Page 7 of His Ruthless Obsession

"Take the live ones to the warehouse." I release my grip, letting the soldier slump to the floor. "I have some questions about why they're so bold lately."

"And the others?"

"Drop them at Mantione's doorstep. Gift-wrapped." I adjust my cufflinks, stepping over broken glass. "Make sure everyone knows what happens when they fuck with my club."

Jazz hasn't moved, her curls wild around her face as she tracks my movements. I give her a predatory smile, enjoying how I can see her breathing stutter from across the room.

Marco signals to our men to start cleaning up, the guests filtering back into their seats as tables and chairs are fixed like nothing happened. The music never even stuttered.

I roll my shoulders, the familiar rush of violence still singing in my blood. Tonight's entertainment was just beginning.

Now to finish what was interrupted.

I stroll toward Jazz, my blood still humming from the fight. She stands frozen, those dark eyes wide and fixed on me. A curl has escaped her updo, falling against her neck. My fingers itch to brush it back.

"Enjoy the show, little dove?"

Her throat works as she swallows. "That was..."

"Brutal? Excessive?" I step closer, enjoying how she tenses but doesn't retreat. The scent of her perfume cuts through the lingering smell of blood and broken glass. "Or maybe exciting?"

"I was going to say effective." Her voice stays steady despite her rapid pulse. I can see it fluttering at her throat. "Though your cleaning staff might disagree."

I laugh, genuinely amused. Most women would be hysterical after witnessing such violence. But Jazz just watches me with those intelligent eyes, like she's solving a puzzle.

"Are you afraid of me now?" I trail a finger down her arm, feeling goosebumps rise in my wake.

"Should I be?" She arches an eyebrow, but I catch the slight tremor in her hand as she smooths her dress.

"It would be smart. A healthy dose of fear keeps people alive in this world." I lean in, breathing against her ear. "But I saw the way you watched me. You liked it."

She shivers, then straightens her spine. "What I like is making sure this club runs smoothly. Speaking of which..." She gestures to the scattered customers, some still eyeing the bloodstains warily. "I have work to do."

"Always so professional." I catch her wrist as she turns away. "We're not finished here, Jazz."

"For tonight, we are." She gently but firmly extracts herself from my grip, those full lips curving into a slight smile. "Unless you plan on breaking any more of my customers?"

Without waiting for an answer, she strolls toward a group of wide-eyed patrons, her hips swaying with each confident step. "Ladies, gentlemen - next round's on the house. Let me get you set up in our premium section..."

Fuck. This is going to be fun.

4

JAZZ

Islide into the booth at Rosemary's, our favorite brunch spot, where my girls are already waiting. The aroma of fresh coffee and Belgian waffles fills the air.

"There she is." Kendra raises her mimosa. "The woman who survived last night's chaos."

"What chaos?" Mikayla leans forward, her golden-brown eyes wide. "Was it some kind of fight?"

"Girl, where you been?" Skye scrolls through her phone, though we all know that Mikayla's only social media presence exists in the form of cute cat videos. "It's all over social media. Two rival families throwing hands at The Vault's grand opening."

I wave down a server for coffee. "It wasn't that dramatic."

"Not dramatic?" Kendra's perfectly shaped eyebrows shoot up. "The way I heard it, someone got thrown through a window."

"Through the door," I correct, then bite my tongue. "Look, everything's under control now."

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