Page 119 of Kneeling to Candy

We stare at each other, me practically screaming at him telepathically not to do anything rash, jeopardizing what we’re here to accomplish.

When I sense Butch won’t attack him, I look back at Cú Sidhe. I’m sure it chaps his ass how I don’t jump to answer him, something I’m more than happy to rub in his face.

“Must I repeat myself? Yes, he’s my sub.”

Cú Sidhe eyes Piero with skepticism. “And what about your relationship with your partner?”

Feigning irritation, I huff, “Piero doesn’t mind. Nor do I need his permission for anything in my private life. After all, we’re not romantic partners—we’re business associates.”

My enemy raises a light brown eyebrow. “Oh?”

His cynicism is clear in his tone. I need to sell him on this lie—fast.

With my chin held high, I look at the two men. “Signore Bianchi and I make a great team. He wants to run a flesh trade business and has the funds, and I know how to run the business from an insider’s perspective.”

“Is that so?” Cú Sidhe questions, his eyes fleeting between me to Piero and back to me.

Shrugging one shoulder, I fake a smile. “Who better to go into the human trafficking business with than someone who has first-hand experience with it?”

“Leslie’s history gives her a unique perspective to the venture,” Piero adds, backing me up as he improvises on the spot.

Cú Sidhe’s eyes narrow with scrutiny, like he’s trying to determine if we’re lying to him. He steps forward, his head cocked as he studies my face for any telltale signs of deceit.

Butch looks ready to draw his gun when Cú Sidhe inches closer, only an arms-length away from me again.

Possibly sensing Butch is about to lose it if Cú Sidhe doesn’t back off, Piero wraps a protective arm around my waist. He pulls me tight to his side and out of reach of my enemy, all the while sporting a smug smile on his face.

My former abuser doesn’t miss the movement, his eyes honing in on Piero’s hand at my waist. His eyes tighten for a moment before his face morphs into a forced smile. “What an interesting partnership.”

“Sì, it is,” Piero agrees.

My former abuser eyes Piero with interest, his head cocking slightly. “How did you two establish this arrangement if Leslie was no longer under your cousin’s care? He told me she ran off.”

Asshole refuses to address this question to me, still seeing me as less than a person.

Before Piero can answer, I take over the conversation.

“Run off? Please. I was Lorenzo’s most dedicated worker in the brothel. His clients adored me, requested me, some even wanting to buy me off him.”

I mention the last part, knowing Cú Sidhe was among many who tried to acquire me from Lorenzo. It gives creditability to the story I’m weaving.

“I never ran. Lorenzo pulled me from the brothel and set me up in my own place. He saw the effect I had over the other women in the club, how they would do as told with little protest. I was good for his business, and he wanted to see what I could do with the business if I was running it.”

“Like a madam,” Piero adds, as if we’ve had this conversation planned.

This web I’m spinning seems to be catching prey. Cú Sidhe’s forehead wrinkles, like he’s contemplating the legitimacy of my words. His questioning eyes meet mine. I keep my back ramrod straight, and my facial expressions are apathetic.

Whatever he sees on my face must sell the deal. He smirks at me, his eyes full of amusement. “That fíochmhar. He probably guessed I would forever hound him if I knew he still had you.”

“Ah,” I shrug, acting indifferent, “you win some, you lose some. After Piero took over for Lorenzo, he saw the same potential in me. We’ve been partners ever since.”

“As I said, Candy brings great insight into the industry. One few in this trade have,” Piero says, lying smoothly. He sips his whiskey before setting it down, eyeing Cú Sidhe.

“What you see with her is what you get, unlike what I see with you, Mister…” Piero pauses, waiting for Cú Sidhe to provide his real name.

Cú Sidhe says nothing, ignoring Piero, opting to stare at me with such intensity I nearly shrink in on myself—almost.

Piero doesn’t wait long before giving me his arm. “Come, Candy. I won’t communicate with people I don’t know and must refer to them through aliases.

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