Page 176 of Blackwood

Krolek gestures toward them with a grand sweep of his hand. “Please. Inspect.”

Bella stands, slow and elegant. Laing joins her. Together they walk the line, her hand brushing his chest like they’re at some sick designer showcase.

“What the hell is going on?” I whisper.

“She’s inspecting them,” Knox replies. “Making sure they fit her brand. She’s not Bella right now, Cade. She’s a goddamn madame.”

Bella pauses halfway down the row. Turns to Laing. “Sit.”

He drops back into his seat without a word.

“Good boy.” She winks, which earns her a chuckle out of Krolek.

She turns to a tall brunette in a hot pink dress. “You. Come here.”

The girl hesitates. Eyes flick to Bella, then Laing, then to Krolek. Her lip trembles.

She doesn’t move. So, Bella does instead.

SMACK.

The slap echoes through the mansion. Gasps fill the van.

“Keep it cool,” Knox growls. “It’s all part of the plan. She has to sell it.”

Bella straightens, expression unreadable. Her tone, however, is razor-sharp. “I thought you said your girls were well-trained. Obedient.” She tosses a cold glare at Krolek. “This one clearly is defective.”

Krolek chuckles, the sound oily and smug. “She’s new.” He tips his glass again, eyes dragging across Bella like she’s the main course on his menu. “She just needs a little discipline.”

“I don’t tolerate disobedience in my clubs,” she says toward the brunette.

“But when you behave, we reward you very well,” Laing adds with a wink and a sleazy grin toward the girls.

Some of them start to tremble.

“Mortal Kombat creep,” Lex whispers under his breath.

Bella steps away from the brunette and stops in front of a blonde in a green strapless dress. “Open your mouth.”

The girl obeys. Bella crouches slightly, inspecting her teeth with a practiced eye.

“Honey, come here.”

Laing rises and wraps himself around her waist from behind, his chin brushing her shoulder. “What do you think, baby?” He says as he kisses her cheek.

Bella hums like she’s admiring art. “I like these four.”

She nods down the line. “The bitch up front needs to be taught some manners.”

She flashes Krolek a tight smile.

“Good thing your good at getting bad girls to behave, baby.” She says as she turns and wraps her arms around Laing’s neck pulling him down for a kiss. Its sweet, intimate. Annoying as hell.

“We’ll take them.”

Krolek grins like he’s just sealed a deal with the devil. “Perfect.”

“Laing,” Bella says sweetly, still wrapped in Laing’s arms. “Can you call Kenji and have him come grab the girls while we finish up?”