wouldn’tminddoingitinfrontofthecheatingbastard,actually… Ihaven’thadanorgasminavery,verylongtime.AndwhileSalvatoisanarrogantasshole,hehastheswaggerofaman whoknowshecanpleasureawomaninrecord-breakingtimewiththeslightesttwitchofhispinkie
“Herearemyterms,”Salvatosays.“Youlivewithmefor thenextseventy-sixdaysandnights.Ifyouleavethisbuilding withoutmypermission,ifyourefuseanyofmydemands,I’llconsiderouragreementnullandvoid,andI’llkillhim” “Sexisoffthetable.”
“Sure.Ifitmakesyoufeelbetter,thennon-consensualsexisoffthetable.Iwon’ttouchyou…intimately untilyouaskme to,wheneverthatmaybe…”
“Ithinkyoumeantif. If Iaskyouto.”
“IsaidwhatIsaid,butterfly,”hereplieswithanarrogantsmirk.“Breakingyouisgoingtobesomuchfun.”
“Ihate youboth,” Itell the two bastards who have me backed into a corner withonlytwo veryshittyoptions to choose from “Mitchellherejustinformedmeofyour hatred forme,”Salvatogritsoutthroughhisclenchedteeth.Forasecond,hiseyes darkenasifhe’sactuallyhurtandoffendedthatIdon’tlikehim Amomentlater,though,heseemsperfectlyfineagainwhenhe says,“Themorehatethebettersinceangryfucksarebyfarmyfavorite.”
“Yousaidearlierthatyouloveditfromtheback,”Iremindhim “Whycan’titbeboth?”
Angrysexfromtheback.Right.I’msorryIbroughtitup.
Scrubbingmypalmdownmymakeup-lessface,IwincewhenItouchthebruisesthentakeadeepbreath “Willyouplease lethimgonow?”
“Inahurrytogetstarted?”Salvatoasks “No.Ijustdon’twanttoseehisfaceanymore.”
“Fine Hecango,justassoonasyousignmycontractsoIcansendthepaymenttoKozlov”
Atfirst,Ithinkhe’sjoking.“Youdon’tactuallyhaveatyped-upagreementforthis,doyou?” “Iwantedtobepreparedforwhenyouagreed.”
When,notif,likeheknewIwouldn’tlethimkillthebastard “Justamoment,”hesays.
LiftingtheknifefromMitch’sthroat,hedoesn’tputitaway No,hepullsupthehaironthetopofMitch’sheadandslices offabigchunkrightdownthemiddle,thentossesthefuzzywadaside.
“Dammit!”Mitchhisses.Helooksridiculousbutatleasthe’snotbleedingfromanywhereelse.
Finallyfoldinguphisknife,Salvatoslipsitintohispantspocket.Reachingintohissuitjacket,hewithdrawsatri-folded pieceofpaperandagoldpen,thenholdsthepaperouttowardme.
IrememberEliprintingsomethinginhisofficeearlier Guessthiswasit
Once Ihave the paper, Iunfold itto startreading. Itsays exactlywhatwe discussed verbatim butIstill re-read the wordsthreemoretimestomakesureI’mnotoverlookinganything
I, Vanessa Brooks, agree to reside with Dante Salvato for the next seventy-six days and nights with all meals, lodging, and reasonable expenses allotted, without any additional compensation unless otherwise specifically stated on an addendum If I leave Mr Salvato’s vicinity or residence without his permission or refuse any of his demands before the agreed upon period of time, I understand that this agreement will be deemed null and void, forfeiting Mitchell McKinny’s life
Heevenaddedtheconsensualsection,albeititarrogantly:
Any and all sexual intercourse will not only be consensual, but enthusiastically enjoyed by both parties Thenthere’saplaceformetosignanddateit.
“Youputamurderthreatinwriting?”Iaskindisbelief.
“Yes The documentwill onlyserve as a reminder for youofwhat’s atstake incase youbecome obstinate Anyother questions?” Salvatoasks.Ishake myhead,ata complete loss for how toavoidthis situationI’ve foundmyselfinwithhim. “Great Leanforward,Mitchell,soshecansignitonyourback”
Thebastarddoesashe’stoldsoItakethepaperover,acceptthepen,andsignthenextseventy-sixdaysofmylifeaway withonesignature
“Youoweme,yousonofabitch,”IsaytoMitchasIhandthedocumentandpenbacktoSalvato. Amomentlater,Salvatotypessomethingonhisphone.“YourdebtswithKozlovhavebeenpaid.Nowyoucandumphimin theparkinglot,”SalvatoinstructstheguardsastheyhaulMitchupoutofthechair “Alive,”headds,givingmeawinktomake itclearhe’sholdinguphisendofthenowsignedagreement.
I’msoemotionallyspentthatitdidn’tevenoccurtometoask
Salvato’s gaze lowers to my dress, then my heels. His voice deepens when he says, “Let’s get you upstairs and into somethingmorecomfortable”
“IneedtogotomyplacetogetmythingsifI’mgoingtobehereawhile.”
“We’lltakecareofthattomorrow.I’msurewecanfindyousomethingappropriatetowearuntilthen.”
Ihaveafeelingmyversionofappropriateandhisaretwocompletelydifferentthings There’snotellingwhathe’llmake mewearordobeforethisisallover.
Andthere’snotadamnthingIcandoaboutit
ttooklongerthanIanticipated,butnowI’vegottheprettylittleblonderightwhereIwanther,andIrefusetolethergo ShelooksgoodwanderingaroundmypenthouseasEli givesheratour.Ibetshe’ll lookevenbetterinmybedtonight. Notthatsheknowsthat’swhereshe’llbesleepingyet.
Maybeitmakesmeabastardtohaveusedherboyfriend’slifetotwistherarm,butIdon’teverthrowawaymoneywithout gettingsomethinginreturn.I’dbeashittybusinessmanifIdid,andadeadgangster.
WhileVanessaisinsistentaboutturningmedown,I’veseenthewayshelooksatme I’vebeeninsidewomenwhohave spentless timestaringatmyfaceandbodythanwhenVanessatakes mydrinkorder.Shewants me,evenifshehates mefor somegoddamnreason Idoplantogettothebottomofthat Although,afterafeworgasmsI’msureevenshewillforgetwhy IknowI’manattractiveman,thatit’snotjustthemoneyandpowerthatdrawwomentome.EvenifI’mnotVanessa’stype, shewouldhavetoadmitthatI’mbetterlookingthanthathippieboyfriendofhers.Ex-boyfriendnowhopefully.Shewouldbe anidiottogobacktothatpieceofshitwholetmenbeatherbecauseofhisbaddecisions
“So,thatshouldbeprettymucheverythingyou’llneed,”ElisaysasheleadsVanessabacktowhereI’mstillwaitinginthe foyer “Don’tgoonthethirdfloorunlessyou’reinvited”
“Invited?”Vanessarepeatsasshelookstome.“IstherelikeaVIPclubupthereorsomething?”
“It’swhere ”
“Somethinglikethat,”IinterruptbeforeElicanblurtoutmypersonalbusinesstoher.
Andreally,Ishould’vethoughtabouthowmygirlswouldreacttothissituationbeforenow.Theyprobablyaren’tgoingto be happyaboutme havinga live-infemale guest I’msure Vanessa canhandle them,butthere’s noreasontostarta catfight beforeIhaveachancetospendatleastonenightwithher.Theycanmeettomorrowatdinnerifshehasn’tboltedyet.
Thenexttwenty-fourhoursiswhenI’lltestourboundaries,seehowmuchshe’llputupwith,howfarIcanpushherunder the“notrefusinganyofmydemands”partoftheagreement.
“Yougonnatakeitfromhere,Dante?”Eliaskswhenwecontinuetostandaroundinthefoyer.
“Yes.You’redismissed,”Itellhim.“Justdon’twanderofftoofar.”
Henodsandflashesmeagrinonhiswaytohisroom.HealsoknowsthatVanessaisaflightriskandthatbeingunableto trustherwilldrivemefuckingcrazy Thatandherconstantrejection
Whythehelldoesshehateme?
Herassholeboyfriendhasbeencheatingonherandisthereasonshewasbeaten,yetshedidn’thatehimenoughtoletme killhim.ThatmaybetheonelifeI’mgratefulIdidn’thavetotakebecauseitwould’vemeantlosingthischancetobewithher.
“Yourroomisdownthathall.”IpointtothehallwayontheleftsideoftheopenroomwhereElijustdisappeared.Better latethannever,Iask,“Youdon’thaveafearofheights,doyou?”
“No,I’mnotafraidtobeupthishigh.”Vanessatakesadeepbreathandthenheadsdownthehallwithmerightbehindher. “AndI’llevenadmitthattheviewisamazing,”sheadds
“Thenyou’regoingtolovethefloortoceilingwindowsinthebedroom.Lastroomontheright.Eli’sisontheleftifyou needanything”
IwaitimpatientlyforherinitialreactiontothespaciousroomthatI’veneversharedwithanyone.
“Holyshit,”shesaysasshetipsherheadbackupattheceilingthat’stwostoriestall,allglassandonlysheergraycurtains hangingfromthetopbutcurrentlypushedback Thesilverbedframematchesthewardrobe,andthenavybenchatthefootof the bed accentuates the navy bedding. That’s the only furniture I wanted in here because I didn’t want to block the view. There’salsoaprivatebalconythat’sjustminewithachaiselounge NowI’mwishingthereweretwoforwhenVanessawants tositouttherewithme.Becauseshe will wanttooneday.
Seeingherstandinginmydim,masculineroomfeelsaboutasfrustratingastryingtocatchalonefireflyonapitch-black night.She’stiny,delicate,alluring,andalwaysfuckingevasive.Atleastfornow…
“Is this reallywhere I’ll be sleepingtonight?” she asks over her shoulder still takinginthe glow fromthe lights ofthe Vegasstripnowthatthesunhasset.
“Yes,you’llbesleepinginheretonightandeverynight withme”
“Ohmygod.”Vanessaspinsonherheeltoglareatme.Hercheeksarerosyredagain,justliketheywereontheelevator whenIwas consideringsexual positions and logistics for us Ilike to stayone step ahead, always prepared “This is your bedroom?Youexpectmetosleepinhere,withyou?”
“Ofcourse”
“There’snowayI’m ”
I take a step toward her and clear my throat to interrupt her rant while keeping my hands in my pockets. They’re not allowedtotouchheryet,andit’sreallyfuckingfrustrating I’llhavetoworkaroundtherulestomanagesomesortofcontact before I go crazy. “Careful what words yousaynext, butterfly.” She reallyshould’ve gottenfireflytattoos instead, evenif they’renotasbeautiful “You will sleepinthisroom, this bed,withmeeverynight Butdon’tworry Iwon’ttouchyouuntil youaskmeto.”
“If If Iaskyouto AndIwon’t”Sheglancesdownatthefloor “Nocarpet,either,whichmeansthemarblefloorwouldbe miserable.”
“You’re not sleepingonthe floor or onthe bench,” I add whenher eyes dart to the long, soft velvet cushion. “End of discussion”
VanessasqueezeshereyesshutandbreathesdeeplywithherfistsclenchedbyhersidesasifremindingherselfthatIcan stillsliceopenMitchell’sthroat Whenthosesparklingemeraldsopenagain,shelooksrightatmetogritout,“CouldIplease havesomethingtosleepin?”
“Helpyourself.Theclosetisthroughthebathroom.Wardrobeisrightthere.Ineedashower.”
“That’sit?Youdon’tmindifIsearchthroughallyourthings?”
“Whatexactlydoyouexpecttofindbesidesclothing?”Iask.
“Idon’tknow”Sheshrugsandlicksherlips “Money?Guns?Bloodyknives?Othervarioustorturedevices?” “Other thanthegunIkeeponmeduringtheday,”Ireplywhilepullingthe9mmoutoftheshoulder holster toshow her, “therestofmyweapons,torturedevices,andcasharelockedupbehindthesafebuiltintomycloset”
“Doyousleepwithyourgun?”
That’sanoddassquestion.
Does she sleepwithafuckinggun?Isshethatscaredafterthosegoonshurther?I’llhavetohaveEliasktheguyswhogo packherthingstomorrow.Andalsoseewherewe’reatonbringingtheRussianfuckerswhotouchedherinsoIcanrepaythe favor
“No,Idon’tsleepwithagun.Theonlypeoplewhocouldgetthroughthecasino’ssecurityandmyownpersonalguardsto attackmeinmysleeparepeopleItrust Andnowyou DoIneedtopointoutoursizeandweightdifferenceifyouweretotry andkillme?”
“I’mwellawarethatyou’reabig,toughman.”
“Exactly” She doesn’t sound very impressed, so I shrug off my suit jacket and toss it on the bench, flaunting what’s underneath. At six-five, it tookyears for me to fill out. Several more years ofliftingweights before Ibulked up and could handlemyselfinafight I’mupatsevenam everymorningtorunfivemilesonthetreadmillandworkoutinmypersonalgym witharotationoftrainersfromeverytypeofmartialarts.
Vanessa’s eyes follow me as Imake mywayto the bathroom, myfingers unbuttoningmyshirt “Getcomfortable while I takeashower.”
“You’rejustgonna…”shetrailsoffwhenItossmyshirtonthefloorandpullthewhiteundershirtupovermyhead.
“AmIjustgonnawhat?”Itrynottolooksmugwhenhereyesglazeoverasshetakesinmyhard-earnedsix-pack,theink coveringbotharmsandspanningacrossmychestasangelwings.Hell,mybicepsmaybethickerthanherentirewaist.Petite assheis,Idoloveherhourglassfigure Theblackdressesshewearstoservecocktailsaresnugenoughtohugeverycurveas tightaspossiblewhilebarelyallowingher tobreathe.Myfather hadaDollyPartonobsession.IthinkIgetitnow.Vanessa, thankfully, doesn’tlooklike she’s aboutto topple over, though I’ve gotbigass hands, butIbether breasts would fill them perfectly.
“AmIjustgoingtowhat,butterfly?”Iaskagaintogetherattention.
Vanessashakesherheadandglancesawayfromme,driftingovertothewindows “You’rejustgonnathrow yourclothes alloverthefloor?”
Iemptymypockets,leavingmywalletandphoneonthebathroomcountertoworkonmybeltbuckle “Ipaypeopletopick upmyclothesandcleanthem.”
“Ofcourseyoudo,”shesaysasshekeepsherheadturnedaway.Sheeventriestocrossherarmsoverherchestlikeshe doesn’tknowwhattodowithherhandsbutwincesanddropsthemtohersidesbecauseofthefuckingbruises.
Untilshe’sallhealedup,Iwon’teventrytoconvincehertogiveintome.BecausewhenIhaveher,it’snotgoingtobea
gentlefuck.Whenitfinallydoeshappen,Ipredictthatwe’llbothbegoodandangry.Needitniceandrough.Andit’llprobably beoverwaytoofast.
Theassholeactuallystrippeddownrightinfrontofme Heknew Iwouldlook It’s hardtohaveaconversationwhenyou refusetofacetheperson.
AndwhileImayhaveimaginedwhatDanteSalvatolookslikeoutofthefancysuitsonceortwice,thefantasywasnothing comparedtotherealthing
He’sbiggerthanhuge.Massive.Addafewofthosecolorfulgripstohistorsoandhecouldbeaclimbingwallforkidsand petitewomen
Iwould’veassumedthemafiakinghadalittleinksomewhereonhisbody,buthadnoideatherewassomuchofit.Damn thoseobscuringsuits Thetattoosonhisarmsarehardtomakeoutbutthere’snomistakingthewingsspreadoverhissculpted pecswithacrossbetweenthem.Igetthefeelingit’samemorialforsomeonehelost.
Somehow,Ifocusonmyangerforhimmakingmestayhere,makingmesleepinhisbedeverynight,andmanagetolook awaybeforehispantscomeoff Iwanttolook,butIresist.
Currently, he’s standingunder the shower thatcould easilywashfour people atthe same time, the bathroomdoor wide open,asifhewantsmetolook,tobetempted.
Sure,yes,he’sgotagorgeous,perfectrockwallofabody.It’sjustfancygiftwrapforthecold-bloodedkillerunderneath.
Whilehe’soccupied,Islipoffmyheelsandgoovertothewardrobetotryandfindsomethingtochangeinto.I’mnotsure whyhewouldn’tletmegotomyplacetogetmythingsunlesshethoughtImightrun.
I’m pissed at Mitch for being a lying sack of shit, but I wouldn’t try to flee town knowing Mitch would pay for my disappearancewithhislife.
Inthe wardrobe are four shelves of neatlyfolded clothes and four pull-out drawers at the bottom One pile looks like joggingpants,soIgrabapairoflightgrayonesthentakeaplainwhiteteeoffthepile.Onsecondthought,Ireachforadark blueteesoIcantakemybraoffwithouttheshirtbeingsee-through.
Beforeremovingmydress,Islipthepantsupmylegs.Theelasticwaistbandneedstoberolledthreetimestogetthemto stayonmyhips.As quickas possible Ithenunzipandsquirmoutofmydress,nearinggroaningateverymovethanks tomy bruisedribs Finally,it’soff Thegiantcottonteecomesdowntomykneesandfeelsniceandroomy Theonlyproblemisit smellslikearichbastard.Adangerous,richbastardwhousesdelicious,expensivesoapjustbecausehecan.
I’msoreadyforthisdaytoendbutneedtousetherestroombeforetryingtogetcomfortableinastrangebedwithapsycho mafiaking.There’snowayI’mgoingintothatbathroomwhenhe’snaked,though,soI’lljusthavetowait.
TheshowercutsoffbutafewminuteslaterIhearthesinkrunning.Finally,hishighnessstrollsoutofthebathroom.
“Allyours,”hesayswhenhenoticesmestandinginthemiddleoftheroombeingswallowedupbyhisclothes Ithoughthewould’veatleastwrappedatowelaroundhiships.WhyamInotsurprisedthatthere’snotastitchofclothing onhim?
Hisdark,wethairisslickedback,waterdrippingdownhistorso.Thearrogantbastardstrollsovertothewardrobeletting itall hangout Andthereisalotofhimtohangoutandswingaround ThickasasodacanbutIcan’tevenbegintoestimatethe length.Andhe’snotevenhard!
He’snothard.
That’sagoodthing Right?
Pushingallthoughtsofhisdickoutofmyhead,Islipintothebathroomtotakecareofbusiness.
Whilewashingmyhandsinoneofthetwosinks,Inoticetheunopenedtoothbrushlaidout,assumingit’sforme Oncemy oralhygieneistakencareof,it’stimetofindoutifhehassomedamnclothesonyet.
Blackboxerbriefsareallhedeignedtoputon
“Areyouhungry?Thirsty?”heasksasheadjuststheelasticwaistband.
Oh,I’mfeelingalittlethirstyalright.Unfortunately.
“No,I’mfine,”ItellhimsinceIhaddinnerbeforeIgottowork.
Wow Thatseemslikeitwasdaysagowithallthat’shappenedsincethen Itrudgeovertotherightsideofthebed,thesideclosesttothebathroom,notcaringifit’shissideornot.Hecandealwith it Removingafewdecorativepillows,Ipullbackthethickbeddingtogettothesheets Beforeslidingintothem,Iglanceover andfindSalvatowatchingme.Inhisunderwear.Agiant,strapping,inked,killingmachinewithasignificantpackagethethin fabriccan’thide He’swatchingmecarefullywithhishandsonhiships,analyzingmyeverymovelikeI’mavolatilescience experimentabouttoblowupalloverhisbedroom.
“What?”Ihuffathim,mirroringhisstance.Well,myhandsareonmyhips.Ican’tpulloffthestrapping,inked,giantpart. Bitingbackasmilehesays,“Youlooklikeahomelesspersonwholostahundredpoundsaftertheyputthoseclotheson” “Wow.Thatsexy,huh?”Iblurtoutwithoutthinking.
“Clothesareoptional,especiallyifyou’regoingforsexy”
“I’mgoingtobed,”Imumble.Turningbacktothebed,IgatherupthethrowpillowsIputonthefloorandbeginmakinga walldownthecenterofthemattress
“DoyouactuallythinkI’llattackyouinyoursleeporthatafewdecorativepillowswouldstopmeifIdodecidetoattack you?”
For all his ruthlessness,Idon’tthinkhewouldactuallygothatfar “Justmakingsureall ofyour bodyparts stayonyour sideofthebedincaseyoufloparoundinyoursleep.”
“Right,”hesayswithasigh Goingovertothewall,hepressesabuttonthatmakesthickcurtainsappearoutofnowhereto coverthewindowsanddimsthelights,throwingtheroomintocompletedarkness.
ThebedshiftingistheonlywayIknowwhereSalvatoisrightnow.
There’sa womp ofpillowfluffingandsomesquirmingbeforehefinallygetsstill.Whenheheavesaheavysigh,itletsme knowhe’sonhisside,facingme.
Irollovertofacethewallandhissatthepainradiatingfrommyside “Bruisedribs?”heaskssoftly.
“Yes”
“Youwanticeoraheatingpad?”
“No.Thankyou,”Iaddsinceitwasniceofhimtooffer. “Iamsorry.”
Thatmakesmescoff.“No,you’renot.”
“I’msorryhehurtyou,thathisbaddecisionscausedyouphysicalpain Butno,I’mnotsorryyou’rehereinmybed I’ve beenwaitingalongtimeforyoutogivein,butterfly.”
“Right Sure,”Imutter
Thena thoughtsuddenlyhits me. The sheets lookand smell cleanbut… “How recentwas a womaninyour bed before me?”Ithrowoutanotherquestionwithoutgivinghimachancetoanswerthefirstone.“Howmanywomenhavebeeninyour bed?Therearenobedpostssodoyouhavetomarkthemalldownontheheadboardtokeepcount?” “Nowomenhavebeeninthisbed.”
Iwouldlaughifitwouldn’tpullmyribmuscles “You’resofullofshit” “Idon’tappreciatebeingcalledaliar,”hegroundsoutthroughwhatI’mguessingareclenchedteethbecausehe’spissed. “And I own four hotels with plenty of beds, a dozen clubs with private rooms, as well as a car service with very roomy backseats.WhywouldIwanttofuckanyoneinthebedIhavetosleepineverynight?”
Iconsiderthatinformationforamoment.“You’retellingmethatyoureallydon’thavesexinthisbed?”
“Notyet There’sstillseventy-fivenightstogoafterthisone”
Sighing,Isay,“Goodnight,Salvato.”
“YoucancallmeDante It’salittleeasiertoscreamthanMr Salvato intheheatofpassion” “Ifyousayso,”Ireply,refusingtousehisfirstname. “I’mnotcallingyouVan”
“Finewithme.”Mynicknamecouldbesomethingworsethantheonehepreferstouse. “Vans are not sexyvehicles, and youare very, verysexy,” he explains. “Also, I don’t thinkVanessa is your real name, butterfly”
Istopbreathingandmyshouldersstiffen.“What?”IwhisperhopingImisheardhim. “Yourbutterflytattoosscream‘newbeginning’” “They’rejustpretty…”
“IsVanessayourrealname?” “Yes.”
“Don’tlietome,andIwon’tlietoyou.”
“VanessaBrooksismylegalname,”Itellhim.“Checkmydriver’slicenseifyouwant.” Neitherofusspeakagainafterthat.Iwait.Waitforhimtosaysomethingelse.Whenhedoesn’t,Itrytoclosemyeyes,but it’s impossible tosleephere inthis strange room,strange bed,nexttoone ofthe scariestmeninthe city It’s notthatIthink he’llhurtme.No,Ihonestlydon’tbelievethepersistentbastardwilltouchmefirst.Hewantsmetomakethefirstmoveand planstowaitmeout
IfhewereanyoneotherthanDanteSalvato,Iwouldprobablyhavesexwithhim,tonight,andenjoythehelloutofit.Why not?MitchandIareover Ishould’velefthimlastnight,butIwasinpain,andIthinkIwasstillinshock NowthatIknowhe’s cheatedonmeandgambledawaymoneywedon’thaveandneverwillhave,puttingusindebttoamobster,well,I’mfucking furious.There’s noforgivingthat.Justbecause Idon’twanthimdeaddoesn’tmeanIwanttosee his lyingface.He’ll never touchmeagain
“Youdeservebetterthanhim,”Salvatoremarkssoftly,asifheknowswhatI’mthinking.Ifeelthemattressmoveasherolls awayfrommeandknowIdon’tneedtorespond That’sonethingwecanactuallyagreeon. Ideservetobelovedandcherished,andMitchneverdideitherofthosethings
Thanks tothesmall crackIleftinthecurtains,there’s enoughsunlightshiningthroughfor metoseethefaceofthewoman sleepingnext to me. It tookfuckingforever before she relaxed enoughto fall asleep. I know because I was awake and listeningtoherbreathing,herhuffing,herwhimperingwhenoneofherbruisescausedherpain.
ThefuckerswhoputthemonherbodyaregoingtopayforthembeforeIhavedinnertonight DinnerwithVanessaandmy girls.Ihopeweallmanagetosurvivethatparticularordeal.
IshouldbemoreconcernedaboutthefalloutwhenKozlovfindsouttwoofhismenaredeadthanafamilydinner,butI’m not.
Fuck him Fuck the consequences There’s no other acceptable punishment It’ll take time before anyone misses the assholes,muchlesstracesitbacktome.
Besideme,Vanessamumblessomethingthatsoundslike intuition or tuition.It’shardtomakeout.
Ilikeseeingherbesideme,cuddleddowninabigpileofbeddinglookingso comfortable Ifshewerenaked,itwouldbe sexy,butI’lltakecomfortfornow.
Aroguestrandofpaleblondehairlyingacrossherfacemustbeticklinghernose,butIdon’treachovertomoveit Good thing,too,because her handswats atitrightbefore she cracks a greeneye open.Whenitsees me,she groans andstuffs her headunderherpillow.“Wereyouwatchingmesleep?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“BecauseIcan”
“Ugh.It’screepy,”shegrumbles.
“Didn’tsleepmuchlastnight,didyou?”
“No.”
“Tonightwillbeeasier,”Itellher.
“Ifyousayso.”Heavingasigh,sheremovesthepillowandrollstoherback.“So,whatwillyoumakemedotodayuntilI havetogotowork?”
“Work?”Irepeatinconfusion “You’renotgoingbacktowork” “Whynot?”
“Becauseyoudon’tneedto”
“Ah,holdonthereMr.MafiaMoneybags.IthinkIknowmyfinancesatadbitbetterthanyoudo.Ineed towork.” “No.”
Sittingupinahuff,herhairlookswhiteinthesun,anditisatangledmess “Ihavebillstopay!Beingatyourbeckandcall certainlywon’tmakethemdisappear.”
“Reasonableexpenses”
“What?”shesnaps,eyesnarrowed,sobrightandbeautifulinthemorninglight.
“Did youforgetthatpartofour agreement? I’ll cover whatever bills youhave to paywhile you’re here Rent, utilities, whatever.I’llgiveyouacreditcardyoucanuseforthem.”
Vanessaopenshermouth,shutsit,thenhertonguewetsherbustedlipmakingmymorningwoodturntosteel.“You’rejust goingtogivemeacreditcard?”
“Yes.”
“Idon’twantyourmoney”
“Toughshit.Wheredoyouthinkyourpaycheckscomefrom?”
“That’sdifferent”
“Whyisitdifferent?”
“BecauseI’mperformingajob,puttinginthehourstoearnthatmoneyforyourbusiness.”
“I’vegotajobyoucouldperformformerightfuckingnow…”
Vanessarollshereyesatmysuggestionandslamsherheadbackdownonthepillow “Whydoyouhavetobesodifficult?” “YouthinkI’m beingdifficult?Iofferedyoualimitlesscreditcardtobuyorpayforwhateverthefuckyouwant,butyou’re pissedbecauseyouwouldratherworkaten-hourshifteverynightservingcocktails?” “Yes.”
“Why?”
“Becauseservingcocktailsformoneyisthatandnothingmore.TakingmoneyfromyouwithoutearningitmeansI’ll owe you…something.”
“I’mguessingthesomethingyou’rereferringtoissex?WhileIfeelnoshameinpayingforsexifit’sworththecost,that’s notwhatthisisbetweenyouandme,”Iassureher.“When youfuckme,it’llbebecauseyouwantto,notbecauseIpaidforit.”
Scrubbingherpalmsoverherfaceshemumbleswhatsoundslike“Presumptuousprick”Atleastshedoesn’tinsistit’s if notwhen.Although,IthinkIpreferthe if. If meansit’sstillapossibility. “Wehaveanarrangement Anagreement Idon’texpectyoutoputyourlifeonhold,”Iassureher “Yes,youdo.”
“Fine.Ido.ButIknowyouhaveresponsibilitiesthatcan’twaitforseventy-fivemoredays.That’swhatthecreditcardis for,alongwithanythingelseyouneedwhileyou’rewithme I’malsotakingyoushoppingthisafternoon” “Idon’twanttogoshopping.”
“Toofuckingbad It’snotupfordebatebecause that wasalsopartofouragreement YoudowhatIsay Iwon’tremindyou again.”
“Fine.”
Whydoes she have to be so goddamnfrustrating? Her obstinance makes me wantto grab a handful ofher hair and fuck someobedienceintoherstubbornmouth.Mychestisstillheavingbythetimesheconcedes,remindingmewhereIshouldhave beeninsteadofwatchinghersleeplikeafuckingcreep
“Fuck!”IgritoutasIflingthecoversoffmybodytostandup.“You’vemademelate.”Blaminghermakesmefeelbetter eventhoughit’smyfaultfornotsettingmyalarm Idon’tevenknowwhattimeitisbecauseIleftmyphoneinthebathroomlast night.WhenhaveIevergonetosleepwithoutitinmyhand?
“DoIneedtogetreadytoo?”sheasks,sittingupagaintowatchmepullonapairofjoggingpants. Ishouldmakehercometothegymwithme.IfItoldhertorununtilshepuked,she’dhavetorun.
ButI’mnotthatmuchofasadist.Herbruisesarestilldark,painful.OneglanceatherandIcanseetheexhaustiononher face Withoutmebesideher,shemayactuallysleepsoundlyunlikethefitfulsleeplastnight “No Gobacktosleep”
“Okay,”sheeasilyagreeswiththat,rollingovertoturnherbacktome.
I don’t bother witha shirt I do grab myphone after I take a piss before headingup to the gym At least I didn’t miss anythingurgent.Eli’sdoorisstillclosedsincehedoesn’tusuallygetupuntileightornineunlessItellhimto.Isendhimatext thatIwantKozlov’smenbroughtintoday,whateverittakes.
Runningandtrainingwon’tbeenoughtoworkoffthefrustrationthat’sgotmesoworkedupIcan’tseestraight Butcarving intomenwhohitwomenwilldefinitelycalmmedown.
VanessaisstillasleepevenafterIshower,getdressed,andleavetostartmyday.It’snoteasytowalkawayratherthanclimb backunderthesheetswithher,butIhaveshittotakecareofthatcan’twait MymenfoundandbroughtinKozlov’sguysthis morning.Eliiswaitingwiththeminthebasement.
We still have seventy-five more days and nights together,Iremindmyself “Whereareyouoffto?”Titusaskswhenhestepsoutofthekitchenwithasteamingmuginhishand. “Basementtotakeoutapairofassholes.Youcoming,orshouldIwaitforyoutofinishyourcoffeefirst?” “Fuck.I’mcoming.”
Outsidethepenthouse,Itelltheguards,“Thewomanstayingherewithmemaynotleavethecasinowithoutmypermission. Ifsheevenwandersarounddownstairs,therebetterbeatleasttwomenonher,andIneedtoknowaboutit” “Yes,sir,”bothreply.
I’msteppingontotheelevatorbythetimeTitusputawayhismug Hehastoruntoslipinsidebeforethedoorcloses
“Areyousureaboutthis?”heasksastheelevatorjerksandbeginsthedescentintohell.“Iknowwhosemenwerebrought in.Theseguysareenforcers,handlingKozlov’sbusinesslikeoursdoforus.”
“Ourguysdon’thurtinnocentwomen,”Iremindhim
“You’re doingitfor the little blonde cocktail waitress, right?” he asks. “The dancer Ifucked lastnightwas runningher mouthaboutyouwhenevermydickwasn’tinsideofit”
“Oh, yeah? Bet you hated that.” Being my second has plenty of perks the man enjoys. He doesn’t enjoy everyone, in particularwomen,askinghimtocoughupdetailsaboutmeormybusiness.
“Shesaidsheheardyoumovedthewaitressintothepenthouseandhavebeenbeatingtheshitoutofanyonewholooksat her.”
Flexingmyrighthand infrontofme to stretchmystill swollenknuckles, Itell himthe truthsince he’s goingto runinto Vanessaatsomepoint.“Ionlyfuckedupherex-boyfriend.Sheisstayingwithme.Temporarily.”
“Sheisstayingwithyou?Inthepenthouse?”heasks “Thatshitwasforreal?” “Yes.”
“Damn,Dante!Sincewhendoyoutakechicksuptheretofuck?Infrontofyourgirls,too?”
“Mygirlsarenotyourconcern AndI’mnotfuckingher Yet” “So,thenwhatthehellareyoudoingwithher?”
“She’sstayingwithme That’sallyouneedtoknow”
“Youkeepingsecretsfrommenow?WhenKozlovgoesapeshitaboutthetwomenyou’reabouttolayinto,willIneedto knowshitthen?”
“There’s nothingtoknow.His menshouldn’thave touchedher.Theyneedtodie for thatmistake.She’s stayingwithme. Nowdropit,Titus.Idon’toweyouoranyoneelseanexplanation.”Istraightenthesleevesofmysuittokeepfromclenching myfists “Fuckingobstinancemustbecontagiousaroundhere”
Shakinghishead,itsoundslikehemumblestohimself,“Notevenfuckingher,”beforehethankfullydropsit.
Idon’tknowwhy,butIdon’twanthimoranyoneelsearoundVanessamorethanisabsolutelynecessary Onewrongmove willscareheraway.
AndIwilldowhateverittakestowakeupbesideheragaintomorrow,andthedayafterthat.Allseventy-fivemornings. Inthebasement,thefirstthingInoticearethetwomenhangingupsidedownfromthebasementceiling.Theyremindmeof washed-upmeatheadsorundergroundfighterswhoagedoutofthegame.
Enforcers That’swhattheyareforKozlov Musclepaidtodohisdirtyworkforhim,sohedoesn’tgetanybloodonhis hands.
Ihave a dozenmenwho do the same for me Theyteachlessons to people who getoutofline Withwomen, a threatto familymemberswillusuallygettheirattention.ThereareplentyofrumorsouttheretomakethemthinkIwouldgothroughwith thepromise.Enoughtodothetrick.Setthemstraight.
Men,though,usuallyrequireabeatingbeforetheyseethingsmyway.
Whenitcomestotorture,it’seitherme,Eli,orTitusdoingthedirtywork.Idon’ttrustanyoneelse.Everybodywhoworks formeneedstoknowitcouldonedaybethemhanginginthebasementgettingcarvedup ItrustTitusmorethananyoneelse.
AndEli,well,heactuallyenjoysinflictingpain Getsoffonit It’showheearnedthenicknameEligorbasedonthelegend ofa demonic lord who sold warriors secrets to wintheir wars inexchange for their souls. ExceptinEli’s case, he extracts secretsfrommenbeforefreeingtheirsoulsfromtheirdestroyedbodies.Sinceheknowshisnineliveshaveallbeenusedup,I don’tworryaboutElievercrossingme Healsoenjoyshisworktoomuchtogiveitup He’sfuckingdepraved,whichworks wellinmylineofbusiness.
ThemostrepeatedrumoraboutEliisthatheoncescoopedoutaman’seyeballandfuckedthesocketwhilethebastardwas stillalive.
Ithankfullycan’tattesttothetruthofthatonesinceIwasn’ttheretowitnessit,butifIhadtobet,it’salltrue
Today,ElihasalreadygottenstartedonthetwoRussianenforcers.Apuddleofbloodisdrippingunderbothofthem.Along withthecopperysmellisthelingeringscentofurineintheairfromwhereatleastonehasnodoubtpissedthemselves.Ah,the oneonthelefthasapissstainonhisshortsprobablythankstothedeepcutalongthebackofhisknee Someoftheliquidis evendrippingdownhisfacesincehe’supsidedown.
“W-we’lltellyouanything!”theotheronestammers Hisshirthasbeentorn,anditlookslikethere’sonlyred,rawskinand bloodwherehisnipplesusedtobe.
“Jesus,”Tituswhispers Hedoesn’tenjoyinflictingpainbutwilldoitwhennecessary “Theythinkyouwantinformationfromthem,”Eliexplainsunnecessarily.
“Iapologizefortheconfusion,”IremarkasIglideclosertothem.“You’renotheretogivemeinformation.” “Then wh-whatdoyouwant?”
“Ijustwantyoudead,”Iexplain.“ButIwantyoutodieaslow,painfuldeath.”Thepisserbeginstocryatthat,incapable ofspeakingdiscernablewords “Doyoutworememberapetiteblondewomanfromthenightbeforelast?”
“Wedidn’tknows-shewasoneofyourgirls,”thestammeringoneannounces.
“Yousee,that’swhyyou’rebothdeadmen.Goingaroundhurtinganywoman,mine,orsomeoneelse’s,isunacceptable.” “OurinformantsaystheyalsograbgirlsforKozlov’sfleshtrade,”Titusinformsus.
The suddenrise ofmyblood pressure makes myhead throb. Whatiftheyhad takenVanessa and thrownher into one of
