Page 10 of Ice
Vinny always wondered why Dom never retaliated. He had to know Vinny was the one behind the mysterious accidents that seemed to follow him. But Dom let him walk around like nothing was wrong. He should have known Dom was planning something big—like bringing the Barbati heir home to dismantle him.
Vinny pulled up his files on the three properties he was gunning for: Wolf’s casino in Queens, Smoke and Mirrors hookah and pool lounge in Harlem, and Tres Bellas strip club in Brooklyn. Each of these spots had ties to other legal stores and establishments throughout the five boroughs, but these were the spots that had the most money coming in and where the illegal activities were the highest.
Smoke and Mirrors was a notorious drug spot, and Wolf’s ran guns for MCs out of state. But the real money was in Tres Bellas. Pussy was a hot commodity. So many paid top dollar for the pussy that was smuggled through those doors, himself included.
Tres Bellas was owned by a fictitious guy named Charlie Matthews. The real owner was Louie Bruno. It was why Vinny had been at the meetings with the old man and kissing his ass for the past six months.
Vinny was hoping the old man would sell without any bloodshed or threats. “Stupid old man.” Vinny cursed, throwing the files back on the desk. He had nothing to offer Junior that would appease the kid’s ego enough to sell that part of the business over to him.
Vinny pulled out his cell phone, debating if he should move up his other meetings. The news of the Barbati heir had no doubt reached everyone, thanks to his fuck up this morning. All the media outlets made sure to use Sofia’s face and last name every hour on the fucking hour. If he moved up his meetings, he might come off as spooked, and these assholes might be reluctant to sell to him.
“Fuck me,” Vinny grumbled. Ironclad plans he had set in motion months ago had all gone off without a hitch until he heard this cunt was coming home. Now he was nervous, acting like a rookie, and making sloppy mistakes all because he was scrambling, worried Sofia was going to take what he earned.
He’d been in this game far too long to make the mistakes he was making. He was going to fix this, as soon as he found a way to get Junior to sell. Once Vinny had all his pieces lined up, he was going to force Sofia and Dom in line or he’d find a way to kill them
Sofia and Dom were searched thoroughly before they were allowed to step foot into Gianna’s office. Both of Dom’s guns, along with Sofia’s and her knife sat on the table out of reach. Gianna made the guards stand outside the room watching the door. Only Gianna and a man she assumed was Otto—he’d yet to introduce himself—were in the room with them.
Sofia did a quick sweep of the room, looking for any signs there were cameras in the office before sitting down. She didn’t see anything that stood out to her, but technology had advanced rather quickly, and she knew the earrings that hung in Gianna’s ears could have listening device attached to them.
“Office is clean of bugs,” Gianna stated, as she sat down in the seat across from her and Dom. “You worried about being recorded?”
“Nah, but considering you’re not the owners, why aren’t you worried about being recorded?”
Otto shifted in the corner, crossing his arms over his chest. He seemed out of reach should anything go wrong, but Sofia knew it was an illusion. He was the only one in the room still holding on to a gun.
Gianna sat back in her seat and crossed her legs, ignoring Sofia’s question. “Why are you here, Barbati? Or do you prefer Ice Whore—princess, maybe?” She smirked. “I always forget which one they call you. Apparently no one has been left alive long enough to confirm your title.”
Sofia’s eyes narrowed a little, and she felt Dom shift beside her like he was worried she’d react. “Barbati will do. Unless you want to personally find out what happens when someone calls me the Ice Whore.”
Sofia sat back in her chair, the picture of perfect ease and composure. The name didn’t bother her—it never did, but she rather enjoyed pretending it was offensive. It was easier for her to retaliate against anyone who thought to utter the name. It was an effective way to keep people in line.
Gianna chuckled. “I think I might be in love.” She placed a hand over her heart and looked over at Otto. “Do you think she’s all bite and those rumors are just rumors?”
“How about you come over here and find out, sweetheart?” Sofia flashed Gianna a smile. She had to give the woman credit. She knew Gianna was all talk, so she either had all the faith in the world that Otto was always going to be there to protect her. or, she had a death wish, and that made Sofia curious.
What was she drowning in that made her desperate enough to give up?
Sofia figured she should feel sympathy for her, but she couldn’t find any to even pretend, especially since Gianna kept eyeing Dom like she knew what his cock felt like inside of her. The irrational jealousy that was coursing through her wanted to break Gianna, but that would just waste time she didn’t have—it didn’t stop Sofia from pushing just a little bit.
“Let’s make something perfectly clear. Trying to get a rise out of me because you want to suck Dom’s dick is petty and irrelevant. I’m here to discuss business, not who gets to go home with whom. But if we’re keeping track…” Sofia placed her hand on Dom’s thigh, high enough that she heard him suck in a sharp breath.
“If you’re done being catty, we can discuss why I’m here.” Sofia sat up, never taking her hand off of Dom. “Or you can have a front row seat to see exactly what happens when someone calls me the Ice Whore.”
The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. The tension was thick enough to drown out the bass from the music downstairs. No one moved or said anything, but Dom kept an eye on Otto still lurking in the corner. From what he’d heard, Otto was just as dangerous if not more so than he was.
Dom hadn’t expected Gianna to push Sofia’s buttons like this, and he damn sure wasn’t expecting Sofia to stake her claim on him. While Gianna hadn’t been shy about wanting to fuck him, he didn’t think she would get into a pissing contest over him.
Otto pushed off the wall and walked to stand next to Gianna. “I told you he was here to keep tabs on us, sis. I just assumed it was for Vinny, but considering you two don’t get along, I should have known better.”
His gaze slid over Sofia. “While I hope your reputation precedes you, Ms. Barbati, I’m going to tell you what I told Vinny when he first started sniffing around. We don’t own the club.”
Sofia nodded. “I know you don’t. That’s a minor detail in what I want. I need to know if you two have anything to do with what goes on in this club. Is that run by you, or is that all the owner?”
She watched as Gianna tensed. It was so subtle that if she hadn’t been watching her, she would have missed it. Here was the crack in Gianna’s charade. Whatever was going on here, she was at the core of it.
Otto’s hand came down on his sister’s shoulder, his posture going from bored and nonchalant to almost aggressive. “Think it’s time you both leave.” His tone booked no room for argument, and it made Sofia laugh.
She wasn’t going anywhere, not without her answers. She stood up, and Dom did the same. He was at her back like a protective layer she didn’t need but appreciated nonetheless.
