Chapter 18
Eighteen
Andrei
One week later
“WHERE THE FUCK IS HE?” I pound my fist on the dining room table, my patience running thin.
Vivian and Marco both jump at my outburst, each on either side of me.
Vivian is wearing the tight red dress I purchased for her after a night of pleasing the newest members of my crew.
She has bruises on her arms, but her face is flawless.
I stopped fucking the bitch awhile ago despite how much she begs to please me.
She thinks fucking my men will make me jealous? Fuck that cunt.
My current problem is that Derek has been missing for too long. He was supposed to bring me the woman last week. I was surprised that the woman he’s been pining over was my missing purchase from Anthony Romani, and somehow she’s escaped my grasp—again. But soon she’ll be mine, that I have no doubt.
My men called me when they found where she lived and the last known location of Derek, but they never returned. Some fucker is taking my men out and I’m dying to get my hands on whoever it is.
Vivian reaches over and places her hand on my arm. “My love, calm—”
Whack.
“Keep your shlyukha mouth shut. I don’t want to hear your pitiful sentiments right now.” (Whore.)
Vivian holds her cheek, eyes cast downward, and stays quiet.
“Chert voz’mi. This cunt is proving to be more problematic than I would like. When she gets here, Vivian, you’re going to teach her exactly what it takes to be my mistress.” (Fucking hell.)
“Yes, Sir.”
“Marco, what’s the latest update?” I ask, cutting my steak. I focus on my food while I wait for Marco to give me a report. When he doesn’t say anything, I rest my hands on the table and peer over at him.
“What is it, Marco? Out with it.”
“S-sir, we traced Derek’s steps back to Club LAX. The men that were with him that night said the woman was there with a few other people.”
“Well, who are they and how do they know her? This better be relevant information, Marco.”
“Our contacts with the police department were able to pull their security footage from a fight that occurred last week. They may have took liberties and pulled further back from the night Derek was there.”
“OK, I’m listening. Continue,” I say as I eat my steak.
“We ran the footage through our facial recognition software and found some things that may be of interest to you.”
“Chert voz’mi, Marco,” I all but growl, my face heating in aggravation. “Out with it already. I don’t need you to build up the fucking story to keep me on the edge of my seat. Just fucking say what you need to say, god dammit.”
“Y-yes, Sir. There was a confrontation outside the club involving Derek, the girl, and her friends. But what’s really interesting is the company she keeps.”
Marco pauses, and I cut him with a sharp look. He startles and grabs something from his pocket before passing it to me. I study the photograph. The security footage image is slightly grainy, but the faces are clear as day.
“The two men in this photo from the recording are Jaxon and Kayden Stonewell. You may be familiar with their names, as the Stonewells are some of the richest men in the state. Jaxon is a finance mogul and a prevalent name in the industry. The other woman is Melody Stonewell, Jaxon’s wife.”
“Yes… their names do sound oddly familiar. Why is this important?”
“Well, Sir, I think it’s interesting that she surrounds herself with very rich, powerful men.
Kayden has a strong military background and numerous redacted government reports from his tours and missions.
I think we’ve already figured out that whoever is helping this woman has connections.
Especially given that we’ve figured out she’s living under a new identity.
Someone is protecting her—someone with money. ”
I sit back in my chair and rub my chin, contemplating this news.
“I want eyes on them. I want to know everything. If they’re hiding her, I want to know where. No one moves without my say-so, is that understood?”
“Yes, Sir. I have the men on it now. We’ll find her.”
“Good, see that you do, Marco. I do not want another disappointment in my ranks.”
“May I ask why this woman is so important?” Vivian asks, her face green with envy.
I settle back in my chair and take a really good look at her. Vivian lowers her gaze immediately. She knows she crossed a line.
“You forget your place, Vivian. You do not get to question me.”
“I’m sorry, Sir. I was only curious why she matters so much,” she replies, her gaze downcast as she fidgets with her utensils.
“Not only did Derek cost me well over a hundred grand, but this cunt cost me nearly a half-million dollars. The money isn’t such a horrible thing, pennies really, but I don’t take well to losing, Vivian. You should be thankful, though.”
“Oh, I am, Sir. Always, truly,” she whispers, daring a glance up at me.
“You misunderstand me. You wouldn’t have your current position if I had gotten her when I purchased her, you know.”
Vivian looks at me blankly.
“You’re a stand-in, you dense pizda.” (Cunt.)
Vivian looks devastated and scared all at the same time. I would be too if I was just told I’m dispensable.
“Vivian, put your hand on the table.”
“But, Sir—”
“Now, Vivian. I won’t tell you again.”
Her hand shakes and she whimpers as she places it on the table. She knows she won’t escape punishment for questioning me. What did she think it would cost her? A blowjob?
My knife comes down, piercing through skin, tendons, and bone before getting stuck in the table below, and her answering scream is music to my ears.
I grab my napkin and wipe my face. For some reason, I’m no longer hungry.
“See to it that you clean this mess up, Vivian. I expect this table to be clean by tomorrow morning.”
“But, Sir, my hand,” she says as her blood spills on the tablecloth, fat tears rolling down her face. Her right hand grips her wrist, her body shaking as the pain settles over her.
I toss my napkin on the table and beckon Marco to leave with me. He hesitates a mere second but quickly looks the other way the moment I cut him with a glare.
Stopping in the doorway, I turn my head slightly over my shoulder to address her.
“Guess you’ll have to figure it out, won’t you?”