Page 29 of Don't Lie To Me

“None of your business,” I snap, collapsing down into one of the soft velvet armchairs feeling lightheaded again. Onyx is right there handing me a bottle of water from the bar fridge. I crack open the top and have a sip, still not feeling any better.

Romeo moves to sit opposite me. “I’m here to help you, Sloane, take some weight off your shoulders. I know how hard you have to work to keep this place running.”

My eyes narrow in on him, remembering what my brother said about him spending months researching everything there is to know about all of us. “Because you have been watching me.”

His eyes meet mine, and I know it’s true. The fucker has been spying on me somehow. “Because no one could run a place this massive alone.”

“Bullshit.”

“Enough of the tantrum, Sloane, we have work to do.” His tone is harsher now, I have just pushed him too far. He can’t even admit to me what he’s been up to. At least now he knows I’m on to him. He gets out his phone and types something into it, then slides it back into his pocket. “I have just sent you my plans for the next six months. Please read them over and get back to me with your thoughts. You have created an incredible blueprint with this club, one I think we can replicate and make a lot of money in the process.” His eyes meet mine again, this time though, the warmth is gone, replaced with fierce determination. “Your support is appreciated and will make the process easier for us both, but I'm doing this regardless of your decision to comply, so the only one missing out will be you.” He stands, still looking me over, I think waiting for me to reply. But I have nothing left to say to him. He nods and turns to leave. “One more thing. I’ll need one of these all-access security cards by end of day.” He opens my door then closes it behind him.

I grab the first thing I can find, a vase of white roses sitting on my coffee table. I hurl it across the room in the direction of the door he just walked out of. It shatters into tiny pieces, just like my fucking dreams, water and white rose petals littering my rug. My body is more tense than I have ever felt it. I feel like I’m going to snap. I stand and march to my computer, flicking it on and pulling up my emails. Sure enough, there sits an email from the devil himself, Romeo Moretti. The title:The Raven’s Nest Partnership and Proposal.

My skin goes all clammy. I glance back to Onyx who is reading over my shoulder. “I can’t do this with him. I’ll kill him.”

“There has to be something we can do to stop him. Has Malachi come up with anything on his family yet?”

“Onyx, I think we’re fucked.” I look back at the screen, trying to read over the details.

“There will be an uproar, people won’t stand for an outsider coming in and changing things.”

“They will leave, but where do they go? It’s not safe out there on the streets for them.”

Effective immediately, all aspects of The Raven’s Nest—operations, management, and finances—will report directly to Romeo Moretti. While I appreciate the meticulous detail and hard work poured into building this establishment in the past seven years, I envision a future far exceeding its capabilities under the current management.

Through my direction, The Raven’s Nest will become a high-profit, diverse business, with multiple revenue streams, a strong brand presence, and a loyal customer base, resulting in exceptional financial growth. The changes outlined below are essential for achieving this vision. Your cooperation is anticipated and non-negotiable.

Fucking bossy assholeis all I can think. “Your cooperation is anticipated and non-negotiable.” I read it out loud, shaking my head as I do.

I’ll expect your confirmation of receipt and a commitment to this plan by five p.m. today.

All breath is sucked from my lungs, and the computer screen in front of me blurs. There is a list of points, but I only make some of them out, it’s all too much for me to take in.

My role will shift to more operational control when needed,is a line that stands out to me. Operational control? What the fuck.

I also see points about him taking all the earning control back from the working girls and the strippers. So, he will control all profits. But he can’t do that. It won’t work for anyone except him.

There is also another point about additional revenue streams. This includes private VIP lounges, targeted memberships, and event packages, some of which we already do. There is an asterisk next to that one, with a point that readstalk to Sloane about her idea for finding true love VIP event.

What the fuck? Is he talking about the shit I just spun in the VIP room to Detective Wilder? I was talking out my ass, that wasn’t an idea.

In a matter of months, he’s going to destroy the safe environment I have worked so hard to create for my girls. The images of the beautiful women I have lost stare back at me from my wall, telling me I can’t let this happen. Their horrific sacrifices can’t be for nothing, I won’t let them be.

Onyx’s strong arms tug me up and out of my chair and into his embrace. He holds me so close that for a split second I feel safe. “He doesn’t know how this place works, Sloane. You have to show him. Tell him what happened to you and your mom. I saw what he was like with you when the two of you were alone, he cares about you. This contract is bullshit, him trying to take control because you’re pushing him away. He’s just trying to get your attention.”

“The other night was all a lie, Onyx. To trick me.”

His eyes meet mine. “Why would he bother? He already had the ability to take what he wanted. That night was about you. Jagger is right, he wants more than just your business. You need to talk to him properly, tell him what this place really is. I think he might listen to you if you give him a chance.”

I pull back from him just a little so I can see his face. He knows me better than anyone else, probably better than I know myself. I shake my head. “He got enough of me already. I’m not… I can’t.”

“It’s probably the only way to save what you have created. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for the girls.” His dark eyes meet mine, and I know he’s right.

“I have until five,” I say with a little more determination, my mind starting to race with the possibilities of what that could mean. I’m not going to roll over and let him take over my life, or let him in on why this place is so important to me, not yet, when there is still time.

As I run out the back door heading for my Porche, I dial Sally’s number.

She picks up on the first ring. “What the fuck is going on, Sloane?” Her voice is hushed.

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