AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Maxim,” Zita says, gathering herself. “You’re here. At my home.”
“Yes, I’m at your house.” I smile kindly. I want her to stew in this a little bit. “I’ve been doing some research. I have a lot of resources in this city, and I’ll admit, I use them for selfish reasons from time to time.”
“Right, uh, that’s your right, isn’t it?” She smiles but she’s trembling. She’s terrified right now. I bask in her fear like it’s rain in the middle of a drought.
I love this. I love the power and control. There’s nothing sweeter than destroying a person without lifting a finger.
“I know a lot of things, Zita. For example, I know your brother lives in this neighborhood. I know he’s married, with three children. I know their names and what schools they go to. I know you have a mother back in Guatemala. I know you have a cousin in San Antonio. I know you have an ex-husband—”
“Enough,” she says at a whisper. Her face is pale and her lips quiver. “I understand what you’re doing.”
I beam at her. This feels good. So fucking good. “I know more. I can keep going if you want me to.”
“No, please, that’s enough.”
I look at Siena again. Her terror has turned to shock. She’s looking at Zita like she barely knows the woman.
Because she’s never seen this side of Zita before. Siena knows Zita as the wicked madam with all the power in an uneven relationship. Siena doesn’t know the vulnerable single woman with a brother and nieces and nephews and a cousin and a mother and a life outside of The Velvet Rope. Zita has been very good at keeping her personal world and her work life separate. She thought she could hide where she lived in order to keep herself safe.
But she should’ve known better.
I’m here to let her know where she stands.
“This is what will happen now.” I step closer to Zita. She flinches like I’m about to hit her. But I don’t need to touch her. No, right now, words are more powerful. “You will never lay a hand on Mira ever again. You will never hurt the other girls ever again. You will make sure the bouncers do their fucking jobs. If I ever come by The Velvet Rope and I see so much as a bruise on any of them, I will hold you responsible.” I lower my voice, the grin spreading. “And I won’t take it out on you. I’ll take it out on your friend Tanya. Or maybe your uncle, Pedro. Am I clear?”
She nods quickly. Her face has gone from pale white to queasy green. I wonder if she’s going to hurl. I almost want her to do it, but that can get a little too messy and I’m wearing a good suit.
“Wonderful,” I say and look back at Siena. “Would you like to add anything?”
Siena’s in shock, but she manages to step forward. “I want you to apologize,” she says.
“Apologize?” Zita sounds bewildered like she can barely believe the request.
“Apologize for what you did to me and what you did to Mira.”
“Siena, I am very sorry,” Zita says, her hands clasped over her heart. It’s a good performance. Even on the verge of a breakdown, the woman’s good. I can see why Guido keeps her around. “It was business. Just business.”
“Say the same thing to Mira. Tell her how sorry you are. Tell her I made you see the error of your ways.”
Zita nods quickly. “Yes, yes, of course I will.”
“Remember this conversation Zita,” Siena says and I can’t help my racing heart and my half-hard cock. I love the way she stares hate and death. What a beautiful fucking woman. “If you mess with any of those girls again, I’ll make sure everyone you care about dies screaming.”
I nod my agreement and turn back to Zita. “You heard her. You’re dismissed. Have a great night.”
Zita slams the door in our faces.
“That was fun,” I say and head back to the car.
She hurries to follow. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“It wasn’t hard. I have men who specialize in finding people, and Zita wasn’t particularly difficult to track down.”
“Did you mean what you said back there?”
I pause at the car and turn to her. She comes close, looking up into my eyes. My little traitor. My little princess.
“I meant every word. I’ll hurt her and everyone she cares about if you ask me to. Do you like that, Siena?”
