Page 82 of Coerced Queen

“I didn’t want to worry you about it.”My tone is beseeching, willing him to understand.“You had too much going on.”

“Where from, Anya?”

I stand taller.I did the only thing I could.I did what had to be done.I’m not going to apologize for that or cower.“Benson Bennett.”

His features transform into shock.For a moment, he’s frozen with that mask of horror on his face.Narrowing his gaze, he stands stock still except for his hands that he balls into fists.“What did you say?”

“He’s the only one who was willing to give me a loan.I couldn’t pay the salaries or cover our expenses.After the attack, business was slow.We lost suppliers and clients.The Morellis were putting the fear of God into them.Without enough cashflow to pay the overheads, I didn’t have a choice.I did it to keep up the front.We couldn’t risk losing our men’s faith or raise our enemies’ suspicions.We couldn’t let them think they’d weakened us.So I did what any good manager would’ve done.I saved the club.”

His chest heaves with breaths, yet his statement is level.“You saved the club.”

“I couldn’t pay the loan back, so I made Benson a deal.We gambled.”

He closes his eye and cracks his neck.Five seconds pass before he looks at me and speaks again, articulating every syllable.“Benson Bennett.”

I don’t reply.

His voice is soft but deadly.“Do you have any idea what that man is capable of, what he could’ve—and would’ve—done to you?”

“Yes,” I say, squaring my shoulders.

“Yet you did it, put your life in danger, risked what was mine…” It’s only then that his control finally caves and his volume rises.“…for the club?”

I step right up to him, putting our bodies flush together.“For us.”

“Fuck, Anya.”Stabbing his fingers into his hair, he watches me like a madman.“That you’re here in one piece is a miracle.You should’ve come to me.You should’ve told me.”

I place a hand on his chest.“I dealt with it.”

Blowing air through his nostrils, he asks, “What was on the line if you lost?”

I hesitate before admitting, “After Dark.”

“How did you win?”

“How do you think?”

“You read the cards.”He studies me for a beat.“Reading cards may not be illegal in casinos, but it’s considered cheating in the private rooms where Bennett gambles.Do you know what men like Bennett does to people who cheat?”

Flicking out my tongue to wet my dry lips, I nod.

Saverio doesn’t spare me.He puts words to the gritty facts I already know.“He tortures them—slowly, for days—and then he boils them alive.He would’ve returned your body in a soup can.”

“It’s done.”I drop my hand to my side and motion with my head at the table.“There’s the money that will prevent the men from walking away when we need manpower the most.That’s the means to prevent us from sinking.You should be happy.At least be relieved if you can’t be grateful.But don’t be angry because I did what had to be done.”

“You don’t understand,tesoro,” he says in that even, measured tone from before.

“No.”I clench my teeth.“I don’t.”

He’s done keeping his hands to himself.Risking it despite what he said earlier about not wanting to touch me, he locks his hand around my jaw, fingers spread out over one cheek and his thumb digging into the other.“I’d rather lose this club ten times over than risk losing you.I don’t give a fuck about After Dark or anything else for that matter if the price is you.”

The declaration is delivered with quiet but raw fury, the blow that he strikes not physical but emotional.Because I know how much After Dark means to him.He’s poured his heart and soul into this place.And I mean more to him.

Staring up at him, I say, “I think that may be the sweetest thing you’ve said to me.”

He lets me go as fast as he’s grabbed me, clenching his hands at his sides.“Promise me you’ll never go near that man again.”

I give a small shake of my head.“I can’t.”

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