Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“She looks like trouble.”
He chuckled. “So she must be right up your alley, boss. Try to keep your dick in your pants with this one, though. She’s going to bring us in a shit ton of money. She’s good for business.”
Her hands slowly worked their way up her body to her head, running her fingers seductively through her hair, holding it up in place. She looked so angelic, although I assumed she was anything but pure chaos. The music changed over to a faster beat, and the dance floor was packed.
I took in the way her hips swayed.
The way her tits bounced.
The way her body moved as if she was made for sex.
After watching her for far too long, I went back to making my rounds. The night continued, and by the time five thirty in the morning rolled around, I made my way to close down the bar and pay everyone.
When I walked toward Duchess, she was packing her stuff in her backpack. It was only then I noticed her back tattoo. What appeared to be black raven birds trailed along a black antique key down her spine like they were flying away from it.
“Interestin’ piece,” I stated, meeting her eyes.
She glanced up while tossing her backpack over her shoulder. “Gee,” she mocked in a tone I didn’t appreciate. “I’ve never heard that one before. What are you going to ask me next? That you want to know what it means?” She paused for effect. “Let me spare you some time. It’s none of your fucking business. Satisfied?”
I grinned, entertained. “Is that any way to talk to your new boss?”
If she was surprised by who I was, she didn’t show it. “Is this where I apologize, and we make friends? Because I don’t need any more friends.”
“Clearly.” I gestured to her laptop. “That was quite the set you had tonight.”
She shrugged. “What can I say? I know how to read a crowd. I just give them what they want.”
“Is that right?” I eyed her up and down. “And what are ya reading ’bout me?”
She arched an eyebrow, taking me in for a moment before opening her laptop. Within seconds, the lyrics to “Creep” by Radiohead filled the silence between us.
I couldn’t help but smile. “Cute.”
She shrugged again. “I thought so.”
Eyeing her up and down again, I questioned, “What’s your name?”
“Duchess.”
“What’s your real name?”
“It’s as real as you’re going to get.”
My eyebrows pinched together. “Are you always this hostile?”
“If I were a man, you’d say I was assertive and try to shake my hand.”
“Since you’re a woman, should I put you over my knee instead?”
She scoffed out a chuckle. “I’d love to see you try. Did you not see what happens when people try to get handsy with me?”
“People? So not just men?”
“I’m an equal opportunist. Besides, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. You fuck with me, I fuck you back.”
“By all means… fuck me, Duchess.”
“Cute,” she repeated.
It was my turn to shrug. “I thought so.”
“Well, I hate to break up this afternoon special we’re having, but it’s almost six in the morning. Can you plea your case, so I can take off? I’m going to turn into a pumpkin soon.”
I smiled. “I hate to break it to you, darlin’, but you’ll be dealin’ with me from now on. So if you wanna get paid”—I held her money between us—“you better learn how to say please.”
“Okay, darlin’.” She snatched the cash out of my hand. “I’ll try to remember that the next time I give a shit.” She mirrored my smile. “Can I be excused now, boss? Or do you need to flex your dick some more?”
I laughed.
Not because she was funny.
Not because I was obviously amused.
Not because of anything other than…
Her.
CHAPTER
THREE
LUKE
I sat at the head of the rectangular table at the far end of the room, fucking exhausted. Yet there I was, with a new associate from Panama that I was about to use for the first time, sitting across from me. I spent the past week in his territory, making sure they knew I meant business and they were aware of how I handled things.
I didn’t acknowledge him.
Something about this prick instantly rubbed me the wrong way. The last thing I needed was to babysit another incompetent asshole who thought with his cock and not his head. My plate was already full. I didn't need any more shit piling up.
However, I had to give credit where credit was due. The man had some brass balls for sitting parallel to me. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to shake his hand for it.
A power struggle at its fucking finest.
I wasn’t a take-charge kind of man.
I was in charge.
End of story.
I unbuttoned my suit jacket, making myself comfortable before leaning back into my chair. “I paid off everyone who needed to keep their mouths shut, and the remaining were silenced… permanently,” I declared.