Page 6 of Throne of Sin

I nod in agreement. “Same as always. You conduct the interview and I’ll watch.”

Sienna looks at her phone. “She’ll be here in half an hour.”

I stand, waving her off as I head into my office.

I have Sienna conduct all the interviews. If a girl can’t give a dance to another woman, she’s too weak to work here. And this way, I’ve also ensured that there’s no man taking advantage of them. I’m not as ruthless as everyone says. Every one of my girls has a better life working for me than they could if they had been allowed to continue on their own paths.

I move my computer mouse around and begin my work. I’m going to have to send Savio after two guys tomorrow who are late paying.

The light on my wall flashes, indicating the audition room is in use. I pour myself a drink and go toward the two-way mirror. The new girl’s back is to me. She’s wearing a short, high waisted black skirt and a crop top. Her hair is long and cascades down her back in soft waves. Her nails are painted black and short.

Sienna keeps talking to her and sits in the chair, ready for her lap dance. The brunette walks over to the tablet and looks like she’s picking a song. She sways her ass with a nice rhythm, gracefully swiveling her hips over Sienna’s lap. I wonder if this girl has had real dancing lessons. Maybe this is her rebellious stage as afuck youto her rich parents.

When she turns, my heart stops. My glass slips through my fingers and my past is looking me dead in the eye. It’s like she knows I’m watching through the mirror. Her eyes stay locked on mine as she dances and gives me a sly, sexy grin.

This is the first and only girl I ever said I love you to, and then she vanished. I was the one who helped her out of every one of her bad decisions, and the only thanks I ever got was a giantfuck youwhen she disappeared without a word. If she had ever loved me, she would have chosen me instead of the road.

My feet move of their own accord and I fling the door open, its handle hitting the wall. Demi stills and Sienna stands, moving Demi out of the way. I’ve never interrupted Sienna before. Her eyes are wide with worry, unsure of what to do.

“I’ll take it from here, Sienna.”

She knows better than to argue with me. She nods and slips out, closing the door after her.

“What the hell are you doing here, Demi?”

Demi mirrors my shocked expression. Staring into her gorgeous emerald eyes, our past slams into me. I wish I could hold on to the good times in this moment, but they seem to have been too few and far between.

“I could ask you the same thing!” Defiance blazes in her eyes. Her right lip curls as she looks down her nose at me, like I’m some skeezy douchebag patronizing a strip club.

“I own this club and everyone in it. You want to become mine? Because last time you had the chance, you ran away.”

“I thought the mafia owned this place?”

“Iamthe mafia, darling.” I can’t keep the condescending tone from my voice.

“From stereo heists to mafia boss, huh? Here I thought we’d be left in that horrible town for the rest of our lives. Look at us, out of that hellhole.”

“I’mout of that hellhole.Youjust managed to find a new one. Just like old times, I see. Now, tell me why the hell you’re here.”

I hardly survived when she walked out on me all those years ago. I’d had a plan, a ring, and I was getting us the hell out of there. Now she’s here and just as beautiful as she’d been back then and I’m not sure I’m man enough to survive her again.

“I need a job.” She huffs, crossing her arms across her chest.

“The diner is hiring. It’s in my territory. You can start tomorrow.” My tongue runs across my teeth.

“I can’t survive on pancake and coffee tips.” Demi steps closer and her hand rests on my forearm.

I grip her arm, turning it roughly in my grip as I inspect her. No track marks to be seen. Her eyes look clear and alert.Sober.

“What’s the drug of choice?” I ask.

“Excuse me?” She takes a step back, insulted.

“If you need money bad enough to work here, my extensive experience tells me that you have a problem. So I’ll ask one more time, what’s the drug of choice? Heroin? Coke? Fentanyl is much cheaper, but it’ll kill ya’ in a couple of years.”

“You know me better than that. I don’t do drugs.”

“Youusedto not do drugs. I don’t know you anymore,” I correct.

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