Page 8 of Queen's Move

His lips were so close to hers that she could feel each breath he took skitter across her face, her lips, her chin, her cheek. It was… exciting. Who was this fuck who could invade her space so easily, could bridge her ice, make her weak? When her husband became violent, she’d learned to turn that facet of herself off, the part that yearned for a man’s touch. It was too dangerous to want a man because then it meant she had to give up a part of herself. The part that was too easily betrayed. Her trust. No, better she remain the ice queen.

But without a single touch, this man was obliterating her beliefs.

He didn’t smile, but the slight creases around his eyes deepened in amusement. He said, “You belong to me, Vee, whether you admit it, whether you like it.” He waited a beat, giving her time to respond. She wouldn’t give him the pleasure. She was a mature, experienced woman, not some easily baited youth. He continued, “It’s time to relinquish this city into my keeping. Time to accept defeat and move onto the next chapter.”

Her breath caught. Neither of them moved. Like a scene frozen, they stood together. He at her back, her face tilted up in defiance to meet his. She wished that she’d kept her heeled boots on, wished she was taller. She needed the advantage of height in this moment. Felt the need to prove her worth in a man’s world, in Sotza’s world, and keep her carefully cultivated image. Cool, put-together, always in control.

“And whatexactlyis the next chapter?” Ice dripped from each word.

He didn’t hesitate. “You will become my wife.”

She let out a short bitter laugh. Took a step forward, away from him. Couldn’t have him in her space while they talked. It was too disconcerting, fucked with her head. Made her want things she knew she couldn’t have. They were enemies. Period. Nothing more. The ‘next chapter’ could only end one way. Defeat. Her death or his. Most likely hers. But she’d learned positivity in rehab, so she wasn’t willing to write herself off yet.

Denial leapt to her lips, but she swallowed it. Why be so predictable? He knew her feelings regarding their upcoming nuptials. “Why do you want to marry me, Sotza?” She used his name for the first time. She took another step away and turned to face him. His eyes held no expression, gave nothing away.

Finally, he responded. “Why not, Vee?” His voice was warm but calculating. “We’re both mafia royalty. You know the role and I can take and rule anything I want. Together we can rule several countries, scores of people, control trade in your country and mine.”

She should have considered his words. Calmly considered each point as he made it. But in that moment she hated him, truly hated him. Like her late husband, Tony, Sotza didn’t want her for herself. Didn’t even want her body. Just wanted an alliance. Well, fuck him! Righteous fury ripped through her. “You can go to hell,” she said, eyes narrowed, voice seething.

His face grew stony and his eyes narrowed in return. “You don’t want to take this path with me, Vee,” he said, calm despite the violence infusing his very essence, outlined in every nuance of his body. He seemed to be restraining himself from grabbing her, shaking her, making her see reason. Good, she wanted him on edge, so he understood how she felt every time they clashed.

Then he hit her where it hurt. “Our union is inevitable. Any resistance on your part will be in vain. It will cost more lives.”

He’d figured out at the dockyard that she was unwilling to sacrifice her people in this war. Still, in that moment, she didn’t care. “Get out.” Her voice held icy command, leaving no room for denial.

He nodded, acquiescing. Perhaps he knew she was reaching a breaking point. Thought she might do something stupid if he kept pushing. He moved toward the front door of her condo, his tread silent, his movements imperceptible unless someone was looking right at him.

God, he was good.

He turned, before leaving, his voice quiet but sinister. “Put the ring back on.”

Then he was gone. Once he was out, his overbearing presence gone from her space, she felt like she could breathe. Her knees went weak and she collapsed, crouching in the middle of her living room. She dropped her head into her hands and clutched her hair. She felt helpless. She felt aroused. But most of all she felt angry.

Rage ignited within her, racing through her veins, lighting her up with purpose. Sotza was just another man, trying to push her around, trying to dominate her. She took several deep, calming breaths, dropped her arms and stood, mind racing. An entire year of work completely undermined and dismantled in a matter of weeks. Her precious reputation was in tatters now, thanks to the shadowy, predatory Venezuelan. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on the man and carve him into little pieces. First, she had to take back her territory, then she would show him what ‘Butcher’ really meant, mafia style.

Chapter Seven

“Ineed you to get me a meeting with Juan Domingo.”

Danny started shaking his head before the name even left Vee’s mouth. “Too dangerous. He’s had guys all over you since you took over from Tony. That asshole piece of shit cartel just can’t handle a woman in charge.”

Vee smirked at his heated remark, despite the gravity of the situation. Danny was not just her protection, he was a friend. He’d been her personal bodyguard when she was still married. He’d seen the bruises, the screaming matches, the constant belittling she’d experienced at Tony’s hands. He was the first person she turned to after murdering her husband, had comforted her as emotion had driven her to her knees, tears streaming down her face. Not sadness at the passing of her husband, not fear at possible reprisals. No, she’d been elated. Relieved, unbelievably happy and overwhelmed at the thought of having her freedom. Danny had nodded his approval at seeing Tony’s body, gathered her in his arms and held her until there were no more tears, as he’d done in the past when Tony had hurt her. Danny stood firmly by her side ever since.

She’d known he wouldn’t like her next plan, but kept her voice firm. “I don’t have a choice. I need to talk to him, convince him to accept my leadership. Before Sotza gets to him.”

“You think Sotza hasn’t already talked to Domingo, brought him onside of the Venezuelans?” Danny sat on the edge of Vee’s desk and gave her a stern look. He stayed calm, assured and steadfast. He was the perfect second. He didn’t do drama and he didn’t do reckless, both of which Vee brought to the table in spades these days.

Vee shook her head. “Word on the street has it Domingo’s been deep in his Mexican mountain fortress, probably hiding from Reyes. That stupid fuck knows I’m Reyes’ contact here in the States. Bet he dove for cover directly after that last aborted strike, thinking the Bolivian might have my back.”

“Yeah, Reyes has your back alright. Handed you over to Sotza on a platter. So what makes you think Domingo’ll come up for a meeting?” Danny asked skeptically. “Especially if he knows Sotza’s in town. My opinion, most of these guys are more afraid of The Butcher than even your boss, Reyes.”

“We’ll tell him Reyes is going to shut the borders to him and go to war if he doesn’t get his ass up here for a meeting. And I don’t want an underling. We’re going to have a civilized conversation, boss to boss.”

Danny snorted. She didn’t blame him for thinking her plan wasn’t going to work. It was reckless at best, suicidal at worst. Each time she was supposed to meet with the Mexicans, take a shipment, they attacked her, tried to undermine her regime. Damn near killed her on that last confrontation. But she didn’t have a choice. Sotza was backing her into a corner. Alienating her contacts, brutally taking over Miami. If she didn’t get the Mexicans on her side then she’d soon have nothing left.

Maybe something in her face finally convinced Danny. He nodded and straightened away from the desk. “I’ll see to it.”

Danny moved away from her, leaving Vee to contemplate how she wanted to play her upcoming confrontation with Juan Domingo. A man that had plagued her time as Miami’s queen. A man that was known to kill family members for fun.

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