Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I picked up the whisky bottle from where I’d set it on the nightstand and took a swig. Hair of the dog was going to have to do as a cure for my hangover, I was already running late.
I pulled on last night’s jeans and dug through my drawer for a T-shirt. There was no point in putting on good clothes when I was just going to mess them up. I had a date with a man who’d tried to short us in his payment by adding fake bills to the bottom of each stack of cash he’d handed over.
I was going to enjoy doling out his punishment. I stepped into my closet, hit the button to open my weapons cache, and began to select the instruments I wanted to use on him. I was feeling particularly vicious today, thanks to not having actually gotten my dick sucked by a beautiful blond boy who’d better be following every one of my rules.
I would eat something after I’d made a mess of our delinquent client, but I picked up coffee on my way to capture him. If I didn’t have any caffeine in my system, I might end up killing him instead of just making him wish he was dead.
“You’re smiling,” Vito said.
I scowled at him.
“You never smile.”
“I was thinking about the way the asshole I just visited screamed when I stabbed my favorite knife into him.”
Vito laughed. “No, you weren’t. You’re smiling because you’re a sick fuck, and you get off on this all these men salivating, hungry to get their hands on your man, knowing they don’t have a chance, not when he’s all yours.”
I clenched my fist so I didn’t punch my brother. “I don’t own him. I just own every cent he makes.” I turned my attention back to the stage where Liam was decked out in a sequined crop top and harem pants. He had a genie’s lamp on the stage next to him, and he’d started his routine by pretending to wake up next to it, like the audience had summoned him. I wanted to shove him to his knees, make him call me master, and demand he make all my wishes come true.
“We own everything he makes.”
Vito’s comment brought me back to reality. “I’m handling this.”
“Yeah, I think you are.”
“I told you I haven’t fucking touched him.”
“Really? You expect me to believe that?”
I didn’t respond.
“It’s me, man. Your brother. You don’t have to lie to me. I’m not going to tattle on you to Pops.” When I still said nothing, he continued. “I saw you snarling as you watched Liam. You nearly broke the table apart you were gripping it so hard.”
That was it. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “You’re wrong. I hate watching these men. I want to kill them all, then take Liam off the stage and drag him out of this club.”
“And punish him for being so fucking hot that they all want him?”
I glanced him my brother, pissed off that he knew me too well. “You think I’m a fucking savage.”
“I know you are. You want to torment him for doing exactly what you agreed for him to do.”
“So what. It’s none of your business.”
“Enjoy yourself, but don’t fuck up everything over him. No hot guy is worth that.”
Vito was right. So why was my mind screaming that Liam was worth it, more than worth it?
When Liam failed to come see me after his set, I pretended I wasn’t bothered. I was sure he’d noticed me. He’d looked right at me as he ran a hand over the thick bulge in his jock strap.
“Are you going to go find him?” Vito asked.
“No.”
“You know you want to.”
What I was going to do was punch my brother in the face if he didn’t shut up. “You’ve seen him dance. Now it’s time for you to leave.”
“So you can go find him and not have to tell me?”
“Vito.”
He held up his hands. “Fine. I guess I’ve pissed you off enough for today.”
“Enough for the rest of my life.”
He laid a hand on my arm. “Listen, if you need to talk about this, you know I’m here. You know I’ll help you any way I can. I owe you my life, and I’ll never consider that debt repaid.”
I pulled him to me in a tight hug, but when I released him I pointed toward the door. “Out.”
As soon as he walked away, I headed to the back of the club. Liam wasn’t going to avoid talking to me.
I stepped into the dressing room and ignored the sultry looks the dancers gave me.
“Where’s Liam?” I barely managed to keep my tone civil.
“In the back,” one of the guys said. “He’s with a client, giving a private dance.”
When I stomped out, I heard them whistle. There would be no stopping the rumors now, no way to keep everyone from knowing I’d claimed Liam as mine. But I didn’t really care if the dancers knew. I was only worried about other family members finding out. No one who worked for me here would dare go against me and tell my father anything. They’d be happy to never have contact with him after the stories they’d heard.