Page 20 of Mob Queen

“Not glass, no,” I reply honestly.

Rome’s hands still and his brows rise in surprise. “You’re going to kill someone?”

“I am.”

His forehead crinkles and my brother looks away, avoiding my eyes. “Can I ask why?”

“Two of my working girls were assaulted, which means the manager wasn’t doing what he was supposed to. He wasn’t looking after my property.”

“They’re women, not property, Frank,” Rome argues.

“While they’re at work, they’re my property. Just like that laptop. I own it, so it’s mine. And I look after what belongs to me. His job is to look after my property, and he didn’t. Which means now he’s a liability because he can’t look after what belongs to me. These girls who work for me, I make sure they’re safe. And if they’re not, then there’s a problem.”

“You’re talking about them like they’re things.”

“They are. While at work. They’re my things.”

Rome intakes a long breath before slowly releasing it. “You’re so cold.”

“These girls could be out on the street turning tricks and giving all their money to a pimp who doesn’t give a shit about them. Instead, they voluntarily come to my business, where they get forty percent, and I keep sixty in exchange for a clean and safe environment. They know that while they’re on shift, they belong to me, they’re safe, and they’re good with that.”

“I guess, if the alternative is the streets, why wouldn’t they come to work for you?” Rome pinches the bridge of his nose before straightening. “You know, I’ve never been inside any of the brothels you have.”

“Consider today a lesson.” I grab my sweater and look to Rome. “Are you coming?”

“Sure am.”

Something tells me my brother is nervous. I’ll make a boss out of him yet.

* * *

“Don DeLuca, I had no idea you were coming in this evening,” Christian says and looks to Rome, then G. “Can I help you with anything?”

“Lidia and Dina.” I harden my jaw as I stare at Christian.

“Oh, them,” he replies in a small voice and lowers his chin. He clears his throat before looking up to me. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” I walk around to his chair, and drag it out before plonking down in it. I gesture to the chair opposite. Christian nervously glances toward G, Rome, then me. “Sorry?”

“I wasn’t paying attention. I dropped the ball.”

“You cost me a lot of money. Two of my best money makers are out of action.”

“But that’s only until they can come back.”

“You’ve not only cost me money, but them too.”

Christian rocks back once and peers over his shoulder to the door. “What can I do to make it up to you?”

“Glad you asked.”

“I’ll do anything, Don DeLuca.”

G moves to stand in front of the door in case he jumps to his feet and attempts to run. Rome reads the room and moves to stand beside me. “Anything?”

“Anything,” Christian says. “Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it.”

I open the top drawer of the desk and rummage around in it, then open the second and find the Glock below a stack of papers. I take the Glock, cock it, and point it at Christian’s head. “Good.” I lower the gun and shoot once at his chest.

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