“As for the cocaine that comes in from South America, we cut and repackage it, and then it gets sent out to our distributors. Lorenzo handles our distributors,” Dad chimes in, and I am suitably impressed. “It wouldn’t hurt for you to try our product. It’s always a good idea to know what you are selling. We have all done it and built up a tolerance to it just in case anyone tries to use it against us. It’s safer to do it here at the fortress, around people who won’t take advantage of you and who have your back, than to do it anywhere else.”
I blink at my father in surprise.
“I’m not saying you have to become addicted, but we all indulge occasionally. You just don’t want it to rule your life like it does others. Our business associates like their party favors, and some of them get insulted if you won’t partake with them.
There are other things that our business associates like to indulge in as well. When I was married to your mother, they would overlook things because they knew it was a love match, but my alliance marriage to Penelope is known not to be, and when one of them requests lap dances during a meeting, well, they expect you to partake in the offerings as well.” Dad runs a hand through his hair, looking a little awkward at discussing this with me, and I can’t say I don’t have similar feelings. I’m not quick enough to hide the horror I feel over learning this about my father, and the other three men in the room laugh at us.
“I think what Dad is trying to say in a very awkward way is that you need to develop a decent poker face. You have the resting bitch face down no problem, so that will work too, but you may find yourself in a situation that calls for you to fake it until you make it, and you have to be willing to do that.” Gio eyes me sympathetically, but there’s also a hardness in his tone.
“As long as I’m not forced to have sex with anyone, I think I can fake most things.” The three people who know about what happened grimace. His comment most likely came from personal experience, and not just what Dad said.
“I’m sure we will figure something out. For now, why doesn’t Sage show you his latest crop while I go over a few figures with Gio and Mickey?” That didn’t actually sound like a guarantee that I wouldn’t have to have sex with someone, which worries me slightly, but I’ll let it rest for now.
“Sure can, boss.” Sage is quick to jump on the tension breaker and holds out his hand. “Right this way, milady.” He bows and flourishes his arm.
ChapterFourteen
He leads me to another vast, open area much like the one where the guns were kept, but this room has a hydroponic setup. Bright lights shine down over hundreds and hundreds of bushy marijuana plants, and the room is filled with the scent of weed. It’s not as pungent as I thought it would be, though, considering the number of plants in here. All the plants are in rows of pots, and all the pots have connected lines leading back to large water reservoirs. There must be fifty plants in each row, and every row is in a different stage of growth.
“Ms. Russo, meet my babies,” Sage announces, waving his hand like a game show host.
I wrinkle my nose at that name. “God, that’s going to take some getting used to, but if I know Dad, he’s going to insist on it regardless. How about when it’s just the two of us, you call me Tori?” I offer, and his deep brown eyes light up with delight.
“Deal.”
“So do you do all this by yourself?” I wander over to one of the plants and run my finger over a leaf. When I pull away, my finger is sticky, and I grimace.
He chuckles and grabs a rag from a worktable against the side of the room. He hands it to me, and I wipe off the sticky residue. “Mostly, but I have two guys who help me with the plants. They come in a couple times a week, and then when it’s harvest time they are here more often.
“You must not have much of a life. Between being here and traveling to and from here, how do you find time for yourself?”
His brow wrinkles as he gives me a funny look. “I don’t have to travel because I live here. Didn’t your dad tell you?” I can’t hide the shock on my face, and he smirks as he leans against his worktable. “I take it he didn’t tell you. Yup, I have a big room in the mega mansion, which I guess is going to make us roommates if your dad is planning on moving back in.” He looks me up and down. “I knew Mr. Russo had a daughter, but I wasn’t expecting one as pretty as you, though I guess I should have—Gio is rather pretty, after all. Maybe you and I could be somewhat more than just roommates. Itdoesget awfully lonely down here all by myself.” Although his tone is joking, I can see by the look in his eyes that he’s serious.
I saunter over to him, not quite able to believe he’s hitting on me. I guess he didn’t understand what Dad meant when he told him he was introducing me to the business. Sage looks at me like I’m a piece of meat and he’s been on a vegetarian diet. I run a finger down his rather well-defined chest. “You know, for a chemist, you’re rather muscular.”
His chest puffs up under my finger. “There’s a well-equipped gym upstairs as well as a pool that I make use of most nights.”
My finger slides lower, and I press my chest to his, biting my lip as I peer up at him from under my eyelashes. His breathing increases and his pupils dilate as he stares down at me. My hand brushes against the bulge in his pants, and his breathing hitches slightly before it quickly turns into a high-pitched whine as I grab hold of his package and squeeze.
“Oh fuck, what are you doing?” He tries to push me away, but I hold on tight, which makes it more painful for him.
“Did you offer Gio the same thing, or is it because I’m female and you thought hitting on me was appropriate? Did you not hear my dad tell you I was learning the ropes?”
He quickly nods. “Yes, yes, totally hit on him too, and he shot me down, but at least he wasn’t violent about it. Fuck, please stop.”
His words have me swiftly releasing his package in surprise. “Oh, okay then.” I let go and pat it gently. “Good to hear you’re an equal opportunity perv. But I am a taco lover and not into sausage, so I’m afraid you’re batting zero with both of the Russo siblings.” I step back, and he cups his package, glaring at me.
“Fuck, you could have just said no. I think you’ve ruined my dick. I’m never going to get to use it again.” He moans, and I look around the room awkwardly, not sure what to say. “Fuck, your dad will be proud you’ve got the viciousness of a mafioso already.”
“Uh, sorry. I’m a little touchy. I recently had a bad experience and, well, I may have overreacted.” I feel shitty now. I allowed what happened with Stacey to dictate my behavior. I need to stop letting what she did to me affect my actions.
“As an apology, well, do you think you could flash me your tits just so I could see if my dick still works?”
Turning around, I punch him in the gut, and he doubles over, groaning and coughing dramatically. I leave him behind as I head back to the lab.
“Wait, wait, please, Tori. Mr. Russo will kill me if you say anything. I’m sorry.”
I roll my eyes but stop, though I don’t turn around to look at him. “I doubt he will kill you, you look like you’re his cash cow, but if you are worried about that, then maybe you should think before you open your mouth, especially when talking to the boss’s daughter.”
