Page 9 of They All Own Me

He tugs at his collar. "These things take time. Delicate negotiations?—"

"Bullshit." I straighten to my full height, watching him shrink back slightly. "You've been 'negotiating' for three months. Esteban's getting impatient."

"It's… it's complicated?—"

"I don't give a fuck." My voice drops low. "You promised him his money by now. He's got shipments coming in next month he needs the cash for."

Connor's lip twitches. "Tick tock, Senator."

"Listen." Thomas spreads his hands. "I have to be careful. If anyone catches wind?—"

I slam my palm on his desk, making him jump. "Let me be real clear. Either you get the money by the end of the week, orEsteban's gonna serve your ass up on a silver platter. And trust me—" I lean in close enough to smell his overpriced cologne "—that's the best-case scenario."

"I-I'll make some calls tomorrow." He says, trying far too hard to remain stoic.

"Today." I straighten his tie, just a bit too tight. "As in right now."

His hands shake as he reaches for his phone.

I watch his trembling fingers dial numbers on his phone, sweat beading at his hairline. Connor catches my eye and taps his watch – we've been here too long already.

"It's been a pleasure Thomas, but other duty calls. There are other debts to collect, bodies to dispose of. Remember," I say, straightening to my full height. "End of the week."

"Yes, yes, of course." Thomas tugs at his collar. "I'll have everything sorted."

"Sylvia." I nod toward her. "Stay behind, make sure the Senator follows through on those calls."

She slides off the desk, her hand trailing across Thomas's shoulder. "My pleasure."

"Don't fuck this up," I warn Thomas one last time before heading for the door, Connor and Isaac falling in step behind me.

The night air hits my face as we exit the house. Isaac lets out a low whistle. "That guy's about to shit himself."

"Good." I pull my hair loose from its tie. "Fear makes people efficient."

Connor checks his phone. "Sylvia's got thirty minutes to get the intel Esteban wants. You sure leaving her in there alone was the right call?"

"She knows what she's doing." I unlock the SUV. "Besides, did you see how he was looking at her? Guarantee you his guard's already down."

"Sleazy bastard," Isaac mutters, climbing into the passenger seat. "Got a lady at home and still can't keep it in his pants."

"That's the thing with these rich pricks," I mutter, shaking my head. "Got everything handed to them and they don't even appreciate what they've got."

Connor glances up from his phone. "You good, boss?"

"Just thinking how guys like him got it all backward." I turn around in my seat to face him. "Nice house, a wife, and what's he do? Sends her out running errands while he entertains his side piece."

Isaac snorts. "Since when do you care about some politician's marriage?"

"It ain't about that." My jaw tightens. "It's about respect. Having someone to come home to, someone who's got your back – that shit's worth more than all these fancy houses combined."

"Sounds like someone's getting soft," Connor teases, but there's no bite to it.

"Nah." I adjust the rearview mirror, catching my reflection. The scar above my eyebrow stands out in the streetlight. "Just know what matters. Guys like us? We understand the value of loyalty. These trust fund babies think everything's disposable – their word, their marriages, their integrity."

"Deep thoughts for a Thursday night, eh?" Isaac quips, but I catch him nodding in agreement.

The SUV falls silent as my mind wanders to my empty apartment in Brooklyn – all concrete and steel, nothing soft about it. No one waiting up, no one to share the quiet moments between the chaos.

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