Page 17 of Lesson on Depravity

“It’s so necessary,” he says with a snort. “Who’s going to look after her when you’re gone? Granny-Dorothy isn’t going to babysit your pet, and you only trust me.”

That ludicrous confidence is infuriating. I take out a cigarette, and his lighter meets the end with fire; the first inhale runs through my lungs, and I puff the smoke out.

“I’m going to kill you,” I state matter-of-factly.

He laughs from his stomach. “I’m shaking, boss. Have mercy on these old bones.”

This annoying bastard, I think silently as I take the cigarette from my lips.

“You left out information,” I quietly bring up, assessing our surroundings with keen eyes. My ears pick up the chatter in the bar, and my eyes fall on a couple who respectfully nod their head to me before they enter the bar.

“You’re going to have to be specific. I find a lot of information.” His lighter sparks and he strikes his own cigarette.

“Coco,” I hiss under my breath. “Where the fuck did this aunt come from?”

“Aunt?” Tito genuinely sound alarmed as he stops his puff mid-breath. “You know I’d never leave that big of a hole open—unless you’re talking about pussy, then it’s bigger than a sinkhole.”

I turn my dead eyes to him, and he immediately returns to the serious matter at hand. I’m starting to feel restless knowing that there’s a damn relative out there, and the mere existence of her is a fight for my Coco’s affection.

Hell no. That’s not going to happen on my watch.

“I swear, boss. There really isn’t anyone left in her bloodline. Shit, that makes me sound old. No more family, no friends—man, that’s sad. She’s young, and she has you as her rapid guard dog to chase away everyone.” Tito’s lips stretch over his teeth.

“Are you even qualified to feel guilt, boss?” he questions, and I know he’s not anticipating an answer as I once again have to remind him what the hell we’re talking about.

“Anyway, no, I’m positive she doesn’t have an aunt,” Tito confirms, and I have no reason to doubt him.

“Well,” he starts, but stops for a smoke. “I was thorough with the father’s side. The mother’s side doesn’t have much to go on, but I’m sure she doesn’t have a sister.”

“Then,” I click my tongue. “Who the hell is this Jessabelle?”

He hums, looking up to the sky. “Is that the aunt?”

“That’s what she said.”

I drop the cigarette and stomp on the bud with my shoes. The growing irritation sits at the bottom of my stomach, and I want to pluck this thorn away as soon as possible. I like to let my enemies run wild with dread until I end their lives, but this Jessabelle character is shadowed in mysteries.

I’ll deal with that woman later. There is the business to attend to, and I need to make sure Coco is where I want her to be.

“I’ll wait by the car, boss.” Tito pushes off the wall and strolls leisurely over to the car parked on the street with a wave from his shoulder.

I step back into the bar. The kitchen is my destination as I pass some of my men who lounge around at the bar with women on their laps. They all look over at me and nod, but I’m not in the mood to drink with them.

My eyes scan the kitchen, searching for a head of messy brown hair and pretty green eyes. She’s easy to locate as she sits on top of a stool, short legs dangling from the height, and her eyes brighten when they land on me.

I motion her to stay seated just when her little ass lifts off the stool. She waits for me to get there, and her hand finds mine quickly.

“Mrs. Curtis said that I don’t have to go back to the shop today. It’s weird,” she says as she crinkles her forehead in skepticism.

“It’s not like her to close shop early, and she did that yesterday too!” she exclaims in shock, green eyes widening with doubt.

Dorothy most likely wants to look into this aunt problem so her shop can avoid trouble if it comes down to it. Also, she just likes to take these random days off just for fun.

“Princess.” I breathe against her lips, and she giggles at the feeling. “I want you to stay away from that woman.”

“Who?” she inquires immediately, but she realizes who I’m talking about. “Oh, her. Yeah, I’ll probably never see her again anyway.”

“Why do you say that?” I probe, bringing her small fingers up to my lips.

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