Chapter 115Katie's POVMy first trip is to the wall of windows.Oh, how beautiful this is. I have a balcony. A balcony? I can’t believe it. I open the door and walk outside.My heels echo against the concrete, highlighting the quiet evening. Despite the chaos swirling in the city not far from me, the night is silent up here.The view showcases the mountains' outline, the glowing lights of the city, and the stars looking like dust across the sky.It’s not like I’ve never seen a starry sky before, but not from the balcony of a hotel.The lights adorning the balustrade are so pretty.I’ve always liked the strings of lights bringing out the magic of a place in the evenings.I liked them even when I worked at the restaurant.And then I remember Tina loves them too, like so many other insignificant things.I wish I could hear her voice.I wish I could have her here right now.All the precautions taken don’t mean that much right now.All my efforts were for nothing.I was so paranoid about
Chapter 116Cephus’ POVEarlier“I knowwho the fuck you are,” Beau mumbles through his swollen, blood–stained lips.“Then why the fuck are you here?”“I’m not dealing if that’s what bothers you,” he says, desperation beaming in his voice.“Color me unimpressed. I don’t care whether you’re dealing or not. You won’t fuck with my women or threaten me. You’re lucky you’re still alive––I’ve told you that already. But your luck won’t last forever. Do you know why people like you never work for me? Because they can’t get anything done. They always get caught up in some shit. Like you, motherfucker,” I say, washing my hands in the sink and rolling my sleeves down.He’s wrapped in towels as Vito is still very much concerned with the floors more than anything else.“What do you want me to do with him, Boss?”Drying my hands with a towel, I ponder.“Clear the fucking van of those losers and put him in. Let him contemplate his life for a while, then send him home.”I drop the towel on the edge
Chapter 117Katie's POVMy belief that you need a more vicious predator to deal with a predator has just been confirmed.It works despite coming with undesirable consequences.It’s why I’m alive and not tucked in Beau’s car.It’s also why I’m scared. Predators are predators for a reason. They need to feed themselves. All the fucking time. And I’m as juicy as they come. Small, young, vulnerable, inexperienced, and dependent.I depend on other people’s goodwill to survive.And sometimes, like now, I might just reap the benefits of being targeted by different parties.But then I might just need to pay a price.So I’m a little scared when I unlock the door, crack it open, and look through the small opening like he’s there to deliver something.Words of encouragement, news, or a surprise.Good thinking, Car.A surprise. Sure. Why not? Pff.“Yes,” I say, hiding behind the door.He’s changed his clothes. How do I know? They look fresh, not that the others looked bad, but he has that air abo
Chapter 118Katie's POVHe uncrosses his arms and straightens as if getting ready to leave while I suck in a long, tense breath.“All right,” he says, appearing to be set on walking out when I speak again.“Are you working?” I ask.He swings his gaze to me.“Are you working now?” I ask, suspecting that he is.He could also be on his way to a different hotel room where he might fuck someone.I don’t know what makes me think I’m an expert in reading Cephus Salla’s expressions.I guess trying to avoid dangerous situations with my father has sharpened my perception.It's a survival mechanism, I suspect. Trying to stay alive and telling the bad guys from the good guys.I’m not an expert, but I rely on my budding intuition.He doesn’t answer.Or maybe he’s looking for an answer.“Would you mind staying with me a little longer?” I ask in a wavering voice. “I have a hard time falling asleep.”And that’s the truth.These past twenty-four hours have been a rollercoaster. A race for survival. I’
Chapter 119Katie's POV“Server?? Are you sure?”I ask, unable to stifle my surprise.Is this all I’m getting after all the shit I’ve been through?I’ve almost gotten myself killed for this??To work as a server?Didn’t I just quit a job like that?The man in front of me studies my face for the fifteenth time. And no, he’s not studying my expression.He simply can’t take his eyes away from me. I don’t know what I’ve done or if I’ve done anything to have him so interested in me.Other than brushing my hair, putting some product in it, and amateurishly styling it.I’m trying to look my best, with my hair bouncing down my back and my eyes highlighted by mascara and dark eyeliner.I put on some makeup and did my hair, but I didn’t expect to stop the traffic with my appearance.He likes what he sees and tries to be as professional as he can be, not crossing the line, but he is still very much obsessed with my face.I wonder if I could have the same effect on everyone else.But back to being
Chapter 120Cephus’ POVLater that dayI round the corner and enter the largest gambling room in the back of the casino.The place is packed, the crowd is loud, and the money flows. I signal to Vito to follow me, and we walk down the corridor and enter one of the chambers.My eyes fly to the screens.“How many do we have?”He crashes into a chair while I round the desk, claim my own seat, and check out the livestreams.“About twenty.”I lift my eyes and lock his gaze.“Any problems so far?” I ask.“No. They behave. Boris will be here tonight.”It’s not the first time the Russians have paid us a visit.We don’t mix business with pleasure and mostly cut deals and try to get along.I don’t mind them in my casino.They are big spenders and like our women.They are too flashy for my taste, but I don’t care about that part and have no problem taking their money.The business we discuss has mostly to do with staying out of each other’s territories. Once in a while, some clean-up is needed in
Chapter 121Cephus’ POVThis is true in life, business, crime business, or for women like her. No matter how good you are at the game, you can swiftly get obliterated by someone who doesn’t even play that game.I’ve had tons of people in my life, and many were women.Most of the time, most of the people fear me.It comes with the territory, the type of business I am in, and being at the top of the food chain.So, I’m getting different flavors of submission from men and women.And I’m not talking about the sexual aspect of it. I’m talking about people trying to please me and having a shtick when dealing with me so they can stay alive.I have a strategy too, and it has become my second nature.I can go from being friendly to being menacing and lethal at the drop of a hat.I can end someone in a second. And to be clear, I’m not doing it for pleasure. I’m doing it out of necessity.Some things need to be taken care of quickly because there is no room for errors in this business.The rules
Chapter 122Katie's POVAn hour before“Jen.Jen… Listen. Things are fine. I’m okay. You don’t have to get crazy over it.”“Are you sure?” she says at the other end of the phone line.I put her on speaker and moved my focus to my clothes.This is my first night on the job, and aside from Jen being highly strung for what I think is nothing, today has been a fantastic day.I filled out the paperwork, had lunch with my co–workers, participated in the ning, and even got a glimpse of the pool.I don’t have a bathing suit, but I’ll buy one when I get my first pay.So yes… Things are good.And here I am, getting ready for my job.Holding two of my dresses up, I carefully inspect them and get easily distracted.“Car?” she murmurs.“Uh… Yeah. What were you saying?”I put the black dress on the bed while the other one goes back into the closet.“Are you sure things are alright?”“Yes, I am. I don’t know who told you what––”“It’s not about who told me what. It’s about you. That man is back,” she