Thirteen
I sat behind a large,ornately carved desk that looked like it came from some exotic location like India or Africa or something. We were taking a huge risk, returning to Vegas, where Nero could find us, but Knight assured me he knew how to stay under the radar.
Besides, we were leaving as soon as possible.
The smell of print filled my nose and I inhaled a deep breath, itching to go to the book shelf and browse through Bourbon's books. Instead, I was sitting in his chair, impressively designed, made to look like a king looking down on his subjects.
At Knight's insistence, we’d gone to a boutique store, opened especially for us. And now, I was wearing the nicest thing I'd ever worn, a black, couture Valentino dress with red Louboutin stilettos. There was a large diamond necklace at my throat and I had nude smokey eyes, compliments of Yves Saint Laurent.
I looked like a motherfucking queen, which was the point.
Power was all about appearances and attitude.
Knight was standing near the door like a guard, and was wearing his own powersuit. The man cleaned up good.
Right now he had that serious face on, so I settled into my chair, the clock on the edge of the desk ticking annoyingly.
Finally, there was a knock and I straightened, my eyes trained on the door.
Knight met my gaze and, at my nod, he opened the door.
James, the man who raised me, stood in the doorway, looking just he looked like the last time I saw him. In an off the rack suit, with a stern, unloving face, and a sliver of silver in his otherwise black hair.
He was a slightly handsome man, I could see that now that I knew the truth of my parentage, although he'd gained a slight paunch waist.
As soon as he saw Knight, he leaned back on his heels, stuttering in surprise. "Mr. Cadwell. I didn't know you'd be here tonight."
Knight quickly searched him, tilting his head to the side, drawling. "Who else did you think you'd find?”
"I wasn’t sure--actually," James admitted. He'd yet to see me, as the room was only lit with a small desk lamp. “But I'm used to meeting Kirroy Mack for my assignments."
"And you meet Kirroy at Paradiso?” Knight's voice was a disgusted sneer and the sound of it made a trickle of fear snake up my back. He was hella intimidating when he wanted to be. And right now, that was hella kick ass. I loved seeing James tremble in fear.
"No, of course not, I just--"
"You just what?" Knight snapped.
“I apologize. How can I be of assistance?" James answered, and it was the most subservient I'd ever seen him in my life. He certainly never apologized to me for anything.
"I've requested your arrival here so that you can meet someone."
James suddenly looked nervous. "Of course. Anything I can do for you."
Knight opened the door wide, stepping aside and gesturing towards me. "I want you to meet the new Bratva Delat.”
James looked confused but he stepped into the room, not looking at me but staring at the floor. "I wasn't aware there were changes within the Bratva leadership but I'm always happy to help in any way that I can."
I finally spoke. “You most certainly are, aren't you?"
At this, James face snapped upwards, a look of confusion on it.
I gave him a grin that I'd imagined a shark would give a fish. "Hello, Daddy."
He rushed forward. "Rose, what's going on?"
"What's going on," my voice was sharp, "is that you've ben called to task on recent transactions in your bank account."
"What?" He faltered, his footsteps shuffling, his eyebrows furrowing, giving me that damn confused look again.