“Let’s drink a toast to that reason. I’ll pour, and you tell me what you think my reason is.”
“You’re here to take out your father’s rivals,” he said. “But you’ll have to go through me first.”
“Oh, I think I’d rather enjoy that.” Leanna licked her lips slowly while she poured the champagne.
She made a show of removing her mask and staring into the beady eyes behind his Batman mask.
His eyes were so fixed on her lips and breasts that she was sure he wasn’t watching her hands as she slipped in the roofies.
She handed him a flute of champagne.
“I’ll take this one.” He exchanged his flute with hers. “Let’s toast the death of Joshua Cano. I had no idea you were such a good shot. Has your father been giving you lessons?”
“All that blood. It was horrifying. And the child had to see it.” Leanna said, needing to buy time to keep from drinking the roofied champagne.
“Yes, horrific.” Ivan lifted his flute and tapped it against Leanna’s.
“I can’t do this.” Leanna lurched forward and covered her mouth like she was about to throw up. She set her champagne glass on the table and stumbled for the door.
“Oh, no, you don’t get to leave like this,” Ivan said. “I know you’re here to cement your father’s position.”
“Then you’re stupid,” Leanna said, jutting herself at Ivan. “You should hold me as hostage so my father will back off and support you.”
“Why would you tell me this?” Ivan asked. “What’s in it for you.”
“I want Axe for myself,” Leanna admitted. “You want Veronica. Why can’t we work together?”
Ivan stroked his chin and nodded. “Sure, until you stab me in the back.”
“Then you’re just going to have to deal with me when I try,” Leanna said. “I’ll make you a deal. Give me Axe alive, and I’ll convince my father to back off.”
“I’ll show you which bedroom Axe is held in.”
“Deal.” Leanna watched as Ivan downed the other flute of champagne. She’d put roofies in both flutes, knowing how suspicious he was. Hopefully, Ivan could stay awake long enough to show her the right room.
“Not only that, but I have the master key to this entire cathouse.” Ivan flipped a key from his pocket and chuckled. “I stole it from her right-hand man, Adolfo.”
He was so elated he didn’t see Leanna put her flute of champagne down untouched.
Calmly, she put on her feathered mask. “Let’s sneak up on them."
Leanna followed Ivan down the hallway. He stopped at the end of one corridor and pointed at a door. He was already unsteady on his feet, so Leanna simply took the key from him and gave him a push.
Ivan crumpled to the ground. Leanna searched him for weapons and found a small, snub-nosed revolver which she tucked into her waist underneath her ruffled top. Sometimes, large ruffles came in handy.
There was no one else in the corridor, so Leanna took her time listening at the door. A buzz-saw snore droned steadily inside the room. Had Axe already done the nasty and fallen asleep like a pig? What about Veronica? Was she cuddled in his arms with a satisfied sheen over her bratty face?
Leanna’s gut churned, but she reminded herself Axe would only be pretending. He’d come back to rescue his father, and he would be looking for a way out.
Still, even one kiss would be too much.
Leanna stuck the key into the lock. Her fingers curled, and she wanted to rip Veronica’s face off.
The door opened silently, and Leanna peeked through the crack. There it was again, the snore sounding like a raspy saw. A figure lay spread-eagled on the bed.
Wait. It was a man, and he was completely naked.
She shut the door and crept to the bedside and stared at the penis. It wasn’t as big and hung as Axe’s.
