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I pull up my computer log and examine her keystrokes. There's nothing there to suggest she uploaded the videos to the internet. It seems she only watched several of them before putting them onto a thumb drive. A possibility begins to form in my mind – maybe she's bluffing.
"Is she really trying to play me like this?" I mutter, feeling both impressed and vexed by the idea. "Well, if it's a game she wants, then it's a game she'll get."
A knock on my door interrupts my thoughts, and I call out for the person to come in. Teddy, with his blonde hair and charming smile, strolls into my office. He sits down in front of me, eyeing the red shoes and haze on my desk with a raised eyebrow.
"Nothing to worry about," I say, dismissing his curiosity. "What do you want?"
He leans back in the chair, hands clasped behind his head. "I've heard some rumors that things with the Irish aren't so good."
I sigh, rubbing my temples. "The rumors are true. They're causing trouble, making demands."
Teddy shakes his head. "It's a shame Constantino isn't here."
"Is it?" I challenge. "He complicated things for Primo."
"True, but sometimes you need a break-glass-in-case-of-war guy, and that's Constantino. He's a loose cannon, but others know that. His violence and cruelty make people scared, keeping them in line. That's what we need right now."
I shake my head, adamant. "No, Constantino will only drag us back to the dark days we're trying to escape. We're going legitimate, Teddy. He'd bring violence, drugs, and worse. Besides, he killed Charlie. That can't be forgiven."
"Maybe," he shrugs, "but that's what Dad wanted."
"Dad is in prison for life," I remind him sharply. "His wishes don't matter now."
"True," Teddy admits.
"I'm surprised you're siding with Constantino," I remark.
"I'm not. But he knew how to handle the Irish, and they know he's not around. That's why they're doing this."
"We can't risk it," I insist. "It would take us too far backward."
"Guess that's a judgment call." He stands up, getting ready to leave. But then he pauses and turns back, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "So, how are things with Lulu?"
I grit my teeth, trying to appear nonchalant. "Fine."
"Ah," Teddy laughs, a knowing smirk on his face. "That good, huh?"
Rolling my eyes, I shoo him away. "Just go."
As the door shuts behind him, I try to refocus on the situation at hand. Lulu's deceitful game, the Irish causing chaos, and the question of Constantino's potential involvement – it's all becoming maddeningly tangled.
I stare back at my computer screen, my gut telling me that Lulu might be bluffing. There's no evidence of her putting anything on the internet. If nothing else, I am confident that I can tease the truth out of her. Maybe meet a bluff for a bluff. I decide I'll do it tomorrow. For now, I'm going to let her simmer in her lies and get nervous about what I'll do. I want her desperate.
The next day drags by, each hour feeling heavier than the last. When early evening finally arrives, I make my way over to her room. My knuckles rap against the door once, but there's no answer. A second knock still leaves me waiting. Frustration boiling over, I decide I don't care and walk in.
She's not in the sitting room area, but I hear it – moans coming from her bedroom. I make my way over slowly, heart pounding in my chest. Then she comes into view, sprawled on top of her bed, naked except for a pair of fancy heels. The shoes are an exquisite deep red with delicate straps crisscrossing around her ankles, accentuating the curve of her arches. She's working herself, sweat glistening off her body like dew on a flower. I'm instantly aroused at the sight. Did she know I was coming over and prepare herself like this? Or did she decide that she enjoyed our encounter yesterday?
"Enjoying yourself?" I growl, pressing the door open and unable to hide my desire.
She looks up, surprised, as if she hadn't expected to see me. "What are you doing here?"
"Checking on my investment," I circle the bed, eyeing her appreciatively. "So, is this how you spend your free time?"
"Sometimes," she replies, a hint of challenge in her voice.
"Want some help?" I ask, noticing her hesitation.
"Only if you're here to give me the codes," she retorts.
