Page 75 of Coerced Queen

It’s a nice way of saying he made sure there aren’t witnesses.

I return his smile, mine polite.“That’s very considerate of you.”

Indicating the man who stands at attention to his right, he says, “This is Fred, my manager.He’ll be my witness.”

“Livy,” I say, glancing at her.“She’s a good friend.”

He bows as he takes her hand and kisses her fingers.“You look lovely, Livy.May I offer you ladies a drink?”

“No, thank you, Mr.Bennett.I prefer to be clear-headed when I play.”

“A wise woman.”He flicks his fingers at Fred.“If you don’t mind, I’ll have a scotch.And please, call me Benson.”

“Only if you call me Anya.”

He concedes with a nod and then asks Livy if she wants a drink.

“It depends on what you have,” she says with a coquettish smile.

“Please.”He extends an arm toward a well-stocked bar.“Make yourself at home.”

When Livy steps forward, he flicks his fingers at Fred again.Apparently, it’s Fred’s cue to run ahead and serve the drinks.

Unlike Benson, Fred is dressed in casual attire.His ripped jeans are faded.A T-shirt with a metal band name spans over his chest.The tattoos that cover his arms disappear beneath the short sleeves.His blond hair is cut into a spiky style.

He slips behind the counter and takes a tumbler from behind.A pierced barbell jewel peeks out when he drags his tongue over his bottom lip.“What can I get you, granny?”

Livy narrows her eyes.“Call me granny again and I’ll shoot another hole through your tongue.”

Benson guffaws at that.“You’re funny.”To me, he says, “I like her.For that piece of priceless entertainment, I’ll let her do it too.”

Fred is a lot more reserved when he hands Livy the Shirley Temple she asked for, including the umbrella and the cherry, which Livy reminded him not to forget.

“If you’ll permit me,” Benson says, “I took the liberty of summoning a female guard.She’ll search your persons and your bags in the ladies’ room.You understand why it’s necessary.”

Fred pours a glass of water from a sealed bottle.

I accept the water he thoughtfully hands me.“Of course.”

While we sip our drinks, Benson tells us about the hotels and spas he owns and about his long-term plans of expanding.When our glasses are empty, Fred escorts us to a bathroom with gold-framed mirrors and marble vanities.The lounge area where ladies can rest and touch up their make-up is as big as Saverio’s living room.A woman dressed in a black uniform and white gloves stands in the center of the floor.

She goes through our bags before patting down Livy and me, going as far as to check underneath our skirts.

“All clear,” she calls to Fred who waits outside the door.

Back in the club, Benson raises his arms.“Who’s going to do us the honors?”

“That will be me,” Livy says.

She proceeds to pat down Benson and Fred.Satisfied that they don’t hide knives, guns, or cards under their clothes or in their pockets, Livy gives me a solemn nod.

With the business of the search done, we’re escorted to a small oval table in the center of a raised platform.Disco balls throw shards of color over the floor while ambience music plays in the background.

Benson pulls out a chair for me and leaves Livy to stand behind me.Then he unfastens the single button of his jacket, sweeps the edges aside, and sits with a gentlemanly flourish while Fred takes up a station at his back.

“Would you like me to run through the rules?”he asks.

To his credit, he doesn’t say that in a condescending manner.

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