Chapter 29
LEONORE
Well, his writing certainly hasn’t improved, but to his credit, it’s hard to carve into skin. But the message is clear. I stand between two bodies on the tables beside me. Michalis and Giorgos Nero. On both of their chests is carved the word “eye.”
An eye for an eye.
Four bodies brought in. Well, hopefully this is enough to fill Silas’s vengeance and also confirms my suspicions.
“There is a lady out front asking for you,” Tori says as she walks into the room, just having started her shift. I’m quick to cover as much of Giorgos’s chest as I can, but she catches his face.
She freezes in place, and I begin removing my gloves, only having just put them on.
“A customer?” I gently push, trying to bring her back to the now. She steps forward in shock, her voice distant.
“I don’t think so…”
“An officer?” I ask as I remove my robe.
“No, she is dressed like…” She still sounds so distant as she comes to a stop in front of his body, and tears well in her eyes. “Well, dressed like money,” she says quietly to herself.
“Did she give you a name?” I ask, coming to stop beside her.
“She said it was Gia,” Tori says quietly, and the silence hangs heavy in the air. She doesn’t even look at the other body. Just Giorgios’s. She might’ve been a fool in love, but it’s never comfortable to see the body of someone you were talking to so casually only days before.
“Take your time,” I say more gently than I’d usually offer most. Again, I wonder if it’s because she reminds me slightly of my sister.
It only saddens me in the same way. Tori is learning a difficult lesson about what it is like to be part of this world, and she only dabbled on its edges.
The only good thing about this is that it should be enough now to keep her away.
I quickly wash my hands and walk out to the reception area, where I find a woman with stark shoulder-length black hair.
She is dressed in heels so high that I think I would break my ankle in them if I had to wear them.
She turns, and I notice the designer bag on her shoulder.
Her sunglasses, which also feature the same logo, sit on her head.
At first, she doesn’t smile. She sees me and seems to assess me, as if she is working me out.
She reminds me of someone, I just can’t yet place who.
“Hello,” I finally say.
“You work here?” she says, stepping forward.
“Evidently,” I answer her. She looks around, then glances back at me. I don’t like visitors, even when they’re paying. I especially feel like my time is being wasted when they’re not. “Was there a reason you needed to see me?” I finally ask.
“Yes, I wanted to talk to you about Silas.”
Instantly, I freeze at the sound of his name leaving her lips. She notices and smirks as she steps closer, placing her purse on the counter between us, and keeps her eyes on me. “Don’t worry, I am not some crazy ex, but I do want to know what your intentions are with him?”
“For him to leave me alone,” I put simply. “Now, if that is all, I have work to do.” I go to leave, but she keeps talking.
“Most women would not ask him to leave them alone. Actually, it’s quite the opposite.”
“I’m happy for them,” I tell her, looking back at her. “If you want him, and are here to suss out the competition, don’t bother.”
“Oh, I don’t want him…” She laughs, and I turn around. “He’s my brother.”
Now that I am looking at her, I can see the resemblance. They both have those fierce eyes, almost like they are reading you when they look at you.
“And you what, came here to see if I was good enough for your brother?”
“Something like that.”
“I see…”
“You see?” she asks. “You are very stunning to look at.” She waves a hand at me. “No makeup and dressed in all black. Has an attitude.” I raise a brow at her. “Not his usual type.”
“As in submissive?” I’m quick to say, and that smile of hers widens, almost as if approvingly. But I’m not here to get to know the family, especially since I’ve made up my mind to step further away. Now that this business with the Nero family is dealt with, Silas has little to hold over me.
I’m not sure if she is here to make fun of the way I look or just be a bitch. Either way, I don’t have time for this.
“Tell your brother, just because I told him he can never come in again, doesn’t mean he can send his family.”
“Oh, he doesn’t know I’m here, and did he actually listen to that request?” she asks.
“So far…” I tell her.
“Interesting, the only person he listens to is my daughter.” She smiles. “It was nice to meet you…” She steps forward and offers me her hand. “I’m Gia.” I look at her hand and back at her face.
“My hand was just in a body pulling out someone’s kidney,” I lie. Not yet, anyway. Instantly, she pulls it back. “I would say it was nice to meet you, but I do not understand why you’re here…” I tell her.
“I’m protective of my brother,” she says.
“I don’t plan to kill him, unless he continues to piss me off.” I smile at her.
“I’m not sure if you’re joking or not,” she murmurs.
I don’t answer her and let her come to her own conclusion. “Okay, well, bye.” She picks up her purse and carries it out the door. I don’t stop watching her until she slides into her convertible.
So that’s Silas’s sister, huh?
Tori walks into the reception. She’s shades paler and looks like she’s been crying, but she goes to the cash drawer to start work.
“You should go home, Tori.” Her eyes find mine, and she shakes her head.
“I’m fine, fine…” I’m not even sure if she knows she just repeated that. I don’t ask any questions or pry. Everyone’s grieving is different.
“If anyone else comes looking for me, tell them I’m dead,” I tell her and walk back into the room and blast my music as loud as possible.
“How did your meeting go with your friend?” Silas asks, making me almost jump out of my skin when I close the front door.
My heart is still pounding, not used to his ability to suddenly appear whenever he pleases.
He also knows that I met with Nessa, which means he’s most likely keeping tabs on me. Great.
“Do you just come here and park out front near my car in hopes I leave work?” I ask. He did the same thing the other night even though I clearly told him to leave and that I wouldn’t call. He pushes off his car and steps toward me.
“No, maybe I should…” He pauses. “Would that be considered romantic?” he asks.
I frown. I don’t think this man even understands the concept of romance. “No, it would be considered stalking.”
He shrugs.
“So romantic, then,” he repeats deadpan.
I hide my face as I try to fight the smile. Smart-ass. “Why are you here? Again…”
“To sweep you off your feet, of course. I thought with the extra workload, you might want to let loose a little.”
I turn then, after checking the locks. “And I wonder who gave me that extra workload,” I say. Not ungrateful for the extra cash. “Let’s go with no. I’m tired and don’t want to talk to anyone.”
“We don’t have to talk; you can use me as you see fit,” he smirks when he says it, and I know he’s telling me the truth.
It does sound appealing, and I try to shove away the temptation he always presents.
“Did you like my handiwork?” he asks as if the carvings were just for my approval.
So I ignore him. Business is business. I’m not going to pat his head every time he’s a good psycho.
“Your sister was just here a few hours ago,” I tell him. “I didn’t take you for the gossiping kind.”
His brows pinch together as he steps in stride with me toward the cars, pocketing his hands.
“I didn’t…” he says. “She came by herself?”
“Yes, if I don’t want you in my workplace, why would I want your family?”
“Have you been to Sellers?” he asks, changing the subject just as quickly as I had done the same to him.
“Sellers, as in the nightclub?” I ask him, reaching inside my purse as I get my keys and unlock the door before I throw my purse in.
“Yes, the very one.”
“No, I haven’t been to a club since I was…” Gosh, when was the last time I went to one? “Ages.”
“You should come, now,” he says expectantly.
I look at him deadpan. “Did you not hear what I just said before?”
“I did, and I took it into consideration. But I also know you relax over loud music, and well, I have to do a few work things. Let me take you, you can drink what you want, water…” He smirks. “Or I’m sure my bartender can replicate those fruity cocktails, and you can relax.”
“A club does not equal relaxing,” I tell him.
“I think for you, it will.” He steps closer to me and invades my space. Instantly, his smell takes over. It’s like my kryptonite; I love the way he smells. Even when I know I should push him away, I lean in. “Give me your keys. I’ll get one of my men to drive your car home, and you come with me.”
I go to tell him no, but when he lifts his hand and touches the side of my face, dragging his fingers down over it, I lean into him further, as if I’ve been waiting all week for it.
I don’t understand this magnetic attraction.
I don’t often crumble once I’ve made my decision.
But everything about Silas is reckless, and it’s as if my body has begun to crave the same, especially since he’s one of few who have seen my inner psycho and hasn’t pushed me away because of it.
“I’m dressed in black scrubs,” I say tightlipped, trying my hardest not to give away how he affects me, though with that fucking smile on his lips, I suspect he already knows.
“You’ll be the best dressed there,” he says.
Then he leans down and touches my lips with his.
It’s soft, just lingering, before he pulls back and pulls me toward his car.
Opening the door, I get in without a word.
He takes the driver’s side and starts the car, not speaking as he drives.
“I’ll talk to her.” I turn to face him. “My sister, I’ll talk to her and tell her not to come to your work. ”
I nod but don’t bother saying anything back to him.
It’s not long before we pull up to the club.
The bouncers walk over and open my door.
I can see the way they look at me, possibly wondering what the fuck I’m wearing and why I’m with him.
You and me both. The line for the club is long, but Silas doesn’t care, immediately gripping my hand as he walks me past the long line of women and men staring.
I have never felt so out of place, yet at the same time, I don’t care.
“Boss,” the bouncer says, as he holds the door open for him. I look up to him as he pulls me in and keeps me close.
“Is this your club?”
“Yes,” he answers as people start nodding their heads at him.
Of course it is. He walks me straight to the bar, and instantly a bartender is standing in front of us.
Though the Hayes crew operates most of the bars and clubs, since they’re known for running drugs through the city, other crews have clubs just like this to hold as a front.
“What do you want to drink?” he asks over the music.
I glance over my shoulder to see a throng of people dancing and drinking on the dance floor, in beat with the pounding music.
“Water…” I start to say, then pause and look back at the bartender.
Fuck it; the music does sound good. “Give me your best cocktail.” Silas nods and turns to look at me, leaning down so we are face-to-face.
I try my hardest not to breathe him in. I’m so out of my comfort zone here.
To be honest, I prefer sitting at the strip club.
“Drink, and wait here. I will be back.” The bartender hands Silas a silver glass.
I can’t see what’s inside, but Silas nods to him as he accepts it, then hands it to me.
“If she wants another, make it.” The bartender nods before he looks back at me.
I take a sip of the drink, and instantly I can taste how strong it is.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I wince. “Good?” he asks.
“No,” I say. “But I will drink it.”
Leaning forward, Silas bends down so his mouth is near my ear. “Don’t drink too many. I want you to remember how much I can make you beg for it.”
“Don’t you mean how much I can make you beg?” I throw back at him.
“That too.” He winks, then pulls away and disappears into the crowd.
It’s quite attractive watching him walk as everyone moves when he gets close.
Some probably don’t even know who he is, but the aura he emits is impossible to deny.
He’s magnetizing, no doubt about that. Trying to finish the drink, I stay near the bar and also try not to vomit in my mouth after every sip. It’s definitely vodka.
Revolting.
“Another?” the bartender asks.
“Sure,” I say. Kill me now. But it does begin to loosen the muscles in my neck, and my hips begin to sway to the music.
“Ohhh, Doc, what a pleasure it is to see you, though I would have expected you to at least change clothes first,” Cian says as I finish the last of the drink, rolling my shoulders at the sight of him.
When I place it on the counter, the bartender slides me another.
I take it and hope it tastes better than the last.
It doesn’t.
“You working tonight?” he asks when I ignore him.
“No.” His eyes flick over my scrubs.
“You sure?” he says with a laugh. I hold up the drink, and he nods. “Fair enough, sometimes you have to let loose, right?” He leans in a little too close and I try to step away, but my back hits the bar. “You know whose club this is, right?” he whispers.
“I do,” I say to him.
“You know who he is?”
“I do…” I wasn’t born yesterday. I know all these things, yet, I dove into the deep end headfirst, and now I can’t seem to swim out.