Chapter 29 #2
His eyes opened wide and he attempted a few additional brutal punches that I avoided. I even did the gentlemanly thing and eased him to the floor.
“If you’re wondering what’s about to happen, I’m happy to tell you.
Your muscles will soon be paralyzed. First your arms and legs.
Eventually your heart will slow as the drug makes its way through your system.
Your heart will finally fail, as will every organ.
However, given I’m a nice guy, the end of your life will be quick. Enjoy your time in hell.”
No one bothered me after I walked out, the same guard simply opening the gate so I could leave. As I turned the corner leading to the parking lot, I noticed my perfect flower was waiting for me by the SUV. She was studying the sunlight, the rays casting a warm glow across her copper locks.
When I approached, a slow and steady smile crossed her face.
“It took you long enough,” she said with a slight huff.
“Business, baby. Are you ready to have some fun in New York?” I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close.
“What did you have in mind?” She adjusted my tie, her nose wrinkling. She did prefer me in jeans.
“Oh, a little paint and body work on your ex followed by a night on the town in New York. How does that sound?”
Leaning into me, she lifted her head, pressing her soft lips against mine. “Purr… fect.”
“I do so love it when you purr.”
Fleur
New York City.
The Big Apple.
A city I’d once loved that had become tarnished by the life I’d allowed myself to fall into. A trap of my own making with a man capable of tarnishing gold with ease.
I smoothed down my skirt as I glanced at the high-rise building housing Cummings and Watkins, Zane now CEO, a position he’d always wanted. One for which he was willing to use whatever method to obtain. Including bulldozing over his own father.
We’d learned Jason Cummings had taken early retirement, a hand used by his own son against him. As Montgomery had reminded me, money and power could change a person.
What I found interesting over the last few days was how little it seemed Montgomery cared about money. Or maybe he’d learned the small things in life could bring even more pleasure than expensive trinkets.
With him by my side, Gio and another man keeping us company, we headed into the building first. Since Zane had been my cross to bear, I’d been given the honor of destroying him.
Yes, I could have pouted my lips and the man I’d fallen desperately in love with would have invaded his house, ending his life in whatever way Montgomery believed was applicable.
But I wanted him to suffer for years to come, languishing behind prison walls.
Through my handsome lover’s contacts, an arrest warrant had already been issued, waiting until after our visit.
It was my understanding the New York DA was waiting to issue a formal indictment, which would lead to a speedy trial.
The evidence as provided by my brother, which was damning enough to crush Zane’s empire, was already in their hands.
One could say what I was about to do was nothing more than gloating, something I’d never done in my life. However, at this point I was eager for the unexpected meeting. Just to see the look on Zane’s face tickled me to no end.
Maybe the handsome, dangerous man was rubbing off on me just a tiny bit. What was wrong with that?
“What about Papovek?” I asked as soon as the elevator doors closed.
Gio and Montgomery looked at each other, both men far too amused.
“What have you done, boys?” I chided.
“Would you like to tell her, Gio?” Montgomery pushed.
“Certainly, boss. He was enjoying a new restaurant with his lieutenant. Sadly, the fish didn’t agree with him.” Gio grinned.
I was beginning to understand the code. While Montgomery had hesitated in explaining the darkest elements of how business was handled, I could read between the lines.
Dessert had been a tasty bullet.
Did it make me a bad person that I wished I was the one who’d pulled the trigger? Wasn’t that called revenge for my brother’s death?
After wrangling with the thought, I’d decided it was best to leave the acts of retaliation to the big boys. For now.
“Acceptable,” I said as we reached the floor.
“I told you she was tough, Gio.”
“Perfect for you, boss. If you don’t mind me saying.”
Montgomery laughed. “Not at all.”
I clutched the file of duplicated records that had been made. While there was no way for Zane to ignore or make light of the atrocities he’d performed, I knew him well enough to know he’d try to weasel out of the pending charges. Including trying to strong-arm Montgomery.
That would be a mistake.
A big mistake.
Huge.
No one should ever underestimate what Montgomery could do. He was simply… invincible. A sigh left my lips as we cruised down the corridor. Through use of special intel, we’d learned Zane was in his office. A rarity as of late. He preferred golfing with his buddies or ruining others’ lives.
While I’d been to the office on the top floor several times, Zane’s office had been modest in comparison to his father’s. Now, my ex was sitting in the corner suite with perhaps the most spectacular view of New York anywhere.
Not that I was here for the view.
I’d grown quite fond of New Orleans.
We barged in, but Gio was quick to ensure the receptionist didn’t alert anyone of our arrival. I had to give the man credit. He was highly persuasive when he wanted to be.
I strode down the hallway, noticing at least three or four people recognized me from years before.
Of course I was no longer in my wild print skirt and peasant blouse I used to wear, something else Zane had used to insult me.
What I was wearing was called a power suit. Red in color. Flaming red.
Did the color clash with my hair?
I couldn’t give a shit.
I was woman, hear me roar.
When we were in front of Zane’s closed door, I tipped my head, studying Montgomery. “Don’t shave your beard.”
He scrubbed his face, making me jealous I wasn’t the one doing so. “You think not?”
“Nope. Far too sexy this way. I could eat you alive.”
“Later, baby.”
“You better keep your promise.” After taking a deep breath, I opened the door and walked in as if I owned the place.
It took a few seconds for Zane to recognize and acknowledge that his world was about to come crashing down. As soon as he did, his face turned beet red, the huffing and puffing he did while struggling to stand was comical.
“What the hell is the meaning of this?” he spouted off. While his question was directed toward me, his eyes locked on Montgomery. You bet he recognized the man whose account he’d hacked into in his efforts to help a number of assassins hunt down the man who rocked my world.
I found myself amused by the clear fear in his eyes.
“And hello to you as well, darling.” I almost added a southern drawl for the hell of it.
I gently placed the file on his desk. “I know it’s been a while.
I heard through the grapevine by way of this big Russian dude with a bad haircut that you wanted to bring me home. Well, here I am.” I threw out my arms.
As a kid I’d been dramatic, but it had been all but beaten out of me in foster care. I’d learned being quiet was the best thing I could do. Now I didn’t need to worry.
“What is this shit?” Zane insisted.
“I suggest you take a couple moments to read over the documentation, Zane,” Montgomery suggested.
“Why should I?”
Poor Zane. He had no understanding of how powerful and ruthless Montgomery could be if you didn’t obey his every order.
My aching bottom was proof. But I wasn’t going to share my private joy with a pig like Zane.
Montgomery placed his hands on the edge of Zane’s desk, leaning over in a non-threatening way that was entirely and deliciously threatening. Enough so that Zane reared back, but grabbed the file as well. “You need to look at the file, Zane.”
Zane darted his eyes back and forth between us before following orders. Seeing his complexion shifting from rose to pasty white was good for my soul.
“This is bullshit,” he stated, but there was no conviction in his voice.
“Oh, I assure you it’s not. There’s more.” My words now had an icy edge.
“Why the fuck are you doing this?” Poor Zane was now shaking.
“Why? Okay, fair enough. I tried to figure out why you bothered wining and dining me when you obviously couldn’t stand me.
You didn’t like the way I dressed or my makeup.
You called my suncatchers stupid and trashed my Ouija board.
I couldn’t help that the spirits hated you.
I should have listened to them. I should have known you were a worthless son of a bitch.
I mean the lies you told. The bullshit. Hell, you were fucking everyone but me.
Yet you wanted me under your control. It took this man, this gloriously sexy man crashing into my life to figure out why.
You knew how close I was with Danny, at least before he went to work with the Russian czar you’ve been stabbing in the back.
You thought you could use me to discover aspects of Papovek’s inner circle to use to your benefit.
You just didn’t count on the fact that I could cut Danny out of my life. Right?”
Zane snorted.
“Listen to the lady, Zane.” Montgomery had an itchy trigger finger.
I squeezed Montgomery’s arm just for effect.
“You’ll have to forgive Montgomery’s attitude.
He doesn’t like when he hears stories about how his lady, or as he refers to me, his French flower was abused by a pinprick of a man such as yourself.
It makes him cranky, which you don’t want.
I’ll give you credit. You were able to obtain enough details from berating Danny to use in creative ways with Papovek.
Tsk. Tsk. You should know betraying a Russian is bad for your health. They have long memories.”
“You’re fucking out of your mind. Get out of my office.”
Zane’s sudden outburst didn’t sit well with Montgomery. He had Zane off the floor and against the wall before I could blink. With the pressure my handsome hunk was using, Zane was already huffing and clawing.
“I told you he’s cranky, Zane. Don’t worry, darling.
I’m almost finished with this piece of scum.
I’m aware you were part of having Danny killed, Zane.
Fearful he’d spill the beans to your good buddy Papovek.
Unfortunately for my brother, the Russian got to him first. However, his death will not be in vain.
While I’d love for you to suffer in the same ways you forced on me followed by a bullet lodged in your brain, I’m more civilized.
Plus, I have a date tonight I do not want to miss.
So we’re going to leave it to the authorities to handle. ”
Right on cue, Gio opened the door, allowing members of New York’s finest to walk into Zane’s office.
I winked at Montgomery who reluctantly let him go.
As the police moved closer, prepared to take Zane into custody, I was able to issue a deep sigh.
“One more thing, Zane. I’m going to ask the spirits to keep an eye out for you.
Since Papovek’s family and everyone in his organization are completely aware of what you did, even prison won’t be safe for you.
Just like that big Russian with the bad haircut.
He mysteriously died right after being released from a Vermont jail. Poor boy.”
We were ready to walk out when Montgomery couldn’t help himself. He issued two brutal punches to Zane’s face. Ouch. That had to hurt, especially since I heard a horrific crack.
“That’s for daring to touch a beautiful woman with your fist.” Montgomery was gloating as he stood over the man. I was tickled the cops were amused.
When Montgomery finally finished, he took me by the arm, leading me out. “That went well,” he told me.
“He handled it like a man instead of the tantrum-throwing child I know him to be.”
“At least dealing with him offered some experience in dealing with children.” Montgomery winked.
His laugh was far too mischievous. “What does that mean?”
We were at the elevator before he answered, doing so by pushing me inside. “Take the next elevator, Gio. This moment is private.”
Gio snorted. “Whatever you say, boss.”
Every possessive action Montgomery took added to the continuous desire burning deep in my core. He knew exactly what I craved.
And what I needed.
With his hands planted on either side of my head, his head lowered and his lips dangerously close to mine, I allowed myself a deep, invigorating breath of his musky aftershave. As usual, I tingled all over.
“Because,” he continued, “the practice will be very good for when we have children, which I hope will occur very soon.”
Another tingle rushed through me, the swell of emotions more extreme than before. “Is that what you really want?”
“Baby, having a family with you is exactly what I need. Besides, I always keep my promises. You’re not going anywhere.”
With the crush of his lips against mine, I finally was washed free of the demons plaguing me for years.
Even the spirits were smiling. I could feel their approval.
I only hoped my brother was watching from his perch in heaven.