Page 76 of Fool's Gold

The call goes through and rings once before she picks up, silence on the other end for a heartbeat.

“Marcus.” My name on her lips is loaded, dripping with innuendo.

“The premiere is in two days,” I start without pretense. “It’s going to be a big show. Once it’s done, Empire is out for good. I want your word.”

Another long pause, and then, “What are you proposing to do should I not give my word?”

My jaw clenches. “I want all the extra footage from your little undercover operation,” I continue as though she hadn’t said anything. “Any pictures, all of it. Anything that can be used against her in the future.”

“You are quite demanding today.”

I push out of the chair before I topple over, striding toward the window.

The scene below is the same one I’ve stared down on for years, since I had enough money to purchase the space from the developer, back when Bennett and Olivia had been the only clients willing to take a chance on an upstart. I’d been a good manager for them.

I tried to be a good manager to every single actor and actress I’ve taken on.

Where did I go wrong?

You know where.

The second I started lusting after Bennett’s daughter, I stepped off the path I set up for myself. And fucking her? I went straight off the path into the bowels of hell, and I deserve every second of eternal torture I fucking get.

“I’m demanding every single day. I want the pictures, footage, any evidence you’ve acquired, along with the backups, delivered to my office before the premiere,” I say harshly.

“What will you give me in return?” Celeste asks.

“Finishing the production on your timeline wasn’t enough for you? You greedy bitch.”

She only laughs. “I might be a greedy bitch, but the production schedule was not for me, you’re mistaken there. It was for Stanic. You did your job because you had to. The pictures were my insurance, a way to cover my own ass.”

I grind my teeth. Always angling. There is never a clear exit with these people.

In the beginning, I counted myself lucky for dealing with Celeste rather than Stanic himself. Outside of the first time he came to my office for a meeting, I haven’t seen him. Every word was passed down from him to his right-hand woman in some kind of bizarre trickle-down effect.

“I’ll give you what you’ve always wanted. Me.” It has to be enough. “It’s the one bargaining chip I’ve kept off the table, and I’m willing to put myself into play if you’re willing to deliver your evidence.”

For all I know, Celeste will take morbid delight in rejecting me after making her intentions clear this entire time. Mind games are not only appreciated but encouraged among the Mafia, Stanic’s crew in particular.

“Empire is safe, and you get me,” I finish. There is nothing else for me to offer.

Money won’t make a difference.

Celeste’s snickers cut off abruptly. “You would whore yourself for the girl? Hmmm. What an interesting turn of events.”

At least she’s considering it.

“Delivered to my office before the premiere. Then I’m at your disposal,” I reiterate. “However you want to use me.” Pain or pleasure or both. It doesn’t matter.

“You may want to consider your terms. There are many possibilities when you open the door to whatever I want.”

Her husky voice makes me flinch. “I know.”

“You’d willingly open yourself up to it?” she pauses and chuckles. “If you only knew the kinds of things I enjoy…”

The way she trails off conjures the image of all kinds of less-than-savory acts of submission. “I know.”

“Then it’s a deal,” she agrees eagerly.

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