Page 5

Dominic

H ere in my study, Bash and I are figuring out our next move. The rat still hasn’t shown his face, but we’re close to figuring out who he is. There are a lot of lower-level junkies hired to sell our product through another low-ranking dealer. Bash has a meeting set up for us to talk to a few workers. I’m not sure how much talking will actually happen before we start knocking these fools’ heads together. I guess we’ll see just how short my temper is tonight. “Whose car are we taking?” Bash asks me. “Mine. Who else’s do you think?” I crack a smile. “And I’m driving,” I inform him. “What? You always drive. You’re a prick,” he mutters before we head to the door.

Bash has my back he’s my right-hand man in this mess of a life. He’s just as ruthless as I am when it comes to handling business. I snatch my keys off the desk. I need some relief. Busting a motherfucker’s teeth in might give me some way to release this tension. At least until I can get my hands on that beautiful, petite blonde bombshell who has taken over my thoughts.

She is going to be my kryptonite. Every king has a weakness, and I have a feeling that little beauty is going to be mine. She will get used to this lifestyle. She seems pure and sweet, like daddy’s money has paved her way for everything. I’ll be her new daddy. She can have the world with me I’ll show her that. Though she may not like how she’ll get it.

Heading to this setup meeting, I tuck my .45 into my waistband and step out of the car. Bash is packing too. We both know this isn’t the kind of meeting these guys are expecting. The warehouse is dark and chilled. As I step through the door, the voices of three men filter through the stale air. One of them I recognize. The other two? I couldn’t care less. They won't be leaving this warehouse anyway.

The man on the left, dressed in a black hoodie and jeans, is Trey. He’s been with us long enough to know I don’t tolerate bullshit. The other two? They look like they just crawled out of a trap house, reeking of desperation and cheap dope.

“Trey, nice to see you again. Hopefully, you’ve come with some answers,” I say, my voice slicing through the silence. All three of them jump. Trey’s face twists in confusion, but he steps forward, extending a hand toward me and Bash. “Good to see ya, boss. But I’m not really sure what ya mean,” he mutters. Bash stands there, grinning like a fool.

“Yeah, I might have left out a few details about this meeting.” He chuckles. “There’s no drop tonight.” Trey stiffens. The nervous energy rolling off him is almost palpable. He glances at the two men beside him, both looking like they might piss themselves. And do I hate it when they do that. It only fuels my fire.

Bash’s voice turns sharp. “Well, it seems we have a rat running around. Not making payment. Getting high on his own supply.” He side-eyes the two greasy bastards standing next to Trey. I take a step forward, my hand resting on the pistol tucked at my back.

“You wouldn’t happen to have seen any rats around here lately, have ya, Trey?” His eyes go wide. “Trey, we’re going to need some answers tonight,” Bash adds. Trey stammers. “Sir, I… I’m not involved in any of that. I swear, I don’t have the slightest clue.” I sigh. “Well now. That’s a problem.” I glance at Bash. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a switchblade. With a flick of his wrist, the blade snaps open. He studies it for a moment before shifting his gaze back to Trey.

“Ask your lackeys here who’s been skimming from the gun shipment. Who’s been taking the drugs and not paying their dues,” I tell him. Trey whips around to face them. His voice shakes. “Tell them. Now.” The two men laugh, exchanging glances.

I spoke with the man once. He was supposed to show up for the shipment but never made it there. Now I have heard he is in hiding. "You two fucks wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?" I questioned them. Neither man would answer the very simple question. They stood there, eyes locked on me, choosing to keep quiet. Well, silence is an answer in my eyes. Shitty for them, it was definitely the wrong one.

I cocked my pistol and pointed it between the eyes of the first shithead. "Last chance, and I would hurry before I change my mind," I said, waiting. "We heard you were after his girl. And the girl dipped with the money," one spoke. "Is that so? Anything else you might want to add?" I said, my finger on the trigger. The second one spoke. "How about a raise if you want more information?"

I bellowed out a laugh. This guy is funny. A raise, as if he has room to make requests. Trey stood there looking like he had seen a ghost, knowing all too well I don’t take kindly to anyone thinking they can bargain with me. "Trey, buddy, do you think they deserve a raise? Money for more information. Do you think they should get paid to bargain with the King?" I spat out, laughing.

Trey stayed quiet, knowing I wasn’t asking a question for an answer. Bash stepped up and grabbed the first guy around the neck. The second guy freaked out, and I placed the barrel of my pistol straight to the skin of his forehead.

Bash choked the man he had a hold on and threw him to the floor. "Bash, a helping hand, my guy?" I said. Bash came over, grabbed the second man, and waited. I debated on how I wanted to do this. Then I put my gun back in place.

"Let me see that blade." Bash handed me the knife and told the fucker, "Well, you really did it now." He laughed as he grabbed the man. "Stick out your tongue!" I yelled. He fought against Bash’s hold, his hands gripping Bash’s wrists. I tapped the knife against the side of my face.

"Stick out your tongue. Or I slit your throat," I promised. Reluctantly, he stuck out his tongue. From the corner of my eye, I watched Trey he hadn’t moved an inch. I took the switchblade and sliced around the fatty meat. Blood squirted all over my dress shirt, running down my hand, covering my arms. Bash held him in place as he squirmed and fought. It was no good. Bash was a man made of steel; there was no escaping his grasp.

The man spat up blood and started to choke. He fell to the floor, trying to gasp for air, inhaling his own blood. I held the man's tongue in my hands. "You can’t make bargains without a tongue to speak with." Turning to Trey, who is standing there looking like a child who just saw the boogeyman, I step closer until we are face to face. I want him to see my expression, the blood of another man staining my skin. Without breaking eye contact, I take the severed tongue and stuff it into his shirt pocket. “Let this be a lesson, friend. A man with no tongue can tell no lies. I want a list of every man under you who hasn’t paid. Or you will be the next silent man, choking on his own blood. You have one week,” I say, patting him on the shoulder.

“Yes, sir. I’ll have it,” he shudders. “Bash, put a bullet in the other one’s head,” I spit out. A bang and a flash of light explode behind me. Bash walks up, grips Trey’s shoulder, and smirks. “Hey, see ya next week, man.”

Returning to the car, we get in and head to the Chophouse. There are a few things I have to take care of there. I need to do a little research of my own. “The gala is in just two days. We need all hands on deck since we’ll be out. I need to make sure everyone is in place while we’re gone,” I tell Bash. “Got it taken care of already, man. A few guys we have working for us are going to run security,” he says, nodding. There are just a few more things I need to handle tonight.

The next morning, walking into Lori’s, I see Gwen standing there, oblivious to my presence as she leans over a table, showing a little old lady the menu. My eyes trace up her round ass, following the outline of her panties beneath her jeans. They fit her built body so damn well. The urge to grab her, throw her over my shoulder like a Barbadian, nearly takes over.

She straightens, walks back to the counter, and puts the order in. I take a seat. When she finally notices me, the smile she wore just moments ago is replaced with something else FEAR. I love it. She knows deep down I’m no good. I can’t wait for her to see it for herself.

She comes over and hands me a menu. “Hi, you come back for a coffee?” she asks. “I didn’t come for coffee, princess,” I say, locking eyes with her.

Her breathing alters, her pulse quickening in the side of her neck. The fact that I have this much power over her has my blood pumping, too. But then she straightens, as if a sudden wave of pride surges through her. Her breasts rise high on her chest as she meets my gaze head-on. “Well, I’m working, so what can I get you?” she asks, her tone now calm.

“I bought you a gift. I hope you don’t mind, but I took it upon myself to get it for you.” Handing her the little bag, I watch as she pulls out the box and opens it, revealing a brand-new cellphone. Her eyes widen. “I can’t take this,” she says, almost embarrassed. She quickly places the box back down on the table and walks toward the back of the restaurant. “Lori, I’m taking my break,” she yells into the kitchen before stomping out the back exit.

I stand, grabbing the box, and head out the same door. She’s standing there with a cigarette in her mouth, puffing on smoke. She turns to see me standing there.

“What are you doing coming out here?” she says angrily. She's trying to push my buttons, or she's really mad. Either way, I don’t care for the bratty act. “Is that any way to treat someone who just offered you a present, princess?” I say. She turns instantly. “I’m not a princess. And you can’t just show up at my work and hand me a new phone. I don’t even know you.” Glaring at me with those gorgeous eyes, she closes the space between us. I step into her, looking down into her crystal-blue gaze.

“I would tread lightly on the bratty act before I treat you like one,” I whisper. “Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?” She starts to push me. Before she can get another word out, my hand meets her throat, and I press her against the wall. She’s panting, scared, her chest rising and falling with such force.

“I’m the king of this town, princess. So, I would close that pretty little mouth of yours before I have to show you why I run the kingdom.” Not saying another word, she stares a hole in me. Knowing I have pissed her off has me hard against my dress pants. She’s cute when she's mad. I don’t have a lot of pressure on her throat, just enough to let her know I am serious.

I lean in and whisper, “Now, a thank you would be nice.” My lips brush against the side of her neck. My hand still around her throat, she pushes out a breathy, “Thank you.” I release her and brush my shirt out. She stands there in a mess. I’m sure this prissy girl apparently one with a mouth on her has never been put in her place.

“Now, I have already put my information in it for you. It’s all set up,” I tell her. She is still standing still. “The gala is tomorrow night. I hope you're excited. I will arrive at your house by eight. Be ready,” I command. “How do you know where I live?” she questions me. “Darling, a man like me can find out anything he wants,” I tell her.

She straightens up her ponytail and fixes her shirt. “My break is over, and I need to get back to work.” She tries to get past me before I grab her arm and pull her back into me. Breathing in deep, I take in her aroma. She smells so sweet. Chest to chest, I take my thumb and run it over her bottom lip.

“Be a good girl and put on red lipstick for the gala.” She nods her head and takes off back into the restaurant with the box in hand. My girl has no idea how close I was to breaking that little body right here in this parking lot. Lucky for her, I have self-restraint. My dick is so hard it hurts. Having her so close to me, terrified, yet she wanted it. I know she did. Her breathing and the flush in her cheeks and chest told me all I needed to know.

She wants to be mine. She wants me to break that pretty little body. She wants me to make her pussy beg for me. Tomorrow night, after the gala, I plan to have her. She will have no choice but to scream my name as she takes her place as my little slut.