Page 31 of Throne of Sin

“It’s coming from a computer inyourclub.”

My mouth opens. “Since when do you know anything about finance or computers?”

“Simmer the fuck down. I’m not accusing you of anything.”

“I should have known to be on alert when The Butcher asked to take a drive.”

“I’m acting as your brother. I have no ulterior motives, I promise.”

“Romeo had you come into town because of this, not because Savio wanted you at his wife’s birthday party. I should have seen it,” I scoff.

“Listen,henoticed the skimming andIlooked into it. He doesn’t even know I found a lead. I’m bringing it up to you first but he’s going to have to learn the truth soon.”

I stare out at the cheap-looking neon sign on the top of the building that shines Throne of Sin. I’ve been wonderful to all these girls. Without me, I doubt many would have survived past a few years. They would have been found as Jane Does in ditches. None of them have families or anyone who has the energy or resources to look for them. I’ve stuck my reputation on the line for them. Everyone thinks your life is over once I own you. It’s how I’ve ensured their safety and well-being.

My mind races through what I know of each girl as I try to work out which of them would backstab me.

“No one is blaming you, Dante.”

“It’s the fucking principal of it all.” I curl my fingers in; they’re tight and stiff. Violence has never been my first reaction. “Let’s go in.”

I slam the car door behind me.

“I knew I shouldn’t have told you,” Max says under his breath. When I look behind me, he’s shaking his head like I’m the one acting like an idiot.

I use my foot to kick the long horizontal bar on the door to open it. The bouncer schools his questioning look and stands when he sees that it’s me.

“Hi, Boss.”

I don’t answer and keep walking. Behind me, I hear Max introducing himself like they could be best friends. I don’t need my entire family with their fingers in my business. I can handle this myself.

A few of the girls see me and immediately turn around and pick up their pace with serving drinks. My face must say it all right now. I do a lap around, scrutinizing how everyone has acted around me in the last six months. Not a single one of them has been off.

“Need a drink, Boss Man?” Robin is the one brave enough to approach me. Even Sienna has busied herself cleaning the already-clean counter.

I look at my watch. “Where’s Demi?” Her shift started two minutes ago. My eyes bounce back and forth between Robin and Sienna.

“Her and Tanya traded shifts. She would have been rushed if she started now, because of the move and all,” Robin answers, looking sheepish, like she’s the one in trouble.

I stay silent.Rushed?Everything of hers would have fit into one bag. What the hell did she have to do to settle in? It took me all of five seconds to move her into my room and all I said was, “This is your room now.”

Maybe it was three seconds.

Robin stays at my side, presumably waiting for my response to her question. “I don’t want a drink, Robin.” Her smile brightens when I say her name.

Tanya takes Robin’s spot and I struggle to control my anger. “I’m about to go into room two if you need to blow off some steam.” She smiles, ducking away to get the key from Sienna.

My cheeks puff out as I blow a breath out. I make my way over to where Max is flirting with Sienna and tug at his shirt to make him follow me back to my office. When out of view, he hits my hand a bunch of times until I let go of his shirt. He closes the door and takes a seat in my big leather chair.

“What do you need from me to figure this out?” I grit out, hating that this is a thing now.

“Nothing yet, other than you continuing to welcome me in here and allowing me to talk to your girls.”

I raise a brow. “Justtalking?”

He grins. “I’ll be spending time with each of them at some point. Just keep your panties out of a knot and we’ll be fine.”

My eyes widen and he holds up his hands, laughing. “You are way too serious. You need to relax. When was the last time you took a break?”

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