Page 53 of Seeds of Sorrow

“Why don’t we set a trap for her?” Peyton surprised herself by speaking out. Apparently she’d surprised everyone else too, because Hadina looked across at her with pursed lips.

“What kind of trap?”

“Well, she obviously wants an empire, right? That’s why she’s doing all this shit—money and power.”

Harris nodded his agreement. “Definitely. What did you have in mind, Peyton?”

Peyton chewed on her lip as she contemplated her plan. She didn’t want to sound like a fool in front of everyone, but there was also something in her gut telling her it was the way to go. “We—Hadina, I mean—meet with her. We arrange a place of neutrality and tell her we want to discuss being cut in. We can totally bullshit and say that we’ve been killing her dudes for coming into our territory, and because we’re pissed that we’re not part of this.”

Hadina and Harris looked at each other, having a silent conversation with their penetrating gazes. A few seconds passed before Harris nodded and they both turned back to face the group. Hadina drummed her fingernails off the table’s edge before sighing. “It could work.”

She tried not to react, but inside, Peyton was beaming that she had made a business decision which was actually deemed worthy. It seemed that pleasing Hadina and making her proud were slowly becoming two of Peyton’s favorite things to strive for.

“Where would we meet?” Ume asked. “There aren’t a lot of neutral spaces around here.”

“What aboutIl Fiore?” Peyton was quick to reply. Hadina’s eyes shot over to Peyton. Peyton shrugged and answered the unspoken question, “I went with Piper.”

Hadina visibly relaxed and it was a small victory that the idea of Peyton being out at a restaurant with someone else caused a spur of jealousy.

“It would be pretty easy to get the staff on the inside.”

Peyton’s brows furrowed. “How?”

Hadina’s answering smile was nothing short of wicked. “Because I know that the owner happens to be sinking farther and farther into a hole since he took out a loan from a notorious loan shark. He’s drowning in debt of one hundred thousand and I just so happen to have financial stability that could solve all his problems.”

“Damn, boss,” Jason said, letting out a low whistle. “This is why you’re the best in the business.”

“Damn fucking right it is. Harris, arrange the meet. Jason, call Zellie and tell her to meet me at the house. We’re going to need all hands on deck.”

As Hadina stood, everyone else around the table got up from their seats too. It made Peyton think of the President, with everyone jumping to attention whenever the revered leader entered a room. She would never stop being surprised at just how powerful Hadina was.

With their orders given, the group nodded at Hadina and exited the room, leaving only Hadina and Peyton. Glancing over her shoulder to ensure nobody was loitering outside, Hadina made her way around the table and grabbed Peyton by the hips, pulling her forward until they were pressed together.

Peyton smirked and draped her arms over Hadina’s shoulders. “Hi.”

“Hi.”

They stared at each other a moment before Hadina chuckled, capturing Peyton’s mouth. It was a slow, sensual kiss that had Peyton’s toes curling. Kissing Hadina was never boring and she always craved more, never wanting it to stop.

Sadly, Hadina was too responsible to give into whims, and Peyton knew that the second she pulled back, it was time for more business.

“What’s my task, boss?” Peyton asked, entwining her fingers with Hadina’s.

Hadina growled, trailing her mouth down Peyton’s throat. “Your task is to stay by my side, so that the second we have a free moment, I can devour you wherever you stand.”

Shivers ran down Peyton’s spine as her core tightened at the promise in Hadina’s voice. If Hadina wanted her by her side, that was where she would be. “Orders received, boss.”

Peyton yelped as Hadina playfully nipped at the skin of her collarbone, her tongue tracing where her teeth had just been. “You keep talking to me like that and it won’t matter if we’re alone. I’ll fuck you in front of everyone.”

“Promise?” Peyton quipped, mischief and desire lacing her words.

Chapter36

HADINA

She tried really hard notto hate her sister, but seeing that smug fucking smile on her face as she took a seat across from the woman, Hadina couldn’t feel anythingbuthate for Zelina.

“So, did you finally realize that you need me because I’m better at your job than you, or did you just miss me,hermanita?”

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