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Giovanni
PLAYLIST: ? PYRAMIDS - FRANK OCEAN ?
“Boss, can we talk?”Robby asks when we settle on the sofa of the suite he’s sharing with C.J. Falynn has been returned to the suite I’ve been keeping her in, closely guarded by Dominico, another soldier I’ve brought along to Vegas.
I gesture for Robby to continue, a glass of whiskey in my other hand. “You’ve already rehearsed a speech. I can tell by the twitch in your beady eye.”
He chortles. “I don’t have beady eyes.”
“What is it, Robby? What’s so time sensitive you’ve requested we speak?”
“It concerns the stripper.”
“Falynn,” I correct without hesitation.
Robby’s eye twitches. “Yeah, her.”
“What about her?”
“The broad is deadweight, Boss.”
“Don’t mince words on my account,cazzo,” I snipe. The ice in my glass chinks as I take a sip. “I expected a lot more diplomatic language. Not for you to be so…blunt.”
“There’s no time for diplomacy with a black-and-white situation. She is a liability, a waste of time and resources. The girl needs to go.”
“Go where,cazzo? Tell me.”
The pasty fuck’s face glowers. “You know where. I’ll handle it. Make it quick. She won’t even suffer.”
Papa has always said I have a poker face that can win me the world championship if it were ever on the line. Most people are unable to separate their emotions from their physical reactions. Their brows arch or their nostrils flare. They smile and frown. The rest of their body movements give them away, fidgeting or tapping feet.
I’m able to separate myself from such basic human tendencies. Emotion is my mortal enemy, which is why it’s kept locked away inside of me. Occasional spats of anger or agitation may rise to the surface, but even then, I’m able to keep my cool. I’m able to be methodical and use my head. I’m always in control.
As Robby suggests we dispose of Falynn, my heart ticks faster. My pulse spikes. I can feel it grow warmer in the room, though I sit as casually as if nothing has changed. I sip from my whiskey and study Robby with a heavy stare, my silence an answer in itself.
What he’s asking is out of the question. I’ve told Falynn she lives, and I’m a man of my word. Even if I weren’t, the idea of disposing of her is an unsavory one. It leaves a sour taste in my mouth when I should taste the warmth of the whiskey.
Foolish as it may be, as detached and heartless as I am, I have begun to like the girl. In no serious, no real consequential way—meaning, should it become necessary, she’s expendable. More so in a way that amuses me. In a way I find refreshing.
She doesn’t realize this. She doesn’t understand her unfiltered behavior and stubborn streak have caught my attention in the manner it has. I’d prefer she doesn’t figure this out. The less she knows the better.
It’s dangerous, messing with a woman like her. Not only is she gorgeous, but she’s charming and smart. Men have ruined their lives over less worthy women. But I’m not one of these foolish men. I’ll keep her alive, indulge in her company for a few weeks, and then cut ties forever.
“Boss, we don’t have time,” Robby says after the silence goes on. His pale skin gleams with sweat. I’ve talked to him about his perspiration issue, but thecabroncontinues to sweat like a piglet. “C.J. found out word on the street is that Lovato’s unhappy with what happened with Jerry. He’s taking it as a slight against him.”
“It was a slight against him.”
“But we need to figure out how we’ll address any future issues with him. It’s going to happen. And you still haven’t found a new manager at the Dollhouse—”
“Your point seems to be I’m slacking off from my duties ascapo. Is that what you’re suggesting?”
The cold steel in my tone causes him to falter. He stutters, more sweat leaking from his pores. I ease up on the intensity in my stare; Robby is my right hand, a loyal companion, and whose concern is earnest. There’s no need to humiliate him for contradicting me.
He dabs at his brow with a cocktail napkin from the minibar. “What I’m saying is, Boss, we’ve been in Vegas for a couple weeks now, and have not established stability in our operation. The casino’s grand opening is almost here. Today’s shopping spree at the Forum put us behind.”
At the bottom of my glass, I drink the last of the watered-down whiskey, and then take an ice cube into my mouth. The cold cube crunches between my teeth as I stare down Robby some more. He makes excellent points, but his solution is a non-negotiable.
“Your concern is noted,” I say calmly. “We’ll double our efforts to stabilize our territory here. We’ll find a new guy to manage the Dollhouse. We’ll put the finishing touches on the casino’s opening. Get in contact with Lovato’s crew. Arrange a meeting between us. Ensure you make it known it’s on friendly grounds.”
