Page 41 of Throne of Sin

The adrenaline pours through me. I feel fantastic and wish I could do it again.

Max pats my shoulder before stepping forward. “I’ll tap myself in and deal with the body. If you ever want to come hunting with me, let me know.” I know he’s not talking about animals in a forest. His specialty is tracking people and taking them out. He goes to his black duffle bags and arranges an assortment of knives and saws.

I slip the brass knuckles off and place them in my pocket.

“Let’s go have a beer. I think we could both use one,” Savio offers, already making his way toward the exit. I hear a chain saw turn on from behind and don’t bother looking back.

A beer sounds perfect right now.

Chapter 21

Demi

“Demi,BossManwantsto talk to you about some discrepancies with your cash out,” Sienna calls for all the girls to hear. I have no idea what she’s talking about. I’ve never stolen a day in my life. The other girls give me strange looks while shaking their heads and I blow out a breath, suddenly hot and nervous. My only defense is that someone is setting me up. My first guess would be Tanya. She hates being the only one having to share a room. Me being gone would give her the space back that she so desperately craves. I still can’t get a good read on her. She’s hot and cold, no matter how hard I try.

I cast a glance over my shoulder at her. “Good luck!” Sienna calls, and I can’t tell if she’s being sarcastic or not.

My hand knocks on the closed door and Dante answers, “Come in, Miss Gallo.”

Miss. Gallo, that’s different.

“You wanted to see me?”

“Close the door.” His tone is stern as he sits behind his desk, cocking a brow when I don’t move fast enough.

Wanting to get this over with so I can go back to work, I close the door. “Good girl,” he praises. “Do you want a drink?” He stands, looking handsome as ever in his tailored suit.

I shake my head no. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but it’s not what you think.” I begin to defend myself.

“I didn’t ask you to speak yet,” he interrupts, his dark irises narrowing on me.

My fingers fidget with the hem of my shorts as I stand awkwardly by the closed door.

He pours two drinks and walks to the edge of his desk, placing the glasses down before he slips off his suit jacket, laying it over the back of the leather chair. He undoes his cufflinks, rolling up the sleeves of the white dress shirt underneath, showcasing his sculpted forearms.

He takes a sip of the liquid, closing his eyes, savoring the taste. When his eyes open back up, he picks up the other glass and hands it to me. “Drink,” he commands.

I do as I’m told.

“Good girl.”

I make a scrunched-up face as the liquid burns the whole way down my throat. His small comments shouldn’t have me perking up, sitting straighter, wanting to make him proud, but they do. The air in the room changes and I’m no longer nervous. Maybe he’s onto something with this drink.

“I swear, I haven’t stolen any money.”

He sits on the edge of his desk. “I know.”

My head snaps back. “What do you mean, you know? I thought…Sienna said.”

He raises his hand up for me to stop talking. “I just wanted to see you and didn’t want the girls to give you a hard time over it.”

“Oh.” I never considered that. I look from my fingers to him. It’s not lost on me he’s the one with all the power as he leans above me. He’ll never see me as an equal.

“I rented out a space for you to meet with your clients.”

“What clients?” I ask, confused and unsure what he’s trying to say.

“The pregnant women. It’s too hard to do what you need on the streets, and it’s not safe. Word has already been directed in that area. They should have no problem finding you.”

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