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Loud music and voices came from the upper floor.
“You first,” Jeanne told Sean.
Sean’s jaw bunched as he entered ahead of her.
Jeanne gave Asia a push, making her bump into Sean’s back. What was waiting inside? Her breath caught in fear.
Jeanne motioned at the stairs. “Up you go.”
Asia’s skin broke out into goose bumps, and it wasn’t from the AC. Sean glanced at her from over his shoulder, conflict evident in his eyes. With no option but to do as they’d been told, he took the lead with Asia sandwiched between him and Jeanne. She gripped the wrought-iron balustrade for support as they mounted the stairs.
On the landing, Sean paused in the doorframe. She had to go on tiptoes to see over his shoulder. A small group of people were gathered in an open-plan lounge and dining area. Two couples gyrated to the beat of the music in the center of the floor while others lazed on sofas with drinks in their hands. What was Jeanne up to? Surely she wouldn’t shoot them in a room full of witnesses.
“Get inside,” Jeanne said, pushing the barrel of the gun against Asia’s back. When they’d stepped over the threshold, Jeanne kicked the door shut. “Kill the music. Our entertainment has arrived.”
The men dragged their gazes over Asia, anticipation sparking in their eyes. She didn’t like the way they looked at her one bit. A woman dressed in a skirt so short her ass cheeks showed under the hem swiped a finger over the screen of her smartphone. The loud beat turned to silence.
“Go on,” Jeanne said, giving Asia a nudge with the gun. “Walk.”
Sean shot Jeanne a murderous look, but he took three steps into the room. Asia followed on wooden legs. Whoever wasn’t already slouched on the sofas, made their way over, forming a tight circle around her and Sean.
“Whatever you’re planning,” Sean said with a tight jaw, “you’re making a mistake.”
Jeanne pointed at the suitcase Sean still carried in his hand. “Drop the bag. She won’t need it for a while.”
Sean lowered the case to the floor without taking his eyes off Jeanne. Keeping his body in front of Asia like a shield, he said, “Let us go now and no one has to regret what will happen if you don’t.”
Jeanne laughed. “What are you going to do? Scream for help?”
A woman snickered.
Asia lifted her chin and glared at the woman, but it was hard to act brave when the guy next to her on the sofa was rubbing his crotch while the rest of Jeanne’s friends stared at Asia like she was the main attraction.
“What do you want from us?” Asia asked, feigning courage she didn’t feel. If she knew what Jeanne’s plan was, she could at least try to work out a defense.
Walking closer, Jeanne pushed the barrel of the gun against Sean’s temple. Anger and helplessness washed over his features, telling Asia the truth. He was as powerless as she was.
The man who palmed himself spoke. “Do it, Jeanne.”
Sean was so still, not even his chest expanded with breaths. Expectation hanged thick in the air. A woman sitting on an armchair moved to the edge of her seat. A younger man perching on the armrest of the sofa looked away when Asia caught his eye.
A bald man with a girl on his lap said, “Why are we waiting?”
Jeanne sounded breathless. “Oh, I just want the moment to last.”
“I don’t think I’ll last,” another man said with a chuckle.
When he pointed at the erection tenting his pants, the woman next to him giggled.
A muscle ticked in Sean’s jaw. “What do you want, Jeanne?”
“A show.” Jeanne looked at her friends. “Don’t we?”
“Your husband didn’t hire me for private shows,” Sean said. “You’ll get one tonight, like everyone else.”
The corner of Jeanne’s mouth lifted. “Not that kind of show.”
“Don’t do this,” Asia said. Whatever Jeanne had in mind, it wasn’t going to be good.
Jeanne regarded her coolly. “Take off your clothes, darling.” She turned to Sean. “You too, stud muffin.” Checking her watch, she added, “You have ten seconds.”
Asia’s breath caught on a hitch. Jeanne was going to make them strip naked. She was a sick woman. If there was one thing she knew for sure, it was that Jeanne wasn’t going to let her off the hook. This was the kingpin’s wife’s way of taking revenge for the interest her husband had shown. Sean’s rejection of Jeanne probably hadn’t helped. Jeanne was high or drunk or both. Who knew what she was capable of in the state she was in? Shit. This couldn’t be happening.
“Now,” Jeanne said. “If I have to repeat myself, one of you gets a bullet in the leg.”
There was no doubt in Asia’s mind that Jeanne would follow through with her threat and pull the trigger. With only one thing left to do, Asia turned away from Jeanne to face Sean. She straightened her back and squared her shoulders. Jeanne wanted a show? She wasn’t going to do this cowering.
