2

Ernest POV

Calm, Nervous, Reticent.

Not even close to what I'm accustomed to.

Ladies collapse on the ground at my feet.

They grovel for me to touch them, my shoes.

And trust me when I say that my touch is quite hot.

However, this one? I'm not convinced the transaction was worthwhile for her.

Indeed, she has an incredible appearance. It's the only reason I consented to her arrival. Her large, full, soft lips, her honey-colored hair, and her eyes that give you the impression that you can answer a million mysteries at once.

I think of the outfit she was wearing and how nice it felt to swat her behind while she was wearing it as I run my teeth over my lips. When Cole pointed her out, I was startled to see that she had tattoos all the way up her calf. She's so, well, intriguing, and he's so neat. Her doe eyes clinched the deal, and her petite, fragile body, which I want to crush, rip apart, and put back together.

Her footsteps are quiet as she walks inside the room.

She walks over to where my guys are gathered around the table. Her little doe eyes widen as she stops and pauses again. Her six pairs of eyes focus on her, and I observe her as she erects her spine and tightens her hands on the silk of her dress to keep the incision shut.

"We got a toy from you. You weren't supposed to. While he watches her, Roberto licks his lips, and my other guys wait in silence to see how she responds. She remains still and silent. "My dear, why don't you come sit next to me? We are able to share a meal. Her eyes dart to me as Roberto taps the chair next him. "Oh, don't worry about him; I'll keep the big, bad wolf away from you."

In response to Roberto's remarks, Jake laughs and shakes his head. My younger brother, Jake, is the only person on Earth who really knows me. Furthermore, he is aware that no one could fend off me if I wanted them dead.

Not even with him.

"Thanks, I think I'll stand." She puts her arms securely over her torso, almost like a shield, and shrugs her shoulders a bit higher.

I growl, "Sit," at her.

My one phrase silences the others, and she looks directly at me before deciding to go toward me. The sole remaining seat is situated between Roberto and Harry. She has to sit next to him, which makes Roberto happy. He smirks as she walks quietly around the table to his side. 

Reluctantly, she sits down and puts her hands folded in her lap as Roberto pulls out her chair.

The conversation continues on as before she entered the room, and the waiters emerge to refill our drinks.

I look away from Jake to see a gleam in his eyes as he taps the table to get my attention. "You are aware that we must relocate later. It's the only method to maintain company operations. At Jake's remarks, I nod. "Ernest." I turn to face him as he calls out my name.

"What?"

Confused, he says, "You really bought her?" "He had financial obligations to you. Everything he had might have been snatched by you.

"I took her life because I owed him one." I offered Cole money for his enterprises, but he never fulfilled the dates for payment, so I felt like he owed me. I may choose to be kind or harsh on any given day, depending on how I'm feeling. When I initially saw him at that club with her, I was forgiving of him, but after that... I was going to be harsh, I knew that.

Cole's only concerns are money and pussies. However, his perspective on money is flawed. He has an addiction to gambling, and as compensation, he owes me a sizable sum. His debt constantly exceeds the amount I loan him because I am in business, and I am nothing if not a shrewd businessman. Our company has been in the family for many generations, and we want to keep it that way going forward.

"Are you certain that's a wise decision?" When my gaze returns to Jake, he shakes his head and fixes his attention on his hands that are lying on the table. "I apologize, boss."

Jake gets chances because he's my brother, but I would have murdered anybody else for those remarks.

Opportunities that are awarded to him alone.

Our mother resides on the Upper East Side in an apartment. Even though she has her own money, I pay for everything, her chefs, and staff to be at her disposal. Whereas my father is rightfully buried under 10 feet of earth.

I was young, just twenty-one, and unprepared for the responsibilities that came with receiving that call the day it arrived.

The day before I went to work with my father, Jake and I were at a strip club, and he had me kill one of his guys just because he betrayed him. My father informed me that I needed to take note of and retain this further lesson.

Those who have betrayed you are killed.

No more chances.

None.

After I obeyed him, my father gave me a quick pat on the shoulder and instructed me to go screw myself.

Jake knew, he was waiting for me out front, and he said, "Let's go get fucked up and watch some tits bounce," as soon as I left.

With one female on my lap and another attempting to plant a kiss on my lips, I was halfway through my second bottle. These ladies want a share of the forbidden fruit and were aware of my family. I just cared about the pussy, not the identity of the person.

I was instructed by my father to marry the person he specified, but to fuck anybody I wanted. I therefore took that action. I messed up whenever I had the opportunity. Up until the day I got married, it was the one thing he didn't control over me. It was where my cock went. What good did it do, however, when other people didn't seem to care?

My own parents didn't have a good connection since my father was in charge of everything, so I'd never witnessed one.

"Ernest." I cast a sidelong look at Jake when he shoved the stripper away from me, and his expression was very serious. "We must leave."

His subsequent remarks altered my life, thus I can still clearly recall those statements.

"Papa has passed away."

At his burial, I never once shed a tear, and we were never able to track down the jerk who had shot him. We were unable to locate them even with all of the means at our disposal.

Despite not having to, my mother shed tears.

I inherited all my father has. After I rose to the position of mafia king, my life was never the same. Furthermore, I wasn't sure whether people understood the full scope of his ideas or if they were prepared for yet another autocrat.

Looking back at Jake, I can say that he's the only person I trust, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't murder him if I had to.

He will go down beneath with him if he ever betrays me.

After emerging, two waiters set down dishes of food in front of us. Everybody at the table waits to speak until I raise my fork. In this home, it is customary for the boss to eat first as a show of respect.

"Is there a problem with the food you are eating?" As everyone begins to eat, I ask her. She's sitting there doing nothing, silently focusing on the table as if she's not even aware that I'm talking.

The room is silent as we wait for her to respond, and everyone stops chatting. While I wait, my fingers press down firmly enough to create an impression on the object in my hand.

"I..." She gives a headshake. "There's nothing wrong," she concludes. She takes up a bacon slice and puts it in her mouth. I watch as she bites it, a look of horror on her face. While everyone is staring at her and perplexed by what's happening, I know precisely what's going on.

"Are you a vegetarian?"

I pound the table with my fist when she doesn't respond. While everyone else stays still, she leaps from her seat.

Indeed. Indeed, I am.

"Are you against bacon? I'll give you a taste of some very delicious beef later. When Roberto gives her a wink, she leaps away from him and almost bumps with Harry, much to everyone's amusement. Harry steps back, being cautious not to bump into her when she straightens up.

I tap my palm on the table, a waiter appears, and I point at Mirella's dish, which she removes with haste.

I growl at her, "Use your fuckin' words next time."

She essentially ignores everyone else by lowering her head while they are still eating.

Throughout the remainder of the dinner, she remains still and silent.

Cole's usage of her makes sense.

It's easy.

She enjoys being used, maybe even mistreated.

We'll find out.