Chapter 6
Ican actually see her gearing up to rip my older brother a new one, and he can too, though he seems more amused than anything as he waits for her vicious tongue.
Have I ever heard my older brother laugh before? No, I don’t think I have.
I eye her once more, even more curious now.
“I suggest you change your tone before I decide that your men aren’t here for a gang bang and are actually a threat,” she warns and smiles sweetly, but it’s terrifying. “Now, Mr. Sai, what can I do for you?”
“Talk,” Kane replies, and then he gestures to the chair by the booth. “Sit, please,” he tacks on when she raises an eyebrow.
Neo and I share a shocked look, but he ignores us, and she sits in the chair, eyeing us. Most people would be terrified, but she doesn’t look the least bit intimidated, more irritated than anything.
“Karma, I have learned a lot about you recently,” Kane begins.
“Is that supposed to scare me?” she scoffs and grabs Kane’s drink, downing it before holding up the glass. “Babe, can I get another? It seems our guests don’t want to leave on their own.”
“You don’t seem scared of us,” I remark.
She runs her eyes over me. “Darling, I have scarier men bringing me my mail. You’re just rich boys playing gangsters. Now, last chance, why are you here?”
Kane’s face loses all its amusement, going cold, and his guards react, standing straighter. She simply arches a brow. “I have been polite, but I do not appreciate insults. Your attitude may be acceptable around here, but you will speak to me with respect—”
“Or what?” She lifts her chin. “What will you do, Mr. Sai? Kill me? Many people have tried. Torture me? Been there. What will you do to me?” He grinds his jaw as she smirks.
“Just as I thought. You have money and power, but not here. These are my streets, not yours. I don’t know what you thought would happen when you came here, but you were wrong. ”
“We came to thank you,” I interrupt as they glare at each other, “for helping with the mess on our brother’s birthday. We didn’t come to fight.”
“Then you shouldn’t have brought an army,” she snaps as a drink appears for her. She accepts the tumbler and sips it as she looks at me. “You seem like the smart one here. Is that what you all want? Because you can go now.”
“Our brother and your . . . niece are friends,” Neo hedges. “We should get along.”
“No, we really shouldn’t,” she retorts as she takes a drink and stands. “Have a good night—”
“We are being nice, yet you keep running from us,” Kane comments.
Turning, she leans down until he has no choice but to tilt back. “Bitch, please. I don’t run from anyone. I drive fast.” She smirks.
“Is it bravery or stupidity that makes you so bold?” he retorts.
“Neither. It’s experience and the ability to back it up,” she responds then presses the drink to his lips. “You’re being rude. This is good whiskey.”
Opening his mouth, he swallows as she tips the liquid down his throat, and then she steps back. “It is good,” he says with a grin. “We got off on the wrong foot. We truly did wish to thank you.”
“A card would have sufficed, or flowers, not bringing an all-you-can-eat man buffet.” She runs her gaze over our guards. “Though, that one is cute.” She blows a kiss that way, and Kane’s eyes narrow. I wouldn’t be surprised if the guard was fired before the night was through.
The door opens, and a group of men storms inside, scanning the bar. When their eyes land on our table, it’s clear they are here for us. I nod my head at Kane, but he shakes it as they stomp our way.
“The fuck are you doing here, Sai?” the big bastard at the front barks. “This isn’t your turf.”
“Just having a drink,” I say as I look them over. “You have us at a disadvantage. You know us, but we don’t know you.”
“We ar—”
“Oh, no, we don’t really care,” I say, toasting him with my drink. “Just thought you should know since you seem slow.”
“You fucking—” He slams his fist on the table, but whatever he was going to say is cut off as Karma suddenly stands.
Every eye turns to her, and the big guy actually shrinks back. “You are being rude to my guests,” she says conversationally as she eyes them. “Now, if you want to kill them, you will do it outside of my bar. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Karma. I’m sorry.” He bows his head, eyeing his men. “We didn’t know they were here on your invitation. We apologize.”
“Good, now be good boys and get out of here before my mood darkens because I have to look at your ugly fucking face.” She waves them off, and they hurry away as swiftly as they arrived.
“I’m both turned on and afraid,” I comment with a grin.
“Just the way I like it.” She winks.
We lapse into silence as the men leave the bar and she sits down, eyeing us. “You said your thanks.”
“I still have a drink,” Kane replies.
She rolls her eyes but doesn’t protest. Maybe she’s warming up to us?
It couldn’t hurt to have someone like her on our side.
Whatever she’s into, it’s obvious she holds power around here and has a reputation.
Others show her respect and fear. I wonder what a woman like her has done to deserve it, because there is one thing I know for sure—you do not earn it easily.
My phone rings, and I check the ID and sigh. Staring at Kane, I answer it. “Tell me you haven’t been arrested.”
I listen carefully, and when I hang up, I shoot Karma a look before focusing on Kane. “I need to go. The men we sent to speak to the chief have been detained.”
His eyes tighten in annoyance. We knew it was a risk, but we had no choice. It was a smart business decision. Kane relaxes, and I arch a brow as an evil grin curves his lips, one that means I’m going to be doing a whole lot of paperwork. “Use it.”
“What do you—” Realization dawns on me. “You want me to frame the police chief for illegally detaining our men?”
“Or threaten him with it. Get what we need.” Kane shrugs.
Chuckling, I stand. “Got it, brother.”
“Neo, go with him,” Kane orders.
“What about you?” I ask.
“If these twenty men can’t keep me alive, then I deserve to die,” he scoffs.
I look around then back at Karma, who just watches us, smiling innocently. “I won’t kill your brother, unless he annoys me, then all bets are off.”
“Why don’t I feel comforted by that?” I mutter.
Shooting Kane a look, I narrow my eyes. “Don’t annoy her.
I don’t want to have to take over your role.
It seems like way too much work.” I step past her, and with Neo on my heels, we stalk to the door, ready to leverage with the police to get what we want.
We leave our brother to play with the woman everyone else is afraid of.
Let’s just hope he can keep his mouth shut for once.