Page 47 of Isle of Beauty

NINETEEN

LANA

MURDER…

It was foolish of me to believe that no one would find this place, or that no one would attack it if they knew it was a clinic. My arrogance put my people in danger. What is all that money worth if I can’t protect my business and the ones who trust me? My cheeks heat up at the humiliation. I have no one to blame for my fuck up but I sure as shit took it out on the men Julian and Igor had strapped down for me to take care of at the lab.

Our receptionist, Karla, followed the procedure we developed but it shook her, and she’s no security personnel. Another stupid mistake I just made. I’ve grown complacent. Rage simmers in my veins, my body temperature rising, the desire for retribution coating my skin like the most luxurious dress.

None of them even had a weapon for Christ’s sake, which means they knew they did not need it. We’re being watched.

Thank fuck one of the men knew who hired them for this shit job. The need to destroy and kill flooded my veins and I let it. Their blood spilled all over the lab’s floor but I need to cut their boss to feel fully satisfied.

If someone thinks that they can steal from me now, they won’t stop. We don’t have a lot of enemies, because we’ve kept to Kalliste for a long time and just expanded to the Balearic islands three years ago. It’s not like we’re taking the market by force but apparently, we’re still enough of a threat that someone wants a piece of the cake. And Mr. Berg, who used to work with my father years ago, thought he could get it. The man can't count to ten to save his life so it’s unlikely he orchestrated the whole thing. I need to know who hired him and Pierce is going to help me.

I don’t trust him and I told Alessio as much when they decided to show him the lab but his quick reflexes to take down the thieves have doubt seeping into the recess of my mind. Or maybe it’s just me being dazed and horny as fuck after our encounter on the mat a few days ago. The dual emotions are battling for the upper hand in my head and it’s getting me completely out of balance.

The man I met in London thrived on giving me as much pleasure as I could take until I collapsed, but this new version of him just took without remorse.

He’s invaded my brain, my dreams, every fucking minute of every day. I crave his cruelty even more than I did his caring touch. And I’ve been avoiding him like the plague because I refuse to give him any power.

He’s still the enemy and today’s the perfect occasion to send him packing with his tail between his legs. He’s not ready for what I have in store for his “training”.

I dial his number and he picks up on the first ring. Good boy. “Meet at Lady in White in half an hour.”

“What for…” his voice cuts when I disconnect the call. Can’t ruin the surprise.

Thirty minutes later, I bounce on the balls of my feet as I enter my club, my safe haven, the infamous Lady in White, my fiancé right on my heels.

Most of my businesses across Kalliste are legit but what happens behind the doors of the private rooms at my club isn’t. Especially in the basement.

Pierce clenches his fists then relaxes them behind me and the tell makes me giddy.

“You want to play with the sharks, pinzutu? Now it’s time to swim with them.”

Giulia tracked down Berg and found him…here. Bold move to come into my territory after threatening me and mine so clearly but I wasn’t expecting much from him anyway. Maybe he thought he should hide in plain sight.

It’s only late afternoon but the loud base of the music fills my ears and makes my body vibrate with violent energy. This should be fun.

Three half-naked bodies are dancing languorously on poles across the stage, elevated above the main floor where patrons sit and watch, enraptured. In the hidden alcoves around the room, more dancers are hard at work, undulating their bodies to entice, entrance and leave the viewers wanting more.

We make our way to the door to the lower-level, far from the patrons and guarded by a mean-looking fucker, Camille. “He’s been secured.”

“Thank you, Camille. Make sure we’re not disturbed and call the cleaning crew.” Twice in one day. Sage’s going to be able to retire next week at this rate.

Pierce’s brows are drawn down but his face gives nothing away.

We descend the stairs and I fix my gaze on him when I open the door to reveal an average-looking man gagged and bound to a metal chair.

Pierce’s eyes widen and he takes the smallest step back before stopping himself.

“You’ll have to work on that,” I pat his chest and move to the bound man, ripping the gag off his mouth. Drool touches my skin and I click my tongue at my prey. Before I can move, a handkerchief is pressed to my hand, the pocket of Pierce’s now empty.

I clear my throat and wipe the saliva off my hand, the silk the softest fabric I’ve ever touched. Fuck, it even smells like him, bitter oranges and lavender.

“Who the fuck are you?” the prisoner yells at me, spit flying out of his thin mouth. Fear really makes men bold.

I shake my head at his arrogance. “You’re awfully confident for a man bound to a chair in a basement, Mr. Berg.”

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