Page 14 of Captivated

“Alright. Let me know if you change your mind.”

“I will. Thanks, Stef.”

“Sure.”

We hang up, and I take a breath to calm down. If I wanted, I could have a packet of Cassie’s entire life in my hands by the morning, but that’s unfair to her.

I dial the manager of Dark Horse next, needing to fix one problem at a time. “Hello?”

“Sam, it’s Nico.”

“What can I do for you?”

“You can fire Cassandra. She no longer works at Dark Horse. I don’t want you to ever let her in those doors again unless she’s with me. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good. And if she asks why, you can tell her it’s because of me.”

“Yes, Sir,” he repeats.

“When did she start working there?” I ask, needing to know how many men have seen my girl looking as sexy as she did tonight. My blood fucking returns to boiling.

“Tonight was her first night, actually. She came in to audition earlier in the week. She said she hadn’t worked at a club before, so I was skeptical, but then she surprised me.”

“Just tell her she’s fired,” I order.

Sam clears his throat, knowing he crossed the line. “Yes, Mr. Carfano.”

Hanging up, I close my eyes and rub the bridge of my nose. Thank fucking God tonight was her first night. I couldn’t stand the thought of all those assholes watching her and getting to see what I saw. I think I’d go on a murder spree across the city.

I’m selfish that way, I guess. I want what I want, and I don’t want anyone else to have it.

Next, I dial Alec. “Hey, Nico, what do you need?”

“I need you to put a car outside of someone’s house.”

“Why are you calling me for that?”

“Because she’s in Atlantic City, not New York City.”

“She? Who?”

“Cassandra Connelly.”

“Okay, who is she? What’s going on?”

“She’s Lexi’s friend. Something’s going on with her brother and I need a car outside her house to make sure whatever he’sinto or whoever he fucked over doesn’t come for him here. I want her safe.”

“Why didn’t you call Vinny if she’s Lexi’s friend?”

“Because I don’t want him to give me shit about it, and I don’t want him to tell Lexi.”

“Fine. Text me her address and I’ll send someone over.”

“Good. I’ll wait until he comes.”

“Do you need me to look into what her brother’s into?”

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