“I don’t need any guidance.” I set the ball down and picked up a crystal. “I hear you had an interesting guest this weekend.”
“We did. It was a surprise to hear you have a girlfriend. Do the Linottis know?” She crossed her arms.
“They don’t need to. Nor does anyone else. I told Scout that it was my brother you mistook me for. And when she comes in next, you’ll be apologizing and correcting yourself.”
“Oh, will I? Why would I do that?”
I picked up the ball again and slammed it on the ground. It shattered, and she screamed. I put my hand on the glass counter and hopped over it. My boots hit the ground and I reached into my pocket, pulling out my pocketknife. I popped it open and stalked over to her. She stepped backward, hitting a wall. I caged her against the wall and trailed the tip of the knife on her temple.
“Who owns this store? I can have this entire place in flames. Can you imagine a fire in the mall?” She continued to glare at me, so I decided to push it further. “With the owner still inside?”
She paled.
I dropped my hands and took a step back. “I don’t make empty threats. So, this is in your hands. What is your plan when Scout returns?”
Her eyes flicked to the knife and then to me again. “I-I’ll apologize. It was your brother, not you, who was engaged.”
“And you’ll give her a hefty discount every time she comes in. This shit is already overpriced. Got it?”
“Yes. Everything will be on sale for her.”
Nodding, I took a step toward the exit. “Good. And if I hear you talking to a Linotti or anyone else about my visit, then you won’t have to worry about them finding your charred body in a fire, because they won’t find it at all.”
