Page 88 of The Destruction You Desire

I recognize her, and she clearly does me too as a smile curls at her lips.

"You wanna join the party, sweetheart?"

"Do I... Fuck. Get the hell out."

"That's a real shame, doll. I just know we could have some fun."

"Helena?" Julian barks when she's about to disappear.

"Yeah, baby."

"Come back when he's done. I'm not finished with you."

"Sure thing. I'm more than ready for it."

She's barely past the threshold when I swing the door closed on her.

"Peyton is done here. Whatever shifts you have her scheduled for, wipe them off. Cancel her contract."

"E-excuse me?" he spits.

"You heard me. Find yourself another girl to sweet talk your customers."

"She's one of my best girls."

My stomach turns over knowing just how popular her little sweet and innocent look is.

"I don't give a shit, Julian. She's done."

"I know your surname might be Dunn, boy. But you are not my boss. Only your father gets to call the shots around here."

"Yeah well, things are fucking changing. Wipe her off the schedule. Better yet, forget she even fucking exists," I seethe, walking toward him, cracking my knuckles as I do.

"You threatening me, boy?"

"I'll do whatever is necessary to stop her from ever walking back in here."

I hold his stare, willing him to break first because I've got other shit to be doing.

In the end, he must get bored with the stand-off because he throws his hands up. "Fine. She's done. Are you finished?"

"Give me what you owe her?"

"W-what?"

"You haven’t paid her for this month yet. Pay up." I hold my hand out, not willing to walk out of here without what she's owed. It's the least she deserves after putting herself through this hell for months.

He pushes his chair back and stands, obviously deciding that it'll just be easier to do what I say than to fight me on this.

"Jesus, you're just like your old—"

"NO," I roar, pinning him against the wall with my forearm against his throat, making his eyes widen in fear.

"I'm nothing like that cunt," I spit in his face.

"O-okay."

The second I release him, he rushes over to the safe and pulls out a wad of cash and passes it over.