Page 70 of Embrace the Darkness
“Same amount?”
Mark’s hands fisted. “That’s another reason why I’m here. Our shipment is double this time. We were wondering if you’d like to take another fifty kilos off our hands? For the same price, of course.”
“That’s another two million,” Nicoli said.
I quickly did the math in my head.Damnit. They were selling it to the De Lucas at forty thousand a kilo. Which meant they’d been selling it at our standard price all along. Stefan had been right. If they’d been pocketing half of the profit all this time, where the hell were they hiding all that money?
Nicoli was quiet as he mulled it over. Music from the showroom filled the silence as us girls continued to dance. “I’m going to need time to get the cash. Two days.”
Mark smiled, triumphantly. “We’ll deliver your regular order tonight. In two days, we’ll bring you the rest.” That seemed to conclude their meeting. “Thanks for the dance.” Mark slapped his dancer’s ass. She yelped, jumping from his lap. Without having to be told to leave, she scooped up her bra and scurried from the private room. Mark followed her out.
Taking that as my cue to get the hell out of here as well, I stopped dancing and went to stand. The don’s arm quickly snaked around the front of my waist like a seat belt, holding me firmly in his lap. I glanced in the direction of his guard, who had been standing by the entrance during the entire meeting, and saw another had joined him. Both of whom were blocking the way out.
I was caught. I could feel it in my bones. What was worse, I was practically naked. Hell, Iwasnaked! There was a saying, never get caught with your pants down. Yeah, I was learning that lesson the hard way.
“You must be new?” He phrased it as a question, as if wanting to draw up an innocent conversation. I knew better.
“First night. Was it obvious?” I asked, keeping my voice calm.
“Only to someone paying attention.” His voice was an alluring mixture of low, smoky, and pure sin. Just listening to it, my ears warmed and an exciting rush pulsed through my veins. He’d make a killing as a sex phone operator.
“I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but you know there’s a no touching the dancers policy, right?” I did my best to make my tone seem light and humorous.
“The rules don’t really apply to me.” He shifted beneath me, his free hand reaching for something. “Besides, you don’t work here.” Cold metal pushed through my fake hair, kissing my skin just below my left ear. I didn’t have to see to know it was a gun.How did I not feel that when I was rubbing all over him?
Steeling myself, I drew forth my darkness. I’d never needed it as much as I did right now. As the strongest part of my soul took over, my empathy and my moral sensibility slept, allowing my ruthless side to do what needed to be done without anything holding it back.
A cocksure smirk pulled at my lips as my eyes peered into the mirror-covered wall directly across from us. “I’d love to know what gave me away.” I took in our reflection of me sitting on his lap, in nothing but a black scrap of lacy underwear and heels. My eyes met his hovering behind my left shoulder.
He only showed a flicker of surprise at my lack of fear. “Your shoes. The girls here can’t afford Louboutin.”
Hmm…not buying it.“That’s quite a stretch. Maybe I have an unhealthy obsession with shoes, and I need to strip to support my habit?” I arched an eyebrow at him.
“I own this club. I know everyone who works here.”
“You could have started with that, instead of picking on my fabulous shoes. Did you at least enjoy the dance? I might add erotic dancing to my resume.”
The cool metal of his gun pushed bruisingly against me, forcing my neck to extend to the side. “Judging from your pale skin and the shamrock tattoo on your lower back, I’d say you’re Irish. Want to tell me why the fuck you’re in my club?”
“Yes, I’m Irish. The last name’s Quinn.” I relished the surprise he let slip. His eyes bounced all around my face as if finally seeing me for the first time before he reached up and pulled the synthetic blonde wig off my head. My blood red hair fell to my shoulders. “I didn’t come in here with ill intent. I needed to know why one of my guys was visiting a strip club that belonged to Nicoli De Luca.”
“Your guy?”
I lifted my chin, gesturing to the area of couch across from us. “Mark.”
“Yes, I knew who you were talking about. What I want to know is, how is he your guy.”
“Now, now, Nicky, I’ve played nice.” I tsked. “If you want answers, you’ll point your gun somewhere else. It’s distracting and not to mention rude.”
“I don’t think you understand the position you’re in. You won’t be leaving here. Whether or not I’m going to kill you or pass you around my men is still up for debate.”
I laughed at that. Head thrown back and all. This situation was far from funny, but his intimidation act was hysterical. “I haven’t ridden an Italian before, but I do enjoy the food.” He released my waist to yank my head back by my hair. I gasped, then chuckled. “I should tell you that’s kind of turning me on.”
“You don’t know when to shut up, do you?” he snapped.
“Save yourself the headache, pull the trigger.”
“I wouldn’t do that.” The voice startled both of us and we both looked toward the entrance. There stood Jamie, Louie, and Dean with their guns drawn at Nicoli’s two men. “Drop it,” Jamie ordered.