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4
ABRAM
We’ve had this meeting planned for weeks without an issue, but now that it’s finally here, I don’t feel so good about it.
I’ve never had a problem with our affiliates before, but the guys who are showing up in a half-hour are real-life, stone-cold gangsters. They’re the kind of guys that get movies made about them after they’re dead.
The kind of guys like me.
And I’m averydangerous man.
Everything has gone according to plan thus far, so I shouldn’t feel anxious about this. Something in my gut says that I’m wrong, though, that this is a mistake. I know that in this industry if you even have the slightest hint of doubt on your face, people will assume the worst and guns will be drawn.
“It’s all about tact,” my uncle would tell me. “Be polite, and you can weasel millions out of the stingiest penny pincher.”
But he’s not here yet, and the scowl on my face isn’t going to get a dime out of anyone unless I have them at gunpoint. I need another tactic. Something more subtle.
A woman.
Moreso, an exceedingly attractive woman.
It’s a regular occurrence for me to test the submissive qualities of my new girls by introducing them to the men I work alongside. Typically they say nothing, but I’m curious about the way that Cambria will respond to being in the presence of men who have killed more people than she’s ever met.
When the men start to arrive, I text Ariella, instructing her to bring Cambria down to the lounge in the basement where I conduct my most secret business. All of my girls have been down there at least once, and if Cambria is going to be my mistress like I intend, I’ll need her to get used to the atmosphere.
“Abram, I haven’t seen you in like six months. How have you been?” says Demetrius, the first of the four mafia bosses to arrive.
I meet him with a firm handshake even though I’m sweating internally. “Yeah, things have been really going off lately. It’s been hard to keep up at times,” I confess, immediately regretting my choice of words. I can’t appear weak.
Demetrius is followed closely by the other men involved in the meeting, and my blood pressure soars through the roof as soon as it’s time to begin the meeting. Where is my uncle? That bastard should’ve been here half an hour ago.
I open a fresh box of cigars and pass it around the room to buy time, but it’s not enough. I’ll have to hold this meeting on my own.
Just as I clear my throat to begin, Ariella brings Cambria down.
It couldn’t be worse timing.
Cambria steps up to me sheepishly. Her apprehension is palpable in the air, and if it weren’t for what happened between us when she first auditioned, I would be concerned.
But I know better.
I see a glimmer in her eye that makes me wonder if she’s putting on an act. Would she really pretend to be something she’s not just to make me look better in front of my bosses? She can’t possibly understand what’s at stake.
“Everyone, I want you to meet my newest girl, Cambria,” I say, gesturing towards her as she waves awkwardly to everyone.
“Is Cambria her dancer name? That can’t be her real name,” Demetrius comments, motioning towards Ariella for his drink to be topped off. He should really know better than to test Ariella like that, but these kinds of personalities come with the territory.
“It’s my real name,” Cambria interjects with an edge to her voice. She’s still smiling sweetly, but her eyes speak over her.
“Hmm,” Demetrius replies with disinterest.
A silence falls over the room.
“Cambria, why don’t we show everyone how good you’ve been for me since you started here?” I suggest, wondering how she’ll interpret my vague request.
Her face flushes and her eyes grow wide.
No, not like that.
