Sephie is just a waitress trying to survive her late shifts, joking with her charming bartender friend Max and finding comfort in her kind neighbors. But once a month, she serves the city’s most dangerous crime bosses: a job that pays well but comes with risks. Tonight, as black SUVs arrive, she braces herself, unaware her life is about to change forever.
“It’s a drug test kit. It’ll tell us for sure what she’s on,” Viktor said. “Scientific,” I said, leaning back against Andrei once more. “And what about the guy? Does she give him anything other than money?” Andrei asked. Ivan pulled a roll of money out of his pocket. It was rolled tight, so it…
“Vinny, Anna, we want to help stop this. To stop Vito. We’re on your side here. I know how difficult this must be for both of you. We’ll get the information on who is in charge if you don’t feel comfortable telling us. It’ll just be a slower process. We just want to meet with…
“What were they discussing?” Ivan asked. He was tense, just as they all were. Armando was already on thin ice with the guys because of Giana. “I heard them talking about the Mexicans,” she said. A couple of them cursed under their breath. “It sounded like Anthony and Lorenzo have struck a deal with the…
“I rest my case,” Ivan said. “But it may not be the best fix, either. If Trino takes care of all the bosses that met with him, that might send the message that he’s the one that really has the power and is running things,” she said, chewing on her bottom lip as she contemplated…
“That means I have to put shoes back on. Is it going to be worth that?” I asked. “I think so, but I promise to rub your feet later if you think it’s not,” he said, his eyebrow raised. “You have excellent negotiation skills,” I said. Stephen walked in the office as I slipped my…
“We already have 30% of the office space leased, as well as 50% of the apartments sold or leased. We haven’t even broke ground on the project yet. The building will be full by the time it’s finished. As for taxes, I don’t charge unfair taxes in my area of the city,” Armando said. Sephie…
I giggled. “You do too. There’s some weird acupuncture by osmosis going on here.” The acupuncturist took the opportunity to motion us back into the spare bedroom. “I can offer some insight into that. Please,” she said, motioning us to the room. Adrik grabbed my hand, lacing his fingers through mine as we followed her…
“But then she said, ‘oh shit I just said that out loud didn’t l’ as she covered her mouth,” Adrik said, laughing. He stepped closer to me, but I pushed him back, playfully. “In my defense, I wasn’t supposed to be in that meeting,” I said, laughing. “Your inability to control your mouth is one…
“What was your response?” Ivan asked, looking at me. I took a deep breath again, trying not to get upset by having to retell it. Misha answered for me. “In normal Sephie fashion, she verbally annihilated her. She asked if Giana was asking for the truth now. She even made Giana say yes twice before…
We moved to the couches after Adrik left with Viktor and Stephen. Ivan pulled me against him once more, his giant arm holding me close. I looked up at him. “I think I need the acupuncture lady again,” I said. He just grinned at me. “I was just about to say that, princess. I can…