“Look G, you’re going to have to speak up. I can barely hear you.” As he says this, I can see an evil smirk spread across his face and it pisses me off and right as I talk again the music cuts off to change songs.
Repeating myself again, I raise my voice. “I said there’s this fucking girl, goddamn it!” Okay, so I might have gotten a little heated at this point. But he just couldn’t keep himself from fucking with me, and he got under my skin.
Glancing up, I can see several people at the surrounding tables are cutting their eyes towards me. My expression turns cold and I return their gaze, staring each one down. “What the hell are you looking at?” They all resume what they were doing prior to hearing my loud ass mouth.
As I look up, I see the waitress standing in front of us, holding our drinks, and looking at me. Jesus. Is she scared because I raised my voice at everyone? Or is she going to continue to give me come fuck me eyes that I would prefer to be directed at someone other than me?
I notice that she’s become a bit too ambitious as she sets our drinks down, making sure to lean over the table flashing her fake breasts in my face. Leaning back, I don’t make eye contact and focus solely on my drink, hoping she’ll soon get out of my face.
Finally, she walks away from our table and Chance’s eyes go wide, raising his brows practically to his hair line. What part of “there’s this girl” does he not understand?
“Just say it.”
Losing all signs of playfulness, his expression turns serious. “So, who’s the girl you’re referring to? I haven’t heard you talk about a girl since…”
“Don’t. I don’t want to talk about the past right now. The girl is Six, and she owns this club.”
He looks at me as if I’ve grown a second head and continues to talk. “The Queen of Reign?”
“Yeah. You know her?”
“I’ve seen her here, but we never officially met.”
“Well, she does some business with my father.”
I continue to fill him in on everything from the mysterious young girl my father used to train, to meeting the Crimson Queen herself.
Chance is more like a brother to me than my own brother had been. He doesn’t work for my father on the mafia side of things, but my father and I both invested in some of his business endeavors.
His main business is a record label, and he’s making enough now that he doesn’t need investors to bankroll him. But blood or not, we consider him part of the family. Loyalty is hard to find these days and Chance is as loyal as they come.
“This chick sounds like she’s right up your alley.”
“Who knows? I don’t even know her yet. Only what my father’s said over the years, which isn’t much, and rumors through the dark web.”
I can see he’s highly amused with my personal life right now. Asshole.
“Well, you did say, yet.” He laughs as we pay our tab and begin walking towards the door.
One of the security guys stops me on my way out and gives me a once over. What the hell is this guy looking at me like that for?
“Boss said to tell you to be at your dad’s for a meeting tomorrow.”
I recognize him from the last time I was here. But I can’t remember his name.
“And who is your boss?” I am honestly confused right now. Does he work for my dad, or just Six? And since when does she give me orders?
My phone rings and I answer it without looking at the number in an annoyed tone.
“What?”
“Well hello to you too, Gio.”
I’d recognize that honeyed tone anywhere. “Six?”
“That’s me. Drinks are on the house from here on out. I apologize for not relaying that to my employees before, but I wasn’t aware that you were a frequent guest at my establishment.”
This girl. I swear. “Since when did my business become yours?”
She laughs so loud I have to pull the phone away from my ear. “Baby, your business became mine the second your father insisted we work together. That means we have to trust each other, and I don’t hand it out like candy. So, you do what you have to do. But you’ve already had a snake in your garden, and I sure as fuck won’t allow one in mine. See you tomorrow.”
I can’t decide if I’m pissed off or turned on right now. This woman is crazy. But fuck if crazy isn’t what I crave the most.
Chapter 10
Six
Waking up the next morning, I couldn’t help but think about the sound of Gio’s voice on the phone last night. After I ran facial recognition, I checked security cameras for the club and noticed the gentlemen in the booth I visited the night I gave Gio a lap dance.
Recognizing his face right away, I gave Damon a call and instructed him to relay the message to Gio. I don’t think he was too crazy about the idea, but he’s never questioned my orders in the past, and he would not start now.
I gave Gio a call just to fuck with him a little and establish my dominance. He may be a man, but I’m not stupid. I’ve seen the way some women get treated by men in my profession. We may be deadly but some men never learn. I guess we’ll see how he responds soon enough. We have a meeting again today at Piero’s.
As I arrive at Piero’s house, I see that Gio’s already here, looking delicious as always. Focus.
I clear my throat and hand Piero the thumb drive with the files I made last night.
“I went back over security from the night you all were at Reign and ran facial recognition inside and out. We had one hit inside and one hit outside. Here are their identities. Two gentlemen who seem to have ties to the Russian mob.”
They exchange glances, and I continue on with my report. “I believe one of us had a tail that night, and it connected the two of us enough for them to move forward with their plan and send the threat.”
I asked Piero about the message they received. He said that it was a package on his front steps with a crown inside that was covered in fresh blood. It was tested and confirmed that it was animal blood, which at least tells me that no one was killed as a threat yet, that we know of.
There was also a note in the box that read, “Her days are numbered.”
Looking at both men, I can see that they’re probably waiting for me to lose my shit. I’m known for being short-tempered. I pace as I talk.
“Okay look. There are a few things we need to figure out first, and we can use that to eliminate suspects. First, why send a threat saying that my days are numbered instead of just killing me? They want us to know that they’re coming, which tells me this isn’t a regular hit. They don’t care about the element of surprise and they're going to want the recognition. This is an act of revenge of some sort.
“Second, they would have to know that we have a close relationship because they wouldn’t be able to determine that just from your presence at the club alone. So, I believe we’re looking at an inside job or someone that knows both of our families.”
Gio looks at me with a slight grin on his face.
“Why the fuck are you smiling right now?”
He looks at me and shakes his head. “No reason. We’ve just barely talked and I’ve yet to see you work. I’m just taking it in.”
I smile back condescendingly. “Well, get a good look. It could be your last.”
His expression turns from one of intrigue with his eyes slightly crinkled, to one of aggravation with the corners of his mouth turned down.
Piero looks back and forth between the two of us and shakes his head while letting out a deep sigh.
“It amazes me how alike the two of you are.”
Gio laughs while I look at the two men with my brow raised, trying to hide the quirk appearing at the corner of my mouth. I’m going to have to do some homework on Gio. He probably knows more about me than I do him, and I can’t have that. I’m usually better prepared than this.
The three of us make plans for Gio and I to interrogate the two men from the surveillance tape tonight.
Once I get home, I fill Kat
in on the details of what’s going down tonight before she gets ready to go to Reign tonight to work. “I’ve put a security detail on you. I don’t want you running around without them, especially since there’s a hit out on me. They may do anything to get to you. You know what? You’re off work tonight. I’ll call and let them know.”
Kat looks to the ceiling before taking a deep breath. “Six, I’ll be fine. I’ll just go to the club and back. Nowhere else.”
“Fine. But that’s it. There’s already been people hanging around the club. I don’t want to take a chance on missing another one of these assholes and getting a threat made against you this time.”
We agree and part ways. Her to get ready for a night of making money, and me to get ready for a night of getting answers while working with Giovanni for the first time. This should be interesting.
I go upstairs to change into my black work attire and grab my mask, not that I need it. Our identities have long been discovered. But, I won’t take a chance on anyone else getting information they wouldn’t have otherwise had.
I take the armored SUV for safety reasons, yet again, and pick Gio up from the location he sent me.
When I arrive and make my way through the gated driveway, I’m taken aback by his beautiful home. I honestly expected something a little more playboy, a lot less family man. Perhaps a penthouse or condo of sorts.
Walking up to the door, I take in the view of the gray and tan stone two-story house with cream colored trim. It’s beautiful. Definitely something you would see more of up north. It has a cozy feel to it.
As I ring the doorbell, another man, who I don’t know, lets me inside.
“You must be Six. I’m Chance. G’s best friend,” he says smiling like a fool that’s far too proud of himself.
“Never heard of you. I’m Six.”
“I’ve heard of you.”
“Oh, I’m sure you have, since you frequent my club.”
“You’ve been checking up on me?”
I cringe in disgust. “No, dumbass. I had to check security footage, and you were in quite a few of the frames.”
Chance’s face seems to tint a bit in embarrassment. I see Gio coming down the stairs and feel myself grow damp immediately just from his appearance alone. He’s wearing black fitted jeans, a tight black shirt, and a black leather jacket.
As he steps closer to me, I’m still distracted by his presence alone, taking a deep breath and inhaling the scent of citrus and cedar. An odd combination, but they complement each other perfectly.
“Six? Are you ready?” he asks while standing in front of me.
I continue to take him in. Over six feet of deliciousness with a tan complexion, dark brown hair, and chocolate caramel colored eyes. He doesn’t have a beard, but he’s not shaved either. He has a decent amount of scruff. I can only imagine what that would feel like between my legs.
I hear a quiet laugh and look up only to see him smiling back down at my small five foot one inch frame and what he says next would have most people blushing with embarrassment.
“You don’t have to imagine, you know? Just say the word.”
I laugh and reply. “Oh, I won’t be saying anything. When and if that time comes, trust me. You’ll know.”
Chapter 11
Giovanni
Damn. This girl is something else. Strong, sexy, sassy. Who would have thought all of that could fit into such a small package? She is definitely a lethal combination.
While she’s looking me up and down like I’m her next meal, I take the time to do the same to her. She’s wearing a black leather fitted outfit that hugs her frame perfectly with combat style boots. She may be small, but she’s curvy in all the right places.
She has long white hair, gorgeous gray eyes, and a pale complexion. Her plump lips are painted a dark purple, making me want to rub it off with my own lips on hers. With her ears, eyebrow, nose and lip pierced, it all goes perfectly with her sleeve of tattoos, making her even more sexy.
I see the look Chance is giving me. He knows me all too well. Tattoos, piercings, and a badass personality will have me falling hook, line, and sinker. Not to mention she’s absolutely beautiful and smells good enough to eat. Leaning forward, I breathe in her scent, a mix of black cherries and vanilla.
She mumbles under her breath as if she hasn’t even realized she’s talking aloud, “I can only imagine what that would feel like between my legs.”
I can’t help the smirk that spreads across my face and I reply, “You don’t have to imagine. You know? Just say the word.”
Looking me up and down, she laughs. “Oh, I won’t be saying anything. When and if that time comes, trust me. You’ll know.” I smile back at her and nod my head.
Yeah. This is going to be fun.
This girl just makes me want to put her over my lap and spank her ass so hard she can’t sit for a week. But something tells me if she had it her way, she’d be the one in charge, tying me up somewhere.
She turns to me and asks, “You ready?”
“Hell yeah. Let’s do this.”
She smiles and looks over her shoulder, talking to Chance. “Don’t think I didn’t recognize your ass. You hurt my family and you’re as good as dead. Keep that in mind next time you’re eyeing up Kat at Reign.”
Chance looks over to me and then back to her, swallowing like there’s a lump in his throat. “Yes, ma’am.”
I can’t help but laugh at his scared ass. Though her threat is anything but funny. She’s dead serious, and I’m a little disturbed that this has my dick hardening in my pants.
I pack my gear and weapons into her vehicle and we get on the road. I love that she turns music on to help get her in the right frame of mind. We went over the plan of attack and we agreed she will lead this mission. It is her life being threatened, not mine. It’s the least I can do. Give her some semblance of control. I recognize the signs all too well. She’s out for blood, and I’m eager to see the Crimson Queen at work.
We park the vehicle down the street from the apartment building, grab our weapons, and make our way to our first target. I’m carrying my brass knuckles, a knife, and my gun. I look over at Six and notice she’s slipping on a unique pair of gloves. They’re black with what looks like sharp claws on the tip of each finger.
I know my demeanor has changed. It always does when I get in the right headspace for what we’re about to do. I get excited and can feel the adrenaline with each beat of my heart. Looking over at her, I see she’s got a small grin on her face and is walking with a purpose. I believe this is going to go much smoother than I expected.
After doing recon of the building, we disable their cameras and make our way up to the tenth floor. A few minutes later and she’s kicking the door in. I follow behind her with weapons drawn. And what do we have here? Jackpot.
“I guess we get two for one tonight. This one over here was our next stop,” Six declares. As they attempt to draw their weapons, she’s thrown two throwing stars that not only stopped them from drawing their guns, but she also took at least a finger each.
We make quick work of tying them both up and blacking out any windows that may have been used for surveillance. I do a quick sweep and find a few bugs. Six disposes of them temporarily so what we’re doing can’t be heard by whoever the person listening in. I make a mental note to bring one back with us to see if we can get any information from it.
Six walks behind one of the men and slowly drags her clawed glove down the side of his face, causing him to let out a muffled yell around the gag in his mouth from the pain of the blades piercing his skin.
I can’t help but enjoy seeing her in her element.
She slowly walks over and does the same to the second man. I stand back and let her play her games, much like foreplay, or an animal playing with its prey. After a bit of back and forth, she starts asking questions.
“Who are you working for?” No answer. She takes out a set of Karambit knives and with one in each hand, stabs them int
o each man's thigh simultaneously, then twists, causing both men to scream around their gags.
As much as I love this view I look around the room and notice a picture with kids. Pulling the frame off the wall, I walk over to the one that lives in this apartment, Pavel.
Shoving the picture in his face, I talk to him. “Pavel, you have a beautiful family. I would really hate for anything to happen to them.”
He looks up to me with fear in his eyes for the first time since we’ve been here. I can see that Six isn’t happy with me threatening women and children. Trust me, nothing makes me more sick than the thought of it, and I would never do it. But he doesn’t know that.
The fear doesn’t leave his eyes, but he still refuses to talk. I pull out my brass knuckles with the spikes and blades at each end and punch him across the side of his face that Six had already clawed, making it even more painful and drawing more blood from the already opened wounds.
You would think it would be the one getting his face fucked up that would talk first. But no. The other man, Anton, starts trying to talk. Six removes his gag, and he’s all too eager to start answering questions.
After we get the answers we came for, Six has no desire to let them live and neither do I. She starts by cutting out Anton’s tongue, which I can understand, because it took nothing for him to sing like a canary. Traitor.
She continues by grabbing his shirt and lifting it up stabbing him in his lower stomach then runs the knife up his stomach gutting him like a pig. I walk over to Pavel and as he mutters what I can only imagine are pleas for his life; I grab him by his hair tilting his head back and slice his throat open with one quick, precise movement as blood sprays then turns to a drip.
I look at Six and she’s covered in just as much blood as I am, if not more. I don’t think she’s ever been more beautiful. I can feel our demons begging each other to come out and play.
We’re both breathing heavily, but not because we’re out of breath. We’re excited because we’re both fulfilling a need that we have. A desire. The need to kill, and in this moment we’ve found someone else with the same passion.
Her Crimson Reign Page 4